According to endodontist Michael J. Lewis, DMD, when people struggle with chronic sinus infections this winter, underlying dental infections may be to blame.
"In short, sometimes the root of the tooth is infected and the infection can spread to the space behind the cheekbones," said Lewis, a member of the American Association of Endodontics (AAE) specialist.
"Patients may experience signs of seasonal allergies or sinus infections and receive antibiotic prescriptions from their primary care provider. Although this antibiotic can treat infections in the nose, they don't always cure your dental infections," Lewis said.
Endodontic origin of maxillary sinusitis (MSEO) begins when the upper tooth root extends close enough to the maxillary sinus containing air behind the cheekbones. If one of these teeth is infected, the infection can spread easily from the tip of the root of the tooth to the maxillary sinus.
Patients with MSEO often have sinus or nasal symptoms, such as runny nose or nasal congestion, which may be thought to be caused by seasonal allergies. Some patients may even experience recurrent sinus infections, which will often be treated by doctors with antibiotics.
While antibiotics will resolve the infection for a certain period of time, they cannot reach the source of infection in the teeth. After the antibiotic stops, the infection will slowly reappear from the tooth and spread to the breast.
Ironically, patients with MSEO usually do not have pain in their teeth. This absence of dental symptoms can make it difficult for patients, doctors and dentists to know that there is a dental infection.
As a result, patients often suffer from this condition for years before it is recognized. Lewis said that easy and painless treatment options, such as root canal treatment, can help eliminate the bacteria that cause infection.
"Many people may be horrified at the idea of receiving endodontic treatment, but in the right hands of a highly qualified and specialized endodontist, the process is quite simple and relatively painless," Lewis said.
"For patients diagnosed with MSEO, root canal therapy or repeat treatment can only completely eliminate their sinus symptoms, and nearly half of all patients undergoing this procedure do not need other medical attention," Lewis said.
"Patients who do not experience help may need additional attention from ENT to resolve their complaints, but root canal treatment is the first step needed," Lewis said.
AAE will present the webinar on "Endoantral Connections: understanding the role of endodontic infections in maxillary sinus disease" on February 21 at 7 pm ET.
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