Hi Lori,

I didn't hear back from the other dentist so I went in today for the appointment. The dentist said it was up to me but that the residual pain was due to the infection and I was likely to have more problems, that it could come back. I decided to go ahead with the procedure. It was very unpleasant. Lots of hammering and some disconcerting not very reassuring comments like telling a person who came into the surgery during the treatment he was busy with a difficult case, not finding the right drill at some point, asking the assistant if she was asleep at some point and general comments about the root being difficult to get to. I didn't take this as a mark of incompetence, just style. The French don't always treat customers delicately and I guess that goes for the dentist and not just the waiter. Also I was far too tense to react anyway. I think he did a thorough job. Jaw pretty sore but hopefully made the right decision. There's just one thing i'm unsure about. He prescribed predisolone, if still pain, codeine-paracetamol, and amoxixillin to take only if it seems like the infection is reflaring up. What I don't understand is that if the point is to get rid of infection, and protect the newly done tooth, surely it's advisable to take the antibiotic? I know they aren't great for the guts and resistance is a real thing so if it's safe to not take them at all I'm happy with that but I want to have the best chance of keeping this tooth now. I think the otber dentist prescribed antibiotics for this treatment the last time. Is this new guidelines for dentists and antibiotics? Should i just take them or wait and see for the flare up?