I had a filling (upper molar) replaced due to some decay under the old filling. Over the next few months, I returned several times due to pain. I initially experienced throbbing pain on the affected side upper side, and radiating to my submandibular area below. The dentist thought I was clenching and hitting a "high spot" which he ground down. The next day I felt better, but then I had sinus type symptoms and pain. I returned and he took an xray which did not show infection so he recommended antihistamines. This waxed and wained over a few months. He also said I might be clenching at night because my canals were all very narrowed, which he said usually occurs with clenching or advanced age. I am 47, female. One day I felt inside my mouth above the affected tooth just to see if I felt the same maxillary sinus type pain that could be illicited with external pressing on the outside. Inside my mouth above the gum line in the soft tissue area I felt a lump that when touched, gave me the same pain. I thought it might be an abscess. When I went back, he xrayed and found an abscess at the apex of the root and the canal was partially calcifed. No evidence of abscess under the filling. He told me that teeth clenching causes calcified roots and also abscesses. It seems to me that a spontaneous abscess would be unusual and more likely caused by untreated decay. Is that correct?