given the choice, what would you do?

Question

my dentist has offered me two options, get my tooth out, or get root canal treatment. Its a back molar and I don't know whether to just go for it and get it pulled out or give the root canal treatment a go... i've been told that root canal weakens the tooth so i'll eventually have to get a crown and then have to have the tooth removed anyway, so is there any point??

please let me know your thoughts on the subject :o)

Answer 1

i had the same problem last year i decided to get the root canal even though you cant see the tooth at the back of my mouth when i smile i wanted to keep the tooth i had a crown put on it in January it cost with insurance $450 for both procedures but I'm glad i had it done i chew food with that tooth

Answer 2

It;s worth trying to save the tooth, root canal is the last result.
Once the tooth has been root treated there will only be the remaining walls of the tooth left so a crown will be made for you.
If you have the tooth removed and them some years later decide you'd like something in it's place it may prove difficult, if it's a lower molar the tooth above it will slowly over time move in to it's space and your bite will be out and this will make replacing it a difficult job (hope this makes sense)

Answer 3

I would recomend the root canal. It is better to keep the root in there so that the other teeth you have don't start to move about. I have two root canals which have been crowned and my teeth are quite straight. If I had the tooth out I would probably now have loads of gaps + your tooth on the opposite jaw needs a tooth to bite onto.

Answer 4

I would have it removed. I had a root canal filling on my front tooth, it discoloured and I had to have a veneer, which I knocked off diving into a pool. It really does weaken the tooth and there is no blood/oxygen supply to it anymore. I eventually had to have a post crown as it fell out at a BBQ. If it's a back tooth, only you will be aware of it.

Answer 5

I've had a root canal done on one of my molars.
It took ages and was a nightmare. What was left of the tooth broke up after a couple of years Causing much pain and further work to get the root pulled.
I have also had root canal on an incisor with no problem, done over 15 years ago.
My advice would be to get a molar pulled.

Answer 6

In my experience getting a tooth pulled is much easier than a root canal. Your mouth might be sore for a day after you get it pulled, but with a root canal, a couple days. Plus- you are right, you will eventually have to get that tooth crowned and that costs a lot of money!! Mine was 1000 dollars just for the crown. So in my opinion its less work and less expensive to just get it pulled!

Hope this helps!

Answer 7

Have the tooth taken out - Root Canal is OK in short term but the tooth will eventually go brown and have to come out anyway! Why have treatment done twice

Answer 8

have you ever had a root canal i would op for the tooth being taken out, who's going to see a tooth missing if its a back one, going through that pain to have a root canal done then you might have the tooth taken out in a few years time and more pain.Have it pulled out lol xx

Answer 9

Although its more expensive I personally would keep the tooth and have root canal. even though you cannot see the molar it is still a very important tooth especially for chewing your food. in my opinion it always best to save a tooth if you can.

Answer 10

As long as it is a back tooth and it is the only one needing root canal I would just say have it pulled. It won't affect the alligning of your other teeth, and no one can see you will have a tooth missing, so what does it matter.