Lofty it is horrid to have news like that, I too had abcess in gum-no pain was given antibiotics , next x-ray said it was still there and to have same extracted.
I decided not to and went on hols to Bulgaria- night-bloody-mare! my face swelled out the pain was excrutiating! ednded up in crap Bulgarian 'red-cross' hovel.
When I arrived home had said tooth out, immediately relief (even though have a gap) 
My bloke has just had the same, made him have extraction as we are off on holiday and NOT having that nonsense again! He has an awful front gap! 
but cannot mention it- touchy subject! 
Hope this is helpful OK... 
Yawn, must lay down....
