Do I REALLY need a root canal?

Question

A visit to my dentist today ended up with "You will need a root canal and then a crown," and "How about getting all 4 wisdom teeth out?"

My questions are:

1). Why did my dentist want to pull my wisdom teeth out? All FOUR? At my age (19), I thought I didn't have to worry about wisdom teeth yet... I heard they start growing when you feel "pain" at the "bulge" which, I know, is my gum. Is this true? Do I HAVE to pull out my wisdoms?

2) After one X-Ray, my dentist suggested a root canal. I don't have sensitivity to food temperature change or any other discomfort/pain. However, part of my tooth fell out so I guess it's chipped from the cavity. What's going on there? Do I REALLY need a root canal because I'm dead scared of dentists!

Would appreciate all advice!

UPDATE:

The tooth that chipped off (maybe needing root canal) could be my third molar... (feels like the last one on upper left side) so can't I just pull it out?

Also, I'm not too much concerned about how much a root canal will cost... I'm actually more scared of the "complications."

Answer 1

1 - If on the x-ray it looks like your 1 or more of your wisdom teeth will cause problems, the dentist will recommend taking them out. It's simply easier to take all 4 out at the same time. The younger you are when the teeth come out, the easier the procedure is, relatively speaking.

2 - A root canal, while not especially pleasant (but also not THAT bad), will stop any further decay (they fill the tooth with a rubber substance) and again stop further problems from cropping up down the road.

I had to have both of these things done last year, however I kept putting it off and now wish I had just gotten it done when my dentist recommend it in the first place.
Good luck!

Answer 2

1. It isn't uncommon at your age for wisdom teeth to become an issue. Removing them can be for a number of reasons such as the size and spacing of the teeth that are already there. The dentist can look at the exray and visualize their positioning which could also be a problem if they are going to disrupt the other teeth. I would trust your dentists judgement on this.

2. When a tooth starts breaking off like that, the cavity has been there for a while and will continue to eat away at the tooth. It may not hurt yet, but again, by the dentist looking at the x-rays as well as the tooth he can see whether it is causing internal swelling of the sinuses in your bone as well as how close the cavity is to the nerve or another tooth. The cavity/infection if left untreated for too long can infect your jaw and even get into your blood stream making you extremely ill! It is always better to do whatever it takes to save the tooth and as soon as you can. Take it from me, I couldn't always afford the work that needed to be done, and when I finally could afford it, it was too late. At the age of 30 I was fitted for a full upper plate and a partial on the bottom. Your natural teeth are the only ones you get!
As far as you fear is concerned, relax. The novicaine will deaden the pain. You will feel pressure while he works and be sore afterwards for a day or so, but having your own teeth is the reward.

Good luck with your decision.
I'm sure you will do fine!

Answer 3

Usually you do not need wisdom teeth taken out. You should only get them taken out if:
1. They get infected over twice a year.
2. If they are too big for your mouth and are making your teeth crooked while coming through
3. If they are decayed.

Usually dentists ask that for more money :)

With root canal it can be a very painful and expensive precedure and only should be used if all efforts have been made to save the tooth and you still want the tooth in your mouth. (Root canals are usually done to the front teeth and first molar or so because people see these teeth when you smile etc)

Which tooth is it that apparently needs root canal? If it is a front tooth, I would think about it seriously if you want to save your tooth and a implant costs thousands.......and a root canal and crown will cost much less.......still expensive though. Implants are used when the tooth has to come out and you don't want a little denture tooth there.

If it is a back tooth.....take it out and you'll be fine. Just because you have no discomfort doesn't mean your tooth isn't well........screwed.

Answer 4

only a dentist can answer that.

yes, you could need a root canal and no you wouldn't necessarily feel any pain. my daughter had 2 root canals and the dentist didn't even know she needed them until he started doing the other work she was having done.

as far as your wisdom teeth, most wisdom teeth do come out around age 18. and they do not have to grow in. in my other daughter's case, we could see by the xray that they were growing at an angle and that would cause problems later so at age 17, he yanked them. and yes, all four on the same day.

you never HAVE to do anything you don't want. but why suffer? and if you go without the root canal - you WILL suffer soon enough.

Answer 5

You could go for a second opinion, but if you need a root canal and part of your tooth fell out, and if you don't get the root canal, in the long run, you would wind up having your tooth pulled later.

As for the wisdom teeth, that again is what your dentist recommends. So go for a second opinion if you're not sure about the recommendation.

Answer 6

get a 2nd opinion. You can just get a crown without a root canal. Prolong getting a root canal as long as possible, it causes the tooth to die. A good dentist will put the crown on and if you need a rc later, take the crown off and do it.

if your mouth is big enough and you don't have orthodontic work involved, you can wait and see on your wisdom teeth. I wish I'd had mine out when I was young, I have severe decay in all of them because I can't reach them with a brush. I will have to have them out and I am lots older than you....good luck

Answer 7

1. I got all my wisdom teeth out when I was 18. No, it was not pleasant. The reason most people get them pulled is because they can become impacted, and put pressure on the rest of your teeth, causing them to shift.

2. You can always get a second opinion from another dentist. A root canal might be necessary because part of your tooth fell out. He may need to rebuild your tooth, and put a new crown on it.

Answer 8

You probably don't need your wisdom teeth out yet. Unless the Dr. sees on the X-Ray your wisdom teeth are coming in and are going to start crowding your other teeth, making them all shift. Go to another Dentist for a 2nd opinion. Ask for a copy of your X-Ray so you don't have to pay for another one.
Good Luck

Answer 9

Uh... try another dentist... I find that pathetic... I had my wisdom teeth until the age of thirty eight. If they aren't bothering you then don't worry about it. They will feed you all kinds of lines like " well they are pushing your other teeth forward or its impacted and will not come through the gum..." ok mine did come through the gum...was it a miracle? I don't think so, I think the dentist had plans of a vacation! Most of them will loveeeeee planning their vacation around your income. As for the root canal... if you are not in any pain or don't have an infection ...excuse me but this guy sounds like a quack. Second opinion please!

Answer 10

1) I had to have my 4 out. I had my first two done in 1998 and the last two done about two years ago. I was really pushing it. If I'd waited any longer, my mouth would've really been messed up.

2) Get a second opinion, that way you'll know for sure.