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Original poster

Advice please root canal on tooth or remove and implant?

100 replies

Imdunfer · 12/12/2025 21:46

Anyone got any advice? I'm waiting to see if my tooth goes painful again after finishing antibiotics on Monday morning, which the dentist thinks it will. He's 95% sure I will need a root canal filling or an extraction. He's only 75% confident that a root canal filling will work.

Would you just have it extracted and then go for an implant or try the root canal first?

OP posts:
TimeToStopLurking · 12/12/2025 22:02

That's still a 25% chance it will work...

I've just has a root canal where it was a 50/50 call and even then the crown and remaining tooth might only last 1-5 years, but could be more. Still opted for root canal to save the tooth/prolong. Implants aren't without complications, and they have a shelf life too. And once they go, you can't have another apparently.

Winterissolong · 12/12/2025 22:37

I would opt for the root canal + crown.
As PP said, implants are no day at the beach. Several years ago, a dentist said a tooth had to come out, but I went to a root canal specialist who thought it could be saved. Fast forward 6-1/2 years later and it's fine. 75% confidence that a root canal could work sounds good to me.

UpMyself · 12/12/2025 23:00

75% is good. Root canal and crown.
Bear in mind that you might need an implant at some point, but probably not for a decade.

I've got implants and crowns. Some of my implants were done 20 yrs ago, and are fine.

Original poster
Imdunfer · 13/12/2025 08:06

I've got a friend with 3 implants who says go straight for the implant. It's good to hear other sides, thanks.

I'm not sure I'd miss it that much if an implant failed, it's right at the back at the top. I've got some thinking to do.

OP posts:
Crofthead · 13/12/2025 08:13

root canal and crown. Always try to save the tooth

CandyCaneKisses · 13/12/2025 08:13

I had a root canal and it bought me about 5 years before it had to be extracted this week. In the end it gave me constant infections.

I would save a lot of toothache and go straight for the implant if it was an option.

Southernecho · 13/12/2025 08:23

I ve had 3 root canals, it really depends on any residual infection and the skill of the dentist.

In the last 2, the dentist used some sort of device that would tell her if she had removed the nerve from the root properly or not.

The first one was done at a dental school, the student took ages but did a fantastic job.

2 of the 3 have had crowns fitted, so far no issues.

Unbelievably, there are now robotics that assist the dentist in this work and they are getting more and more advanced.

If you can afford it RC first, well thats what i'd do.

Original poster
Imdunfer · 13/12/2025 08:26

CandyCaneKisses · 13/12/2025 08:13

I had a root canal and it bought me about 5 years before it had to be extracted this week. In the end it gave me constant infections.

I would save a lot of toothache and go straight for the implant if it was an option.

This is what I'm thinking. I don't really understand the big deal about saving the tooth. My dentist says the others won't be destabilised by it as I've seen on another thread. I'm not young, it's not as if I'm trying to keep them going for another 50 years.

OP posts:
Original poster
Imdunfer · 13/12/2025 08:29

Southernecho · 13/12/2025 08:23

I ve had 3 root canals, it really depends on any residual infection and the skill of the dentist.

In the last 2, the dentist used some sort of device that would tell her if she had removed the nerve from the root properly or not.

The first one was done at a dental school, the student took ages but did a fantastic job.

2 of the 3 have had crowns fitted, so far no issues.

Unbelievably, there are now robotics that assist the dentist in this work and they are getting more and more advanced.

If you can afford it RC first, well thats what i'd do.

In the last 2, the dentist used some sort of device that would tell her if she had removed the nerve from the root properly or not.

Would you believe, back in 1982 my assistant had root canal done without anaesthetic because her dentist told her it was the only way to know that he'd got the whole nerve! I think that was normal 40 years ago 😱

OP posts:
ChangeIsDue · 13/12/2025 08:35

One of the reasons my dentist recommended not going for root canal treatment was because my roots were very curved so it would've been a difficult job
if you decide to go for extraction, you will need a period of healing. But then you need to get the implant done within about
six months, otherwise the bone beneath the gum will recede, making it a more complicated job than it needs to be.

Southernecho · 13/12/2025 08:40

Imdunfer · 13/12/2025 08:29

In the last 2, the dentist used some sort of device that would tell her if she had removed the nerve from the root properly or not.

Would you believe, back in 1982 my assistant had root canal done without anaesthetic because her dentist told her it was the only way to know that he'd got the whole nerve! I think that was normal 40 years ago 😱

Show quote history

Its crazy how technology has moved on isn't it?

Dentistry would have been the last thing i'd have thought could be done or assisted by AI... but there you go!

Its incredibly expensive here in the UK, even Germany is quite a bit cheaper and most of Europe still has publicly funded dentistry.

Wonder why.

MinnieCauldwell · 13/12/2025 08:43

I have had an implant for one tooth and RC plus crown on another. I have just had an infection under the crown and my dentist drilled through it, applied anti biotics and refilled it. However, I have had it for 14 years before I had any trouble with it.

