Root canal treatment or tooth extraction

suitseir

Just back from my dentist who took x-ray of my teeth a few weeks ago. For someone in my late 40`s not doing too bad. One tooth, lower middle back, where filling fell out is either up for RTC or extraction. Dentist letting decision to myself. It is not in the smile firing line - so I am thinking, heck, out it comes!! I had a RTC done 4 years ago by another dentist - the x-ray showed up excellent work. I just feel they are such a LONG ordeal. Probably fine for visible teeth but heck, would I be better of having this tooth - which is broken anyway - taken out? Comments welcome!!

fergusdo

It's not that simple and if your dentist is leaving it to you, you want to ask why are you paying him/her for their expertise.

Certainly, your front teeth are for smiling; but your other teeth are not there just for the ride. Keeping it simple, you have a bite where the front teeth overlap (the occlusion); your upper and lower back teeth by coming into contact limit the force that the front teeth can exert on each other. This is very important, in particular if you are a "grinder", as without rear teeth the front teeth will wear out and possibly break.

Nature meant you to have teeth for a reason! Think carefully before having an extraction.

suitseir

fergusdo wrote:

It's not that simple and if your dentist is leaving it to you, you want to ask why are you paying him/her for their expertise.

Certainly, your front teeth are for smiling; but your other teeth are not there just for the ride. Keeping it simple, you have a bite where the front teeth overlap (the occlusion); your upper and lower back teeth by coming into contact limit the force that the front teeth can exert on each other. This is very important, in particular if you are a "grinder", as without rear teeth the front teeth will wear out and possibly break.

Nature meant you to have teeth for a reason! Think carefully before having an extraction.

Thanks for that. This tooth is was filled originally and part of it broke away a while ago, leaving only part of it above the gumline. It does not impact at all on the upper teeth when I close teeth together and I spoke with a friend of mine (consultant Surgeon) and he recommends that I have it taken out.

So you see my dilema!! Probably, TOO much info!!!

Owen

I've had the same decision to make twice, and in each case, I got the canal. I prefer having teeth than gaps. Then again, I'm 28, so I want my teeth for another 22 years at least!

Blackrocks

I've been to hell and back with my teeth and sometimes I cant believe its all fixed and sorted and I even look good..!
Having done lots of research before writing all those cheques, I was advised at all stages to do everything possible before agreeing to extractions.
and nobody should have to endure dental pain in this year of our Lord!
Good Luck.

fergusdo

This tooth is was filled originally and part of it broke away a while ago, leaving only part of it above the gumline. It does not impact at all on the upper teeth when I close teeth together and I spoke with a friend of mine (consultant Surgeon) and he recommends that I have it taken out.

You need to get to talk to a dentist working in reconstruction. This will be someone specialising in prosthodontics and they can restore the bite for you. Can't comment on your surgeon friend's recommendation but dental and facial surgery is an area of its own specialisations and just because you can do a heart transplant for example, doesn't mean you are knowledgeable about anything other than hearts.

Anyway, the good thing is that you are thinking around the issue; to help, you really should get a specialist opinion before deciding and in particular factor in the down stream consequences of what you decide. In the end, they are your teeth and it's you who will live with them, or maybe without them.

Best of luck

sudzs

Having had 2 extractions (back teeth) over the last 10 years would have to say if I could have afforded it at the time I'd have gone for the root canal treatment and two crowns instead of two gummy gaps!

Good luck with it anyway!

suitseir

Thanks for your comments. Yea, I am thinking about it and I have another week to the appointment. As I said part of this tooth is broken, only a small millimetre over the gum so there is a gap already. It is just the thought of going through the LONG proceedure for root canal - all in the mind of course. Saying that, from the X-ray it appears that there are only 2 canals whereas the one I got before had 5 and probably was the worst case scenario. The dentist won't have my answer until I keep my appointment next week and he is happy with that. Maybe one of you can answer this question, if it is a thing that the root canal does not work out, is it a case of extraction then? The cost doesn't bother me, jeez, I am in my late 40`s working and I can afford it. The cost quoted was €317. Cost is not an issue. Any comments greatly welcomed.

suitseir

Oh meant to mention, this is a different dentist than the previous one who did an excellent job on the RCT and was even commented as a very good job by the dentist I am going to now, when he looked at the X-Ray. For geographic reasons, I choose this new guy as he is only a couple of miles from my place of work. Saying that, the other Denist is about 30 miles from me and I am thinking............. Jeez, more decisions. Anyway, that is what Boards is for............ "it's good to talk" ..........