Root canal or extraction?

[FancyARoot]

Posting here for voting rights!

I have a hole in my back tooth. It’s started being really quite painful. Saw the emergency dentist today who said I need a root canal or extraction.
The catch is - I can’t have a root canal until lockdown is over. And who knows when that will be? The extraction I can have tomorrow.
Either way I’m terrified of the dentist.

Any experiences most appreciated!

YABU - wait for a root canal
YANBU - tooth ye be gone tomorrow

[mrpumblechook]

I will judge as my experience tells me thank you. After 10 years of providing OOH care to people who value holidays over dental care.

Your experience is obviously very limited then. Just because you have treated people who didn't look after their teeth doesn't mean everyone is like that. I have had a tooth removed (thanks to 1970s dentistry) but I have no other fillings.

[19lottie82]

Quite amazed by how blasé you all are about having so many root canals and
extractions. Almost all dental disease is
preventable.

My extraction was a wisdom tooth, Which is very common.

[TheTeenageYears]

I use a water flosser, bought it when I had a brace fitted. They are fantastic, I still occasionally use regular floss as well and there will be barely anything on the floss. I use the water flosser twice a day before brushing so most of the food and plaque is out of your mouth before brushing. I could not be without one now. They are particularly good for people who gag easily trying to brush or floss back teeth.

[Icanflyhigh]

Get it gone.
About 5-10 mins minor discomfort followed by instant relief for an extraction.

Root canal is 45 minutes plus drilling, filling and hoping to find your nerve is numbed and you don't hit the roof when dentist catches it.

No brainer for me.