Root canal or extraction

[Linda51]

I am having trouble with a tooth and am taking antibiotics for an infection, this has happened twice over the last month and I am on my third lot of antibiotics, my dentist said I could have a root canal and then have it crowned, this is very expensive but I don't know whether to have it out or have this procedure done. Has anyone had a root canal and is it worth having done.

[qapmoc]

I have had several root canal treatments on various teeth and it is no big deal from the technical viewpoint (don't believe what you saw in ''Finding Nemo"), you do have to have the dentist working in your mouth for much longer than a simple filling or something but if you are not frightened of the dentist then its OK and if your main criteria is to keep what's left of your teeth as long as possible then go for it. I would rather have this done than an extraction any day. Pity its so bl00dy expensive though.

[Farmer Giles]

I had root canal done a couple of years ago. I was so nervous cos I hate the dentist, but seriously it was fine. I didn't feel a thing and dentist made a point of relaxing me (gas and music). In fact I was so relaxed I actually fell asleep!

As for whether or not it's worth having it done, my understanding is that root canal is the last option before having to have the tooth removed, so although it may be expensive, at least you keep your tooth and the crown makes it look totally natural

[jno]

I've had several - most recently this morning. The discomfort varies: one involved some uncomfortable injections in the roof of my mouth; another time, the anesthetic didn't work and it was shockingly painful. I changed dentists after that. Others were painless and quick. The important thing is to have a good dentist who works at minimising discomfort - wish I'd had Farmer Giles's. As to whether it's worth it financially: yes, looks totally natural and saves the tooth. The alternative is to lose the tooth, and I've done that several times too. Saving the tooth is better, and I'd always go for that.

[happy_face]

Hi Linda52. As with everything in medicine it's best to keep whatever you can from your body as it's there for a reason. It's very true that root treatment and crowns are expensive and it can be painful. Also not forgetting that getting root treatment (removing the nerve) makes the tooth more weak as it has been drilled all the way down. Then there's the fact of crown maintanance and that they can fall out with time as the cement they use to glue it with doesn't last forever. But having an extraction although much cheaper, means the loss of a tooth and when you have a space between your teeth your teeth have room to move and they will with time shift slightly around in your mouth. Not to mention that teeth grow all the time and if it wasn't for the chomping we do and having a tooth opposite our teeth would keep growing. Like Hamsters, obviously not as fast.

So I would highly recommend the root treatment and crown.

Good luck

[Clanad]

Root canal treatment (endodontic therapy) has evolved over the years here in the U.S. Perhaps 10 to 15 years ago the treatment was generally conducted by the dentist and could involve several visits to complete. My last one a few months ago required that I go to a specialist. The procedure, including the placement of a temporary crown, was all done in one appointment. The cleaning of the root(s) was done with laser equipment and was quite painless. A few weeks later i was fitted with the permanent crown by my own dentist. I have crowns that have been in place for perhaps 20 years and have never had one come loose. I did have a porcelain crown crack. Since then I have elected to have a gold looking base metal replacement. These look very nice, in my opinion, and are very durable They are, however, all molars so none are in front. They are quite a bit less expensive.
A word of disagreement with happyface, however. Human teeth do not continue to grow once the adult teeth are achieved. Anyone that has ever chipped a tooth can attest to that fact...

[Salamanda]

Hello

I just had root canal done. It did not hurt, I go back tomoro so they can put a white filing in, instead of a crown. The only painful thing was the cost �260. So if anything frightens you off let it be the cost and not the pain as it is nowhere near as bad as it sounds. take care.

[scrumpy78]

if its a back tooth, just get it taken out and save yourself pain and money. a front tooth then maybe try and save it.

i have just had sedation at my dentist. it was fantastic! was in the chair for about an hour and didn't remember a thing. got a load of fillings and work done and then got the afternoon off work ( they wont let you drive after ). Painless, anxiety free and was no extra cost........

[happy_face]

In response to Clanad, I think you may have misunderstood what I meant by continuing to grow. If for example you have an lower molar extracted the molar above it has no pressure against it to keep it in place. Over the years the upper molar will gradually move down and could eventually (obviously with many years) come lose.

If only they did grow in the way of replacing a chipped tooth as then there'd be no need for ever having crowns.

[Linda51]

Thanks so much for all your answers regarding root canal you have all made me feel much better about it. I am now looking forward to getting it done and crowned and have a nice new looking tooth. Thanks again everyone.