Root canal or extraction?

[saltedcaramelanything]

How do you decide? Any experiences?

There might not be an NHS endo specialist in your area. There certainly isn’t one in my area

Root canal. You are young enough to be having a child, you may need your teeth for another 50 years. Keep it in there! I was really annoyed when a dentist talked about possibly extracting one of my teeth when they'd put a large filling in saying if it didn't settle she was remove the tooth. I was only in my 30s! Yes extraction is cheaper but a worse long term option.

Root canal was fiddly so took time but I didn't find it unpleasant. Have had worse fillings, wisdom tooth extraction & even scale & polishes!

I currently have an issue with the same tooth and have been told it needs extraction. That the decay is too deep for a root canal. I’d rather have root canal. I’m nhs patient and am worried they’re just telling me the quickest, cheapest option as the only one. Not sure if I should pay for a private appt but the whole thing will cost a fortune.

Root and extraction are both more difficult at the back.it might not last long.but you'd need to ask the dentist how much the tooth will be saved.will ìt be blunt down to the root at which case would you be left with the same as extraction for instance?in this case the extraction takes all the tooth and nerve and no more chance of infection.a gap will have no risks.it will be a healing process though.and need care and time.
Roots canal can save he tooth for years.especially if there is enough tooth to fill and or crown.but hate not a given especially if it's a chewing tooth.

I would go for the root canal done by a private specialist in the knowledge that it has a much better chance of success.
www.dentalfearcentral.org/faq/root-canal/

Having had both procedures done, I would always go for the root canal. Dentists don't bother me, I have crap teeth so have had lots of fillings etc but had to have a tooth extracted which became infected during lockdown and by the time I could actually see a dentist too much damage had been done for a root canal to work. That was the one and only time I have been uncomfortable in a dentists chair, it actually brought me to tears. Not because it hurt, because of the sheer force used to get it out (2nd back molar), I was genuinely worried she was going to break my jaw!

I had this - on maternity - they said they would refer me and I was just shocked as you say about £800 - but I rang back and said no I want a root canal on the nhs.

it has since failed - but not due to the quality of the work - 3 years on but the private dentist said it was very good and may be ok so will leave it another year. It really was t that bad!

If you can afford it private is better as they have the equipment and experience.

my only choice now if it truly fails is extraction or re root canal private.

I would save the tooth at all costs - it affects all your teeth losing one - ages your face and an implant is thousands.

That's all very well if you can afford it! I'm looking at thousands to have mine redone so I'm leaving it be. The dentist wasn't overly impressed but I can't afford it. When the time comes I'll have it out, something else he isn't impressed with but what can I do if I don't have the money? It's already had a root canal and been crowned twice so I won't be spending any more on it.

@saltedcaramelanything I had root canal in the same tooth you are talking about last year, haven't had the crown yet as it still hasn't settled. Saying that I would chose root canal over extraction. A PP say an extraction is more painful during the procedure, well no neither are painful as you have been given local anaesthetic. Both procedures were an hour but I am not lying when I say I almost fell asleep in the second one, it's mostly just boring.
Root canal filling, is just that a filling, but more complex.

I would get an extraction - the last thing you want is anything toxic leaking in to your gums from a canal filling while pregnant.. And you don't need to have a gap, you can get a crown fitted at a later date.