Any alternateives to a root canal?

Question

I am about to recieve a root canal, however, I really really don't want to. Does anyone know of any alternatives to a root canal?

Answer 1

the only alternative to a root canal is having the tooth extracted. A root canal is required when the cavity is deep and goes into the nerve of the tooth. Once the nerve is involved you only have two options, a root canal which is when the nerve is removed from the tooth and a rubber filling material is put in its place, then a crown placed on the tooth. this is the only way to save the tooth.

If it is left untreated the tooth will cause you constant pain because of the exposure of the nerve. If you get the extraction there are options to replace the tooth, like an implant or bridge.

Answer 2

You have two choices, root canal the tooth or have it extracted. If you are just nervous about the procedure ask the dentist for a pre-medication that you can take the night before and the day of the procedure, you will need a driver for this medication to be used though. You can also have N20 during the procedure that will help to relax you.

Don't listen to the horror stories that some people regale (for their own amusment) about root canals, they have a tendency to elaborate and exaggerate the pain, making it sound worse than natural childbirth, of quad triplets, in an open field, without a stick to bite on....and.... Do you get my point? If they were that painful, do you think people would ever get one? Root canals really aren't painful as most patients initially think. The only ones that “are” painful, are when the patient walks in with his jaw in his hand, tears in his eyes, he’s been up all night with his whole face throbbing and has a full blown abscessed tooth with extreme swelling and pain that requires an emergency root canal treatment to be done immediately. In those cases it's difficult if not impossible to get the anesthetic to work when there is so much infection present. Even so, those patients are thankful once the pulp is removed and the pressure is relieved. I've seen more appreciative patients following root canal procedures than any other procedure. The only time I’ve received flowers and candies from my patients has been after performing a root canal on their tooth.

So, again your options are limited, either the root canal therapy or an extraction. The latter isn't a good alternative since it's always better to try to save your own natural tooth. There are options available to replace a missing tooth; implant, fixed bridge or even partial denture. These aren’t always "good" options for every patient though; much depends on the tooth removed, bone level left, and finances, which replacement can be much more expensive than having a root canal and crown done in the first place.

Everyone here has given you excellent answers and almost all have the same advice, save the tooth if at all possible. The choice is ultimately left for you to make, I hope you will consider everything I’ve said and discuss this thoroughly with your dentist before making a rash decision. There are ways to have the root canal procedure performed with very little, if any discomfort at all. Your dentist will be glad to discuss these with you as well. I hope I’ve been of some help and good luck with your pending procedure.

Additional information: Todd S is a prime example, although he did say it was "cake" later.

Answer 3

Why would you not want to have a root canal?
If you are in pain, after having the root canal treated, the pain will go away.
If you have a very big decay in the tooth and are still not in pain, wait too long and the pain will come. And then you'll want to have to root canal treated so that the pain will go away.
If you don't want to lose your tooth, and except from having the root canal treated extraction is the only other option to be pain free, why would you not want to have the root canal treated.
Imagine waking up one morning to a huge swollen cheek and a horrible throbbing pain that is radiating into your ear! You can't take enough drugs to make the pain go away! Boy, do you want to have a root canal therapy... but by then it might be too late. Too much infection can cause the bone to go away and then you cannot save the tooth.
Buck up! Be brave! Root canal therapy only hurts when the tooth is already painful from the infection. Have the tooth treated before that point and the whole thing is a breeze!

Answer 4

I had a root canal this morning on my 31 tooth. I can tell you it was by far the most painful thing I have encountered. More painful than my knee when it twisted backwards. BUT - that pain lasted for about 15-20 minutes and now its just a dull thump. And after a few days, I know it will be nothing. I don't mean to scare you, but I am being totally honest. My dentist had to give me a shot of the numbing stuff right INTO the nerve, so that was pretty bad. I had tears rolling down my head.
Once that stuff finally kicked in (she had to give me 7 shots), it was cake. The worst of it now is my jaw is sore. NO big deal. Of course, I am still a bit numb even after 5 hours!

You can either pull the tooth and get a bridge (more money and more pain) or sit through a couple of hours and have it done with. I know I hope I never have another one, but the alternative is much worse, much more expensive and can lead to more problems.

Good luck - the ntitrous helps, but take your iPod - that's even better.

Answer 5

If you don't want to have the root canal done then the only other option is to have the tooth extracted and have an implant done to replace the tooth. That is a more expensive treatment though.

Answer 6

alternateives root canal

Answer 7

I had a root canal that wasn't done properly. The dentist who ended up treating it after a year of pain said it was "short".

They wanted to re-do the root canal, but I just had the tooth pulled. You can get them replaced with ceramic teeth.

Good luck! :)

Answer 8

you can get it taken out...sorry its the only other alternative,not reccommended!! If you are worried about the root canal ask for sweet air(laughing gas) for root canal to calm you nerves and help you relax that might help..good luck:)

Answer 9

Amusing

Answer 10

ROOT CANAL OR EXTRACTION?
IT'S YOUR CHOICE.