Root canal Vs. Extraction?

[MKCP5]

So I am in pain. Quite a bit. My right rear molar is a mess. I have no dental insurance and expect I will need a root canal. crown and post. ( similar experiecne before and it took me 2 yrs to pay it off ) I am thinking about just having it extracted. I don't have the $$ to pay for the work, and just don't want to get into a long term payment for the big $$ this will cost.

What will this do to my overall jaw if I take out a tooth? Anybody w/ experience in this?

 

[luvMickey72]

I also had awful pain in my right molar last year, I really wanted to pull it, to save the money and to stop the pain (the tooth had ended up cracking, too) but my dentist and the root canal specialist said that my teeth would shift so I would have to pay for a "fake tooth ' which would end up being more, so had to have the root canal and crown. I think because of the crack, it still bothers me certain days, I wish I would have just made them pull it! If I could do it over, that is what I would have done! Good luck, there is nothing worse than tooth pain, I hope it feels better for you very soon!

 

[Jenn4615]

It can cause major problems to your bite... If the tooth is on the bottom... ur upper tooth will even extend downwards.... the list goes on.. Always save a tooth if it is possible.

 

[MKCP5]

I also had awful pain in my right molar last year, I really wanted to pull it, to save the money and to stop the pain (the tooth had ended up cracking, too) but my dentist and the root canal specialist said that my teeth would shift so I would have to pay for a "fake tooth ' which would end up being more, so had to have the root canal and crown. I think because of the crack, it still bothers me certain days, I wish I would have just made them pull it! If I could do it over, that is what I would have done! Good luck, there is nothing worse than tooth pain, I hope it feels better for you very soon!

See that is my issue --you always get the fear threat "it will shift your whole mouth, it will make a mess of everything in your mouth" I know there is cause for concern, but really, how real is the threat? I could see the shift thting more if it were in the middle of other teeth. But it is the last tooth in my head-- I just don't know

 

[missenmickey]

My husband had the same problem - although his molar was in the middle. We do not have dental insurance either. He had his pulled. There is a space between the molars but you can not see it. It has been about 4 years since it was pulled and there has not been any shifting in his mouth. He has said if it had it to do over he would definitely have it pulled again. The thing I don't like is there is no guarantee a root canal can even save a tooth. Even with all that work you still might end up having to have the tooth pulled.

 

[lovesmurfs]

See that is my issue --you always get the fear threat "it will shift your whole mouth, it will make a mess of everything in your mouth" I know there is cause for concern, but really, how real is the threat? I could see the shift thting more if it were in the middle of other teeth. But it is the last tooth in my head-- I just don't know

I had 2 root canals (upper) that resulted (eventually) in having the teeth extracted -- one on each side L/R. Dentist said teeth would shift without a dummy tooth (I'm sure there's a real name for them). We'll, I'd love for the teeth to shift a little -- my teeth are so close together that it's nearly impossible to floss. So I waited....and waited. It's been 10 years and the teeth haven't shifted. They're toward the back, so they're not seen when I smile, etc.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I spent $2500 on my last root canal and crown. I would not do it again if the tooth would not show, frankly. I hope you get some relief soon.

 

[Sadie22]

If there is a dental school near you having the work done there may be a means of saving money on dental procedures. Always save the tooth if you can.

 

[Dynamite626]

I have had both of my back upper molars pulled. The first several years ago when I had no insurance and the last about a month ago. My teeth have not shifted. The last did cause me considerable pain for almost three weeks after and the gum is still "swollen" though I was told this was normal. (didn't have the extensive pain or swollen feeling with the first). I would do both again. Now my front teeth will probably cost me 4500 with no option to pull. Didn't now reflux could mess up your teeth.

