I've been experiencing intermittent pain in a tooth on the lower right
side near the back for a few months & my dentist has recommended the
tooth be removed. He gave me antibiotics and said I'd be lucky to go 2
months before the pain came back and it seems he was right!

The tooth has had a lot of work over the years - 2 root canals (the
2nd one to fix the 1st one), fillings & a porcelain inlay. All of this
was very expensive and I feel bad about now having to pay money again
to have the tooth taken out. One tooth next to it has also had
extensive work.

The dentist gave me 2 options to fill the gap - a bridge for £600 and
an implant for £2000. I could also do nothing and leave the gap.

AIUI the pain is caused by infection in the root space (?). I don't
understand why the infection keeps coming back.

I'm concerned that if I choose a bridge the dentist will have to work
the tooth beside the gap to allow it to support the cantilever bridge.
I'm also not sure how durable and rebust a bridge is and if material
can build up underneath which could cause problems later on.

I would like to have the implant but it's too expensive and would also
require a 3 month wait until the bone is ready.

If I choose to do nothing & leave the gap unfilled will it grow
smaller over time?

Thanks for your help!