Cheapest Option At Dentist, Extraction or Root Canal?

[nirelandguy]

I got a tempory dressing last month, I am due back tomorrow to get it filled providing that the tempory filling took the pain away, if it didn't I would need root canal work done. Well it didn't, I've been living on Ibuprofen this past month. Is getting it taken out cheaper than root canal work? Its a big molar at the back and a private dentist, also what is easiest pain wise?

[xxlaurissaxx]

i got mine pulled out and although my mouuth was swollen on that side, it wasnt sore except a little bit when the anestheptic (sp)? wears offs but i just took anadin and was fine. mines was at the back too so no-one sees it and its alot easier on the purse too. xx

[Toothsmith]

This is a much much much more complicated question than 'what's cheapest'?

On the day, sat in the dental chair - having it out will be far cheaper than having it fixed.

BUT - what will the effect of loosing that tooth be on the rest of your mouth over the long term?

The options here are far too many and varied to go into without seeing your mouth. Even if I was your dentist, and could see your mouth, it would still be a long conversation.

You need to weigh up how broken the tooth is, the likelyhood of a successful root treatment and any necessary after-treatment such as a crown, against the need to replace that tooth should it come out and need replacing with a denture/bridge/implant against taking it out and leaving a gap and the possible adverse consequences of that.

It may well be that having the tooth out would cause no problems whatsoever, and so there's little point spending time and money having it fixed, or it could be that having it out would set off a spiral of events that resulted in more and more and dearer and dearer dental treatments.

You need to talk to your dentist - not us!!