Infection between roots of tooth

[Bramshott]

I have had loads of trouble from one of my molars with a big filling in, had the filling replaced etc, and according to the xray, I have an infection in the gum between the roots of the tooth.

However, my dentist says I don't need antibiotics because they won't help, and seems very pessimistic about the future of the tooth and keeps talking about extraction.

Now clearly I would like to keep my tooth if I can! So has anyone got any advice on:
(a) whether I should go back and demand antibiotics (not appealing - I am not a very 'demand-y' person!)
(b) what else I can do to try and fight this infection. I am doing salt mouthwashes but I don't know whether that is really helping as the infection is hidden away.

What was his advice then, has it got a root filling ? Corsodyl (mouthwash or gel) may help but if it is under the apex of the of the tooth root itself there is a procedure called an apiesectomy(sp?) whereby they surgically drain it. Had it done to save a front tooth last year as apparnetly there are soemtimes very fine extra roots which can harbour infection. TMI Warning - You may not want to google it though.

If the infection is in between the roots then there's no reason why antibiotics should not work. They generally do not work when the root itself is infected because there is no way for the antibiotics to get into the tooth to get rid of the bacteria, this is why people have root canal as this is what it does. Is there another dentist you can go to in order to get a second opinion?

wonder why he won't give you abs? my dentist didn't and i got a really bad infection in my sinus. still there a bit. in the end i just went straight to doctors for abs.

If anyone is interested in an update on my crap teeth , I have been back, and now have a 5 day course of abs. Will see what they do. He is still v pessimistic about the toot in the long term though, and said I could be referred to a periodontist if I wanted, but it would be expensive. I thought I'd see what the abs will do first. I now have pus seeping out of my gum - nice!

Poor you Bramshott - well done for going back! Fingers crossed the abs do the trick.

Shyteteeth

I think it must have been a periodontist my dh went to for an abcess in behind his veneer/root canal - something or other - it cost £750!!