Root canal or pull tooth

[Msubulldogfan1]

Got a big *** cavity in a tooth on the back lower left.

What would the pack do?

ETA I’m only 33. Age should play a factor here

 

[jethreauxdawg]

Do you want an honorary degree

From Bama? Sounds like you’re working on it.

 

[ronpolk]

From Bama? Sounds like you’re working on it.

You telling me a guy named jethreauxdawg has all his teeth?*****

 

[Jrobb]

Every situation is different. Is the tooth worth restoring/chance of success? Is there an opposing tooth that will give you problems if you extract it? Finances etc cause it ain’t cheap. There are consequences to both? What was your dentists advice? That’s the first place to start

 

[archdog]

Got a big *** cavity in a tooth on the back lower left.

What would the pack do?

ETA I’m only 33. Age should play a factor here

No idea what your long term financial plans are, but I had a root canal done, and it wasn’t really that bad. Not really that expensive, but not really the best scenario for long term gum health. Now, I had an implant done on a gap I had due to a primary tooth not having an adult tooth to follow done in January. Although it cost around 4K, I have been thrilled with it.

 

[Msubulldogfan1]

The root canal is only going to be like $800. I don’t know about how long a root canal is good for anything, if it would cause me trouble down the road.

The dentist suggested root canal because the cavity is pretty big, real close to the nerve.

 

[aTotal360]

If you do root canal, you'll be replacing the cap at some point down the road. And you'll likely get an implant anyway.

IMO, it depends on your insurance. I got an implant around that age and it's the best tooth in my head. Problem is that an extraction and implant wasn't fully covered like a root canal and a cap with my insurance. It cost me around $2000 out of pocket to do the implant. Root canal and cap was nothing.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

A lot mo money is going to be made off root canals, so that is what you'll be pushed towards. I'm 55 and I'd have the tooth pulled if it were a back tooth.

Recently my friend was faced with this decision, he chose the root canal, after several thousand dollars and several dentists/oral surgeon trips, the tooth eventually had to be pulled, he was late 50s at the time.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Adding to your thoughts, I’d suggest getting AFLAC Supplemental Dental Insurance.

 

[GloryDawg]

If you pull it the top tooth will pull down causing other issues. I had one pulled while in Marine Corps. My unit was deploying and I could not deploy with them because of a cavity in back bottom tooth. The number 1 health issue during Vietnam was tooth decade. So the Marine Corps started giving ratings on your teeth if you can deploy or not. A root canal was going to be three weeks away. My unit was deploying in three days. They could pull it that day. I wasn't going to let my buddies go with out me. So I had them pull it.

 

[patdog]

Definitely get the root canal if the tooth can be saved. You might want to get a second opinion on that. I can strongly recommend Dr. Chad Stokes if you're in the Jackson area.

Edited to fix a completely wrong recommendation.

 

[The Peeper]

Same situation for me probably 10 years ago. Had the root canal ($700ish) and no problems since

 

[MSUGUY]

Pull it, I’ve had a long root canal on a back molar that eventually didn’t work but extracting the tooth solved all of the pain,

 

[Reunion Dog]

Get the implant. I had a root canal and it got infected and had to do emergency surgery at St. D. Literally almost died on the table. Ludwig Syndrome is REAL!!! It’s what cost George Washington his life….

 

[archdog]

That and the blood letting.

 

[jethreauxdawg]

I have multiple honorary degrees

You telling me a guy named jethreauxdawg has all his teeth?*****

I don’t want OP to have to live with this stigma.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

Right! He's not looking too good, better drain some more blood...

 

[Dawg1976]

I'll never do another root canal. Implants are the way to go for geezers. For a 33 y/o......not so sure.

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

I'm not a dentist and I didn't stay in a holiday inn express last night. Root canal hurt like a ***** but I still have a "tooth" and didn't have to do implant

 

[RocketDawg]

I'm not a dentist and I didn't stay in a holiday inn express last night. Root canal hurt like a ***** but I still have a "tooth" and didn't have to do implant

Pay a little extra for anesthesia and it doesn't hurt at all.

 

[Carlton31698]

I had a bad lower back tooth, got it pulled, they didn't tell me the tooth above that one will become a problem because it isn't help in place when your mouth is closed. Had to have it pulled later on. I would fix the tooth if you can.

 

[Carlton31698]

Also get a second opinion. Some of those chain dentist will push services on you that are not needed. This is who I use https://www.abraham.dental/ His son is the QB Jack Abraham great family.

 

[Beretta.sixpack]

Pull tooth, have it grafted. Come back and place implant in 3-4 months.

Got a big *** cavity in a tooth on the back lower left.

What would the pack do?

ETA I’m only 33. Age should play a factor here

Root Canal is pre implant therapy. You are going to lose the root canal at some point and then need an implant.

 

[Cousin Jeffrey]

Root Canal is pre implant therapy. You are going to lose the root canal at some point and then need an implant.

This.

Happened to me. I had a root canal with crown. Eventually, the tooth underneath the crown cracked and it had to be pulled. Now I have an implant.

Whether or not the OP has it pulled or has a root canal, it will likely eventually end up with an implant. If money is an issue and you want to kick the can down the road, go with the root canal now. Otherwise, just go ahead and have it pulled and start the implant process in the next couple of years.

 

[tmjdog]

Get advice from your dentist, but if it’s 3rd molar I’d go extraction. Anything else, root canal. Good luck. Hail State.

 

[BeardoMSU]

Is guillotine not an option?**

 

[Dawgtini]

Root canal and crown. If needed replace crown in a decade or two. If worse get and implant. At your age you may be able to get a bionic tooth by then.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

Had a front tooth, root canal

longer ago than I can say. I still have it. (while in college)

If a front tooth, get the root canal.

Back tooth, probably not, depends on your age.

 

[Msubulldogfan1]

Thanks for the advice guys. I’ve decided to get the prosthetic leg.

 

[Eleven Bravo]

Pull the SOB. End of story. If it’s in the back on the bottom, you’ll never miss it-other than the pain. I’m not sure about implants at this point-seems like a major ripoff at this point-on the other hand, I’m 67 years old these days. 17 a bunch of implants at $4000/tooth. A full set of dentures costs less than that/and there are a lot of great products that will hold dentures in place at this point lol

 

[archdog]

Implants you would never even notice once complete.

Also, you may miss that tooth in the back. Potato chips are sharp as hell.

 

[aTotal360]

Agreed. My implant is the best tooth in my head.

 

[bulldogcountry1]

Years ago, a dentist said I need a RC and crown to the tune of $3500 out of pocket. It was in the back and barely contacting the tooth above. I called him back to make sure that was the right call, and he was adamant.

Then, I got a second opinion, and he said to pull it. It ended up being $800, and that tooth hasn’t given me any trouble since.