Root canal or tooth extraction?

[packofshunts]

Years of tooth grinding has taken its toll and one of my upper molars has become loose causing sensitivity and jaw pain.

Dentist took an X-ray and said I now need root canal work and then a crown costing £1200.

I'm wondering whether I should just tell the dentist to remove the tooth. It's not as if it's in show and surely would be a fraction of the cost. Also heard stories of root canal not working or causing further post-treatment problems so maybe it would just be simpler and cheaper to just get rid of the bugger

Bump

if it’s a tooth at the back where you couldn’t notice, then i would remove.

If it’s noticeable then i would do a root canal and crown ( i had this done).

I had a root canal done which weakens the tooth anyway. Bit down of a hard sweet, whole thing cracked and had to be removed anyway! £90 I think

I spent money on root canals for two back teeth two years ago. Both cracked and were finally removed last week.
Wish I hadn't bothered and put the money towards a bridge instead.

Get the bugger out. Once it’s gone, no more trouble!

my husband has had at least a dozen root canals and all have been fine once completed.
honestly it will affect the other teeth (expect some shifting) will affect the jaw bone and how you eat.
maybe you would prefer to go straight to an implant while the bone is still healthy?
pulling teeth and being neglectful of dental health is a slippery slope.

The trouble with having it removed is that if another ones goes you could be left with a big gap.

I had one extracted a few tears back and got a dry socket which was hideous for a few weeks.

Had to choose what to do for another one on the same side this year, went for the root canal and it's been fine so far although will need a crown at some point.

Pretty sure I would go for the root canal again in future.

I had the same problem last year OP, had it removed, no one has even noticed.

Take it out x

If you have a gap in your upper molars, are you sure you can eat properly on that side?

I had a molar removed on my lower jaw and have not been eating on that side since. The gap is there whilst I am waiting for the bone to grow to finish my tooth implant treatment (which takes about 7 months end-to-end). The tooth implant followed a failed root canal and crown £££

I cannot imagine leaving a gap there indefinitely. One of my lower molars on the other side is already starting to fracture and is currently being protected by a crown. Like you, apparently a side effect of long term teeth grinding. Eating only on that side is causing stress to it. It is not just a cosmetic thing whether to have a gap.

Root canal, of course, as you don't want to spend a fortune on spiral titanic implants, do you? Then an additional amount spent on a plastic mouthguard that your dentist will make for you, to stop you from tooth grinding. I don't get how you can even consider pulling it out, since then you're out of options. Having no teeth would be more of an option if you're over, say, 75 years old and on a slim pension in my opinion. The only difference is if it's your wisdom tooth, that wouldn't be of much use anyway.

I had a failed root canal on one of my upper molars, it was 3 months of pain from start to finish, only ending when I insisted on having it removed. It was out in about 10 seconds and healed up fine. Been fine ever since and no problems at all eating on that side. The gap is only noticable if I do a big grin but I am not bothered about it. I would never have another root canal. It turned out the tooth had fractured which caused the pain for 3 months, over Christmas too, it was sorta ruined not being able to eat properly!

asargh, proper dilemma now.

Maybe if it was a more reasonable cost I wouldn't think twice but £600 for RC on one tooth (have been told to allow 2 hours) and the same for the crown is eye wateringly expenisive

meant to say, I am also a teeth clencher/grinder in my sleep. My dentist made me a guard to wear at night and it really helps. my teeth dont ache so much now and are not as sensitive with the clenching.

Should mention that I do have a mouth guard but sadly the damage has already been done

Extraction is much easier and quicker and cheaper. Can you do without the tooth? I recently had two extractions and one root canal. I would go for the extraction if it was in a place where it would not be noticed.

It doesn't sit well having a tooth pulled unless absolutely necessary BUT the cost!! And just for one tooth that's not even on show. I am mindful that it may affect the way I chew, however I haven't used the side of my jaw for a long time anyway because of the sensitivity.

I would always choose rct + crown over extraction.
I've had one extracted and am currently having one rct and crown which will cost about the same as your estimate.
Losing teeth risks your mouth changing shape, so I've been told, leaving a sunken look. I'm young so will pay to avoid that. Cheaper than an implant too.