WWYD: Dentist Related

[sadlebred]

(Warning: This will get deleted.)

I have a molar that has a cavity that was filled years ago. It now has a giant cavity right over a nerve as well as decay on the outside. It could just need a deep filling, which would be near the root and could cause pain. It might need a root canal and crown at that point now/in a few weeks/months. My dentist said he wouldn't know until he got in there. Even if the filling worked, it would need a crown in a year b/c of the decay on the outside and maybe a root canal down the road. Every root canal and/or crown I've ever had has cracked, failed, gotten infected, or some combination thereof within 2 years. They have all been replaced by implants. With my dental insurance, a dental implant or crown/root canal are about the same price. The filling is a $100 copay. My options are:

1. Get the filling and take my chances.
2. Get a root canal and crown now.
3. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, and go straight for the extraction and implant.

My wonderful oral surgeon recommends #3. My dentist recommends #1 and/or #2.

WWYD?

[bostonmichelle]

#3.

I hate getting fillings so getting a filling, then root canal/crown sounds like torture. And if you are going to end up with an implant I think why pay for a partial fix now when its the same price as the root canal/crown. If the root canal/crown was cheaper I may do that and the implant later but not if they are the same price and you think you'll end up there in just 2 years.

[lb2006]

#3 - my mom has been a hygienist for the past 37 years and always recommends #3 if a person has had recurring issues or problems with crowns. In the end, you'll have to do the implant anyways (most likely), so i would do it now.

[stephm0188]

3, for sure.

[katandkevin]

#3

[kams]

#3

I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

[osulori]

#3

[oliviapope]

3. Root canals are a whole lot trouble for not enough pay off. I will never ever get another root canal.

[ktzmoh]

I'd do #3. Good luck!

[Deleted]

#3

[bluedaisyus]

After having just dealt with something similar (tooth with crown failed, so extraction but no implant since it's the very back top tooth), I would go with #3.

[judyramone]

Ugh, I'm so sorry. # 3. I had a bad root canal that I'm currently sorting out. I'll also likely choose # 3.

[juliabug]

I only opened this thread because I thought it was about reginaphalange72 's dentist.

[reginaphalange72]

Aug 27, 2015 23:53:05 GMT -5 juliabug said:

I only opened this thread because I thought it was about reginaphalange72 's dentist.

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

I would go #3. That sucks. Sending you speedy recovery vibes!

[cupcake0214]

I had a similar issue had they do # 2 and eventually end of # 3. I would just do #3.

[compassrose]

I have no advice, but wanted to offer sympathy. Teeth issues are torture.

[Deleted]

3 for sure. H had 2 root canals that were done well even, but eventually the teeth were pulled due to a huge cyst in his upper jaw because the root canal wasn't complete (and honestly, that happens way too often, once decay is there it's hard to get rid of entirely IMO).