Question:
All of you here have helped me very much before but now I have a new
problem :(. I think I have an abscess on the inner gumline near my left upper
2nd molar. A small half-circular cyst appeared on my inner gum overnight.
That was 2 days ago and I have tried Erythromycin (QID)--from my physician--
and the cyst has not grown but it has not reduced in size either. It causes me
only minimal pain. I understand that cyst is filled with pus so it must be
drained. Is that the treatment the dentist will give me? Drain the cyst and
maybe inject antibiotics in the cyst? If the Erythromycin begins to work and
the cyst gets smaller does that mean I do not have to see the dentist--as the
cyst will be removed by anti-bacterial means. I guess I just want to know how
is a situation like mine treated normally? I think I know your answers will be
to *see the dentist ASAP* but I just wanted an idea of what to expect. Thanks
in advance for your opinions.
Answer:
Most often, when what you describe in encountered, a Root Canal Treatment
follows. Sometimes other causes are found and treated. The neighboring
teeth need to be tested and you need x-ray images done. Antibiotics may
clear it up for a short while, but it will return unless the focus of the
infection is treated (normally the inside of a tooth). In most cases
antibiotics for this type of problem is not good treatment.
As a side note the E-Mycin and my immune system did start to work and tonight
the cyst has been reduced to only a very slight buldge. I am hoping tomorrow
it will be gone even more. I know that this cyst may very well come back so
something has to be done even if it goes away.
what has happened today, the ABX seem to have worked but I have read where a
chronic tooth abscess can even destroy bone in the jaw and that leads to more
problems. I just was under the impression that an abscess was very painful
and with this I feel little if any pain. But I WILL get it checked out.
