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Original poster

Root canal or extraction

27 replies

GlitteryFarts · 09/12/2024 16:56

My tooth has been really sore when eating or drinking hot and cold foods and drinks since I had my first filling put in 6 months ago.
Dentist has xrayed etc on my checkup today and told me the fillings will need to be removed and replaced but as one is close to the nerve and there is an infection underneath I may need a root canal on the day or I can opt for an extraction instead.
What is everyone's experiences? Especially if you have had both...any regrets or thoughts of what you would do next time? How are the pain levels?
I want to go in there certain or what I want to opt for if it comes to it.
Thanks!

OP posts:
DontBiteTheCat · 09/12/2024 16:57

I would just have it removed to be honest.

Nitgel · 09/12/2024 16:58

What tooth is it? I had this right at the back and after numerous fillings got it extracted.

KirstenBlest · 09/12/2024 16:59

I'd go for the root canal work. If you are having it removed think about having an implant. Root canal treatmenr shouldn't hurt.

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TomatoPumpkin · 09/12/2024 17:00

I’ve had both. My root canal was 9.5 years ago and now needs an extraction.

Last year I had the option of a root canal be extraction and I chose the extraction. The root canal wasn’t guaranteed to work, so I might go through that and still need the extraction.

The extraction was cheaper too.

if the tooth isnt a front tooth I would 100% go with extraction.

W0tnow · 09/12/2024 17:01

Root canal if there is a reasonable chance of success. If extraction then get an implant.

AnneKipankitoo · 09/12/2024 17:01

How long does the sensitivity last?
Are you kept awake ?
Do painkillers help?
What is your age?
Are you well ?
Do you have a radiograph?
Did you see the radiograph?

Canestenpeasant · 09/12/2024 17:02

If at the back have it out, far easier

reesiespieces · 09/12/2024 17:04

Root canals aren't painful. If there's a high chance of success go for the root canal.

BeyondMyWits · 09/12/2024 17:04

Had a root canal 18 months ago. Going in on Thursday to have it out as it never settled. To be fair, the dentist explained that happens sometimes, but £700 ,for a year and a half of pain followed by £250 to take it out smarts a bit!

Summerhillsquare · 09/12/2024 17:05

Loosing teeth leads to long term problems with movement, gum recession etc so I'd always try root filling it. You won't feel a thing.

SensibleSigma · 09/12/2024 17:08

I had a root canal. It’s never been entirely right, apparently I’d need specialist treatment because of small twisty nerves. Also, the underlying infection is still there and flairs up occasionally.

Be careful with extraction. I had a tooth extracted and I think it was the wrong one- the issue persisted and I had root canal on the neighboring tooth.

UltramarineViolet · 09/12/2024 17:09

I've had both and would try to save the tooth in the first instance with a root canal if your dentist thinks there is a good chance of success

You can always have it extracted in the future if the root canal work isn't successful

mitogoshigg · 09/12/2024 17:10

I'm in the same situation, she can take it out on Monday or root canal in January with crown - £26 for the extraction, £320 for the root canal and crown ... definitely swaying my opinion!

OldMrBernardWhoHaveYouSilencedToday · 09/12/2024 17:18

I've just had a very similar decision with a filling that was too high. I've got a wide smile so I went for the root canal.

I wouldn't recommend it to someone who is scared of the dentist. I've had three long appointments so far on it and then more to do a crown when it's settled. I've been in the dentist chair being messed with for about the length of a film by now.

It hasn't been painful. My last appointment made my gums quite sore afterwards but nothing paracetamol wouldn't sort.

I had one done previously in my late twenties. It has failed but it's causing me no bother so it's still there. It'll have to come out eventually but I'm in my forties now so it's had a good innings even for a failed root canal.

WickedlyCharmed · 09/12/2024 17:18

I had an extraction recently when a failed root canal got infected and gave me excruciating toothache.

The dentist couldn’t do the extraction until the infection was cleared. I was on 2 lots of antibiotics for a week. I am having an implant in the new year.

