Also, for the extraction route:

1) Based on my research so far, it looks like a dental implant is the best way to go? (vs. dental bridge etc..) It looks like in a dental bridge, you have to shave down the two adjacent teeth, putting them at risk long-term as well.

2) Would tooth #14 be a candidate for a dental implant?

3) I'm going over some of your old posts and I see you mention the possibility of infection in the bone and such. If I extract the tooth, which let's say is the source that's incubating the bacteria, then will the remaining infection be fought out by the body and I can be pain-free after nearly 8 years?