Does an anyone in Dentistry know if it is unusual to wait this long and be on Pennicillin VK for over 3 weeks for a root canal procedure? Now they are putting me on Clyndamicin and I don't know if I will have adverse reactions with this antibiotic, i.e. stomach aches, cotton mouth and I am sore down there. I am on Wisconsin MA because I have a disability and I take good care of my teeth. I am hoping I will not be told that my tooth will have to be extracted since it is a tooth I need to chew and a fairly large one at that. The Dentist is not telling me anything, likely they haven't heard anything at all yet. I am getting sick of having to take 4 pills a day, especially since I have plenty of other meds I am on. Is there any help or charity out there? Where do I go? What do I do? I am running out of options and it's getting closer to Christmas. I wanted to have this done by now. I need help! Does anyone have any advice for me?

What other meds are you on, and what is your medical condition. People with heart problems have to be on antibiotics before dental procedures. That is not unusual. Clyndamicin is used for vaginal infections and/or if you are allergic to pennicilin.

Your information is confusing.

What do you mean 'you are sore down there' ?

If the dentist is not telling you anything, you are not asking enough questions.

I am reading between the lines and thinking there is a lot more going on with your body and they are leary of giving you the root canal because of it.

I am pretty willing to help out if you can explain more goldie.

What other meds are you on, and what is your medical condition.
My disability is mental illness and I suffer no heart condition.

Your information is confusing. Sorry for that, I am just upset!

What do you mean 'you are sore down there' ?
What I mean is that since I have been on pennicillin VK for so long (3 wks and a day) I am starting to have the problems associated with the drug, i.e. cotton mouth, stomach aches and experiencing soreness in the groin--which is a reaction to the medication.

If the dentist is not telling you anything, you are not asking enough questions. I've called two-three times and the ladies at the desk haven't been helpful at all. They tell me they will call me as soon as they hear anything and that's about as far as I get. I asked them if they could speed up the process and they said they have no control with Medical Assistance.

I am reading between the lines and thinking there is a lot more going on with your body and they are leary of giving you the root canal because of it. I don't think this is the case, I don' t have too many more health problems besides just the illness. My dentist is very nice and told me he would recommend to Wisconsin MA that I have a root canal and not an extraction.

I am pretty willing to help out if you can explain more goldie.
That would be very much appreciated, as much as you could provide.

Okay, then I would consult with another dentist (has the dentist referred you to an endodontist who is treating you?)

You should not be on pennicilin for three weeks (at least ( don't think that is the normal period for a whole dose). Plus another antiobotic.

You have to seek alternate treatment, goldie, A root canal recommendation and procedure does not take three weeks. Once you are diagnosed it takes a week at most depending on the severity of the infection.

Okay, then I would consult with another dentist (has the dentist referred you to an endodontist who is treating you?)

No Dentist in my area would treat me, I've called around, because I am on MA. This was a Dentist I had prior to the onset of my illness and he just took me in.

You should not be on pennicilin for three weeks (at least ( don't think that is the normal period for a whole dose). Plus another antiobotic.

Yes, it doesn't appear to be normal, but is government healthcare any different than making people wait for prior authorization. For the rest of the population, I would not recommend this type of socialized health-care; where it takes too long to address an issue, causing even more problems that force you to go to the doctor for other things. Like I want be using the "system" this much.

You have to seek alternate treatment, goldie, A root canal recommendation and procedure does not take three weeks. Once you are diagnosed it takes a week at most depending on the severity of the infection.

I am looking into other options. Donated Dental Services might help in my area, but they put people on a waiting list for a month or two. I don't think I can wait that long! I might also try United Way for help. Any other suggestions or more advice for me? I'm at my wit's end, growing more anxious by the minute!!!

Okay, then i would consult with another dentist (has the dentist referred you to an endodontist who is treating you?)

No Dentist in my area would treat me, I've called around, because I am on MA. This was a Dentist I had prior to the onset of my illness and he just took me in.

You should not be on pennicilin for three weeks (at least ( dont think that is the normal period for a whole dose). Plus another antiobotic.

Yes, it doesn't appear to be normal, but is government healthcare any different than making people wait for prior authorization. For the rest of the population, I would not recommend this type of socialized health-care; where it takes too long to address an issue, causing even more problems that force you to go to the doctor for other things. Like I want be using the "system" this much.

You have to seek alternate treatment, goldie, A root canal recommendation and procedure does not take three weeks. Once you are diagnosed it takes a week at most depending on the severity of the infection.

I am looking into other options. Donated Dental Services might help in my area, but they put people on a waiting list for a month or two. I don't think I can wait that long! I might also try United Way for help. Any other suggestions or more advice for me? I'm at my wit's end, growing more anxious by the minute!!!


I don't know what the problem is with your tooth but with my last root canal I had to finish TWO courses of penicillin with 5 days in between (the courses were 10 days long) before the Endodontist would even start the root canal due to the infection.

Is the tooth infected or is he concerned about the possibility of infection?

I don't know what the problem is with your tooth but with my last root canal I had to finish TWO courses of penicillin with 5 days in between (the courses were 10 days long) before the Endodontist would even start the root canal due to the infection.

Is the tooth infected or is he concerned about the possibility of infection?

That makes me feel a bit better, I am hoping the clyndamycin won't cause me problems. Someone told me it's that my tooth is dying and I have a dead nerve, there is a puss sack that is caused by the nerve being irritated, if the puss sack gets too big, it can be like an absess which could swell and cause your cheek to be large. I don't think I have an absess since I am on the antibiotic.

That's is WAY too long to be on antibiotics, your are at risk of serious stomach problem if you take clindamycin for any period unless absolutely necessary. Your dentist should drain the abscess and start the root canal first... it can then wait to be completed, but there is no need for antibiotics unless you have a progressive, painful infection. Document everything that has been done and try to get someone to start the root canal ASAP. Either way, you should get a second opinion

Thats is WAY too long to be on antibiotics, your are at risk of serious stomach problem if you take clindamycin for any period of time unless absolutely necessary. Your dentist should drain the abscess and start the root canal first...it can then wait to be completed, but there is no need for antibiotics unless you have a progressive, painful infection. Document everything that has been done and try to get someone to start the root canal ASAP. Either way, you should get a second opinion


Thanks for the input. I would love to have a second opinion, but I don't think I can even find someone that will see me in my area. No one takes people on Medical Assistance around here. I am calling United Way tomorrow at 211 in the U.S. to see what, if any, help is out there.

I don't understand your system in the United States. It seems inhumane to make someone wait so long for treatment and I don't care if you are on disability or not. All the red tape is ridiculous! I feel sorry for you goldie. I hope you get your care soon.

Thanks flossie for your concern. I just called MA this morning and I found out they are waiting for more info from my dentist. I called my dentist to find out if they knew that. Apparently they sent my information in on an old form and had to resend on the new form. They sent it out they said early last week. All because of that frickin' red tape you mentioned, flossie, I am waiting so long!