Root Canal or Extraction ?

[RWS]

Considering my higher risk category for endocarditis , im wondering if there is any advantage just getting a tooth extracted, infection and all than dealing with trying to cure the infection and having a root canal ? I ended up with endocarditis once from this exact situation. However, that was the old valve and Doc keeps telling me the old valve was a magnet for bacterium and I should not automatically expect the same. Extraction sounds safer to me, any thoughts?

 

[Ross]

You run about the same risk of infection either way. Of course, you should be premedicated no matter what, but it really doesn't make much difference whether it's extracted or canaled.

 

[tobagotwo]

I can certainly understand why you'd be gun-shy about infections in the mouth. If it's an infection, you're probably already on an antibiotic for this, right? I hope so.

I believe that once the infection is in the nerve, it has a pathway right through the tooth. As such, it would seem that you'd have to deal with the infection either way.

Check that out with your dentist. If it's so, you'd likely not gain much safety by giving away the whole tooth.

With the root canal, you get to keep a tooth, which can be a great thing. Not a fun process, though.

Best wishes,

Best wishes,

 

[Granbonny]

If the tooth is in the far back..why not extract it? I had a loose one 2 months ago..and the doctor just pulled it. I can still smile and it cannot be seen. However, it was on the bottom. I'm dreading if any of my top ones get loose. I would hate to have a redneck gap showing when I smile. Bonnie

 

[geebee]

Randy,
From someone who has multiple crowns, bridges, veneers & root canals. I will always vote for keeping the tooth providing the dentist can assure me that the infection will be cleared up by the root canal.
For root canals I have had done after there was clear signs of infection (swelling, pain, etc.) I have been put on an antibiotic regimen for a number of days prior to the root canal, regular dental premeds the day of the RC & the rest of the regimen after.
It has always cleared up infections and I have managed (so far) to keep my teeth (although some are vampire points under the veneers ).
Hope this helps.

 

[Nancy]

All other things being equal, it's always better to keep your own teeth.

I've had probably seven root canals in my life. The last one was terrific. I went in at 1:00 PM, and left at 3:30 PM, all done in one setting, and it was a molar.

I am a good patient though and can even hypnotize myself in the chair, but still it was NOTHING like the earlier ones I've had which took place over several days.

Root canals have improved a lot.

I also have a small bridge, it looks good, but it's not my own. Just couldn't save them.

Try to save your own if possible.

 

[SHerrin Hutt]

I vot e for keeping your teeth as long as you can. I have root canal and recently two abess teeth that had to be pulled and belive me that is no fun.

 

[buschlight]

I vote for the root canal. I have had 5 root canals (on 5 different days), and I fell asleep during 2 of them, they were all performed with no drugs other than novacaine (& of course the prophylactic antiobiotic). I have also had a tooth extracted, and I would, honest to god, go through OHS over again before willingly having another tooth extracted, it hurt that bad!

Of course, I realize everyone is different. I know people who have had the exact opposite experiences with root canals & extractions. The extraction will be a lot quicker & a lot cheaper, if those are considerations at all.

 

[joy]

You know, I have had experiences with both, and will have many with root canals. i am trying to keep my own teeth, I need 13 more root canals done(due to my addiction to soda) and am going to have them done in about 5 settings. We do them one quadrant at a time. I also have a lot of cavities, etc...I have four months to get them done and will end up owing my dentist about $13,000-20,000 dollars for my whole mouth to be done. It's worth it though...Just tell your dentist all your health issues. I had 4 extractionsdone, and had a heck of a time with them...I had IV antibiotics, with the 14 day proflactic med so I didn't end up with endocarditis...It is just NOT fun! Try to keep your own teeth, and NO SODA!