I had an old root canal fail (over 30 years old)and they discovered a slab fracture in the root in which an infection had formed. It actually formed a fistula and was draining through the gum (sounds awful but really wasn't) They had to remove the tooth. Maybe you are a good candidate for a bridge if the two teeth on either side are healthy.

Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)