Anyone had root canal treatment?

[BerryTwister]

I’ve lost a chunk of tooth and a filling. The dentist says if the decay is too deep it’ll need either root canal treatment or extraction, the choice will be mine. It’s private (no NHS dentists taking patients where I live), and root canal work will cost much more than having the tooth removed. It’s far back so not visible. I’ve heard horror stories about root canal treatment. Anyone had it done without problems?

Yes but mine was on my very front tooth so extraction would be the last resort. The root canal was less bad than I feared.

Very Different tooth though

Yes I have personally and lots of patients have had it done too without issue. They can fail, or be non-viable during treatment but like everything in dentistry, weigh up all the pros and cons first. Usually pain / infection drives the decision, so don’t put it off.

I have, no problems at all.

Yes it was fine. Was crowned after which I ended up having redone but all fine.

I have, probably 15 years ago now, and other than having to have the crown replaced about 3 years afterwards the root canal itself is still going strong (in hindsight I should have just had the full crown in the first place).

I’ve had two root canals done, but they were covered by my health insurance (abroad). One on a back top tooth and one on a back bottom tooth. For me, it was worth it to save the teeth for as long as possible, even if they might need to be removed years down the line. Per tooth, the dentist took 3 sittings, one of them was really painful, but with the others I didn’t feel a thing.

Thanks all.
Lots to think about, not least the £1000 plus that I’ve been told the root canal would cost !!

No problems but it wasn’t pleasant. Front incisor. I was sedated so don’t remember the root being taken out. Second visit to pack the tooth was horrible. So much pushing and pressure. Leant back in the chair for ages. Came home and went to bed in shock. Others’ experience my be better

I've had 2, both done on NHS several years ago. The first, done at least15 years ago, wasn't capped but just filled. Eventually it broke apart and the remainder of the tooth was removed. The second is probably 10 years old and still going strong. The worst part was the numbing injection into the roof of my mouth!

I've had 4, 3 of them in molars, 1 in a premolar. I felt no pain at all. I actually fell asleep during one! It can be a bit sore afterwards but that soon wears off. You will probably need a crown to protect the tooth afterwards. The only painful part is the cost! It's still better than losing a tooth.

Yes, two on the same tooth , a molar and then it was crowned, the worst part is the numbing and the noise, and the feeling of him going at it in your mouth. It’s unpleasant but not painful.

Yes- it was fine. but something to consider - root canals fail after about 10 - 15 years. Essentially the tooth is now dead and it is is borrowed time.

I had one at 19 (a mistake by a dentist trying to pin a shallow filling damaged a nerve meaning the tooth had to be root canaled to deal with the pain) I had it replaced at 30 and then it failed again in my late 30s. Now I now have an implant.

Several, and crowns. If you can afford it definitely try and save the tooth.
I've had one fail. But I think the dentist did a poor job of a temporary filling which broke the tooth.

Twice on back molars, failed the first time and only lasted 6 months the second time. I wish I'd have just gone straight to extraction in both cases.

Yep I've had one. Not a big deal at all. No pain as everything is numbed. Just a sore jaw after from having my mouth open for so long.

I would initially go down the root canal option in order to save the tooth, although it can fail, it is preferable to having an extraction. Once the root canal is done, in most cases, there are no further issues.

I’ve had fillings and root canal and honestly there’s not much difference between the two apart from the time it takes to do it. I didn’t find it any worse than a filling.

Twice. It was fine. Just boring after a while.

I’ve had several root canals. Would definitely choose that rather than lose the tooth.

I had my first about 30 years ago and found it quite traumatic / painful so always had a dread of having another! I see a PP has said they have a lifespan of 10 - 15 years however this one is still in situ and has never caused me any trouble.

I have now had a further 2 in the last 3 years and they were no bother whatsoever - dentistry has clearly moved on. One was a complicated one so had to see a specialist and that one cost me €950, the other was €800.

Just be aware that, certainly my dentist and also others that friends / family have attended, they recommend you get a crown on top of the root canal in order to preserve it which was a further €800!

I fell asleep during root canal which surprised me because I’d heard horror stories, I have a wonderful NHS dentist. I think it’s better to keep the tooth if possible.

I had root canal on a back molar. Expensive and painful and it never really felt right afterwards. About 3 years later the tooth, what was left of it, began to beak down and pieces fell out and I ended up with a nasty infection - that was way more painful! I was so relieved to get the tooth extracted and now embrace the hole at the back of my mouth that it left! I refused an implant as you can't really see it and I'd had enough pain and expense. I would opt for an extraction in the first instance if I was ever given the choice again - hopefully not.

how many molars back is the affected tooth? If it's number 4, I'd go with extraction but if number three, probably root canal.

Two molars is not quite enough to chew imo

Yes - I fell asleep!

Yes, for a molar, and it was fine. Private dentist. It did mean a long time in the dentists chair, though. IIRC 2 sessions.