Hi fistula_help,

I will answer your questions in bold print to make it easier to follow.

<<1. Does extract the tooth guarantee 100% the Fistula problem will be gone and spread stops?>>

EXTRACTING THE TOOTH MEANS TO REMOVE THE PROBLEM CAUSING THE FISTULA. THE BONE THAT HAS BEEN LOST DUE TO THE INFECTION CANNOT BE (FULLY) REPLACED. REGARDING THE SPREAD OF INFECTION ....IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO CLINICALLY SEE THE MICROSCOPIC BACTERIA RESIDING IN THE BONE AFTER THE TOOTH IS REMOVED. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMOVE THE ORIGINAL SOURCE OF THE INFECTION TO GIVE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEAL WITH IT. LONG TERM INFECTION IS ALWAYS A HUGE RISK WHEN WE HANG ON TO AN INFECTED TOOTH. REGARDING THE GUM TISSUE... IT MAY BE PERMANENTLY SCARED OR THE DISCOLORATION MAY LESSON IN TIME.

<<2. What happens if I extract the furthest back tooth (fistula tooth)? but infection has spread already? Does it mean I need to keep extracting each tooth? My Endodontist examined the tooth beside it and it's still fine at the moment.>>

ANYTIME YOU HAVE A CHRONIC, LONG TERM ORAL INFECTION THERE IS RISK OF IT SPREADING TO OTHER AREAS OF THE MOUTH. THIS BACTERIA MAY NOT MAY NOT BE SEEN AT THE TIME OF THE EXTRACTION OF THE ORIGINAL TOOTH. SOMETIMES IT DOES MEAN OTHER TEETH WILL NEED TO BE REMOVED AT SOME POINT IN TIME. AGAIN THIS IS WHY IT IS UNWISE TO RETAIN AN INFECTED TOOTH IN THE FIRST PLACE.

<<3. So far, I have asked many people and they suggested to me to extract tooth because:
- This tooth has been infected for 2 years already
- The gums of the Fistula tooth don't look healthy compared to other areas
- A dental hygienist recommended me to extract because she said my tooth is weak. For example, if I wiggle the tooth, it moves more than my regular tooth.>>

ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS INDICATE A LONG TERM INFECTION. THERE IS NO BENEFIT TO KEEPING THIS TOOTH AND YOU MAY BE RISKING YOUR HEALTH THE LONGER YOU HANG ON TO IT.

<<I kind of decided to extract the bottom back molar tooth...but I don't intend to do TOOTH IMPLANT. Is it a big risk? My mom extracted her molar back tooth at 15 years old and tells me that it's OK.>>

THE IMPORTANT THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT IT IS INFECTED AND YOU WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS SO LONG AS YOU KEEP IT. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REPLACE IT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO. IF THIS TOOTH IS BITING AGAINST THE TOP TOOTH, THEN THE TOP TOOTH MAY DRIFT DOWN BECAUSE IT WILL NO LONGER HAVE SOMETHING TO BITE AGAINST. ALSO DEPENDING ON WHICH TOOTH THIS IS.... THE ADJACENT TEETH MAY MOVE IN TOWARDS THE OPEN SPACE ONCE THE TOOTH IS REMOVED. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. BUT THE BIGGEST CONCERN AT THIS TIME IS THE INFECTION, NOT THE WHAT IF'S.

I hope this information can help you make an informed decision.
Let us know how things are going.
Bryanna