 

[JamesMom]

Back when I was in college, I had horrendeous pain in my upper right backmost molar - the kind that only perpetual ice water can relieve. I had no insurance. I called mom and she said pull it instead of paying the $$ to get the root canal.
Now, 2 decades later, the lower molar has risen noticeable and will probably eventually need to be pulled because the lower root is more vunerable with the elevation. But no trouble so far. I have not noticed any shifting of the other teeth. I was told, too, to put in an implant so the tooth wouldn't rise, but who has an extra $3K laying around for that! If I had that kind of money I would have gotten the root canal to save the upper tooth!
Two years ago I had a double root canal on the left upper molars. I had the familiar horrible pain and the dentist found the backmost tooth needed a root canal. Not two hours after coming home from the first procedure than did the tooth one over from it start acting up. It was disguised from the initial diagnosis by the novicane, but reared its ugly head after the medication wore off. That was a really bad weekend.
I had insurance and had the procedures done to save the teeth. I find that I chew primarily on the left simply because I have the molars there. If I had to loose those left molars I would pay for implants simply to be able to eat comfortably!
Good luck with your decision.

 

[tinker&belle]

It can cause major problems to your bite... If the tooth is on the bottom... ur upper tooth will even extend downwards.... the list goes on.. Always save a tooth if it is possible.

This

 

[Sethsmama]

I had to have a tooth extracted back in February after 2 months of pain because I couldn't get into the endodontist, in the area, fast enough. When I got to him he said that tooth couldn't be saved so went back to my reg. dentist and had it pulled! I do have dental insurance so it was only $20! It was EXTREMELY painful and even though I followed directions and I don't smoke, I still got "Dry Socket" and boy was that miserable til I went back and for 3 mornings I had to go to the dentist and get some kind of local anesthetic & medicine put right on the socket...helped so much! So my dentist didn't mention a bridge or fake tooth or anything and my teeth have not shifted at all.
If you think the tooth is too far gone and eventually you'll have to have it pulled after you spend a fortune for the crown/root canal, etc then get the thing pulled...but it does hurt!
Good luck whatever you decide! I don't wish dental work on anyone!

 

[Kay1]

I had the same years ago. I underwent a root canal that did not work and had to go to an oral surgeon to have the tooth removed. The tooth above it did drift down and I had it removed a good twenty years after the first extraction.

 

[MKCP5]

Just got off the phone w/ the dentist. Minimum charge to x ray and take a look at the tooth is $200This is the same tooth that I had all the work done on! ( I wasn't sure and I can't see that far back in my mouth!)

So after all of that, I am back in a mess. If it is the same tooth then I am thinking that it will have to be extracted as I can't have a second root canal done on it.

 

[tar heel]

I had an absessed first molar when I was 17 and my dentist didn't even mention the possiblility of saving it. By the time I was out on my own and going to a better dentist, the teeth had shifted to the extent that the "tooth" in that space in the fixed bridge I had done is roughly the same size as the tooth in front of it. Having the bridge done stopped the shifting, but it cost the same as three crowns and a bridge is not as satisfactory as having a real tooth. You have to clean under it and I'm prone to irritation around the gums.

Sethsmama -- your teeth aren't going to shift in three months. See what it looks like in three years.

OP -- My experience is not with the last molar, so it may not be pertinent. If you can figure out a way to save the tooth, I would.

 

[wdwfan16]

I would try to save the tooth.

 

[jedijill]

I had a root canal and crown on my last molar (bottom left). 1 1/2 years later dentist notices the tooth is loose. I was going to have another root canal but the second person i went to to get the root canal told me that if it was her, she would pull it as the tooth was likely cracked where the x-rays didn't show it. Had the tooth pulled and sure enough the tooth was not salvagable and I got rid of a huge abscess that had been there the whole time. Much happier with my decision to pull it.

Jill in CO

 

[vettechick99]

I also think going to a dental school is a great idea. My dad has terrible teeth and goes often to the Medical College in Augusta. Saved him quite a bit of money and he's always been happy with the outcome.

I would do my best to save the tooth. GL!

 

[NotUrsula]

I had that tooth taken out 16 years ago, and nothing has shifted. If the top tooth has come down, I don't notice it -- it doesn't touch my lower jaw at all, so what does it matter?

What I do advise, if you go for an extraction, is springing the extra to have an oral surgeon take it out. My dentist was halfway through the extraction when she realized that there was something odd about the way the roots of the tooth were embedded in my jaw, and she had to drill out a chunk of my jawbone to get it out. It took 4 hours, and I've still got a big dent there that catches food.

 

[Caitsmama]

pull it. It will be fine. And i am speaking from expeirence. It's not a big deal.. Good luck!