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!

Thanks, I hadn't considered this actually. Two out for overcrowding, one wisdom out. I'm leaning towards saving it at the moment

Unless there were massive financial constraints, I would do everything I could to save every single tooth

Strangely I have no wisdom teeth, none on x-rays so its not that they were removed for braces etc, so I just have molars. My top, furthest back needed root canal and a crown 14yrs ago. I didn't have an abscess and don't recall it being painful nor what the need for the root canal was now? TBH, having the tooth removed never crossed my mind at the time. I guess because I don't have alot of extras.

2yrs ago the crown started to crumble and eventually fell off. I've had it replaced with a newer material. If you can afford it then I'd save the tooth but obviously be guided by your dentist.

Thank you, that's great to hear. I'm leaning towards saving it, but it may end up as extraction anyway as its currently very unhappy, so I am not feeling as bad about it now if that does happen.
That's really interesting so many have problems with those ones, makes me feel better anyhow! Thanks again

Yes, we all have different experiences.

I'm glad you made that point about missing teeth because i hadnt thought of it. Wisdom teeth can be such a pain, so youre not missing out on that side of them!
The dentist wants me to save it. Apart from cost I have just had enough of the ongoing problems, but hearing how long it could last if I got the work done is reassuring. My wisdom next to it I have seen as backup but it doesn't mean it will move in place!

Honestly, yes I am have been round the houses on this - the root canal was only done about five years ago when I had three done. Last year a dentist redid the wrong one, which hasnt helped matters ! It's the cost of it all that gets me ! NHS dentistry in the UK has been privatised by stealth. I am in so much pain but would have to wait about a year on the NHS to get this sorted unless of course it becomes infected - how it is that okay? I am mainlining painkillers and tequila till the next dentist appt ! 😂

Thanks for your reply, it's very interesting to hear a dentists perspective. It makes me feel a lot better if it does end up coming out! I am leaning towards trying to save it. I've got one other root canal on a molar and it played up for months afterwards till it finally settled, this is something putting me off, having all that again.
I didn't know that, my rct crowned lower molar is cracked! I was hoping that one would last me!

Oh no! I'm really sorry to hear that, the wrong one?!! I hope you can get it sorted as soon as possible. Yes it's awful having to pay so much, it makes an awful situation so much worse.

I have just had a similar issue . The cost to save tooth was huge. I opted to have it pulled. I have over crowded teeth so figured I could lose one. However the pain from the removal was awful. 4 weeks of pain and disrupted sleep. No infection just being a bit older and healing taking time

Yes absolutely if I could afford it. You need to take really good care of it and clean it really thoroughly.

I foolishly got a root canal and crown on LL7 and didn't care properly for it so it got bone loss. Once there's bone loss that's when they need to extract or it can affect the one in front.

So it's now missing. And it's quite annoying. It's taking me months to get used to the gap.

Definitely conservative treatment and not removal is ideal if possible.

2, my post was low on detail

As a dentist I would see a specialist endodontist for treatment. They are the “geeks” of dentistry. They are also very realistic about the potential success of treatment since their reputation depends on success. As a result they will not treat a tooth that has a poor prognosis. The rest of us would probably have a go but warn the patient that the tooth is likely to fail in the future. The average lifespan of a molar tooth that has been root treated is about 5 yrs.

Current research suggests that crowning a root filled tooth may well shorten the life of the tooth and there is a move towards saving as much tooth as possible by placing minimal restorations which give a reliable seal. But like most dental techniques many stick with what they know.

I have had four back molars removed and it has made absolutely no difference to shape of face / eating etc . I know a few who went the root canal route and it was expensive,painful and unsuccessful!Obviously this is my own experience and not the same for others.

Teeth don’t tend to drift backwards. They tend to drift towards the midline

@Autumn211I really feel for you: teeth issues are just such a (literal!) pain. I hope all goes ok for you. X

Thank you, the stats are not good at 5 years. Part of me does think it will be a waste of money, especially if the one next to it needs it too. I will definitely go to an endodontist if I go ahead though. Thank you for the advice, and relieved to hear you have done just fine without your upper one!