Hi rweidn,

The shadow on the xray is not in your gum, it is in the bone and it's called an apical radiolucency.... it means a pathological area of infection (usually a cyst) in the bone above the root of the tooth. This occurs when the infected bacteria from the tooth has proliferated (spread) into the bone. No, antibiotics will not cure this infection because the source of the infection is the tooth and unfortunately it is not possible to rid the tooth of the infection. The meds may temporarily subside the symptoms, but nothing else. A root canal may or may not temporarily subside the symptoms, but it cannot cure the infection lingering in the microscopic canals.

I assume your dentist will offer you the option of root canal or extraction of this tooth. You may have read other posts on this board about the unfortunate outcomes of root canaled teeth. The roots of an upper molar are often very near the sinus membrane so an infection in these teeth can spread to the sinuses. Even after a root canal procedure, the chances of the infection spreading are highly likely.

If you are uncertain about what to do.... speak with your dentists about your treatment options. To extract the tooth means to get rid of the infection, to root canal it means to live with an infected tooth. Replacement of this tooth if you decided to have it extracted may include doing nothing, an implant, a bridge or a partial denture.

I know this is a bit scary..... but it would be helpful for you to have your concerns and questions written down before you see your dentist. This way you will have more control over your decision.

Please keep us posted!
Bryanna