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Original poster

Is it more fun to have root canal treatment or to have a tooth removed?

37 replies

HerBeatitudeLittleBella · 28/04/2009 20:56

Discuss!

I have to do one or the other said the emergency dentist. So what's the pros and cons of each?

OP posts:
MamazonFirstladyofFilth · 28/04/2009 20:59

never had root canal but having a tooth removed is like some form of old age medicine. they literally just yank it out with brute force.
i was rather shocked and ever so slightly traumatised.

Amapoleon · 28/04/2009 21:00

I'd rather have a tooth out as it is over in seconds.

MatthewBellamysMuse · 28/04/2009 21:00

Root canal is grim but extraction is worse. I've had both recently. I had a wisdom tooth out and even with tons of anaesthetic it still hurt and I could feel the bones grinding and crunching as the tooth was detached from it.
Also, if the tooth can be saved then save it. Otherwise you'll have a space and eating becomes slightly harder.

southeastastra · 28/04/2009 21:00

root canal obviously

tooth extraction hurts for days afterwards

thisisyesterday · 28/04/2009 21:00

well, i've had both and would prob go for the root canal cos you get to keep your tooth!

root canal really isn't THAT bad. it can take a long time, esp if you have complicated canals like me lol. but it doesn't hurt.
cons are that because the tooth is no longer alive it can become brittle and break and you may need a crown in the future. so possibly more expense (happened to me and I had it removed at that point)

extraction again shouldn't hrt but can be fairly unpleasant. took about half an hour for the dentist to finally pull mine out when I had it done and it really wasn't that nice.
I also ended up with a dry socket which is AGONY and you have a gap which makes it hard to clean your teeth.
but you know once it's done it's done, which is a positive

MatthewBellamysMuse · 28/04/2009 21:01

I was very traumatised by my extraction. The root canal they did with DS2 asleep on my tummy (he was about a month old and wouldn't be put down).

sleepwhenidie · 28/04/2009 21:01

Root canal doesn't really hurt, but takes AGES...personally I would prefer, psychologically (if you have root canal chances are there isn't much tooth left anyway), to hang on to the tooth.

southeastastra · 28/04/2009 21:02

my root canal didn't take long and was just like a filling. had tooth out last week and still feel like my face has been whacked with a cricket bat.

RumourOfAHurricane · 28/04/2009 21:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

JulesJules · 28/04/2009 21:03

I have had root canal work which I was totally dreading - am a real dentist phobic, mainly because I need tons of local anaesthetic before I go numb, and never used to get enough... Anyway, the root canal was fine, honestly, as long as you have loads of local. Hurts afterwards so make sure you have painkillers at home. Better to save the tooth where possible, IMO. Good luck.

Tidey · 28/04/2009 21:04

Depends whether it's a tooth you're particularly fond of. I was told the same thing, but since it was one of my back teeth on the bottom jaw and I need it for chewing, regardless of dentist telling me I'd soon get used to having a big gap in my teeth. I opted for the root canal, which wasn't very pleasant, but at least I have my tooth.

I have also had extractions, they are over very quickly but it takes a while for the hole to heal over.

Original poster
HerBeatitudeLittleBella · 28/04/2009 21:06

when you say it takes a long time, how long?

OP posts:
Original poster
HerBeatitudeLittleBella · 28/04/2009 21:06

(root canal i mean)

OP posts:
WhatSheSaid · 28/04/2009 21:06

I've had both and I found root canal much worse. Didn't hurt really but was unpleasant and uncomfortable and took ages (two appointments, about an hour each time irc).

Had a wisdom tooth out a couple of weeks ago and it was fine. 10 mins from start to finish. A little bit sore for a day afterwards, took some Nurofen. Had to be careful eating on that side for a few days. No problems.

Of course it's better to save a tooth if you can, I suppose...

MarlaSinger · 28/04/2009 21:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thisisyesterday · 28/04/2009 21:09

my last root canal was 1 half hour appt and one that was about an hour.

I had complications though, in that the canals themselves had started to get these calcifications in which meant it was really difficult for her to clear them out. it wouldn't have been that long otherwise.

the first one was much more straightforward and quick.

as I say, it took about half an hour for her to prise a different tooth fgrtom my jaw and it was very unpleasant

MatthewBellamysMuse · 28/04/2009 21:11

Root canal took about an hour, maybe less.

francagoestohollywood · 28/04/2009 21:11

I had both. I honestly don't know which one to suggest. Do you want the truth?

Original poster
HerBeatitudeLittleBella · 28/04/2009 21:11

hmm. sounds like I should cancel my hair appointment afterwards then?

OP posts:
southeastastra · 28/04/2009 21:12

i can't understand why you wouldn't want to save the tooth. really i'm still in agony with my poor gap

Original poster
HerBeatitudeLittleBella · 28/04/2009 21:12

franca no I can't handle the truth

No that was a joke, yes I do want the truth

sock it to me

OP posts:
JulesJules · 28/04/2009 21:14

No, I would cancel the root canal/ extraction and keep the hair appointment

paddingtonbear1 · 28/04/2009 21:15

I've had 2 root canals. I hate dentists but it honestly wasn't that bad. I would choose it again any day over having a tooth out. I haven't got crowns yet but I guess I probably will in the future.
I'd go for saving the tooth if at all poss.

Original poster
HerBeatitudeLittleBella · 28/04/2009 21:16

If I could stand the pain I would

I must be the only person in the world who is really looking forward to root canal treatment

OP posts:
stillenacht · 28/04/2009 21:17

root canals are fascinating - i have had about 3!

I love it when he scratches the nerve out!

I have also had 2 teeth removed (I have really shite teeth - ya don't say!) and don't want to have that again.

its just the cost tho ....

root canal - 240 quid
tooth out - 70 quid