I have an absecessed tooth, does this mean I need a root canal?!

I have an absecessed tooth, does this mean I need a root canal?

Recently, I got Bell's palsy, so the dentist could not do anything for my rotting tooth, because it may upset the nerve damage already done to my face, causing irreversible damage.

Well, Bell's palsy has gotten better, but it seems my tooth has become absecessed, My cheek is swollen badly, and my gums are swollen around the infected tooth. It's been this way since about late Friday evening, so I've had to wait until monday to go to the dentist.

My question is, will they need to do a root canal? The place where my gum is swollen is...softer and squishy. Could they simply drain it and give me anti-biotics to help the infection?

I'm asking because my senior prom is this Friday, and I thought I was all better because my face isn't as immobile as it was. Now this. The pain is pretty bad, and on the same side as my damaged nerve. This wouldn't perhaps hurt that nerve any more, would it? Ah, and my eye seems to burn on this side.

Any help would be great. Thanks so much!

~Emily

2 months ago
Also, this isn't my fault that it's gotten so bad. My parents have refused to EVER take me to the dentist, my whole 17 years of life, and this is the result. I knew from the beginning that a big hole in my tooth was bad. However, I am still a child and powerless to do anything.

Thank you again, for answering my question.

It means you probably do need a root canal.I just had 2 last week and they can drain it and give you meds but even when they do that you will eventually have to have the problem taken care of.Mine took only a couple of days with the meds and draining it for the swelling to go down.