Background.
My teeth are a product of 1960s children's dentistry. Many, many fillings, several gaps and two crowns.
I last had a tooth out in 1979 and have been scared ever since. I had two root canals done in my 20s for crowns and had pain for years.
Ever since I have taken the view that I will take care of my teeth but have avoided any cosmetic work on teeth that are crooked but don't hurt - so healthy.
I went to the dentist with some gum pain / sensitivity. He x-rayed and said the nerve is dying and it will get worse. Offered a choice of extraction or root canal and crown. I begged him to take it out there and then knowing the dread and anxiety that I would feel if I had to wait.
Anyway he persuaded me to try and keep the tooth and booked me in two weeks later for a root canal.
Then I developed an abscess and my face swelled up. I've taken antibiotics and the swelling has gone down though it's still very sore.
I wonder what the chances of success are with a root canal - should I just get it taken out? Not sure I can deal with weeks of pain.
It's an upper molar.