abcessed tooth treatment

[Cheryn]

I just went to the dentist who told me that I probably have an abcessed tooth, he scheduled appointments for root canal and crown over a year long process.  He showed me the x-ray and honestly I can't see anything that he claims is there.  He said I have a dark spot under the root, but to me it looks just like all the other teeth.  I did recently complete a round of antibiotics for a brown recluse spider bite.  The bite seemed to have a negative effect on my glandular system. I believe homeopathic methods should be used first when possible. I had a swollen gland under that tooth and put vitamin C tablets on that side of my mouth until it got better.  Once I began to drink detox tea, my tooth got better and I regained some of the energy the spider bite had taken from me.  I don't want to work on this tooth unless absolutely necessary.  Other than the swollen gland (which got better) I have no pain from the tooth.  How do I know for certain that this tooth needs all this work?  Is is possible for the abcess to heal and the tooth to correct itself?  In other words, once a tooth has an abcess are there no other options other than to do a root canal and crown on the tooth?  Or can the abcess be treated and the tooth left alone once the abcess is cured?

[Tula]

I had a abcessed tooth.  i had just gotten braces and something got stuck in my tooth from my teeth moving.  i knew i had it though it hurt extrmely bad.  they went in and cleaned the area really good had to numb me 3 times and took xrays couldn't find anything.  but like i said the pain was horrible.  once they cleaned it they gave me a mouth wash that kept it clean and antibiotics.  i felt much better that day.  i just went back into the dentist, its been a year now and i got my braces off and i have been tasting metal in my mouth which is coming from the tooth that was infected.  my gum has alot of recession too the dentist took an icecube and held it to that tooth until i felt the cold in which i didnot.  which means the root is dead. thats when i knew i needed a root canal.  if i were you i would get a second opinion.  good luck

[Matthew Baron, D.M.D.]

If the tooth is abcessed the two options are root canal therapy or extract the tooth.  Antibiotics may help temporarily but the infection will return.  If you are unsure you should get a second opinion.  Good luck.