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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To choose to have a tooth extracted rather than undergo a root canal?

78 replies

2kidsintow · 02/01/2014 18:43

I have been to the dentists with a problematic molar today. Apparently the nerve is exposed and I needed to go back. Dentist said either for a root canal, or another option could be an extraction.

I'm opting for the extraction as the tooth continues to be a problem and has been filled several times and is mostly one big (ugly) silver filling when you look at it. I foresee the root canal as a v temporary thing.

I also am squeamish at the thought of the HOUR appointment that she said she needed to do it in. What a wimp.

OP posts:

WaffilyVersatile · 02/01/2014 18:47

YADNBU

I have had 2 root canals and wish I had had the damned thing extracted.. Of course, now I cannot find an NHS dentist for love nor money.

itsSantanaLopez · 02/01/2014 18:48

YANBU, DH had the same problem twice, unlucky bugger. Anyway, the first time he went through the root canal, it was awful. The second time, he opted for the extraction, and no problems.

Beccadugs · 02/01/2014 18:49

YANBU

The further back the less successful root canals are. I spend thousands on mine and it still gives me gip. Wish I'd had the bloody thing out!!

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/01/2014 18:49

I had a root canal a few years ago, tooth very much like yours. It's still OK. I had the grey filling replaced with white so it's less ugly as well. I won't lie the root canal wasn't fun.

MrsBungle · 02/01/2014 18:51

Yanbu it's up to you, but I had root canal and whilst not pleasant, it wasn't that bad and I'm glad I don't have a big gap.

sonlypuppyfat · 02/01/2014 18:51

If it won't leave you with a noticeable gap have it out.

Binkyridesagain · 02/01/2014 18:52

YADNBU
I've had root canal work done, 2 hrs work in total, I got a sticker for it as well, as the last 1/2 hr appointment was done without anaesthetic, the dentist thought I was a nutter and deserved the sticker. . I wouldn't have it done again and have had a nightmare of a tooth pulled because it just caused too much trouble to carry on faffing with it.

Yama · 02/01/2014 18:53

My recent extraction took an hour. The dentist had shaky arms by the end of it.

It was the extraction of a previously root canal-ed tooth so that's probably why it took so long.

Perspective21 · 02/01/2014 18:54

I had a similar thing a couple of years ago and on the advice of my dentist had an extraction. It has not been a problem since! I was very nervous about having it taken out and the sensations were a bit disconcerting but as the dentist promised, no pain. It was very near the back and healed nicely with no problems.

sp12344 · 02/01/2014 18:55

I have six teeth with root canal work done on them, only had one fail. So I recommend you keep your teeth, if you have them extracted the gum tends to recede (eventually) and can cause problems with the teeth either side.

Hassled · 02/01/2014 18:55

My root canal experience was absolutely fine - it took a hell of a while (apparently I have long roots) but I fell into a sort of trance-like stupor, listened to the radio, zoned out - and have had no problems since.

If you go for extraction, will there be a gaping hole? What will they do to fill it?

Wallison · 02/01/2014 18:55

I am going against the consensus and would go for root canal. If it's done properly, you won't feel anything from the tooth again as the nerve will be dead. If you go for extraction, you will need something to plug the gap as surrounding teeth will move into it, thus weakening them also. It is, as they say, a slippery slope (quite literally). Do you really want to have a denture? Because that's what you'll need. Either that or an implant which costs £££s. Root canal doesn't hurt as long as the anaesthetic works. Extraction does hurt, and goes on hurting for days. Go for root canal.

IsawJimmykissingSantaClaus · 02/01/2014 18:58

Have an extraction! I wish I had my tooth removed. Actually I did request this but was overridden as the NHS like to save the tooth. 2 years of appointments to get it done and it still doesn't feel right 8 years later

Ruprekt · 02/01/2014 18:58

I fell asleep during my last root canal...........he was so gentle, didnt speak, soft music.....snore......

Am having an extraction next week though. 2-3 days recovery!

I8toys · 02/01/2014 19:03

Speaking from experience - I had root canals on my major molars at 15 so I am used to a dentists chair. If the rest of your teeth are fine - have it extracted. I have a gap from an extraction and it doesn't bother me - yet!

RaspberryRuffle · 02/01/2014 19:06

I'm a TOTAL wimp at the dentist and when it comes to MIL but I had a root canal done last year. This was after a failed attempt by a dentist who was in a hurry to get it done and started before anaesthetic had kicked in. I ditched her, went to a new dentist, had a valium, had my ipod on, had a stress ball in my hand. I had written my address down before so I could show it to the taxi driver who would take me home. I didn't need that, I walked out of there, got the bus home and felt fine. If you trust your dentist and you can summon up the courage, go for it.

Mrsmorton · 02/01/2014 19:07

Did that article win the orange prize for fiction? It's such complete bollocks. I would be lol if I wasn't in the bath crying

yetanotherstatistic · 02/01/2014 19:11

Dentist did a root canal for me in the same situation and I had nothing but grief. He suggested that if it wasn't going to be on view all the time taking it out was a good solution. I had the extraction and although I am conscious of the gap from time to time I very glad that I had it out.

wigglybeezer · 02/01/2014 19:12

I 'm another one who nearly dozed off during root canal. My dentist advised me to have the tooth out, mostly filling, bendy roots etc but I refused to admit defeat and another dentist treated it for me, it is still going strong years later. My sister, however, had root treatment which didn't work and ended up getting the tooth out. It's a gamble.

NaiceAm · 02/01/2014 19:13

I had canal root surgery then walked back to work and within 30 mins of the surgery ending was doing a presentation for 30 people drooling a bit but otherwise fine.

steff13 · 02/01/2014 19:17

I've had five root canals. I am happy with each of them. The last one I had done on an emergency basis when I was pregnant with my daughter. I wanted it extracted, but the dentist talked me into the root canal, and I'm glad I still have the tooth. I am a big baby when it comes to the dentist, but none of my root canals have been bad.

I had four teeth pulled out last year, and I have to go in a few months and have a bridge implanted in my jaw.

PolterTurkey · 02/01/2014 19:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

carabos · 02/01/2014 19:23

YANBU. In a similar situation (cracked the very back molar giving myself a whack in the face with a ski pole) I went for extraction.

Andanotherthing123 · 02/01/2014 19:27

I had root canal three times on the same tooth - twice NHS,once private, cost slightly less than my admittedly crap car, and took another 6 months to feel better. I then had a crown over it.Dentist told me I didn't need anasthetic for the crown as I had no nerves left, so I let him start and my hand shot up involuntarily with the pain, punching him in the head. We agreed we'd ALWAYS use plenty of anaethetic going forwards. Root canals didn't hurt at all, although I Instruct them to use plenty of pain relief and neck a load of codeine before I go.

cannotfuckingbelievethis · 02/01/2014 19:29

I'm one of the unlucky ones. 3 root canal treatments (one of which was extremely painful) and all of them ended up having to be extracted at a later date.

I had bother with a molar during the summer and the dentist suggested root canal treatment. I said under no circumstances was I going through that again and she pulled it. Was pleading with her just to pull it without a jag (looney I know but I have a major needle phobia) but she gave me 3 and then it came out no bother. Not had any problems since.

I had a dodgy dentist in my early twenties and am still paying for all his cock ups.

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