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Original poster

Dentist help - extraction or root canal????

48 replies

tenlittlecygnets · 26/02/2021 12:10

Got a sore tooth. Got emergency appt with private dentist today and they said they could extract it or do root canal - extraction £240, root canal £1,500, but no guarantee of success because I have gum disease.

What would you do? Just want the pain to go away...

And I am so scared of the dentist. 2 hours treatmetn for a root canal??!

Help...

OP posts:
triceratopsmama · 26/02/2021 12:12

Root canal. But get another price. I've just had 3 done and paid €1200 in total for all 3.

triceratopsmama · 26/02/2021 12:13

Actually which tooth is it?

Original poster
tenlittlecygnets · 26/02/2021 12:15

Second tooth from back, top right.

OP posts:

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Alfaix · 26/02/2021 12:16

Does that price for the root canal include the crown too?

triceratopsmama · 26/02/2021 12:18

Hmm, I've had a lot of dental trouble, extractions and root canals. My top teeth are crowded and it's caused me endless problems.
If I were you with where it's located, I would have it extracted, and then ask the dentist to check all your other teeth and get whatever work you might need done ASAP.
That's what I'm currently doing.

Original poster
tenlittlecygnets · 26/02/2021 12:18

Yes, sorry, forgot to say that. Crown and post.

OP posts:
PleaseReferToMeAsBritneySpears · 26/02/2021 12:19

I had an extraction after failed root canal. Can't comment on the price because mine was NHS, but if you're wondering what a gap would be like, mine is upper 5. It's absolutely fine. It's far enough back that it doesn't really show with normal taking and smiling. If it was any further forward I'd say no.

DinosaurDigestive · 26/02/2021 12:19

I wouldn't go for an extraction as the gum will recede even more around the teeth on either side if there isn't an implant placed in. The gum recession will likely end up causing issues particularly with gum issues already.

You will also be very aware of the gap and likely end up feeling very conscious due to it.

I would see about getting a different price also as tnat seems high

triceratopsmama · 26/02/2021 12:20

I just realised I've had a root canal in that exact tooth @tenlittlecygnets. It took an hour and hasn't given me any trouble. And I was in horrendous pain before it was done... but it cost me €450. I'm not sure I'd pay £1500 for one that's so far back.

OllyBJolly · 26/02/2021 12:21

I'd save teeth wherever possible.

My dentist gives 12 months interest free repayments.

idontlikealdi · 26/02/2021 12:21

Extraction. I did the same and haven't regretted it for a second. Plus when it was extracted the root was split or splintered or something, I cant remeber now and hte dentist was fairly confident the root canal would have failed anyway.

TableDesk · 26/02/2021 12:23

I'm the same as @PleaseReferToMeAsBritneySpears extraction after failed root canal. Mine is bottom left second from last tooth. Not really noticeable it's missing, but learning to chew on that side was extremely weird & still is 4 months down the line

PleaseReferToMeAsBritneySpears · 26/02/2021 12:24

2nd from the back? You won't notice it's gone. You won't feel the gap, you certainly won't see the gap. I doubt any gum recession will cause a problem. Mine hasn't.

TableDesk · 26/02/2021 12:24

Sorry, should have added, if I had to do it again, I would go straight for extraction but be aware of dry socket issues Envy < not envy

Hoppinggreen · 26/02/2021 12:26

I had years of issues with my 2nd from back tooth on the right. I got a new dentist who said why don’t we just take it out. I was bloody terrified as one of the issues was that for some reason several different dentists had tried and failed to numb that area.
I explained this and he said, if he could really numb it would I let him take out. I agreed, he did and it was great

Original poster
tenlittlecygnets · 26/02/2021 12:31

Dry socket??! FFS

How can I avoid that??

I've been avoiding the dentist for a few years and now have issues that I really need to deal with, but want to sort the pain first. This tooth is badly broken and filled so it's not like it's in brilliant nick...

OP posts:
Alfaix · 26/02/2021 12:41

If it’s that bad that it needs a post an it’s an upper 7, it sounds like it’s toast. Have it out. £1500 is half an implant and they have a much higher success rate.

PleaseReferToMeAsBritneySpears · 26/02/2021 12:41

After the tooth has been extracted, there's a sort of plug of gunk in the socket in the same way you'd expect a scab. It's blood clot type stuff. Can you tell I'm not a dentist?! Just make sure you don't dislodge it. You should be fine.

TableDesk · 26/02/2021 12:49

Yes, dont dislodge the "scab" Blush
I did through over zealous cleaning. Not a thing I want to repeat

ineedacupoftea · 26/02/2021 12:49

I’ve had a root canal on that same tooth this week. I was referred to a private endontologist as my usual dentist (who have been really poor at seeing me over the last few months of lots of pain) were not confident they could do a reasonable job due to the possible root complexity.
The first appointment on Wednesday was fine - I was totally numbed up so no pain as part of the procedure, although I did have some manageable pain later that evening. The price is £690 for the root canal, and I will go back to the NHs dentist for the crown (band 3 treatment price, which is about £280 I think).
I also thought about an extraction but I thought that to try to salvage the tooth first was preferable, and I was concerned it may have impacts on other teeth. I’ve also heard that extractions are more painful than root canals too, so that helped make the decision!

TableDesk · 26/02/2021 12:52

Also ask if your dentist does gas - like lime twilight sedation that you recover from immediately. No down time & can still drive home etc. My extraction was very relaxing! Never thought a dentist appointment could be classed as relaxing! You'll be fine, the build up to it is worse than the treatment x

Original poster
tenlittlecygnets · 26/02/2021 14:03

The dentist said the extraction would not be painful - but the idea of all the tugging - yuk.

They do a conscious sedation at £350 per hour!!!!! Didn't mention gas.

OP posts:
HeronLanyon · 26/02/2021 14:09

It will depend on how much good tooth there is left and whether there is enough to provide basis for a crown.
Root canal will deal with the lain (I sympathise op) and will then be followed by fitting of crown. Not all crowns are successful.early jan a crown of mine (around three years old) just lifted off eating cheese. The root canal under it means I’m not in pain. But waiting for dental app to think about next steps.
I’ve had one tooth extracted. The pain when the drugs wore of was indescribably for a few hours. Left with needing an implant.
Why oh why are teeth such an awful design fail ???

Original poster
tenlittlecygnets · 26/02/2021 14:10

Oh my god, I wasn't expecting that much pain afterwards. How much pain should there be??

OP posts:
PleaseReferToMeAsBritneySpears · 26/02/2021 14:30

Not much for me. Local anaesthetic injections as per fillings or root canal. I might have taken some paracetamol when that wore off. That's it. Don't worry too much.

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