Originally Posted by
Catkins
I've had quite a few abscesses over the years. Had a couple drained, which wasn't pleasant and didn't work, also had numerous antibiotics.
The antibiotics will help settle the infection down and help stop the pain and discomfort. They aren't a permanent solution which is why they booked you back to have it out.
One time, I had an abscess, took antibiotics to settle it, then went back to the dentist and had it taken out. When he'd done it he showed me the tooth on the root was a little round red blob, apparently it was the remains of the abscess. I found it so interesting I took my tooth home to show my husband - he wasn't as excited as I was.
Also for many years, I would sporadically get an inflammed area on my gum underneath a crown, it was occasionally uncomfortable and occasionally needed antibiotics, maybe 2 - 3 times over many years (probably 20 - I'm old) Eventually the dentist took an xray further down than they normally do and they found I had a long standing infection. They tried drilling through the crown and packing my root and it was fine for another couple of years. Then it flared up again, by this time I was with another dentist so I asked him to take it out. I've had no problems since.
Sorry for the long post, but basically it was just to say, abscesses/infection can flare up and can settle again, with or without antibiotics (both have happened to me), but the best long term solution is to to have your tooth out. A four day wait is fine, the antibiotics will make it comfortable enough to keep you going until you have it out. If you are still in pain at the end of the course of antibiotics, contact the dentist and ask for some more.