Root Canal

Daisies

So I went for a check up and have been told I need a root canal on my upper left molar due to an abscess on the root. The dentist is referring me to someone but I'm wondering what my options are. A root canal + a filling + a possible crown will set me back over €1,000. Do I have any other options?

What would the benefit of having the root canal vs removing the tooth be? I'm not in any pain and just have a slight swelling in my upper pallat.

Fishorsealant

Root canal treatment , definitely strong indication for crown on molar tooth.

Extraction of tooth
Replace tooth using bridge/implant/partial denture
Don't fill gap

Do nothing

If you have periapical pathology from pulpal causes these are the main choices.

If you remove the tooth it needs to be replaced. If you don't teeth will over erupt and tilt into the space, which may cause problems if you do decide to replace later. Bone levels won't be preserved either.

Root canals in turn aren't always successful , prob 75-85% , higher if done by specialist.

If you crown the tooth , then this restoration won't be life long either.

Rct is as successful as extract and replace. It depends on the case.
Discuss with your dentist.

Daisies

Fishorsealant wrote: »

Root canal treatment , definitely strong indication for crown on molar tooth.

Extraction of tooth
Replace tooth using bridge/implant/partial denture
Don't fill gap

Do nothing

If you have periapical pathology from pulpal causes these are the main choices.

And what are the benefits of one treatment route vs another? Sorry but my dentist hasn't given me very much information at all.

Fishorsealant

See my earlier post. Both have advantages and disadvantages depending on the particular case.

Daisies

Fishorsealant wrote: »

See my earlier post. Both have there advantages and disadvantages depending on the particular case.

Ah ok, I replied before you edited. Thanks

cf52

I can't think of any "benefit" in having what is potentially a difficult extraction done, other than on your pocket. Loss of this powerful tooth leads to loss of use of two teeth - the one below is now largely redundant , the biting forces generated by our back teeth amount to 70%+ of our chewing force , so there is not much "upside" You have already been pretty well briefed on the consequences of removal - loss of function for me is the biggest disadvantage. Appearance may come in to it, but loss of the bone in the jaw becomes continual over time, such that it may prove v problematic to actually get an implant into the jaw if left too long...also, the sinus floor expands down into the extraction site, causing the same issue as the bone loss due to the extraction, a double whammy if you like.
Root canal treatment of this particular 1st adult molar is as challenging as it gets for a dentist, there are usually 4 canals, so in effect you are having 4 separate root canal treatment procedures...
You don't have to rush into a crown immediately either. An orthodontic band cemented around the tooth will help keep it from catastrophic breakage, but you would need to look towards a crown

Daisies

cf52 wrote: »

I can't think of any "benefit" in having what is potentially a difficult extraction done, other than on your pocket. Loss of this powerful tooth leads to loss of use of two teeth - the one below is now largely redundant , the biting forces generated by our back teeth amount to 70%+ of our chewing force , so there is not much "upside" You have already been pretty well briefed on the consequences of removal - loss of function for me is the biggest disadvantage. Appearance may come in to it, but loss of the bone in the jaw becomes continual over time, such that it may prove v problematic to actually get an implant into the jaw if left too long...also, the sinus floor expands down into the extraction site, causing the same issue as the bone loss due to the extraction, a double whammy if you like.
Root canal treatment of this particular 1st adult molar is as challenging as it gets for a dentist, there are usually 4 canals, so in effect you are having 4 separate root canal treatment procedures...
You don't have to rush into a crown immediately either. An orthodontic band cemented around the tooth will help keep it from catastrophic breakage, but you would need to look towards a crown

Thanks for this detailed reply. Makes more sense to me now

bananaskin

Hey Guys,
Similar to OP, I need RCT and a Crown on Lower Molar due to irreversible pulpitis.
Not too crazy about having the RCT/Crown, only options I can see is Exraction of Tooth or Extraction and Implant.
I have researched long term effects of missing teeth, chewing, gapping, jaw issues etc, are these real issues?
From what I can see implants are a better solution to Bridges but more expensive.
Im thinking of getting tooth extracted this week and then in New year get an implant, Any advice welcomed?

cf52

Best implant is the tooth God gave you , if it can be saved at all , I'd go that road . I mentioned previously the downsides to extraction. Implants are prone to some problems too . Your age ?

bananaskin

cf52 wrote: »

Best implant is the tooth God gave you , if it can be saved at all , I'd go that road . I mentioned previously the downsides to extraction. Implants are prone to some problems too . Your age ?

