Dentists-do I have a 3rd option?

Question

In my 32 years, most without insurance, I have managed to keep my teeth healthy. I have only a couple fillings and my teeth are strong. Yesterday I went to the dentist because I had been experiencing discomfort from what I thought was my wisdom teeth. They took x-rays only to discover I have only one wisdom tooth that shouldn't be causing me pain (and that side isn't bothering me) but one of my fillings has a small hole/chip in it that he feels is my problem. My options are 1) root canal 2) pull it. Is there a 3rd option at all? I have no insurance and I really don't want a hole in my mouth-even if it is in the back. Thoughts from dentisis appreciated as well as personal experiences. Thank You.

Answer 1

They gave you those options because they think the cavity has reached the nerve already. Sometimes they can tell by the x-ray. (X-ray would show a dark black shadow at or very close to the nerve). If they can not show you that, then ask them why they feel that way. They can not force you to do anything you do not want to. You can ask them to do a temporary filling on the tooth and try it out for a couple of weeks. When the dentist goes in and takes out the cavity if it exposes the nerve---ROOT CANAL. If it does not, and it does not bother you, then get it replaced with a permanent filling. As with anything else, you can get a second opinion from another dentist. GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

With my patients, if there is the option of saving the tooth with filling alone, I offer that option. If I feel the nerve is compromised and will remain permanently inflamed or abscess, I don't offer the option of just filling because that won't fix the problem, and it could make the pain much more severe. I recommend root canal or extraction

Sometimes there is an "in between". In that case I offer to go and clean out all the old filling and decay and place a temporary medicated filling, then we wait a few weeks to see how the nerve responds. I only offer this option if I feel the nerve has a chance to recuperate (sp?)

So if you were only given those two options from me, that would mean those are your only two options. The nerve is shot and needs to be removed either through root canal or by way of extraction.

If you get a root canal, you will also need to eventually crown that tooth. This is usually neccessary because root canal teeth are much more susceptible to fracture over time. Be sure you understand the full cost before you commit to root canal.

I would hope that your dentist is honest and ethical enough to offer you all the possible options, but if you really want to know if there is a third option, I would get another opinion. If you have been to this dentist several times and you trust him, then you should trust him.

One last thing, Graham doesn't know what he is talking about. If the pulp (nerve) is infected, your antibodies won't fix it. The tooth is dead and has no immune system. Antibiotics will treat it temporarily, but your antibodies won't do the job alone. Extraction is not a scare tactic, it is a viable option when root canal is the only other option. Root canals are not extremely painful, especially when the infection is managed with antibiotics. Crowns are not a money-making scam, they are to protect weak tooth structure and keep the tooth from fracturing

Answer 3

Depending on how deep the hole is, you might not have a third option. Usually at the point of hurt there is not much they can do.
But a root canal is not as bad as it sounds. Plus you don't want to start loosing teeth in your thirties, because from there its all down hill. The alignment of your teeth will be off, then the other teeth will get more pressure. So, the best thing to do, is charge the root canal on your credit card. Or the dentist might even have a payment plan that might work for you.
Good luck.

Answer 4

Without seeing you and your tooth and your x-ray, I would prefer not to hazard a guess in this case. I don't know how much discomfort, how often, how long, in relation to whay stimulus, how long it's been going on, which tooth it (really) is, what's above that tooth, the perio status of your teeth, how big the "small hole/chip" is, and a few other things that I might think of if your tooth was right here in front of me.

If you take the tooth out, it is gone forever. You can consider replacing it with an implant, but that would cost more than saving the natural tooth in the first place.

Answer 5

The third option is a normal filling but dentists don't like that one because it is not expensive and requires only a single visit. If you ask them why it needs a root canal they always say "because the nerve is infected". Actually the whole mouth is infected because there are bacteria everywhere and your antibodies will clear mild infection. In addition the dentist can put some antibiotic in before he fills anyway.

The pull it out option is not logical when all he can find is a small hole in an old filling. Extraction is just his scare tactic to make you opt for the root canal which usually requires up to 4 visits of extremely painfull surgery. First they drill, extract all the inner part of the tooth, then they screw right down to your jaw, twist and pull out the nerve then fill.

Quite often, when you already went up to the filling stage, they will say you need a crown because there is not enough tooth to fill. The real reason is that crowns are extortionately expensive. They come in 3 types of base, normal metal, 9 carat gold and 22 carat gold and the gold ones go up in price out of all proportion to the value of the tiny amount of gold used but they tell you to get the expensive one because the softness of real gold makes fitting easier and better.

I had fillings and a root canal and a crown. I still have the top of a molar fully functional 6 years after a dentist tried to get me to let him take the top off and fit a crown.

I would try a filling first, much less pain and much less cost. If it doesn't work you can always go back and have a root canal later and you only lost half an hour and a very small cost for the filling but potentially you will save yourself 4 or more hours of agony in 4 visits and a huge amount of cash.

Answer 6

ok you said you have only a whole, now is the hole very deep? that you have an infection underneath it? bc if u dont u can you just have them drill the old filling out, and put a new one.

Answer 7

Seek a second opinion.

dental industry 16 years
expanded duties assistant

Answer 8

Where is Dr Sam when you need him???