Tooth abscess - Don't want to get a root canal...

I am 34 years old, and in relatively good health (except for being overweight).

I found a rather large bump under my gum line (where your check connects to your jaw bone). It hurt to the touch. I swished with peroxide and the pain diminished. Couple of weeks go by, bump is the same size, perhaps slightly larger (size of a marble), and now the pain is radiating out into my face and sinus. I notice my limp nodes are swallon, so I assume this is an infection of some kind.

I get into the dentist, they X-ray and say it is an abscess and that I need a root canal, extraction or a bridge.


I started taking Amoxicilin (yeah, I know, I will resume my probiotics afterward, but I needed this thing under control) yesterday, and already the swelling is down and I feel a ton better. I assume taking the two at the same time is useless (I still eat natural yougurt for breakfast each day)

So I have to wonder if the tooth is really dead, or if it can be saved? The tooth itself has and had no pain. I could bite down without any pain, and in fact I eat a handful of nuts each day.

The Dentist only glanced at the X-ray and said "root canal".... Obviously I am not trained to read Xrays, but I didn't notice anything different with it when compared to the tooth next to it. (It's my Number 29 molar, second from the bak on my right side).

I don't think the X-ray even went down far enough to see the abscess.


Are they any other options available for me?

Are Bridges a good or bad idea?

I live in North Central Washington (Wenatchee area) and I have no idea how to find a natural dentist, but I bet if I can get over the mountain pass (snow) I could find one in the Seattle area.

The tooth had a lot of work done on it by this dentist (white filling) and it was the only thing I have had done by any dentist since I was a kid (I don't seem to get Cavities), but I admit I rarely brush (something I now do twice a day however).

Any reply is welcome,

Thank you,

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