Teeth at Christmas

[shewolfmum]

I know there are worse things to be dealt with at Christmas..I have a dodgy tooth. First molar upper right. Feels like it is too big for my mouth and I developed an abscess a week ago. Before this about 6 weeks ago I had mental pain but couldn't work out where it was coming from as they all felt sore think it must be due to stress and clench or grinding... anyway...have antibiotics and abscess has gone down although I know it won't go. The dentist I saw said the could replace filling. It may be cracked and may sort it. Everyone I have read and another dentist I asked said it would only ever be root canal or extraction for an abscessed tooth. I don't want to have a filling of I will be back in two weeks with another problem...what would you do? Tooth looks healthy in x-ray with the infection showing on one of the roots as it has two...? Help!

I'd just get it extracted tbh. Once you've had an abscess they tend to just keep popping back so I'd save the hassle and get it removed altogether. As long as it wasn't in a place that would make you uncomfortable smiling or talking 😅

Oh thank you Devils....yes I told the dentist I wanted it out and he said he wasn't happy taking it out or wouldn't so maybe I have to go to emergency dentist as that's all they seem to do! It will be a gap as it's the first molar after the pointy one at the front....but heyho.

Try and keep it if possible - those pre molar teeth are quite important for the balance of the mouth and can lead to your bite becoming off and jaw pain.
Trust your dentist.

(Speaking from experience)

Oh interesting Burnt broccoli...have you had similar then? I am feeling super confused as two dentists have said filling wouldn't be an option...either root canal or extraction but my dentist said to try a new filling.

Yes I would try a filling first, then root canal.
My last root canal lasted 20 years so a long term option (as is a filling).

Extraction leads to bone loss, something that many dentists don't mention. Obviously if your tooth is really infected then it's a non decision anyway.

Thank you