Q. What could be done to resolve a long-standing tooth infection?

Hi doctor,

I have a long-standing tooth infection in one of my upper teeth. I have attached an image of my X-ray taken last summer. I do not feel pain in the tooth itself, but a pus-filled boil appears whenever I touch the surrounding gum area, or when I shave, or use an interdental brush. However, biting on the tooth itself does not cause the pus-filled boil to form. As seen in the X-ray, there are two fillings in the tooth. I developed very severe sensitivity in that area to the extent that a dentist advised me to stop flossing in that area. Shortly after stopping flossing the sensitivity was relieved. This year I restarted regularly flossing on that side and thankfully the sensitivity has not re-occurred so far. Please advise me on what needs to be done about this chronic tooth infection. Can simply replacing the filling with a new material remove the chronic infection?

Thank you.