Tooth Abscess treatment

[Vicky]

Hiya

Over the last few days, my front tooth has been hurting pretty badly. My mum says that tooth must have an abscess because the gum around the tooth has swelled up and aching badly.

Am I right in think that tooth abscess treatment involves antibiotics and root canal filling? I don't mind taking antibiotics but I am not looking forward to root canal if I need to have that done. Could you tell me what sort of treatment I would need for my front tooth and if antibiotics alone could fix my problem.

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Thank you for your post.

An experienced dentist needs to assess your tooth to see if root canal treatment is necessary. If the tooth has lost vitality or is infected, then root canal treatment is justified, if you wish to save your tooth.

Antibiotics alone, are generally not the treatment of choice for teeth that have become infected. Generally, the tooth will either need root canal treatment or extraction and I am guessing that since this is your front tooth, you will probably wish to save the tooth with root canal treatment.