When I tell you I was in agony for that week, I mean, codiene and Tramadol didn’t even touch the pain. I don’t think I slept for more than a 45 minute stretch all week and I was literally counting down the minutes until I could take more pain relief. I took way over the recommended dose of paracetamol and Ibuprofen all week.

At one point I was quietly sobbing at 3am and when my crying woke DH I begged him to have a go at pulling the tooth with pliers, as it couldn’t possibly have been any more painful than it already was. (He didn’t).

There’s no way I would have a root canal again. I’d opt for extraction and implant every time.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 09/12/2024 17:46

I had a root canal done a couple of years ago. Did take quite a while in the chair, but wasn’t painful. No trouble with it since. IMO infinitely preferable to an extraction.

tootiredtobeinspired · 09/12/2024 17:52

I had a root canal last year, it was a real faff with quite a few appointments and going back and forward. It was also really expensive (cost me the best part of £1000!) however the tooth is visible when I smile so there was no way I could just have it out and an implant is also ££££! The actual procedure wasnt painful at all, just long.

LookingForAHandHold · 09/12/2024 17:53

Root canal. They don't hurt

filka · 09/12/2024 18:25

mitogoshigg · 09/12/2024 17:10

I'm in the same situation, she can take it out on Monday or root canal in January with crown - £26 for the extraction, £320 for the root canal and crown ... definitely swaying my opinion!

You aren't comparing like with like, with the root canal and crown you still have a usable tooth. You should compare the root canal and crown to the extraction and implant. Or would you live with an empty space? That's probably not a good idea...

I once had a root canal done but was a bit lazy about getting the crown done promptly, so the tooth split, as I was told it would. I ended up with an implant which has been the bane of my life for 20 years - the tooth sits a bit proud of the gum and all sorts of food get stuck in there, often resistant to a toothbrush and requiring flossing to get out, which I hate. So I'm constantly reminded of it.

KirstenBlest · 09/12/2024 19:33

Get a quote for the implant. I'm having one and it's £2K.
It's a tooth that shows, and I'm not getting on with the partial denture, so I think it's worth it.

helpfulperson · 09/12/2024 19:37

An implant isn't the only option after an extraction. I've had a bridge fitted which is basically a crown but attached to the tooth next to it.

Beamur · 09/12/2024 19:38

Having had both, if you can afford it, I would do everything to keep the tooth as my first choice.
But a crown/root canal won't last forever. Mine gave me another 10 years. I have a gap (at the back) where it eventually failed and I do miss it. I notice the gap sometimes when I am speaking. But not sure I want an implant either!

Marsh212 · 09/12/2024 19:41

I personally would go for the root canal. I had a root canal on one of my teeth and unfortunately I developed a chronic infection . I was given the choice of a re root canal with a specialist or an extraction. I really wanted to try and keep my tooth so I opted for the re root. It cost me an arm and a leg but I have had no problem since

Ginkypig · 09/12/2024 19:50

iv had a lot of teeth out over the years and I eat fine and don’t notice them gone. There has been some movement of the teeth next to them but nothing that causes problems or could be noticed by anyone but me.

Well from my own experience this year, the dentist suggested trying to save my tooth as it was the only big molar left on that side.

I had two (difficult appointments) attempts at the first stage of root canal which didn’t work leaving me between appointments in a lot of pain then on the third appointment I said just take it out as I couldn’t face another hour of them digging around and trying only for it to not work again! So over three months of trying and failing. Had it out.

nearly a month on the hole where the tooth was is almost finished filling in. the pain has gone completely. Once it fills in completely I’ll eat properly on that side to harden the gum. I’m really happy it’s over and it will be mostly settled for Christmas.

my advice is if you want to save it or if it is a tooth you will see missing when you smile then maybe attempt a root canal and if it fails then get it out.

if on the other hand it will be hidden when you smile and there are teeth around it then just get it out!

XenoBitch · 09/12/2024 19:54

A dentist told me that it is always preferable to try and save a tooth, so if root canal is an option then go for it.

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