Is root canal the method of treatment for tooth infection?
Patient: I had a boil, non painful on my upper gum at the upper right incisor for 4 days. When at the dentist yesterday, it opened and has yellow pus,  he started me on antibiotics and suggested a root canal for that #8 tooth. The XRay of the tooth didn't show anything. He says the drainage & swelling surrounding the tooth are indicative of infection.  Is a root canal my only option?  Won't I also loose the tooth? I have just completed invisalign treatment for that tooth and don't want to loose it. Please advise and thanks. Doctor: Hi..Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..As per your complain in case if you have a non painful boil over the gum that drained pus seems to be probably due to gum boil or gum abscess and as the x ray did not reveal any abnormality as well as there is n pain in tooth, then the chances of tooth related infection causing dental abscess are rare..Root canal treatment is advised if there is tooth related infection and not fr gum infection..I would therefore suggest you to consult an Endodontist and get evaluated and a thorough clinical evaluation and x rays from different angulations has to be done to rule out the exact cause and treated accordingly..In case if it is not due to tooth infection and is due to gum infection then Scaling and curettage will be advised..Hope this information helps..Thanks and regards.Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.