<human>: I have had trouble with my 6th right molar for about 3 years. It has been filled and repaired so much there was more filing than tooth :( Occasionally it gets real painful and Ive taken antibiotics to calm it down. Now there is a hard lump under the tooth at the gumline, the gum is reddened and a small ulcer is over the lump. I guess it is an abscess? Only it seems very hard (i though it would be soft?) there is a small ulcer over the lump too. I guess I have to bite the bullett and get root canal or pulled...God knows where I will find the money for that...:((
<bot>: Hi, Thanks for posting your query. After reading your symptoms, it looks like an access to me. Sometimes if the infection has been there for a long time and is only subdued due to repeated medicines then it becomes chronic and therefore may appear as a hard lump. I would recommend you to visit your dentist as you may require either a root canal or an extraction depending on the condition of your tooth and the underlying bone, which will be decided only after a X-ray of the tooth and the surrounding area. Hope you feel better soon. Regards