Would you have this tooth extracted?

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I'm in the process of having lots of dental treatment, and have one last decision to make.

I have a back tooth (just before wisdom) that's badly damaged but the dentist thinks they may be able to save it with a root canal and crown. She thinks it could last around ten years.

I'm a very nervous patient. The other treatments are fillings and one extraction. Saving the tooth will be more expensive and a more complex procedure compared to having it removed.

What would you do?

I’d save the tooth.

My husband has gone through this. He had a crown, lasted a little while but had to have work done to it a few times. Then they did more filling etc. Then in the end extracted it which was harder because of the root canal. In hindsight thunk he'd have just had it out.

I had one damaged by my wisdom tooth..I got it out. There's no guarantee that a root canal will last 10 years and you'll have to pay to get it out anyway.

I'd have it removed if it's going to need removed eventually. Root canals and deep fillings often fail, causing abcesses etc.
It's your choice though. Good luck whatever you choose.

My husband had something similar, they tried to save it, he ended up a year later with a terrible infection, and having to have it out. In hindsight having it out in the first place would've saved a lot of pain and suffering, not to mention how horrible the antibiotics he took made him feel.

This is so useful, thank you!

The dentist is great but I did wonder if she was trying not to guide me too much on this one. She said she'd always want to save a tooth but that it was my decision.

The tooth in front needs a filling, so perhaps I can get a bridge to replace the extracted tooth instead.

If it's at the back I'd have it extracted, nice quick in and out within half and hour.

I'd save the tooth

I had a similar situation and had a root canal filling and a crown. I was told the crown would last five years. That was over 20 years ago and it's still going strong.

Make sure they fill all the canals.

Have them take it out. An extraction is nothing compared to a root canal. I had one, it took about 2 hours, was horrible, the dentist never crowned it, the filling fell out, and I spent 5 years with a gaping hole, and repeated infections and abcesses. Eventually a dentist pulled it, in about 2 minutes, and I've been absolutely fine since.
I would always extract a molar, before root canal.

I had it out. I had a tooth that was more filling than tooth. It held for over 20 years then I got bad pain and felt very shite. Ended up aching all over. I thought I needed it re-filling but my lovely dentist explained everything so well. My nerve had an infection. I got AB but was told ultimately I’d need something doing and pain would return. She took me through my options. Tbc

She said root canal an option but due to where it was this was unlikely to work. Didn’t recommend crown as this would damage other healthy neighbouring teeth. Could have extraction and implant. (not fancying a screw in my jaw) or finally just whip it out and no my face would not all cave in.
I went for whip it out but only as didn’t fancy all the messing about. Was terrified of dry socket.
Got it whipped out. Not pain but the noise and feeling is horrible 😟 Dentist was a right love. No pain after. Did take painkillers do a couple of days. Salt water baths.
3 weeks in all is well. No dry socket afaik despite there being a creamy white something up there (my skull?? 😫😫😫) ds looked with his torch. He looked again tonight and he says the creamy white bit is smaller 😏
Face looks ok. It feels weird but adjusting! Cost £130 as non-NHS. Think I’m going to be ok! It’s so far back you can’t really see it 🙂