Hi jimkh,

I am going to re-post your questions and reply in bold type. This can make it easier to follow

<but is it possible for ALL lymph nodes to swell?>>

YES IT IS VERY POSSIBLE FOR LYMPH NODES TO SWELL IN OTHER AREAS THAT WOULD SEEM UNASSOCIATED WITH A TOOTH. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE BACTERIA IN OUR MOUTH TRAVELS THROUGH OUR BLOOD STREAM, THROUGH OUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND THROUGH OUT RENAL COLLECTING SYTSTEM (BLADDER/KIDNEYS). THE BACTERIA CAN ALSO SETTLE IN THE BRAIN, ORGANS, LIMBS, JOINTS.... ANYPLACE THAT IT HAS TRAVELED TO. ORAL AND TOOTH INFECTIONS CAN BECOME VERY SERIOUS AND THEY SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT UNATTENDED TO.

<<i will try to obtain the xray but it will take some time to get hold of it from the dentist. They might even refuse to hand it over.>>

THE XRAY IS YOUR LEGAL PROPERTY. IF IT IS A DIGITAL XRAY THEY CAN EMAIL IT TO YOU. IF IT IS NOT A DIGITAL XRAY THEY CAN SEND A COPY OF IT TO YOU.

<<Given the problems with root canal and the time it takes to do it, i think i would rather just get the tooth pulled out. >>

THE CHOICE IS YOURS. HOWEVER MAKE THE CHOICE THAT YOU FEEL IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST. THE TIME FRAME SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR AS MUCH AS THE RISK FACTORS OF RETAINING AN INFECTED TOOTH.

<<So what is the process to getting it pulled out? Is it considerably more risky than pulling a healthy tooth like wisdom tooth out?>>

THE EXTRACTION OF A FULLY ERUPTED TOOTH IS FAIRLY STRAIGHT FORWARD. COMPLICATIONS ARE RARE COMPARED TO THE NUMBER OF EXTRACTIONS THAT HAVE NO COMPLICATIONS. IT IS NOT MORE RISKY THAN EXTRACTING A WISDOM TOOTH.

<<also since the xray is inconclusive and perhaps the infection is mild, i dont want to lose a tooth if it turns out to not be infected?>>

NO YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE A TOOTH THAT IS NOT INFECTED. THEREFORE, THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TOOTH NEEDS TO BE DIAGNOSED PROPERLY. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME AND THE REASON FOR THAT NEEDS TO BE FIGURED OUT. THE DENTIST SHOULD DO SOME FURTHER TESTING FOR ROOT RESORPTION, ROOT EXPOSURE, DECAY UNDERNEATH THE OLD FILLING, PERIODONTAL DISEASE, MOBILITY, THE TOOTH COULD BE FRACTURED..... THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE RULED OUT BEFORE REMOVING THIS TOOTH.

ANYTIME A TOOTH IS INFECTED, MILD OR OTHER, THERE IS NO WAY TO PERMANENTLY REVERSE THAT INFECTION. A MILD INFECTION INSIDE OF A TOOTH WILL GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR AN INFECTED TOOTH TO LOOK "OKAY" ON A DENTAL XRAY.

I hope this information is helpful. If your dentist does not seem interested in exploring the reason for the problems with this tooth..... then see another dentist. Is this dentist your regular dentist or have you not been to the dentist in a long time prior to this time?

Bryanna