"In short, sometimes the root of the tooth is infected, and the infection can spread to your sinuses," Dr. Lewis.
The medical condition that Dr. This Lewis is called endodontic origin of maxillary sinusitis (MSEO). Most people don't realize it, but the upper roots of the teeth often extend close enough to the empty space filled with air located behind the cheekbones, called the maxillary sinus. If one of the teeth in the upper back is infected, the infection can spread easily from the tip of the root of the tooth and spread to the maxillary sinus. Patients suffering from MSEO will often show low levels of sinus or sinus symptoms, which include posterior nasal droplets or common sinus congestion, which they consider to be caused by seasonal allergies.
Some patients may even experience repeated sinus infections, which are often treated by doctors with antibiotics. While antibiotics will treat the patient's sinus symptoms for a period, antibiotics cannot reach the source of infection within the tooth. After the antibiotic is stopped, the infection will slowly reappear from the tooth and spread to the breast and the symptoms will reappear months later.
Ironically, patients with MSEO often don't experience toothache. The absence of these dental symptoms can make it difficult for patients and their doctors or general dentists to know that there is a dental infection. As a result, patients often suffer from this condition for years before it is recognized. Although it may be difficult to achieve a diagnosis of MSEO, endodontists are specifically trained and equipped to diagnose and treat this condition.
Lewis said that easy and relatively painless treatment options, such as endodontic therapy, can help eliminate the bacteria that cause this infection. In some cases, MSEO infection originates from teeth that have undergone a root canal treatment once, but now fail. For patients who have damaged root canal treatment, specialized endodontics specialists are allowed to offer recovery services, such as repeat care, which can eliminate infections in the teeth even when previous attempts by other professionals may have failed.
"Many people may be horrified at the idea of receiving endodontic treatment, but in the hands of a trained professional, the process is quite effective, easy and relatively painless," continued Dr. Lewis. "For patients diagnosed with MSEO, root canal therapy or treatment can completely resolve their sinus symptoms, and nearly half of all patients undergoing this procedure do not need further medical attention. Patients who do not experience help may need additional attention from ENT to complete their complaint, although endodontic treatment is usually the first step needed.
Lewis received a degree in dentistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004 and completed advanced endodontic training at the School of Dental Medicine at the University of New York. He is a member of the American Association of Endodontics.
For more information about MSEO, interested parties are advised to register for the EAA webinar to be offered on February 21, 2019, or to consult with articles presented in Dear Doctor or Decisions in Dentistry.
About the American Association of Endodontics
The American Endodontic Association, based in Chicago, represents more than 8,000 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of nine dental specialties officially recognized by the American Dental Association. AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in arts and endodontics and the highest level of patient care. The association inspires its members to pursue professional progress and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service.
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