Root canal Versus Extraction???????

[loobop]

I was going to post a poll but cant see the option.
REALLY; I have the choice between getting a root canal (ugh--havent had one before, and just the name of it creeps me out), or an extraction.
Going by personal experience or that of someone very close to you (partner, best friend etc), what would you do? What would you choose between the procedures and why? Thank you in advance for taking amomnet to share you experience/ advice, with me

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

If you are like me and cant afford to have a crown/cap put over the tooth after the root canal you might as well have it pulled. The reason I say this is because every single root canal my immediate family had done they ended up loosing the tooth anyway due to it breaking.

I had a choice with 2 molars pulled or root canal I had them pulled because there is no way even with dental insurance I could afford to pay $800 for a crown.

[4evermom]

I just had my first root canal two days ago. I know my dentist is really good but it was and should be completely painless after the novocaine injection. It was stinky because I waited a while (a year! because dh was unemployed and we had absolutely no income) and the roots were decaying. It's going to be sensitive for a few days/week or something so I need to chew carefully at the moment. It will need a crown because it is essentially a dead tooth and more fragile.

I don't have dental insurance but have a plan with www.dentalplans.com
That reduced the fee for the root canal from $760 to $566 for the root canal portion. I was told I'll owe another $162 after the next appointment. I'm not sure if that will be everything because crowns by themselves are more like $500 with this plan. Root canals can cost more if you go to a specialist. The payment fee schedule through dentalplans costs maybe $100 per year and pays for itself if you need any work done. You have to check that your dentist accepts it.

The reason I opted for keeping the tooth is in case I run into more teeth problems down the line. Having more teeth allows for more possibilities such as having a bridge rather than ending up with no teeth and dentures. I'm not planning on dying young and want my teeth to last as long as possible! Teeth are one thing I believe in spending money on. They impact one's quality of life so much.

I've had teeth extracted (my wisdom teeth). That was certainly faster. The aftermath discomfort was similar but, like I said, my dentist is really good. It wasn't at all as bad as others said they experienced.

[A&A]

A root canal allows you to keep your own tooth, which is much better than losing that tooth to extraction.

[twilight girl]

Originally Posted by a&a

a root canal allows you to keep your own tooth, which is much better than losing that tooth to extraction.

ita 100%

[Tilia]

Depending on the location of the tooth, I might just get it pulled. I had a root canal (which did not hurt at all), but unfortunately, it didn't "take" due to a hairline fracture. The tooth ended up getting pulled anyway, after all that expense.

[loobop]

Thanks mamas, much appreciated. I fortunately do have insurance through dhs work (for the first time), and most of it woud be covered. I heard something about our bodies still thinking there is something foreign when we get a root canal, and that our body still tries to eject/ combat it. anyone else heard this?

[Poddi]

I got a root canal done in December and had a lot of trouble with healing. This one will end up costing a lot with the root canal, gold crown and the night guard. I calculated and it's still cheaper than implant, though. If cost is not an issue, root canal is prefered. Not all of them need crowns. I have a front tooth with root canal done when I was 12. I didn't even know such thing as crown then. It lasted 20 years before it cracked, I have a crown on it now.

[TCMoulton]

Originally Posted by A&A

A root canal allows you to keep your own tooth, which is much better than losing that tooth to extraction.

Not always. Oftentimes the decay in the tooth is so bad that the root canal itself makes the remaining tooth weak and prone to breaking before the crown can be placed.

I was in the same position a few years back. I asked my dentist point blank what the chances were of me keeping the tooth if I opted for the root canal, she replied maybe 50%. I chose extraction for 2 reasons: 1. The cost of a root canal and then extraction on top of that was more than our budget could handle and 2. I have a horrible fear of dentists and since it was a tooth that was not visible when I smiled to talked I opted to have it pulled.

[Toolip]

Wow, It's so funny. I've seen threads that asked the exact same question and the answers went 100% for extraction over root canal!

I personally don't know what I would do. Some people say that there is often chronic infection left with a root canal which can damage your jaw and be very bad for your overall health... I don't know.

It would be very hard for me to pull a tooth. I was lucky that my bad tooth has been ok *so far* with just a filling and now I am taking MUCH better care of my teeth

Good luck with your decision

[Alyantavid]

I had a root canal and crown done last fall. I had the same choice and just couldn't go with the extraction. The root canal didn't bother me, once it was done. I had a temp cap put on for quite awhile before I could get back in for the permanent one. I haven't had any issues at all.

I don't know what I'd do if it came up again. The root canal/crown costs a ton.