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Original poster

Extraction or root canal??

28 replies

homtardy · 03/01/2018 11:38

I'm terrified of dentists. Even a check up brings me out in a cold sweat. I was given a temp filling about 6 months ago as I was pregnant and they couldn't X-ray to see how deep my cavity was. Well today they've told me it's very deep Sad and I'll need either a root canal or an extraction. Dentist Is leaning towards extraction given my phobia, but having teeth out isn't good is it? I already have one missing on the other side from when I was a teenager. Will my face start to fall apart sag if I have more out?

Anyone had a root canal? Was it as bad as it sounds??

TIA

OP posts:
Ofthread · 03/01/2018 11:40

Have a root canal, save the tooth. I managed and I’m a wuss.

sufferingicecakes · 03/01/2018 12:43

I managed and I used to dread even a check-up. It is important you find someone you can trust though and make sure that they give you plenty of numbing injection. If there is no pain it is just time consuming no worse than a filling (infact possibly better). There is no reason why you should be in pain.

I thought a root canal was preferable to pulling the tooth.

Hoppinggreen · 03/01/2018 12:47

I had a problem tooth and the dentist advised extraction as it was at the back
I was terrified but it came out quite easily and after a few days of painkillers it was fine.
Had to be careful about what I ate for a while but I had no problems and it was such a relief nit to have to worry about it any more

MrsExpo · 03/01/2018 12:51

No. I’ve had one and have another due next week. They give you the normal anaesthetic which is a bit yuk, but Otherwise it was fine. The one I’ve already had took around an hour, which was the worst part, but I’ve had absolutely no problem with the tooth concerned since (4 years). Next week I’m having the one next to it done. My jaw ached for a day or so afterwards, but I think that was just because I’d had my mouth open for so long. I’m totally ok with having the other one done next week.

The most painful part was paying for it, but that’s a whole other thread. Shock

sufferingicecakes · 03/01/2018 12:55

I managed and I used to dread even a check-up. It is important you find someone you can trust though and make sure that they give you plenty of numbing injection. If there is no pain it is just time consuming no worse than a filling (infact possibly better). There is no reason why you should be in pain.

I thought a root canal was preferable to pulling the tooth.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 03/01/2018 12:59

I had a root canal treatment last month. It was quite complex as the tooth had 4 separate roots and it took ages but it wasn't a bad experience. I opted not to have any anaesthetic as I hate injections, and it was manageable.

thirtyplusone · 03/01/2018 13:00

Major dentist phobia here. Sedation and root canal is the answer. I never knew anything had happened and woke up all happy to go home.

neonpidgwidgeon · 03/01/2018 13:02

I am scared of the dentist too but I would say root canal. It isn't quick but it isn't painful, just a slightly odd screwing sensation as they clean out the root canals. It is much nicer than the experience of an extraction.

Original poster
homtardy · 03/01/2018 14:21

Thanks everyone. I'm not usually such a wuss but something about the dentist just freaks me out!

OP posts:
hevonbu · 03/01/2018 16:16

A root canal is best, then you have the tooth left instead of a gaping hole (void), if you pull it out you'll have to put into place a costly screw, or ultimately have false teeth like my granny used to have (plastic, loose, in a glass of water). If you are not happy with the dentist, you should seek out another practitioner.

Slippery · 03/01/2018 16:19

I had a root canal done about 3 months ago. I was terrified as I'd heard horror stories about it. It was a piece of cake. The dentist said in many ways it's easier than a filling. So please don't be scared.

MrsXx4 · 03/01/2018 16:31

Have a root canal! honestly, I am the worst person ever with pain and especially the dentist! I hadn't been for about 10 years and woke up the day before my wedding with the worst tooth ache ever! I booked an emergency appointment and needed a root canal done there and then but went straight off to collect my dress and have lunch with my bridesmaids after! my face was so numb but by the evening it had all worn off and I was absolutely fine! The next day I didn't even ache...but it was my wedding day so I doubt I would have even noticed!

MrsXx4 · 03/01/2018 16:33

@Slippery ....yes I agree to it being easier than a filling! once back from my honeymoon I needed a filling and went in all confident that I had had the worst of it with the root canal! the filling was by far more horrendous and took longer!

