Root canal vs extraction opinions needed

@Piglet89 when you say reinfected do you mean decay

If you go down the extraction route then I would recommend something in its place asap. I had a molar extracted in early 20's which left a gap. Between that and wisdom teeth overcrowding 15 years later I had issues. I was told by a dentist outside the UK that a gap should never be left. Ended up with a brace and needed a metal pin to move the roots of the tooth next to the gap which had moved sideways die to the gap. A lot of money and inconvenience plus some pain later all is well but having a gap for 15 plus years did me no favours.

I had the lower molar next to my one remaining wisdom tooth extracted a couple of years ago (had cracked it due to teeth grinding and it was painful). Dentist was keen for root canal and referred me to specialist but cost was extortinate and due to grinding I was not convinced it would last.

Extraction was easy and I don't believe it is visible that there is a gap to others. I haven't had any issues with movement (but do wear a night guard due to grinding to prevent further damage).

However in your situation I'd give it a bit more time to settle and possibly get a second opinion before doing anything further.

I gave no molars on my bottom left side and it has never bothered me at all. Toothache is so incredibly painful (and worse than childbirth as you don't get the incredible gift of a baby at the end) that in your position is have it out.

So if hes only finished the first part of the rct discussions of re treatment with a specialist or extraction are irrelevent.

If he hasnt finished the rct if there is some pulpal tissue left he will remove it next time, normally a medication is used in the tooth to settle pain and kill off the remaining pulpal tissue. It sounds like he has dressed the tooth to get it out of pain, it can take a couple of days if you were in pain pre rct. You have finished rct round 1 yet so you dont need to be thinking about specialist re treatment

@BluePeterVag you poor critter I really feel for you! Toothache is absolutely the worst.

Upper left 6 eventually extracted after 2 expensive RCTs. It just never felt right and got reinfected; it was a complete nightmare for several months.

It’s not ideal; I have a denture now, but I personally feel better having it out.

I’m waiting to get a second molar extraction done. The root is curves so any RCT will be “complex” and cost more. The original dentist that filled the tooth made a bodge job and it deteriorated from there. I paid another dentist for a second opinion on whether extraction is the way forward and they agreed it is.
I have been waiting since Feb due to Covid. I need sedation as it is a complex extraction and the only nhs dentist round here who will do it isn’t seeing patients due to Covid. I cannot afford to pay privately, I just do not have the money. So I am on painkillers for toothache, the nerve was taken out but the infection is still there. Feeling very fed up about it all.

Extraction. Root canals cost more, don't last forever and you will end up having them extracted one day anyway. Save yourself some money and get of it.

Tmj can present as severe tooth ache.

Triggered by dental treatment. It's always better to save a tooth.

Had 2 root canals NHS this year. Very well done. Have also had an extraction. Prefer RC to save the tooth.

I had a root canal on Friday and my dentist said that it would likely take some time for infection to clear and trauma from root canal to subside so it might still be fine. My tooth is still a bit sensitive when brushing or chewing

Well if it is cracked you will likely need a crown on the root canal tooth.

I’ve had a root canal followed by a crown as I had a painful cracked tooth. The treatment was painless although long, with only very mild discomfort afterwards. So far so good.

I hope you find someone that knows what they’re doing. From what you say it’s not inspiring confidence although as PP said see if it does settle down. RCT is not 100% guaranteed but most should not fail, at least not for a long time if they’re done by a competent expert. Personally I think extraction should be the absolute last resort.

I think don't rush into anything and see if it settles. If it doesn't, get original dentist to xray and advise. If they think the RCT hasn't worked I'd get the RCT redone by a skilled endodontist as this is the more conservative approach. I'd only go for extraction + implant as a last resort. I had to have an implant near the back and it is fantastic.

Definitely don't rush to any decisions yet. I've has several RCTs and they always set all my other bothersome teeth off again. I've learnt to expect it.
@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut is giving good advice imho

Had to google to work out where the first molar is.
In my mid twenties, a cap had pinged off several times, so the dentist eventually removed it (third molar, not first).
My wisdom tooth came through and filled the gap.
Wisdom tooth on the other side never came through properly but used to give rumbling pain every year or so. It's given up now.
Ask your Dentist what is likely to happen if yo simply have it extracted - even if it leaves a gap it's far back enough not to be visible.

My husband is a dentist so I'll ask him in the morning :)

I've had 4 root canals and only 1 ended in extraction because it was just too weak to support a crown. It was a lower 1st molar and I haven't replaced it and so far everything is fine. My teeth haven't moved much if at all. The other 3 root canals however are all fine too, one of them is 15 years old now and all of them hurt badly for a few weeks after. Couldnt even touch them. Remember teeth are living tissue and a root canal is a hugely traumatic procedure even without the nerve. The surrounding tissue cops it too. If I were you I would leave it alone, get antibiotics if you can, toss back ibuprofen like skittles and don't chew on it at all, clean only very gently over the area. After 2 weeks reassess. If it hasn't at least started to settle then I might opt for extraction but give it a chance.

Following.

I had a tooth extracted and are now considering an implant. Does anyone know whether (nearly) every dentist does this? How can one find a good one?

There will most likely already be infection in the tooth, root canals treat infected teeth

Did your dentist definitely do the full rct?