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AIBU?

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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:
Chattymummyhere · 20/04/2017 16:41

I would say try to keep the tooth. If the root canal fails it will be extraction though.

John4703 · 20/04/2017 16:43

I've had three root canal treatments and have had no problem at all with those teeth. They were all done more than 20 years ago, some probably over 30 years ago.
I'm surprised at the cost. Is the NHS prices?

Original poster
cjt110 · 20/04/2017 16:45

Yes John.

band 1 (check up and basics) is £20 odd
band 2 which includes fillings and other stuff including root canal £56
band 3 bridging dentures root canal with crown/cap £244

OP posts:
TiredMumToTwo · 20/04/2017 16:46

I had horrendous problems with a tooth, ended up having 2 root canals as first one got infected - owwww!!!! Ended up constantly getting infected so had to have it taken out under sedation as the thing just wouldn't come out! After about a year of faffing & child birthing levels of pain I'm so glad it's gone & I hardly notice the gap.

Veterinari · 20/04/2017 16:50

I had a back upper molar removed in my early 20s

I felt (as I suspect you currently do) embarrassed and ashamed at 'losing' a tooth so young. But I can honestly say once healed it's never bothered me. No one else can see it and it doesn't cause any issues.

A RC is unlikely to be curative long term.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 20/04/2017 16:51

I just had a root canal done by a specialist for free in an NHS dental hospital, I was referred by my NHS dentist. Is this not the case everywhere?

ninnypoo · 20/04/2017 16:53

I sympathise. I also found out today I need root canal/extraction 😔 but I have no pain (or any feeling at all!) in the tooth- just a massive lump in my jaw- so it's even harder to justify the money. Wish I'd stayed in denial!

hellokittymania · 20/04/2017 16:53

As someone who has already had to have five teeth pulled and nearly all have other problems going on, I would say do everything you can to save your teeth. I would much rather have something dead in my mouth and be able to chew half way decent Lee then have one more tooth pulled out. You only get one set of teeth. Do everything you can to keep them healthy and in your mouth

picklemepopcorn · 20/04/2017 16:56

I wonder why I didn't get a crown with my root canal, then? Oh well.

user1490817136 · 20/04/2017 17:00

I have a huge fear of dentistry and the idea of multiple appointments that might not solve the problem horrify me so when I was in your situation I had the tooth out. It was a back tooth so didn't change my appearance or even ability to chew longterm. Was really pleased with that decision , they knocked me out for it too , was sat in the waiting room with 12 year olds and had my my mum with me waiting to drive me home..I'm well into my 30s. My fear is greater than any embarrassment :-)

For pain killers I used paracetamol and ibuprofen alternated (every two hours) and also orajel which was amazing.

Good luck OP , I hope it gets sorted.

ClopySow · 20/04/2017 17:07

Frazzle your post was immensely soothing. I'm assuming you're a dentist. If so, as a matter of urgency, please add me to your list.

BaffledMummy · 20/04/2017 17:21

OP my sympathies....it's the worst pain. As a veteran, I'd say go for the root canal. I needed it on 2 teeth...one I had the treatment and has been fine since (touch wood) the second was continually bothersome....after three attempts at root canal, dentist recommended extraction and implant. The extraction itself was dreadful (my roots were super deep and curly...hence likely reason why root canal failed) and the implant took the best part of a year and cost mega money but it's been fine now for 10 years (more touch wood). Unless you are happy to have a gap, exhaust root canal options first....and if you have to get an extraction, save up for an implant. It's pricy but worth it IMO

gojettersgo · 20/04/2017 17:24

Dentist here.

It sounds as if you have an irreversible pulpitis with or without and infection. This is basically the nerve dying and sometimes it goes out with a bang ie toothache.

Hopefully your dentist has removed most of it and it will calm down. If it doesn't, then go back.

Unless decay is obviously in a nerve or there is an infection dentists will initially always try and place a filling as most of the time the filling is successful. Unfortunately the nerve in your tooth has become irreversibly inflamed and is dying. This is usually due to bacteria entering the root canal system and damaging the nerve, which has pain receptors in it.

You now have 2 options, take the tooth out or attempt a root treatment to try and save it. I am an experienced NHS dentist and reckon that over 80% of my root treatments in molar teeth are successful over 5 years. A private specialist can get this to over 90%.

If the tooth (molar) is removed, you will lose function and your teeth may or may not drift into the space.

I would delay the decision until you are out of pain, as extraction is an immediate fix with irreversible consequences.

Try alternating paracetamol and nurofen and go back if you are still pain as you have had the nerve (pulp) removed and may be developing an infection.

I'm sorry you are going through this Flowers

Olivialoves · 20/04/2017 17:51

@jdoe8 how stupid. "Some people say?" Some people say aloe Vera cures cancer. Some people even believe in chem trails.
When you can produce science backed studies to prove such a thing, say it. Other than that, stop reading the Daily Fail.

SleepFreeZone · 20/04/2017 17:55

My advice will be short and sweet. Get yourself to a specialist and get the root canal done once and throw some money at it.

Fibbertigibbet · 20/04/2017 17:57

I had the exact same problem, and had a root canal. No pain since then and it saved the two teeth on either side from the damage of a bridge for a few more years.

gleam · 20/04/2017 17:59

Try some clove oil for the pain?

Timeforteaplease · 20/04/2017 18:03

Just had exactly the same - routine filling led to abscess and hundreds of pounds of dental work.
I would try to save the tooth if you can - much less painful than an extraction and every chance the filling will last for years.
Did they manage do the root canal work or have you been left with just the antibiotics?

Timeforteaplease · 20/04/2017 18:08

gojettersgo can I ask if a routine filling leads to an abscess what causes that? Is it an infection that gets in during the filling? Is it bad work by the dentist - or just bad luck?

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 20/04/2017 18:11

Oh I had this OP ! I stressed and stressed and in the end had an extraction as could not face another root canal

It's a molar - and I do not miss
It or regret it . The tooth will always hurt and cause problems / get rid

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 20/04/2017 18:16

Have you been given antibiotics ? Honestly OP whip the fucker out I Genuinely don't miss mine at all - hang tight !

Timeforteaplease · 20/04/2017 18:16

I have had three root canals - 2 molars - no problems with either.
Front tooth - still gives low grade pain every day 3 years later.

Mermaidinthesea123 · 20/04/2017 18:22

I had a tooth that had to come out and I paid £1000 at the Brighton implant clinic for an implant. They still cost the same 5 years later, they are fab. My implant has lasted years and still no problems, they are the only ones round here to do implants so cheap and you pay as you go over 6 months.

Ethylred · 20/04/2017 18:24

It is a bad idea to ask for technical or medical or legal advice on this forum.

stayathomegardener · 20/04/2017 18:29

DD had a root canal when she was 16.
Cracked a back tooth in a swimming pool, had it filled. 10 years later dentist investigated pain in the tooth at my request. Pronounced it fine.
Private dentist X rated it 6 months later and it was root canal or remove.
Frustrating.
Quoted almost £1,000 using a root canal specialist which I thought crazy but after watching the time, care and equipment used it was probably reasonable value.
The cleaned it and packed it with antibiotics and a temporary filling four times over a month before they were confident enough there was no infection left and then finally filled it.
My advice would be have it done if you believe they won't cut corners or rush it, they won't be responsible if it fails in a few years.