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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Root canal or extraction?

57 replies

hillarypcof · 08/03/2021 19:33

AIBU to opt for an extraction over RCT?

It is the very back tooth before a wisdom tooth, with a deep filing which my own dentist did not fill correctly (his own admission) that now requires "root canal or extraction" (his words).

It is a lot of expense for a tooth which nobody would know anything about, apart from myself who is ridden with the anxiety of the recurring infections and abscesses returning bringing with it EXCRUCIATING pain!!! :(

What would you do? Is RCT worth it? Would you just get it extracted?

Dentist told me he is "only 75% confident" RCT would do the trick. It is just my luck that I would have a flare up whilst on holiday/a wedding day etc!!

Tia xx

OP posts:
Whatwhyhowwherewho · 08/03/2021 19:38

Had I known that RCT had a high failure rate I would have gone straight for extraction.
The dentist had one attempt then referred me to the dental hospital. They had 2 separate attempts and I ended up with extraction anyway!

muddyford · 08/03/2021 19:38

I was in a similar situation. I opted for RCT. I can't see why it wouldn't succeed. I have another tooth where the same choice may be needed and I shall opt for RCT again.

justanotherremainer · 08/03/2021 19:40

I have a similar thing with a similar tooth. OP. Dentist did a temp fix before lockdown 1. I thought it would flare up but not so far. But as soon as I can I’m getting it extracted. I was worried it would start to compromise the next door tooth.

Jennyennidots · 08/03/2021 19:41

I had a root canal recently, same tooth you mention. It wasn’t painful, but it wasn’t pleasent. Apparently they last about 10 years and usually the tooth ends up needing to be extracted in the end. In my case the dentist was in favour of RCT so I had one.
If yours says either is fine I’d have the extraction and be done with the bugger!

Anniegetyourgun · 08/03/2021 19:42

Out with it, I say. Right at the back there it won't have much impact on your eating and as you say, nobody bar your dentist is ever likely to see it. Besides, do you trust this incorrect-filler to do the RCT properly?

1990shopefulftm · 08/03/2021 19:44

I d go for extraction, I was given that option for a similar tooth and it's so expensive and not 100% guaranteed I wanted the problem gone.

Hoppinggreen · 08/03/2021 19:46

Get it out
I had a tooth in the same position that gave me trouble for years, it was more filling than tooth.
I changed to a a Private dentist who said it should come out as a RC would take ages, be expensive and not necessarily work. I was terrified but let him do it
It really wasn’t bad at all, totally numbed and even when that wore off it was ok with a bit of ibruprofen.
Don’t eat rice for a bit though

MereDintofPandiculation · 08/03/2021 19:52

It will leave a big gap, which the soft tissue of your cheek will spill into, with possible chaffing against the corners of the teeth which are left, and mouth ulcers every time you bite on the bulging cheek tissue.

If you lose another tooth the same side you’re getting towards the territory of sunken cheeks. How many more years do you need your teeth to last?

You could have a bridge to close the gap, but that means reducing to a stub the currently good teeth on each side and putting crowns on them. Or you could have an implant which will cost a good deal more than a RCT

I have had an RCT failure. It was a gradual build up of discomfort, rather like getting a large pimple. The RCT process destroys the nerve in the tooth.

justanotherkid · 08/03/2021 19:57

same tooth for me, i had an extraction.

sonjadog · 08/03/2021 19:58

I chose a root canal over extraction and it ended up really complicated with two months of pain, abscesses, antibiotics and generally feeling like shit. The root canal worked and it is fine now, but tbh, if I had known how painful the process was going to be, I would have had it taken out at the start.

DarthWeeder · 08/03/2021 19:58

I paid a fortune for a private microscopic root canal treatment which took about 4 hours.

It’s lasted 3 years but the tooth had been nagging me for the past few months. I couldn’t put myself through that length of treatment again and if it has failed I’ll be going for extraction.

implantsandaDyson · 08/03/2021 20:04

I'm getting the same tooth extracted next week, I'm counting the days to be honest. I'm going straight for extraction. I've had a successful root canal before on a different tooth but I don't think I'd do it again. I hope you can get some relief either way soon. There have been times recently where I'd cheerfully have pulled the tooth out myself.

Pteppic · 08/03/2021 20:05

Definitely worth trying an RC. I was dreading mine but it was honestly like a filling. It was clearly a bit more fiddly than a regular filling, but I was fully anaesthetised and the chair was comfy so all good.

Extraction runs the risk of dry socket, so I'd always try and keep the tooth if I can.

