Is it irresponsible to hold onto a tooth?

amandstu · 23-07-2021 12:16pm #1

My dentist has recommended extraction but I am loathe to part with it yet.

If I keep it the chances are it may (=will definitely?) flare up again and I will have to presumably follow another course of antibiotics prior to its inevitable extraction.

Is it irresponsible to make such a plan involving a probable second course of antibiotics that we are supposed to be cutting down on and only using as a last recourse?

markmoto · 29-07-2021 10:01am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058200402/is-it-irresponsible-to-hold-onto-a-tooth

Go to another one for second opinion to make up your mind.

delboythedub · 29-07-2021 10:07am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058200402/is-it-irresponsible-to-hold-onto-a-tooth

could you put a Crown in place of it .I did something simular

amandstu · 29-07-2021 1:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117677231#Comment_117677231

I think once it is broken down to the gum line that crowns are not an option (nor root canals as I have understood it,)

My hope is to keep flossing and salt washing it on a regular basis and get a few years out of it.

But if it will flare up with another abscess(the infection is probably there at a very low level) in a matter of months or weeks then it seems pointless to persevere with it ...and I don't want to abuse antibiotics unnecessarily.

My dentist seems pretty definite about extraction being the only option and says I should be able to cope with the gap as I have the same tooth missing on the other side.

I don't envisage spending a lot of money on the whole thing