My 7-yr old son had a root canal on a tooth in July. Prior to this root canal he had never had a cavity. Now in early November he has an abcess in that tooth, to the point that his jaw was swollen, low-grade fever, bizarre cauliflower shaped growth on his gum next to the tooth with the root canal. (The moment I saw the growth I called the dentist, but apparently the problem had existed for a week before my son bothered to tell me.) He was examined by his pediatric dentist who x-rayed him and now insists that the only course of action is to EXTRACT the tooth and install a wire spacer for the next 5+ years!!! Is there any other way?!? My son is on antibiotics for 10 days and I am seeking a 2nd opinion from my orthodontist and an endodontist. Does anyone know of successful alternative treatments for an abcessed BABY tooth?<br />
My son has had regular dental check ups since he was 2, but this July was the first time he was x-rayed, and frankly, he had two root canals performed, both on the 2nd to last bottom tooth on each side (he does not yet have his 6 year molars although he's almost 8!). Of course, I will have the abcessed tooth pulled if there is no other alternative, but it just seems a bit barbaric and crude. He'll be missing a tooth for at least 5+ years.<br />
UPDATE: My son is scheduled to have his tooth extracted tomorrow (Friday) and a spacer installed for the next 5+ years until his adult molar comes in. I consulted with an endontist, orthodontist, and a second pediatric dentist, all of whom gave me the same bad new: the tooth must come out. Thanks to all for your input.<br />

if it is abcessed whipping the little bleeder out is the only cure.

Having the abscessed taken out is the best option. That way it won't affect his adult teeth. It's just a baby tooth, Don't worry! :)

If it's a baby tooth and not an adult tooth, have it extracted. Rather than having the root canal, I would have had it extracted to begin with. It would be the easiest thing on your son and his mouth in the long run.

This is a baby tooth?? It should have been extracted to begin with. The point of having a Root Canal (just had one 2 weeks ago) is to try to save a permanent tooth from being extracted.<br />
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No dentist in his right mind would give a root canal to a 7 year old for a baby tooth.<br />
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I suggest you also find a new dentist.

Extraction is the only sensible option.<br />
RCTs for baby teeth have a very low success rate; they have a different anatomy to adult teeth, and cannot be treated with a permanent insoluble root filling like adult teeth. Only a soluble paste-type material can be used to allow for the later root resorption of the adult tooth coming up underneath.<br />
I belong to a paedodontic society and all the paeds agree that extraction is best. They will not perform RCTs for baby teeth.<br />
You will find that your orthodontist and endodontist will agree too, and you will be wasting your time. I would get the tooth removed ASAP and get your son off the antibiotics.<br />
I wonder how your son's decay was never picked up before? I assume you take him for regular check-ups. It is also good to take Xrays of kids too, if they will tolerate the film in their mouths.<br />
The wire spacer is undoubtably the best. Why do you have a concern about this?<br />
Later...<br />
Well, it can be seen as barbaric to extract teeth and it's not a favourite treatment of mine with kiddies (creates stress for me!), but it is unhealthy to try and maintain a hopelessly infected tooth with antibiotics too. There is no way you could keep this tooth going another 5 years, no matter what you did. Also, abcessed baby teeth sometimes cause the underlying adult tooth to twist out of alignment, and then you get an orthodontic problem as well. Does he really not have 6yo molars? They would appear as the 6th tooth from the front and are often mistaken for baby teeth.

I just want you to know you have done every thing right for your son. The tooth needed to be treated to get rid of the problem and keep him comfortable. What most people do not know is that baby teeth hold the space for permanent teeth to come in with proper spacing. If the tooth has become reinfected there is crack in the tooth that goes down so far that the tooth cannot be saved. A space maintainer is necessary to hold the space for the permanent tooth. If you feel your dentist is wrong do get a 2ND opinion. I hoped this helped best wishes .

You need to have the tooth extracted because the abcess can affect your sons adult tooth. that cauliflower thing was just the infection looking for a way out. On a good note the longer it takes for your son to get his 6yr molar the better. Parents think its better for their children to get their teeth early when infact the longer it takes for the baby teeth to come in fall out the stronger their teeth. You may want to make sure your son incrrease his water intake. It sounds like he's a mouth breather which means there is no saliva or moisture in his mouth so if there is food or sugar (juice) whatever it will eat at his teeth therefor causing cavities. Its all about the saliva not brushing teeth

People can die from this, if the infection gets into a major blood vessel. You need to ask his pediatrician for a refferal for an Oral Surgeon. They are both dentists and medical doctors. <br />
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That wire spacer is probably a space maintainer. It ensures that the tooth underneath the extracted tooth has plenty of room to erupt. It may be the only possible way to save that permanent tooth, or to avoid other painful dental procedures in the future. I had a space maintainer, it was annoying. At least I have all my teeth and a beautiful smile!<br />
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It's all worth it in the end, but take care of your son ASAP, please.......