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Original poster

Root canal or tooth removed?

62 replies

cjt110 · 20/04/2017 15:10

Backstory - had 2 fillings done a month ago. The one done top left back of mouth has given me immense pain and trouble since when eating/drinking. Gone back today and filling is very close to the nerve. Was given 2 option, first being the best - to have my filling drilled out, medicine put into the tooth and a temp filling put on or 2 have antibiotics. That I will need a root canal following both of these. Went for option 1. They gave me as much anesthetic as I could have and still i could feel him drilling. I've ended up with antibiotics and have to go back for band 3 (£255 treatment) of a root canal and cap/cover. Absolutely gutted. I'm 30 and until last month I've only ever had 2 fillings. I cant afford that kind of treatment so it looks like now I'll be having my tooth removed so am absolutely gutted. Sad

Im also really cross because to me, this is as a result of the work he has done and so they should repair my tooth free!

OP posts:
Original poster
cjt110 · 20/04/2017 15:12

Oh and they've told me the antibiotics is for an inflamed nerve, not an infection?

I meant to put on my OP - WWYD? Root canal or tooth removed?

OP posts:
haveacupoftea · 20/04/2017 15:14

Usually I would say root canal but tbh that tooth sounds like it's always going to give you trouble and might be better off coming out.

hellsbellsmelons · 20/04/2017 15:16

I'd always say, do what you can to keep any teeth.
It is a lot of money.
Could you get a loan so you repay over a set period of time rather than a lump sum all at once?

Olivialoves · 20/04/2017 15:22

Root canal all the way to save the tooth. That will take the nerve away and hopefully solve the problem. Ask for more anaesthetic. The rumour of nhs dentists being stingy isn't true.

jdoe8 · 20/04/2017 15:24

I'm not sure, some people day root canals cause cancer as you keep something dead in your mouth and that isn't good for you.

Maudlinmaud · 20/04/2017 15:25

I don't think you will miss that tooth Cjt so if it was me I'd opt for having it removed. Have you had tooth extracted in the past? If not it's fine, you feel nothing just some pressure and a cracking noise and that's it.
Sorry I cannot comment on whether the dentist is at fault. I do know they are very expensive.

faithinthesound · 20/04/2017 15:25

The way my dentist tells it, they CAN just pull the tooth, but then you run the risk of the surrounding teeth migrating into the gap and actually changing the shape of your jaw? I'm paraphrasing as I can't remember exactly what he said but I think that's it. It makes sense because I think of like, elderly people who have lost a lot of teeth and the sort of sunken look of their jaws/mouths?

user1471537877 · 20/04/2017 15:29

Hi op

Get it out is my advice, I had a root canal done 7 years ago as my dentist didn't want to extract it ( evil roots)

It collapsed 2 years ago after years of discomfort, half the filling fell out and it abscessed to boot!

As I don't block properly it's now got to be removed under ga and it's taken 18 months to get to the point of being listed for surgery, not much fun

Due to the root canal they may have to do a complex extraction cutting and stitching my gum as they go

If I had my time again I would have cut out 7 years of crap and had it out

Original poster
cjt110 · 20/04/2017 15:35

I was fine when I had the filling - the jabs numbed me good and proper. Now I have a numb cheek yet can feel pain in the tooth and gum now :(

OP posts:
NessaNuNu · 20/04/2017 15:55

Do anything you can to save the tooth, I had one removed last year and miss it terribly. If I eat anything a bit crunchy and catch the gap it makes the gum sore and the neighbouring teeth have moved slightly into the gap, causing food to get stuck in the gap.
If I could go back, having the tooth out would a last resort.
Good luck, toothache is a bitch Flowers

Roomster101 · 20/04/2017 16:01

I had mine removed and I'm really glad, particularly as the dentist said that the root was "kinked" so a root canal would have been difficult. I don't have any fillings now so hopefully no problems in the future. He didn't mention the possibility of my other migrating though. That hasn't happened so far (two years) and I don't have any other problems.

