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Original poster

Root canal V extraction

54 replies

Newnamenewme13 · 06/09/2023 19:48

Posting here for traffic as I'm panicking a little...
My son is 10 and needs 2 possibly 3 root canal, or extraction... has anyone any experience similar and can you tell me what you decided to do please?
I'm getting so many opinions and he is in a lot of pain, I don't know which is preferable??
Any info very much appreciated

OP posts:
AllTheWatersTurnedToClouds · 06/09/2023 19:50

Milk teeth or adult teeth? If adult teeth i'd do everything possible to save them.

I had a root canal in July - no worse than a filling.

Original poster
Newnamenewme13 · 06/09/2023 20:00

Adult teeth, typical
He has weak teeth and had a few taken out a few years ago also

OP posts:
Rotterdam · 06/09/2023 20:12

I would try and keep the teeth if at all possible. Root canal isn’t painful but takes a couple of visits and is quite slow - have to keep your mouth open for ages.

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Original poster
Newnamenewme13 · 06/09/2023 20:35

Thanks I really appreciate the feedback

OP posts:
Brumbies · 06/09/2023 20:38

Root treatment can be painful and you have to not mind the rubber sheet covering your throat!

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 06/09/2023 20:39

Definitely the root canal It's not the hideous ordeal people make it out to be. It's only a filling! Albeit, a bit of a lengthy one. If the issue continues, then he can go for a extraction @Newnamenewme13

notanaturalmum · 06/09/2023 20:42

Try and save the tooth.
Who knows what treatment might be possible in another 10/15 years.

Housenoob · 06/09/2023 20:47

Root canals 100%. What will you do with the gaps if he has extractions? Far too young for implants, bridges are possible but will also involve work to teeth next to the gaps, and poor kid can't have dentures at the age of 10. Hopefully the root canals will be done well enough so they last a good few years and then if the teeth eventually need to come out he will be old enough for some of the other options.

What's the reason for his weak teeth?

BeakerCupSaucerEggs · 06/09/2023 20:48

I’ve had a tooth extraction at 35 and they gave me pause. Aged 10 no chance! Try to save those

Housenoob · 06/09/2023 20:48

Sorry just reread my message- dentures are possible but I just mean it would be heartbreaking to see such a young kid with dentures.

RobinHumphries · 06/09/2023 20:57

As a dentist I’d actually be advising to have the teeth out. The rest of the teeth would naturally move to fill the gap. Root canals don’t last for ever so it’s just delaying the extraction

EnthENd · 06/09/2023 20:58

Speak to your dentist, but usually a root filling is preferable. Properly done a root canal is painless after the anaesthetic injections (and a properly done anaesthetic injection doesn't hurt much).

But sometimes people have a "crowded" mouth that can be addressed by an extraction anyway.

AnnaMagnani · 06/09/2023 21:05

I had a root canal - main issue was how long it took.

And that it didn't work. Ended up with an extraction anyway.

20 years later all I've needed is the tooth above shaving as it grows too big.

sizingissues · 06/09/2023 21:10

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 06/09/2023 20:39

Definitely the root canal It's not the hideous ordeal people make it out to be. It's only a filling! Albeit, a bit of a lengthy one. If the issue continues, then he can go for a extraction @Newnamenewme13

I've had some horrific root canals. Poking around with the nerve remover tool and feeling every bit of it... horrendous. You must have been very lucky or I must have had a useless dentist.

Please try to save the teeth. I became so frightened of the dentist I insisted on removal and now bitterly regret it.

sizingissues · 06/09/2023 21:13

*should add that dentists are better to advise that jaded patients like me. Hope it goes well, whatever you decide.

sizingissues · 06/09/2023 21:13

*than

lking12 · 06/09/2023 21:17

If he has bad teeth in general look privately at having his teeth coated with a sealant they help to prevent cavities.
if he has nice teeth and they’re not overcrowded root canal sounds way to go. Extractions leave a gap potentially and can risk things like dry socket so not much fun!

Redruby2020 · 06/09/2023 21:21

Yes as you've said adult teeth then do all possible to save them.
If he has weak teeth, what's his diet like/teeth brushing. Has it mentioned to not rinse after brushing, have they applied or suggested any fluoride varnish?

Redruby2020 · 06/09/2023 21:23

Brumbies · 06/09/2023 20:38

Root treatment can be painful and you have to not mind the rubber sheet covering your throat!

They are annoying but it's to stop things falling to the back of the throat, as in the case of Root canal treatment you are using small files etc.

CantFindTheBeat · 06/09/2023 21:27

Brumbies · 06/09/2023 20:38

Root treatment can be painful and you have to not mind the rubber sheet covering your throat!

😳😳😳

When did you last have a root canal, Brumbles?????

OP - I fell asleep during my last root canal.

I was in so much pain before hand with fracture in the tooth - the anaesthetic and the pain-free procedure was bliss.

If root canal is on offer, and you trust the dentist, I would go for it.

So sorry for your child though. Is 10 very young to have these issues?

HalfasleepChrisintheMorning · 06/09/2023 21:29

RobinHumphries · 06/09/2023 20:57

As a dentist I’d actually be advising to have the teeth out. The rest of the teeth would naturally move to fill the gap. Root canals don’t last for ever so it’s just delaying the extraction

I agree (also a dentist).

postitnot · 06/09/2023 21:29

If they're his first molars and he's 10 then there's a good chance the other teeth will naturally move to fill the space.

What does your dentist advise? He needs to have something done to stop him having pain that's for sure.

HalfasleepChrisintheMorning · 06/09/2023 21:31

OP what teeth are they? If number 6 (first permanent molar), definitely go for extraction, the 7s will come in and he’ll end up fine with no wisdom tooth problems later.

Original poster
Newnamenewme13 · 06/09/2023 21:33

I'm so grateful for all replies... to the dentists who replied, that's exactly why I was considering extraction, wisdom teeth might come up easier? He already has back teeth out, at 6yo but they would have been milk teeth so should grow back I'm thinking

OP posts:
Yumyi · 06/09/2023 21:36

I have just been through this with both my kids they needed 6s out . They had them extracted

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