AlfieandAnnieRose · 03/01/2018 16:40

I had a root canal done last week, the worst part for me was the drilling as I really hate that noise! EmmaGrundyForPm credit to you for not having any anaesthetic! Shock I can imagine it would be painful without.
Good luck op

Original poster
homtardy · 03/01/2018 16:46

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. I may brave the root canal then Smile

OP posts:
itshappening · 03/01/2018 16:51

Oh yes, brave it. As a pp said paying will be the most painful part! You never know when you might have to have a tooth out, with no option other than extraction, so best to save the ones you can when you can.

misscph1973 · 03/01/2018 17:01

I had a root canal treatment 10 years ago, and it was horrible, painful and expensive. It lasted 7 years (quite common apparently ) and I could have had it reconstructed, but I had it extracted. It was the last upper back molar. I have not regretted it.

3 years ago a huge filling broke in another back molar! No way was I going through another root canal treatment, so I had this extracted as well. Again, I have not regretted this. My face is fine, and I don't miss any of the teeth when I eat.

Obviously I would prefer to have all my teeth! But both times were actually easy decisions as my prognosis for root canal treatment weren't great. I don't actually have bad teeth, and my dentist is generally very happy with me. I floss and avoid sugary drinks. I think my tooth brushing technique was a bit lazy in my 20s and I also had a few years where I couldn't afford to have dental check ups.

When I tell people that I have 2 teeth extracted they are quite shocked ;)

amymel2016 · 03/01/2018 17:05

I've had 2 root canals previously and an extraction yesterday, I can honestly say that, so far, the extraction was a much worse experience than the root canal. The root canal took a little while to do but when it was done I was fine, I didn't even need extra paracetamol afterwards. I'm 24 hours after my extraction and it's been a lot more painful and I'm having to be very very careful with it. Go for the root canal if you can! Xx

Original poster
homtardy · 03/01/2018 17:19

Thanks for your experiences, really helpful. im leaning towards a root canal but the few awful experiences are putting me off. My DSIL had a terrible root canal experience too and she is as hard as nails doesn't mind the dentist. At least I don't have to pay for the torture as I have a maternity exemption card currently

OP posts:
Judydreamsofhorses · 03/01/2018 18:40

I have had two root canals on lower molars in the past six months. Neither procedure was particularly traumatic, just long. The first one failed and was later extracted, and the second one has never settled and needs re-treated. I am seeing a specialist who only does root canals on referral from my dentist. Depending on which tooth it is, that might be a good bet - my teeth have really deep, curly roots, and while my own dentist is fab, I wish I had opted for the specialist treatment in the first place. (Although the cost is crippling!)

hevonbu · 03/01/2018 19:07

You'll probably opt for the root canal work when you compare the alternative of you yourself as elderly (with increasing number of bad teeth falling out plop plop plop) having to have false plastic teeth in a glass of water (like my granny) the teeth sometimes falling out unexpectedly... Confused

EmmaGrundyForPM · 03/01/2018 19:33

I'm actually having an extraction next week of a tooth that had root canal treatment 20+ years ago. I'm not liking these stories of how awful extraction is compared to root canal treatment! I may even opt fr anaesthetic for the extraction if it's that dreadful Sad.

Judydreamsofhorses · 03/01/2018 20:18

emma my root canalled tooth that was extracted was out in about 20 minutes, but I found the process really traumatic as it was a huge molar with big roots. In retrospect I wish I had asked to be referred for a re-do on it (my dentist couldn’t find all the canals when she did it) but by that point I was mad with pain and just wanted the bloody thing out.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 03/01/2018 20:47

I'm hoping that it won't be too bad as the root/nerve is dead and the tooth is apparently loose. The dentist said a redo almost certainly wouldn't work. I just hate injections.

itshappening · 04/01/2018 18:26

Root canals vary hugely, I have ones that hurt quite badly for about a week after and ones that gave me no pain after at all. Extractions also vary though, I have known people have no after effects pain wise but then I have had one extraction and the pain afterwards was worse than any other dental procedure I have had. So really whichever way you go you pays your money, you takes your chances in the end.

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