Original poster
cjt110 · 20/04/2017 16:11

Ive spoken to the practice manager, voiced my concerns and said ultimately, I want my tooth repairing at their expense because of the irrpairable damage that has been caused. She said it should have been explained to me that the filling was so deep, could collapse and need a root canal. It was not. She's going to look into it and get back to me so at least thats something.

My mouth is fucking killing though

OP posts:
Frazzle76 · 20/04/2017 16:12

It isn't the dentists fault.
If decay is deep and close to the nerve then the filling is deep too. A lining is put in to try to calm the nerve but sometimes the nerve doesn't settle down over time and instead becomes chronically and irreversibly inflamed as the nerve dies. This can be very painful. That is when the option of RCT vs extraction is given. Conversely when bacteria enter a dead nerve an infection or abscess happens as they breed in the dead straw like space. Again this can be immediate or a slow process and RCT vs extraction is again offered.
Whether this happens or not with decay and a deep filling is often just a matter of chance.
Neither the dentists or the patients fault per se.
RCT cannot cause cancer.
As you've now had the tooth dressed hopefully it will settle down in the next few days.
Paracetamol and ibruprofen alternately recommended. Don't exceed stated dose.
If you want to go over the pros and cons of each option ask your dentist to explain them to you again.

Floralnomad · 20/04/2017 16:17

I would go with the root canal , I lost a lower back tooth to a massive abscess a couple of years ago and you do miss them , although I've had no migrating . Dh had root canal last year but our dentist referred him to a specialist who only does root canals and it was painless and so far successful - cost £500ish

Roomster101 · 20/04/2017 16:21

I would go with the root canal , I lost a lower back tooth to a massive abscess a couple of years ago and you do miss them , although I've had no migrating .

You might miss it but not everyone does. I am more than happy to not have a tooth with a filling/root canal in my mouth. It gave me loads of grief over the years.

CruCru · 20/04/2017 16:22

£255 for a root canal and a crown? It's a bargain. I've just had that and it cost just under £2k.

picklemepopcorn · 20/04/2017 16:22

For me it depends how old you are and how your other teeth are. I had problems and ended up with a root canal, and still have the tooth. The tooth behind it which may actually have been the source of the problem- the dentist was never sure- was eventually removed after a deep filling and the tooth fracturing. The removed tooth cause me no problems at all. The root canal tooth is still slightly odd feeling, and has to be capped. Sigh.

Floralnomad · 20/04/2017 16:26

roomster , the OP asked for opinions , I've given one , with my experience why the need to single me out , when loads of other posters above have said the same .

Original poster
cjt110 · 20/04/2017 16:28

picklemepopcorn I'm 30 and until a month ago had 2 fillings.

OP posts:
Original poster
cjt110 · 20/04/2017 16:28

And if the root canal isn't successful? what then?

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 20/04/2017 16:37

I had a "bad" tooth for many years and eventually the pain got so bad that I had to deal with it. I went to a Private dentist instead of my usual NHS one and he gave me the option of root canal or removal.
I went for removal and it was quick and painless.
I had to take strong painkillers for a bit and keep it clean but it's so much better and I'm glad i don't have to think about it any more

Maudlinmaud · 20/04/2017 16:37

Then it's removed and you will pay for the extraction on top of the fee for root canal.
Don't envy you op. I have had loads of problems with my teeth probably due to not looking after them in childhood.

BadTasteFlump · 20/04/2017 16:38

Root canals have a really high failure rate when carried out by regular dentists rather than a specialist - who would charge £££ than the price you've been quoted.

I ignored those statistics and had a root canal on the NHS which took four hours over three appointments and was painful on and off for two crappy years until it became infected and I had to have the by now knackered and splintered tooth removed with GA.

In retrospect I wouldn't have a root canal again - it doesn't save the tooth, it just preserves a weak shell of the old tooth. Have it removed then think about the options of a bridge or implant if the gap bothers you.

Original poster
cjt110 · 20/04/2017 16:38

Ive taken cocodamol about 2 hours ago and it's still fucking killing :(

OP posts:
BadTasteFlump · 20/04/2017 16:39

The gap has never bothered me btw - nobody else can see it and I don't notice it anymore.