The one thing I would say that having implants as you get older is more risky if you develop osteoporosis, I can no longer have an implant. So maybe go for it now.

Soontobe60 · 13/12/2025 08:44

Imdunfer · 13/12/2025 08:06

I've got a friend with 3 implants who says go straight for the implant. It's good to hear other sides, thanks.

I'm not sure I'd miss it that much if an implant failed, it's right at the back at the top. I've got some thinking to do.

I had my back upper tooth removed. I couldn’t stand the thought of root canal treatment (I have a phobia about the dentist). I would do it again in a heartbeat!

helpfulperson · 13/12/2025 08:44

I had an extraction and a bridge which is like a crown but anchored to the tooth next to it. I'm very pleased with that.

Original poster
Imdunfer · 13/12/2025 08:47

ChangeIsDue · 13/12/2025 08:35

One of the reasons my dentist recommended not going for root canal treatment was because my roots were very curved so it would've been a difficult job
if you decide to go for extraction, you will need a period of healing. But then you need to get the implant done within about
six months, otherwise the bone beneath the gum will recede, making it a more complicated job than it needs to be.

Mine are curved too. Useful info, thank you. I've got a recommendation for the implant. Only £3000! Gulp.

OP posts:
MaggieBsBoat · 13/12/2025 08:48

I had two root canals 17 years ago and the teeth starting to break only last year. So now I have lovely crowns, but the teeth are still in situ. I’ve been very lucky I think as my original dentist did such a good job with the root canals. When my teeth were xrayed mynew dentist said they were the best root canals he’d ever seen!

Pinkladyapplepie · 13/12/2025 08:48

I had a root canal with a curved root. Didn't feel a thing and so far so good 3+ years, no infection etc. I couldn't afford an implant so.....

Original poster
Imdunfer · 13/12/2025 08:49

Soontobe60 · 13/12/2025 08:44

I had my back upper tooth removed. I couldn’t stand the thought of root canal treatment (I have a phobia about the dentist). I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Show quote history

Can I ask how long ago? I'm reading that the jaw bone can start to get weak without an implant, but as it's right by my jaw joint I suspect it will be getting plenty of work.

OP posts:
gallopingissuchfun · 13/12/2025 08:50

I’ve had an upper molar extracted in October with a plan to possibly moving to an implant. Xrays showed I didn’t have enough bone density (?) so they will need to inject something to build that up before an implant would have a good chance of success. All adds to the cost.

Original poster
Imdunfer · 13/12/2025 08:55

gallopingissuchfun · 13/12/2025 08:50

I’ve had an upper molar extracted in October with a plan to possibly moving to an implant. Xrays showed I didn’t have enough bone density (?) so they will need to inject something to build that up before an implant would have a good chance of success. All adds to the cost.

I might have that problem, I have osteoporosis in my spine and osteopenia elsewhere.

I actually reacted badly to alendronate for that, with extreme tooth pain on eating after only 12 weeks. I'm still hoping this bout of pain was a last shot from my jawbones recovering from what the alendronate did, though I had a pain free 6 weeks in between. It's probably a forlorn hope, but there was absolutely nothing to see on the x rays.

OP posts:
Coconutter24 · 13/12/2025 08:56

I had root canal and crown on a back lower tooth about 16 years ago. The infection didn’t fully go so maybe about every 2 years I did feel a niggling pain for a few days from the infection but then it went. I haven’t had any pain from the infection for about 8 years now, I do say next time it happens I’m having it extracted but luckily it’s been fine an the crown is still in good condition. I’m still glad I went with root canal and crown

BrunchBarBandit · 13/12/2025 09:07

Would you consider not replacing the tooth?

I had 2 extractions instead of root canal ( in my 40s about 8 years apart), losing one upper molar on one side and one lower molar on the other side. You can’t see the gaps when I smile and it doesn’t interfere with eating. It was my dentists advice that an implant wasn’t ‘needed’ and I’ve never regretted taking that advice.

God, it was a relief to have the extractions as the pain on the run up was unbearable.

Fionasapples · 13/12/2025 09:11

Root canal, but ask to be referred to a specialist endodontist.

Original poster
Imdunfer · 13/12/2025 09:25

BrunchBarBandit · 13/12/2025 09:07

Would you consider not replacing the tooth?

I had 2 extractions instead of root canal ( in my 40s about 8 years apart), losing one upper molar on one side and one lower molar on the other side. You can’t see the gaps when I smile and it doesn’t interfere with eating. It was my dentists advice that an implant wasn’t ‘needed’ and I’ve never regretted taking that advice.

God, it was a relief to have the extractions as the pain on the run up was unbearable.

Yes I am considering that, I don't believe it would make that much difference.

OP posts:
MarbleDrive · 13/12/2025 09:29

I had a root canal and crown that lasted a few years before I had no option but to have it extracted. I then had an implant.

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