About to have 3rd inlay in 7 months - options if it fails?

beckstar1975

My first molar (lower)has lost about 1/3 due to a crack and failed filling. I had an inlay put on last July, it fell out in December. I had a replacement put in in January (as under warranty thankfully), this fell out a fortnight ago as another part of my tooth fell out so the inlay then came out.

I've had a further impression taken and due to have it placed later this week. The temp filling (which went under the gum) lasted 3 days and the nerve is exposed making eating and drinking v tricky.

I grind/clench my teeth, and just don't have a good feeling about this (I have a new guard for nighttime once the inlay is in place).

Dentist has said that my options are root canal or extraction then implant if this fails, as I am already missing three molars on the other side (one upper two lower and no wisdom teeth). I am currently finding eating quite tricky due to all these gaps!

Anyone gone through similar and managed to save the tooth? Or experience of grinding/clenching with implant? I would only be able to afford one so would get it on the side with the rest of the teeth intact, and it's the furthest forward thus the most noticeable anyway