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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
MummysPuppet · 02/01/2014 23:23

Harold You make a good point.

landrover · 02/01/2014 23:25

It is certainly a difficult decision with molars, as they are definitely more difficult to treat, absolutely we should all try to keep hold of them, but if you have a mouthful of other perfect teeth then its worth considering the time, pain, inconvenience, cost etc without a guarantee xx

wobblyweebles · 02/01/2014 23:25

My mum once said that root canal is worse.that child.Birth!!!

I didn't feel anything when they did my root canal. I felt it sting a wee bit when I gave birth.

landrover · 02/01/2014 23:27

wobbly Grin

landrover · 02/01/2014 23:28

Mummy, you are right, that is what it says (it is Bupa though!!!!!!)

Hawkmoth · 02/01/2014 23:28

I had a party when my root canal tooth cracked and had to be taken out. That bastard caused me five years of pain.

landrover · 02/01/2014 23:33

Hawk, thats the end problem with root canal treated teeth is that they go brittle (but obviously that can take some time!) That is occasionally what happens when you have a front tooth with root canal then jacket crown, some time later the patient will arrive when their tooth has sheared off at the base, that is when they end up with a post crown. Obviously you try to keep these teeth as long as poss, but outcomes tend to be not quite as satisfactory with molars.

Lilacroses · 02/01/2014 23:53

I had 2 root canal treatments last year. I was dreading them but aside from getting jaw ache from keeping my mouth open that long it was absolutely fine.

SinisterBuggyMonth · 02/01/2014 23:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hawkmoth · 03/01/2014 00:07

Yes I probably shouldn't be so negative. I am a strange case in that I have an extra nerve canal in my molars, which the dentist missed and was only found after a year and a half of agony and strong prescription drugs.

I'm sure that's not normal and root canals can be a good way of preserving teeth.

Hawkmoth · 03/01/2014 00:08

Three children after that seems like a piss of piss.

Hawkmoth · 03/01/2014 00:08

*piece of piss

I still find it upsetting!

BumgrapesofWrath · 03/01/2014 00:14

Having had both, I'd say YANBU!!

MrsGrasshead · 03/01/2014 00:17

Well yes I've been faced with the dilemma three times. I regret the two extractions. Although a bit of an ordeal with the root filling, it wasnt as bad as I imagined, ive had it over ten years now and there's a limit to having teeth extracted. Work to save your teeth is my view.

WhatICallAUsername · 03/01/2014 00:18

oh feck. Knew I shouldn't have clicked on this thread Sad . Root canal and filling tomorrow. Woe is me

Beavie · 03/01/2014 00:40

Yep have it out. Long story but I had 3 teeth removed in a year in 2012, including 2 wisdom teeth, and have no viable gaps. It was straightforward and quick, and didn't hurt at all when my dentist did it. Healed up quickly and I was good as new.

Beavie · 03/01/2014 00:41
  • visible lol
Overton2424 · 27/01/2019 22:49

Had emergency root canal treatment at private dentist on sat, next day the side of my tooth and some of the temporary filling fell out. I paid £170 for the treatment and have another appointment where I have to pay £150 for more cleaning then 80 for filling as there is hardly any tooth left would it have been easier and cheaper to have extraction as the tooth is at back and not in sight. Feel like I’ve been ripped off but i was in so much pain at the time.

Junkmail · 28/01/2019 00:57

If you have the option do not get a root canal. It’s horrific. I’ve had two botched (root exposed following trauma) and then redone and the pain is awful. I developed a massive abscess following the initial botched job and was very unwell as it tracked all the way up to my nose (front teeth). I’m also now having problems again with pain and discomfort a few years later and I’m requesting the teeth come out and I have implants fitted because I can’t handle it all again. I wish I’d had the option of extraction the first time around but for some reason by dentist was against it.

jessstan2 · 28/01/2019 00:58

I'd have the tooth extracted.

steff13 · 28/01/2019 01:07

Considering this thread is five years old, can I'm betting the OP already made her decision. 🙄

jessstan2 · 28/01/2019 01:32

Hee hee steff, I hadn't noticed.

She probably has a full set of dentures by now :-).

thecatsthecats · 28/01/2019 07:44

Chuh. I think I win.

I had to go to the dentist every week for NINE WEEKS having my root canal prepped,done, and the crown put on.

And you know what? She did an excellent job and was incredibly thorough, explaining that if she went faster there was a risk of leaving debris that would become infected, old nerves etc.

It was horrible, but worth it.

WaxMyBalls · 28/01/2019 08:01

I had a molar removed instead of root canal about 15 years ago, right at the back, don't have a denture or implant and this was never even mentioned. I'd never heard that this was supposed to be done as a matter of course.

couchparsnip · 28/01/2019 08:06

I've had 5 root canals and none of them are as bad as fillings.
The worst thing is cramp from keeping your mouth open for so long. But when it's done you get to keep your teeth. Some of mine were done over 20 years ago and are still fine.