Save tooth or extraction?

[Autumn211]

Would you save an upper molar, the one furthest at the back (not wisdom) with a root canal and crown? The second to last molar next to it has a question mark of whether it will need the same treatment, so it's a bit of a dilemma.
I've not lost any teeth yet (nearly 40) and am wondering what it would be like without this molar furthest at the back. If you have had an upper molar removed, have your teeth drifted? My other molars are all filled, so I am aware this could happen again in future and don't want to lose lots of teeth. It's the money side of things that's making me question what to do as it's so expensive!

I have an upper wisdom tooth that could probably come out but I refuse to have it taken out because it doesn't cause me any problems and I'm worried about drift.

My DM had her wisdom teeth removed and has big gaps across all of her teeth, as a result. So, because of that, I've always fought to keep my tooth!

Is it too expensive to put a denture in to avoid drifting? Have you talked to the dentist about options?

No, I did and I wish I hadn't bothered. It's going to have to come out eventually anyway and it was a painful ,very long process.

Had two lower molars removed a few years back, no drift. Should have had one of them done quicker as and up with a massive abscess, face three times the size and an emergency removal on holiday. Would not recommend.

Second-time around I didn't blink before saying take the darn thing out.

OP, my farthest back molar has a root canal and a crown - it was done over forty years ago, and no problems since. I’d try to save your tooth if possible - you don’t get any more, and if its absence caused problems, you’d have to have an implant.

Not if it’s so far back. For me that’d mean trouble for the dentist to even get to it, so I’d just pull it.

I'd personally have it out, if positioned at the back.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I had a chat with the dentist and have a bit of time to decide, but it's causing infection so I have to do one or the other. I haven't discussed what happens after extraction though.
Ah I have lost a tooth to be fair, one of my upper wisdom teeth was removed 6 or 7 years ago, but I haven't had drift yet

I had LL8 removed in October 2017 after an absolute nightmare, RCT and pain for months and months. Then, shortly afterwards, UL6 had to come out, then about 7 years later, LL7, which had been paining me on and off for years. I manage fine even with several teeth gone on the LHS. And it’s INFINITELY preferable to major dental pain.

Thanks, yes that's a good point

Thanks, that's really interesting and good to know it hasn't caused issues. Have you had any drifting with the teeth in your smile line? It seems some people get drift quite badly and others none at all

Oh wow that's really encouraging. Yes I can see what you're saying. My reaction at the moment is I have had enough of all the pain and lots of dentist trips and want it out, but I know once its gone its gone.

It is difficult to access teeth at the back for crowns but doable. I’ve had it done. It’s lengthy and uncomfortable, but I would try to save my teeth. I know people manage without back teeth, but they’re needed for support and without them your face can look sunken

I have two crowns that were done in my 20s and I am 68.

My teeth are a product of 1960s dentistry which was grim. I would always, always try to save the tooth.

Thanks @SnacklessWonder that's really encouraging.

I have never even heard of drift. Had back molar out each side. No drift. I'd let the dentist take it out.

Funnily enough I am pretty much in the same boat - I have root canal that has failed and needs to be redone in a back molar. Ive two pieces of advice which is to save the tooth ! Good Luck !

Hi again. I’ve been lucky: no discernible drift. UL6 is just in the smile line but not really massively noticeable.

Interestingly, I have several friends who have also lost that tooth. I think it bears a serious amount of pressure over a lifetime!

I agree with this.
I had an upper back molar root canal etc at about 41ish. After much pain, many infections and cost I held on to it for another 12 years or so, before finally having it pulled. I now have a little denture. All is good. (I looked into implants and decided they weren’t for me).

A partial denture for one tooth?

I think some people’s dental physiology just doesn’t tolerate RCT: I think I’m one such person!

I had a root canal and crown 40 years ago and it has never given me any problems. It's two from the back. I have a couple of other crowns which have also lasted decades. I would always save the tooth if possible.

Dentist here. I had one of my upper second molars extracted when I wax 40. It was fractured and had given me 3 yrs of discomfort before it abscesses. The relief was fantastic since I hadn’t been able to eat on it comfortably for 18months.

21 yrs on there has been absolutely no movement. I’m not aware of the gap, it’s too far back for my tongue to comfortably explore it.

It comes in handy for storing the odd sweet or chewing gum when I have to talk to someone.

Crucially, the opposing tooth has not moved and overerupted into the space which can be more of a problem.

Not all teeth are necessary and I knew that even if it was root filled the crack would still extend eventually splitting the tooth in half necessitating extraction.

Whereas I wouldn’t as my experience has been the polar opposite. Neither of my two RCTs worked and I had to have the teeth extracted anyway.

I think muchof this depends on if you had any teeth extracted when you were young, including wisdom teeth. I had 4 extractions due to overcrowding as a child and all my wisdom teeth out. Therefore, in your position, I would go for the root canal and crown. I have had a couple of root canals done and have 3 crowns and I think they are worth the agony (both physical and financial!)

Sorry to hear you are having a similar issue it's awful isn't it!