AdditionalCharacter · 08/03/2021 20:09

I have to make the same decision by Wednesday. Only it's the next tooth to yours.

Had a cracked filling replaced in January, dentist removed any infection, and it seemed fine, until Friday, and now my jaw is swollen and that tooth is hurting so much. The filling is quite deep as it is, so guessing root canal will be worse? Never had it before.

I might go for antibiotics first if it's just an abscess and see how I get in before making the final decision.

GivenchyDahhling · 08/03/2021 20:10

I was in exactly the same position and had it out - however my decision was swayed by the fact I pay privately and the cost for root canal they quoted was astronomical whereas extraction was in line with NHS. Since tooth pain is the WORST BAR NONE (I include my natural drug free childbirth in this) I would also go with extraction as it’s more of a guaranteed success and I wouldn’t want to live with tooth pain for a second longer than necessary.

2andahalfpints · 08/03/2021 20:14

I had rc on a tooth right at the back - 4 hours and expensive as paid private. Was golf by drntist it could last up to ten years. Lasted 2, the pain when it came back was unbearable, worse than before and I ended up with an extraction anyway.

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 08/03/2021 20:20

I had a RCT on the same tooth bottom jaw. I had to go for a couple of sittings with a temporary filling covering in between. Having it done wasn’t bad at all. Just like having a filling but took longer. My jaw ached holding my mouth open but that’s about it.

Mines coming up for 11 years old now and it’s perfectly fine. I’m surprised because usually if something can go wrong with teeth it’ll happen to me.

Original poster
hillarypcof · 08/03/2021 20:20

Thank you all so much for your input. I really appreciate it.

The general theme for the most part here seems to be that the majority of you who initially went for a RCT ended up having it extracted in the end anyway!

I totally agree with PPs, toothache is BY FAR THE WORST PAIN OUT THERE. It had me in tears, and I've experienced some pains in life!!! I have such a fear that the pain would just flare up out of the blue, and at least with an extraction I would (hopefully) never ever have to worry about that ever again.

My dentist is also private, and whilst I would pay anything to get out of pain, I am also aware that RCT is money down the drain if I only go and get the tooth extracted in the long run anyway.

Thank you all for your advice. This sodding tooth is driving me mad!!!!!

OP posts:
Origamiheaven · 08/03/2021 20:20

Had exactly the same issue earlier this year. Opted for the extraction. It was fine, not traumatic at all. Glad to be rid of it. Can't see any gap whatsoever. Out with it, I say

IndecentFeminist · 08/03/2021 20:22

I'm torn over this too. I clench my jaw badly as it turns out and have had two root canals done on two matching teeth, similar location to yours but one on top and one on bottom rows.

I had one modern root canal done about 8 years ago, which was a last from memory, and a more traditional one done about 4 years ago. Both of those teeth have since broken, with half of one of them falling off and about a quarter of the other. Dentist wants to post and crown one, and massive filling on the other. But tbh, I don't overly trust her, she is very impatient and barely explains anything. She did some work on another tooth a couple of months ago and I can still feel it now.

I'm tempted just to get them removed tbh, I have some mild overcrowding so space is at a premium anyway.

SenecaTrewe · 08/03/2021 20:23

Ohgod, just whip it out. Not worth the hassle and pain of a root canal.

CrappyNewYear2021 · 08/03/2021 20:24

I’ve had two RCTs. One was extracted six months later due to pain like I’ve never felt before.

The other four years in gives me a gentle reminder every six months or so that it doesn’t want to be there.

If i could go back in time I’d just go straight to extraction.

Ellpellwood · 08/03/2021 20:24

My root canal failed after about 8 years and I had it pulled in July!

RoseLavenderBlue · 08/03/2021 20:31

I had root canal on the very same tooth, after years of abscesses and infections. My dentist told me that if I had any further problems with it, it would have to come out. Anyway a couple of years later and more pain, I had it taken out. Having the RCT was just putting off the inevitable really. The extraction didn’t hurt a bit and did not even bleed. I just have to eat on the other side now, but is worth not being in pain.

MammaSchwifty · 08/03/2021 20:34

I have opted to save the tooth and go RC. I paid for one of the most recommended dentists in my city, because the NHS dentist I was with said she had a 50:50 chance of success and recommended him. I'm bloody glad for her honesty, I had it about 9 years ago and it has been stable since. I got a crown put on it by a rubbish dentist that year, which I regret and wish I'd gone to a better place for it. But hopefully a crown replacement will be something I can get done in future.

I wanted to save the (dead) tooth as I thought it was better to have my own equipment as long as possible, and didn't want any big gaps left at a relatively young age.