Thanks cf52
41, RCT and crowns also prone to problems, the tooth is heavily filled as it is

cf52

Heavily filled teeth are most commonly associated with needing rct for sure. Pulp/nerve tissue becomes progressively invaded by waves of bacteria, and in the end, the immune system is overwhelmed - pain and not able to self heal.
Find someone happy to take on the root canal, an endodontist will by a distance cost most but will give the best result. An orthodontic band cemented around the tooth will support it indefintely so it might not crack disasterously. RCT is highly successful. It's a free country.

Foxtrot Tango

I have a heavily filled lower back molar that needs rct and then a crown. I've been quoted 750euro for the rct with a specialist endodontist and 800euro for the crown with my dentist. Searching the web I find some very modern looking practices quoting much lower for both. They look good on the web boasting all of the latest techniques and technology. One is offering free consultation. Any views on these practices ? I'm in Dublin as are all of the practices mentioned. Is it a false economy to stray away from long established endodontists / family dentist combo ? thanks

bananaskin

I went ahead with RCT last week, about an hour for the treatment, temporary filling in place till mid January then the roots filled and crown after that. I paid 350 for first stage, been told the total would be about 1400, but fact I didn't have to pay all up front influenced my decision to get the RCT and crown. I had actually gone into the dentist determined to get tooth extracted but decided against it as I figured if tooth could be saved, save it, I had a molar tooth extracted last year(was too bad for RCT) and tbh miss it now as I tend to chew on the opposite side. Also, I have other teeth filled and I may not be able to save those, so figure keep as many as I can .

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Nothing is more valuable than your teeth, a good decision.

cf52

Yep, and when you lose one to extraction, you mainly lose the use of two, and with the back molars taking over 60% of the bite force on chewing, it adds up .

davo10

Foxtrot Tango wrote: »

I have a heavily filled lower back molar that needs rct and then a crown. I've been quoted 750euro for the rct with a specialist endodontist and 800euro for the crown with my dentist. Searching the web I find some very modern looking practices quoting much lower for both. They look good on the web boasting all of the latest techniques and technology. One is offering free consultation. Any views on these practices ? I'm in Dublin as are all of the practices mentioned. Is it a false economy to stray away from long established endodontists / family dentist combo ? thanks

Some general dentists are fantastic at root canals, but for the most part, endodontists will do the treatment to a higher standard. You may save money by going to a clinic with an impressive website, but the treatment may not be quite the same as that provided by an endodontist. I have a lot of experience doing root canals and a low failure rate on those I do, but like many dentists I recognise my limitations and regularly refer to endodontists/periodontists/oral surgeons/prosthodontists.

texas star

davo10 wrote: »

Some general dentists are fantastic at root canals, but for the most part, endodontists will do the treatment to a higher standard. You may save money by going to a clinic with an impressive website, but the treatment may not be quite the same as that provided by an endodontist. I have a lot of experience doing root canals and a low failure rate on those I do, but like many dentists I recognise my limitations and regularly refer to endodontists/periodontists/oral surgeons/prosthodontists.

.

Is there any way of knowing a dentist is good at root canals?Ive been advised if sensitivity remains in back molar root canal is the way to go but I'm worried sick it might not work.Im just out of dentist have to wait till needle wears off.Im so glad I found this thread..

helimachoptor

texas star wrote: »

.

Is there any way of knowing a dentist is good at root canals?Ive been advised if sensitivity remains in back molar root canal is the way to go but I'm worried sick it might not work.Im just out of dentist have to wait till needle wears off.Im so glad I found this thread..

Go to an Endodontist, they are specialised, so likely they are more competent doing these as they are doing them on a daily basis rather than 1 a week or a month.

pink100

Hi Just trying to make same decision about root canal, I am about an hour from Derry so wondering should I go cross the border or is it easier to stick to local dentist if things go wrong. i.e. getting time off work etc.

bananaskin

Hey pink100,
You will prob save money but for me distance was too far.
Benefit of going someone near by is that for any issues help is close by.
I had temporary dressing come out of my tooth and my dentist had me in first thing next morning and also one of my canals was still infected after first treatment, pain was desperate, again my dentist seen me straight away. I wouldn't have fancied an hour drive with pain I was experiencing.
So glad I went through with it as had a tooth that couldn't be saved on other side and it's only now I realise how much I am chewing on my good side.
Good luck

ohnonotgmail

pink100 wrote: »

Hi Just trying to make same decision about root canal, I am about an hour from Derry so wondering should I go cross the border or is it easier to stick to local dentist if things go wrong. i.e. getting time off work etc.

it will probably take 3 visits for the root canal. Only you can judge if that is worth the difference in price.

uck51js9zml2yt

I got a root canal redone this year. Went to an endodontist. The difference in standard was significant.