How do you know when your molar tooth is dying?

Question

Pain in my upper last molar tooth, so unsure if it's dying or not? If tooth is dying does it pay to get a root canal plus crown on it, or have it extracted ? What are the chances of having to do an extraction if root canal and crown are done? Can a molar tooth be ok with a root canal and crown, or will it have to be removed anyway? What happens to the other teeth if a molar tooth is removed?

Answer 1

It is a bad sign and a sign of expenses and grief to come.

You need to get it checked at a dentist. None of us on Yahoo can see it from here.

If the tooth is valuable (easy to see in your smile and a big molar necessary for chewing) you should do your best to save it. That includes root canal and crown. Unless the root canal is done by a poor dentist who cracks the tooth it is likely the tooth will be perfect after that work.

If you ignore it you will be in more and more pain as it rots away waiting for the extraction. If the tooth is extracted the bone will tend to diminish near it and the adjacent ones will start to loosen.

Answer 2

When a tooth is failing as a result of trauma or infection a root canal will be necessary. An endodontist is a specialist whom you will be referred to in many cases, especially for a molar tooth. Typically one will know if a tooth is dying; symptoms such as swelling, sensitivity to cold or hot and pain will indicate a dying nerve. Sometimes an infected tooth can be identified radiographically in the absence of symptoms. Once symptoms arise a radiograph is taken of the tooth to diagnose the infection. Once the tooth is confirmed treatment can begin. An antibiotic and pain medicine are prescribed to give the patient immediate relief and then it is determined who should do the treatment. The tooth is numbed and an access hole is drilled through the top of the tooth. Once the canals of the roots are exposed the dying nerve will be removed with small files. When the infection is completely filed out the canals they are filled with an artificial material known as Guttapercha. A temporary filling material is placed in the tooth and the patient waits a few weeks to make sure that symptoms subside. Once the tooth seems stable a more permanent tooth colored filling is placed.

Answer 3

poke it and see if it hurts.