root canal or just get it pulled?

Question

Man iv'e been having problems wit this one tooth. i just got back from the dentist and they told me that i have two options. I can either get a root canal.. or just get the tooth pulled. I want to get it pulled out because its faster and i won't have to worry about that same tooth giving me problems but i'm afraind it may cause problems when i'm eating.. what do you guys think?

Answer 1

You don't say your age, or where the tooth is. But, generally, if you've got a good competent dentist and you can afford the root canal, that's the best route to take. If they are done right, they will last that way for decades (assuming proper dental care), and you will find that your own teeth, even ones with root canals, are far better than winding up with dentures or partial plates. Good luck either way,

Answer 2

The problem when a tooth goes bad, is the options aren't the greatest solutions. Remove or Root canal work.
While a Root Canal, is the best option, where they take out the root, leaving the dead tooth in place. Supposedly, that elliminates any pain, afterwards.
Dentists or Oral Surgeons, make no guarantee that this will happen.They say it "MIght" solve the problem, but it may not.
But no money back guarantee, and we all know how costly Dental Care is, even with some insurance.
If the tooth, is between two other good teeth, you can remove it, and have a bridge made, between the two good ones. This should last for years. I had that done and it's lasted for fifteen years.
That is expensive, but will give you a full mouth of teeth, so that eating is no problem.
It sure beats Dentures, as they have to be cemented in place every day, and often work loose, as we often see in those quote funny videos.
As I don't have Dentures, I can't advise on them, but it would be better to avoid them.
It seems just now, a Root Canal, is the best way to go, for the money. See what your Dentist recommends. If he feels it should work for you, go that way. If not, then remove the tooth and go for the bridge later on.
Been there, done that, and it's no fun.

Answer 3

As a person who has lost many teeth, had lots of dental work (including root canals)..I say save the tooth. Extraction may be cheaper, but not worth it...for one, it can alter the shape of your face.

Okay, gonna pull up some stuff the dentist told me from the old memory banks, so if you are in question, look it up or ask your dentist if the info is correct (I'm just a regular person, not a dentist)...When you extract a tooth, the neighboring teeth can shift over into that nice open space....which is not a good thing. Also, you might experience some bone loss..so later, if you decide that you want an implant or something, it will be a ton of work (and money) to get you there.

Also, the root canal I did have, the dentist told me I had one year to put a crown on it, so I took my time....and two months later the tooth broke...so if you need a crown, get it as soon as possible.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 4

My personal opinion is that root canals can be dangerous. The canal can harbor bacteria. I've talked to many dentists and they assured me this was an impossibility. However, unless the inside is 100% sterile when they cap it, bacteria can get trapped in there. I think as long as you don't have 5 root canals already, go ahead and get one. They are horrible and not fun. They're also costly. Pulling the tooth has no side effects aside from pain and aesthetics (and possible teeth shifting if you've had braces). The benefit to getting it pulled is cheaper, and depending on what you believe - don't have to worry about it harboring bacteria.

Answer 5

Go to a good endodontist and get the root canal and crown. You always save your teeth. The only time you don't is when that tooth either is not savable (too damaged to even be repaired) or if it's a wisdom tooth. If this was the case your dentist wouldn't even have given root canal as an option.

Also, it's a myth that all root canals have to hurt. Like I said, go to a good endondontist. Mine told me, "My patients don't feel any pain after the first needle." He was right! The most I had was a headache from the drilling and pressure of the procedure itself. And, I wasn't "put under". I was able to drive myself home.

Answer 6

I have had both root canals and extractions. I would vote for the root canal every time. It has saved my teeth for years! They are not painful like an extraction and you have a nice enamel cap to cover up where the drilling was. IF it's a tooth like a wisdom tooth, get rid of it, they are useless. Don't start yanking teeth as soon as they get bad, you will end up with a mouth full of holes. Good Luck!

Answer 7

If you can afford it, get the root canal done. Root canals aren't suppose to hurt & more then likely you'll feel more getting the tooth taken out vs. the root canal. I will almost always vote for the patient to save the tooth.

Answer 8

If it is a wisdom tooth, I would pull it. If it is between teeth, if you pull it, you would then need a bridge to fill the space or your teeth will shift resulting in a bad bite and cause other teeth to fail. Bridges are expensive and worst than a root canal. I had 2 and it wasn't as bad. Get a good orthodontist.

Answer 9

I was a dental assistant for years and from my experience, save the tooth. If you visit an endodontist who is trained specifically for root canals, the results are very positive. If you opt to pull the tooth you may, in time, lose bone structure because of the 'hole' in your dental arrangement and there is always the possibility that your other teeth will shift to fill the 'hole'. You should really try to keep the tooth.

Answer 10

I've had two root canals and everything seems fine ... and yea ... trust me on this u DONT wanna lose ur tooth ... how ever bad it is if the dentist says he/she can fix it then go for tht option ... although it a painful one but worth it in the end ... and besides with all of the latest technology in dentistry i would never get my tooth pulled out ... these guys can practically make ur tooth like new ... 'a tooth in ur mouth is worth two fake teeth in the dentist's clinic'.