I have a serious decay to one teeth . Dentist recommends rooth canal?

Question

But I am missing the two molars near this tooth and I was thinking why should I treat this teeth and pay $800 for root canal,instead to just pull it out since is cheaper and since I am going to do either an implant or a denture for the next neighbor teeth. Am I right or the dentist? I know many dentists are just looking to take more money instead of the patient's interest.That's why I am asking you r opinion.Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi:

It depends on when you are planning to invest in your dental implants and the condition of the tooth that the dentist is reccomending to treat with a root canal -- as to whether or not you should move forward. Sorry to say-- you need to do more digging/research in another professional opion-- preferrably the doctor that will be working with you to place the implants-- as he/she can help you with the bigger picture and should be knowlegable with your delima and solutions for it.

If you are not planning to invest in the dental implants immediatley and the tooth that is needing the root canal treatment is truly salvageable---you can truly help your situation by moving forward with the root canal vs. simply extracting it. You see having teeth inside of the bone allows the bone to stay in place. Once you extract the teeth the bone begins to dissolve. Usually at a slow rate BUT if you are a smoker, in poor health, diabetic, or have other auto-immune problems, the bone can dissolve rather quickly.

This means you would have to possibly invest in bone grafting in addition to the dental implant and bone grafting is not in-expensive and can start at approx. $10,000.00 (at least that is what it starts at in our area--Bay Area, Northern California).

I can respect your concerns of spending more money in an area of your mouth you believe will need dental implants---it is a good argument-- and certainly worth you spending the time and money with the implant doctor. Share with him the problem you are facing. The complete treatment plan and options should be presented to you by the implant doctor---

Working with the end in mind-- seeing the Periodontist, Oral Surgeon or General Dentist that is trained in providing you with the dental implant treatment plan can help you further in understanding whether or not the tooth is salvageable with a root canal, and if this investment is in the best interest in the grander implant picture or if it should just simply be extracted.

Act swiftly if you can-- as you have infection in your tooth and this can cause you to have flu like symptoms, feel run down and actually even cause you to wake up in the middle of the night with throbbing pain--- if the infection gets bad enough.

Infection in the nerve of a tooth travels throughout your blood stream-- and can affect your heart. Bacteria in your heart can trigger heart problems and a heart attach-- if heart disease runs in your family--- this is not good and you could be in danger.

Not trying to scare you-- just stating facts that were published in Spring, 2001 and I am sorry that I don't have the article handy-- but it was provided by the American Heart Association.

To wrap things up here--- see the doc of your choice for the dental implants--- ask for his direction and treatment of this diseased tooth or extract the diseased tooth--

Get well soon-- Most Sincerely, Tina

P.S. I did include a link that does support periodontal disease and heart disease--- basically stating that disease in the mouth soft and hard tissue can increase the chances of having a heart attach--or damaging your heart. Stay healthy--clear up the infection either through having a root canal or do the extraction--once you've visited with your implant doc.

Answer 2

To be honest, I hate root canals, I've had good ones and bad ones and unless it was a front tooth I would not have another one. I've lost a root canal tooth 2 times, the canal didn't take and it cost so much money it wasn't funny. I would pull it, no pain there when the tooth is gone. See you hate to lose a tooth and the dentists hate to see you lose one plus they want to make money on it. I know I will get a partial one day on that one side where I lost 2 teeth but for now oh well, I'll live lol. The thing with partials is they are not the same, they don't grind food well, they chomp it and you don't "feel" yourself chewing it.

Answer 3

RODICA,
YOU ARE THE BOSS OF YOUR OWN MOUTH. AS DENTISTS WE CAN ONLY RECOMMEND A ROOT CANAL IF YOU WANT TO SAME THE TOOTH. DON'T FORGET THAT A CROWN WILL BE NEEDED FO THIS TOOTH AFTER THE ROOT CANAL.
EXTRACTION IS ALWAYS AN OPTION. YOU CAN PUT DOWN ALL THE $ YOU SAVED TOWARD A NEW PARTIAL DENTURE.

Answer 4

It is your tooth, you can do what you want to. The dentist of course would like some of your $$ and he is giving his professional opinion, but in the end it is your decision, he cannot force you to have the root canal.
I went against a dentists advice, and am still going to him and he always remarks about my decision...but so be it...my mouth, my tooth, my life...I did what I wanted.

Answer 5

An implant is more expensive, so get the root canal, and do implants for the 2 missing molars.

Answer 6

it is better to save the tooth and maybe you can use it as an anchor for a bridge to replace the missing teeth near it! implants average about $4,000.00 per tooth start to finish so thats something to consider also:)

Answer 7

Can you tell me if this tooth has space between it and the one in front of it?