Root canal or extraction - any dentists about

[sirmione]

I would be VERY grateful for a bit of advice. Can’t speak the language very well where I am and it’s not the done thing to get a 2nd opinion from a second dentist as it’s seen as undermining a colleague.
I grind my teeth and after a really stressful time, managed to do it so hard I cracked a molar. I then had an infection, treated successfully with antibiotics and the tooth (dead) given a clean out. My dentist said there was a crack, but he couldn’t see it. No pain now, but doesn’t feel quite right. Dentist says he could do a root canal, but it won’t last and I’m likely to be back in a few years. He’s suggested extraction and an implant and it’ll ‘last 50 years’. I have looked on Dr Google and opinion seems to be that a tooth should be saved where possible. Any ideas?

I'm not a dentist by I am a HCP and I also grind my teeth. A cracked tooth is lost. A root canal can keep the canals from becoming infected but structurally the tooth is ruined.

I'm currently getting implants for three teeth. One I lost years ago. Two I cracked and had to be extracted in January and February. Both had had root canals done in the past - one had the root canal redone a year ago.

I really wish now that I had saved the money I spent on those root canals and had it now for the implants.

Do you wear an night guard to protect your teeth from grinding while you sleep? I do, and it's the only effective protection long term.

I'm a dentist. It depends where the crack is. Crack in the crown, I would save the tooth with root canal treatment and a new crown, crack in the root, the tooth would need extraction.

Thanks v much. NoArmani, will ask him again where crack is - although he said he couldn’t see it & said the tooth looked perfect!
MissC - I’ve started wearing one of those DIY plastic things, prob not really up to the job though. Sorry to hear of your tooth traumas

When you have the work done ask the dentist to take an impression of your uppers and have a proper one made. It will fit exactly and much more comfortable. They aren't terribly expensive and will save you loads of damage in the future.