Opinions on a tooth problem..

bravesgirlkb

Hi Ladies! So I had a tooth filled a couple years ago & I cracked it wide open this past Sunday. I was hoping to go into the dentist & just get it refilled. Well she says that it can't be filled again. It's decaying & it's chronically infected right now. So it's either get a root canal, get it pulled, or leave it like it is with a big chunk missing lol (which is not likely because I know sooner or later it's going to start hurting).

I had a tooth pulled a couple years ago & I know any extraction wouldn't be fun but I had a really bad experience. I think it was mainly because the dentist was a complete idiot. But anyways I really didn't want to have to get this one pulled or get a root canal. Root canals are crazy expensive, so I am like in the middle & don't know which way to go.

I've heard good and bad stories of root canals. So I don't know if I want to pay loads of money (that I don't really have in the first place) to have something happen to it & have to end up getting it pulled after all. I've also been thinking if I did get it pulled I could sometime later get a bridge put in that one & the other one I got pulled a couple years ago. Cause I've heard your teeth could start shifting or there could be bone loss.

So anyways very sorry this turned out to be long (didn't mean for it to). Any opinions, advice, etc. would be greatly appreciated! Thanks ladies =]

ellen73

I had a root canal in 2003, and as far as I know the tooth is still fine.  

What tooth is it?  Personally, i would try out the root canal.   Your teeth can shift & throw off your alignment and all of that, and cause major headaches & jaw problems.

Are you near any dental schools?  One option would be to go to 4th year students and another option would be to go to the professors.   Both are cheaper than going to a regular dentist. 

 

Labrnr

I feel for you.  I know from first hand experience loosing adult teeth majorly sucks.

I have had 3 teeth in the last 5 years pulled, due to cracking and decay.  I also never got two of my top teeth (the right and left maxillary laterals).  Loosing a tooth makes me feel old and worn down. Luckily  they are in the back.

I also had a bad experience with my first tooth pull.  The doctor literally made me feel like her abused me. Just really bad bed side manor and I was already sensitive from having a tooth pulled.

Anyway, I couldn't afford a root canal either. So I opted for the tooth pulling and hope one day I will be able to afford new ones if need be.I think if they are viewable to others, I would come up with the money for replacements or whatever.

 

GracefulMeadow86

I think it depends on the location of the tooth, but if its at all visible, i would definitely do the root canal. I had one 2 years ago on one of my front bottom teeth due to an abcess (they couldnt figure out why it happened) and it hurt like a b!tch. But i wouldn't change my decision. No way was i going to get a tooth pulled in the front. If you have dental insurance, it shouldnt be too bad. It was like an $800 procedure but i only ended up paying like $175 or something. And that was for an emergency root canal,, on a Sunday, not something scheduled far in advance.

Either way, if you pull it, someday you're going to want to put a crown or implant in its place. And that won't be cheap either.

So i guess its spend more now or spend more later.