I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

I have a toothache in the back and can either go through root canal or have it pulled and eventually get an implant (it's all the way in the back on the top - you can't see it). The dentist of course says it is up to me, but then is trying to sell me on the root canal, which he says MAY last me 7-10 years - but this tooth broke once before and was repaired (so it is really like 1/2 tooth). My friend who has had loads of root canals says to get the damn thing pulled because it is just not worth it - root canals have issues too.

I just don't want to end up paying $3,000 for a root canal and then have it not work anyway.

I don't know what to do!

Message edited 8/11/2007 12:55:47 PM.

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

I haven't had this problem (yet...) but the one thing that I can tell you is that once you start with implants, you cant stop.

This probably doesn't pertain to you now, but my grandma had some implants done (thousands of dollars worth) and then when her other teeth started having problems she either had to get ALL implants or have the original implants removed so that she could have dentures. I know that it was very painful for her to have that done.

HTH

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

If no one can see it, get it pulled and forget it. I was just at the dentist and although I am meticulous about my teeth, my genes override all of that and my teeth are falling apart. I had to get a root canal for the furthest tooth in the back. My dentist didn't offer me the option of pulling it. I totally would have done it b/c seriously, unless you are a professional opera singer, who is going to see in the back of your mouth?

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

A root canal should not cost thousands of dollars. I have had many, they are , maybe a few hundred dollars at most. And they are covered if you have insurance. I also have an implant - and that is NOT covered by insurance at all and it cost me $3000 out of pocket.

I would go the root canal. I would not get it pulled and do nothing. Your teeth with shift with the space left in your mouth and will have all different effects with such.

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

I just went through the same decision. My tooth had been worked on so many times, it was about half a tooth. I decided to get it pulled and go with an implant. I still have to get the implant, I was sceduled for this summer to get it but I got PG then had a m/c, so I think I am just going to wait until I get pg again and have a baby before I get the implant, I really don't want to deal with dentist while PG, and my dentist said its ok to wait a year.

eta: it was a tooth all the way in the back

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

Posted by chmlengr

A root canal should not cost thousands of dollars. I have had many, they are , maybe a few hundred dollars at most. And they are covered if you have insurance. I also have an implant - and that is NOT covered by insurance at all and it cost me $3000 out of pocket.

I would go the root canal. I would not get it pulled and do nothing. Your teeth with shift with the space left in your mouth and will have all different effects with such.

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

Posted by chmlengr

A root canal should not cost thousands of dollars. I have had many, they are , maybe a few hundred dollars at most. And they are covered if you have insurance. I also have an implant - and that is NOT covered by insurance at all and it cost me $3000 out of pocket.

I would go the root canal. I would not get it pulled and do nothing. Your teeth with shift with the space left in your mouth and will have all different effects with such.

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

i say get it pulled. i got a root canal that lasted 2 yrs and then they said i had to have an apicoectomy- i opted to have it pulled instead. ididnt want to go thru the hassle of another root canal and the pain of the apico.

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

implants are more costly and is more time involved. when you place the implant after the extraction. you have to wait about 3-6mths for the implant "uncovering" then you have to get the implant crown over the actual implant. The surgical stage is very costly about $3k and the impant crown is about $1200-$1800. now these #'s are based in NYC.

I work for dental office. fm if you need any advice or more info. good luck.

oh if a tooth can be salvaged do not extract.. it is always best to try & keep your natural teeth.

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

Don't pull it! Save a tooth whenever possible.

As someone said before a root canal shouldnt cost thousands of $$$$.

I have had two teeth pulled and I regret it so much. They were both in the back, but it has had an effect on my mouth. The first one I got pulled b/c it was fractured and I was in so much pain. I didnt really have time to think about it. I wish I would have b/c there are options for this and at the time the tooth was in pretty good condition, but I didnt have much money and no insurance. Now I have no tooth there. The tooth next to it wasnt in the best condition and b/c it wasnt next to anything, the tooth had to be pulled b/c nothing was there.

Now I've got a better dentist and he does amazing work and I have insurance. I do whatever I can to save my teeth. Even if it is in the back and no one can see it, do what you can to save your teeth.

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

I had one in the back pulled a few years ago(on top). I wasn't given a choice though- the tooth had a vertical crack in it that went to the root- and the pulp was infected- very nasty stuff.
They tried to talk me into replacing it with an implant... which cost about $1700 for ONE TOOTH- and was not covered by insurance. I opted to not do anything to replace it- since it's so far back- you can't see it anyway.
It's been fine ever since- and the space has gotten smaller over the years- I guess my other teeth are shifting to compensate for the space.

If given the option though- I would have take the root canal- saving the tooth is always better IMO.

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

Why is it bad to not replace a tooth in the back of your mouth if it's pulled? I had three wisdom teeth pulled and haven't had a problem. Is it only with non-wisdom teeth? Whatever problems might arise, I'd assume it would be the same with wisdom teeth too. Sure, there's one less tooth to do the heavy chewing but I honestly can't figure out what other problems you might have.

I've had three root canals on my front teeth, back in my teen years. They degraded over time, yellowed with smoking and coffee, and I finally had posts & crowns done last year. Obviously, it was a bigger concern for me because they were visible.

But if it was my choice, I would talk to the dentist again about the pros and cons of each choice. He should be able to tell you the immediate concerns with each, and what happens 5/10/20 years down the road. And if he doesn't, find a new dentist.

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

Sometimes the problem w/pulling teeth....... even if they are in the back of your mouth is that your teeth will shift over time...this changes your bite...if it is the last tooth, you should be fine.....if it isn't, I wouldn't pull it w/o putting in an implant...... GL

Re: I don't know what to do - to pull or not to pull?

Cant you get it pulled and not replace it with an implant??

One of my molars- needs some work (one day, when I get over this fear- it will get pulled) and the dentists advice to me was to just pull it, its cheaper and less painful.. No one sees it anyway...