Root Canal or Extraction on Upper Molar?!
Question: Root Canal or Extraction on Upper Molar?
She said the root canal with the crown will last about 10-15 years and I'm worried about the extraction because I don't know how it will affect my bite and don't know what kind of problems I will run into with both the options.
Answers:
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It seems like your dentist likes to try to save teeth if there is a reasonable chance of success. She probably thinks that the tooth structure is still strong despite the size of the present filling and decay. Saving the tooth is usually less expensive than extracting the tooth and placing an implant or fixed bridge. I know many people whose teeth have had a root canal and crown coverage over 20-30 years ago because of good oral hygiene.
Extraction is always an option for you. I would consider it only if the integrity of the tooth is weak and the chance of long term success is slim. If you extract the tooth and don't place anything in its place, the adjacent teeth may tilt into the place causing gum problems and malocclusion.
Extraction in any case is always the last choice.
The filling you had before was most probably temporary since you said it was white.
Teeth which are grossly decayed like yours need a permanent filling plus crowning to save it from getting fractured because the strength of your tooth is now compromised.
Filling and crowning is your best option while its still available.
if the tooth can be saved it'd save it....i actaully had that tooth extracted and its sort of a pain have to chew more bites now if im chewing on that side...but if you did get it extracted you can always put in a replacement tooth. As for the root canal on that tooth i have no experience so i can't help you there but its certainly the way i would of went if i had that choice...but good luck!