Delaying root canal treatment can have consequences as it will only worsen the tooth infection. Over-the-counter medications will only provide temporary relief. Tooth pain may subside as the pulp may also become non-vital due to severance of nerve supply. A periapical abscess can occur if the bacterial infection occurs in the soft dead pulp of the tooth and result in symptoms like pain, swelling, pus, etc. If the infection becomes severe such that furcation gets involved, the only alternative then is extraction/removal of a tooth.