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Original poster

Root canal or extraction?

21 replies

Cadmum · 22/10/2007 11:36

I finally summoned the courage to go to the dentist on Friday for a second opinion about a broken tooth and was told that a root canal would have a 60% success rate. The first dentist I saw suggested that I should have it extracted because a root canal would not be likely to work and that the tooth would eventually need to come out.

I am feeling confused because I don't speak much german (we live in Vienna) so I am never sure how much I understand when the options are listed and (thankfully) I have never needed anything beyond basic fillings until this tooth broke.

Personal experiences and dental opinions most welcome.

(I am petrified of the dentist but understand that it is essential that I have this dealt with.)

OP posts:

loopylou6 · 22/10/2007 11:40

hi cad, which tooth is it?

admylin · 22/10/2007 11:41

My sympathy to you. I had a broken tooth which already had the root canal done but the dentist said if any more broke, the filling would be too big and not hold for long but as I am the number 1 coward when it comes to dentists, I just got the filling done and now hope it holds because there is nothing I dread more than getting a false tooth screwed into my jaw..arghh I just can't imagine it.
Good luck anyway.Could you not get a list of English speaking dentists maybe from the embassy (US Embassies often have very good info for their subjects abroad!)

ScaryScienceT · 22/10/2007 11:43

Was the 60% success rate with a root canal specialist?

I had to have a root canal a few years ago, and my dentist sent me to an endodontist for it.

Original poster

Cadmum · 22/10/2007 11:45

Hi! It is a bottom molar (second from the back). The back 1/3 has broken away... I am not in any pain but it was excruciating from Sunday until Thursday evening. i just couldn't coordinate an appt until Friday and by then things had settled down.

OP posts:

Original poster

Cadmum · 22/10/2007 11:49

admylin: I am sure that I am a bigger dental wimp. The reason that my teeth are becoming lesshealthy is because I have not been to the dentist often enough.

SST: Hmm... I didn't even know that there were specialist for root canals. (I feel naive.)

OP posts:

loopylou6 · 22/10/2007 12:07

hmm tis a difficult one this, please correct me if im wrong but i believe that molars in general have more than on root, in which case u would need more than one root canal done in the same tooth which gives it more of a chance of not working properly, i think seeings as its so far back, i would be inclined to just have it pulled

MrsBoo · 22/10/2007 12:12

I have had the same experience as you - had to have root canal work done and it was soooo painful, during and afterwards.
Then about a year later, dentist said i needed it done again on a different tooth (i have a good relationship with my dentist, but he also knows i am a complete wimp).
He also offered me the choice of extraction - and after a bit of a debate that is what i opted for. The tooth was at the top, one from the back - that was a couple of years ago, and the gap is so near the back i never miss it, and you can't notice it from the outside either.
Good luck whichever you opt for

jellybeans · 22/10/2007 12:12

Hi I recently had this dilema and decided to go for root canal. It is no big deal really pain wise, just like a filling. The infected or damaged roots are removed and replaced with filling. Only annoying thing is to keep going back for 1 hour appointments and the cost (£300 private but £42 on NHS if you can get it). I would always try to keep your own teeth where possible. The 60% success rate is what a dentist here told me his NHS root canals were, yet his private ones were 90% (due to having more time) But they can be redone apparantly. Mine is nearly done and have had no probs thus far.

ScaryScienceT · 22/10/2007 19:00

When I had my root canal almost four years ago, I had two one-hour appointments with the endodontist (first was for cleaning out the tooth, and the second for filling it - there were two canals that needed filling in the tooth), and then one appointment with my dentist to restore the tooth. I think I had to pay the endodontist £650 and then £100 to my own dentist for the finishing.

flamingtoaster · 22/10/2007 19:03

I've had several done and had no problems at all - apart from one molar where the root was not straight which was slightly less straightforward. I would always opt for saving a tooth.

Lmccrean · 22/10/2007 19:08

twice for root canal? bugger - I have a 1/2 hr appt on thurs for one and thought it was a one off Its taken 2 1/2 months to get that app so a little worried now! esp as Ive only got a sitter for the half hour. pants

CarGirl · 22/10/2007 19:13

My dentist told me she always tries to keep the tooth as long as possible as it's better for you - more likely for other hidden problems to be shown with teeth their rather than crowns. One of my root canaled molars has lasted for more than 10 years so far.....

ScaryScienceT · 22/10/2007 19:59

Is that NHS or private, LMcC?

margoandjerry · 22/10/2007 20:03

I know this was an extreme case but my root canal on one tooth took 8 appointments. I think I am some sort of medical freak as rather than the normal 3 roots (or 3 canals I can't remember what the terminology was) I had 5. The fifth was discovered after I had had the other four removed or drilled or whatever it is they do. Then the crown the dentist had had moved split in half when they tried to fit it.

The good news though was that it was almost completely pain-free after the injections at the first couple of appointments.

Lmccrean · 22/10/2007 20:27

its nhs ScaryScienceT. luckily free too

Original poster

Cadmum · 22/10/2007 20:37

Thanks for your replies. We have 80% dental coverage but it will be 450 Euros for the root canal or 20 for the extraction. It would only be about 1/3 the price in Hungary but I cannot bear the hour drive with a sore mouth.

I wish I had found the time to see a dentist while I was back in Canada this summer...

OP posts:

GreatHauntieWurly · 22/10/2007 20:38

I would go for the extraction.

ScaryScienceT · 22/10/2007 21:49

You prolly get what you pay for Lmc

NorthernLurker · 22/10/2007 22:34

as its near the back - extraction (get them to give you a prescription for antibiotics to ward off infection and another for super strong pain killers just in case)

Niecie · 22/10/2007 22:50

Hi, I had this dilemma last year but rather than just doing a root canal and filling the tooth the dentist put a crown on it too. He did say he could just fill it but that it wouldn't last. A crown he hopes would last at least 25 years. I had one out at the same time (well one of a series of 6 appointments when the crown was done) and it was not nice compared to having the root canal and the filling but then I am a complete wimp and really hate the dentist - I don't go unless I have some dental disaster.

I agree that it is best to keep the tooth as long as possible but the one I had out, second from the back at the top, was about 80% broken off and completely unfillable. He did say he could put a post in and the crown may work but it was likely to last more than a couple of years and would have cost £650 compared with £38 for the extraction. I decided to have an extraction and actually you can't see the gap so it is no big loss for me.

Don't chicken out of getting this done though as I know from bitter experience that an abcess is horrendous and you will not have any choice but to have it out then, I suspect.

You have my sympathy though. I hope it works out OK.

Original poster

Cadmum · 23/10/2007 15:03

Thanks for all of the helpful advice.

I wonder if the decision would be easier to make if fear were not such a big factor?

I am thinking that I should stop being a coward and get the root canal done. Perhaps under general anesthetic (and that is just for the drive to the dentist's office!!).

OP posts:

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