Hi Barb,

I've been away for 2 weeks and am now plodding through all the forums and happened upon this post.

I am "Jerry", the other DDS, here. If there was such a thing as an honory dental degree, Brian would surely qualify for it. As I am late in getting to your post, I really have nothing of substance to add to the great advice that you have received from my "colleagues", Brian and Mike (and Christine, too). I hope that your appontment with the endodontist is soon, as he/she should be very easily able to determine what is going on. The only problem might be is that you have been on the clindamycin now for awhile and this could mask the problem. The endodontist might want to see you again (after stopping the antibiotic) if it can't be determined if you have an infected tooth.

Congratulations on stopping smoking and I hope that you continue to be tobacco free and that you simply have an abcessed tooth. I look forard to reading good news from you.

Jerry