Root canal or extraction?

[sze5003]

General dentists these days are much more prepared at doing all sorts of specialized procedures. Dental technology has advanced so much since you had your root canals. But it comes down to how good a dentist a dentist is. A good general dentist wouldn't have a problem doing a root canal. Honestly I am not sure I'd consider the OPs dentist to be a good dentist.

He did a good job on my front tooth when I chipped it. Put a porcelain extension on there and you can't even tell it's not my original tooth.

I don't remember going to another dentist when I was younger. I also don't remember how this problematic tooth ended up with a crown/cap...but my guess is they tried drilling a cavity out, things didn't go so well and the tooth was drilled down for a cap.

 

[esquared]

General dentists these days are much more prepared at doing all sorts of specialized procedures. Dental technology has advanced so much since you had your root canals. But it comes down to how good a dentist a dentist is. A good general dentist wouldn't have a problem doing a root canal. Honestly I am not sure I'd consider the OPs dentist to be a good dentist.

So you think a regular dentist can do them now in a single one hour visit? That's a lot of specialized equipment to have on hand to do that. Along with the staff to do so.

When my ex-general dentist did them around 2000-2001, it was either 2 or 3 visits to complete, one hour each time.

The endodonist I had, did the whole procedure in a hour. He had two assistants and he had all the specialized equipment associated with doing root canals. And this was 5 years ago.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

So you think a regular dentist can do them now in a single one hour visit? That's a lot of specialized equipment to have on hand to do that. Along with the staff to do so.

When my ex-general dentist did them around 2000-2001, it was either 2 or 3 visits to complete, one hour each time.

The endodonist I had, did the whole procedure in a hour. He had two assistants and he had all the specialized equipment associated with doing root canals. And this was 5 years ago.

I've been in and out in 20 minutes for a single root canal. Absolutely. Usual timing is 30-45 mins for a full root canal + metal crown.

 

[sze5003]

I believe regular dentists can do them it's just in my case I wasn't numbed properly. 7-8 years ago this started as a simple cavity. How I ended up with a cap on there now I have no clue but I know I went to a regular dentist not a specialist. They must have ground the tooth too much during the process.

Either I'm insensitive to anesthetics or I wasn't numbed properly a long time ago. The endodontist does not do crowns at least the one I'm going to on Monday doesn't. They only specialize in root canals which is why the price out of pocket if I do it there will be around $500 then they reccomend to go back to the dentist to get a crown put on.

Technically I'm going for a second opinion so if it were just a consultation I would only pay $60 but if the endodontist can assure me it can be done better than my dentist assured me then I would rather have the specialist perform the procedure. On their website they also list 2 other type of root canal surgeries that do not involve drilling into the tooth which my dentist did not tell me anything about.

I mean there has to be a reason why my dmd wants to charge me $275 out of pocket for a root canal vs the specialist's price.

 

[Wreckem]

So you think a regular dentist can do them now in a single one hour visit? That's a lot of specialized equipment to have on hand to do that. Along with the staff to do so.

When my ex-general dentist did them around 2000-2001, it was either 2 or 3 visits to complete, one hour each time.

The endodonist I had, did the whole procedure in a hour. He had two assistants and he had all the specialized equipment associated with doing root canals. And this was 5 years ago.

My general dentist did it in one visit. It took longer than a hour for the whole visit, but my general dentist did the crown prep work(including a made onsite temp porcelain crown) on top of doing just the root canal, plus a couple fillings. You still had to see your general dentist for the crown prep work which meant it still took you two visits.

Not every general dentist is cross trained in endo or oral surgery. But there are quality full service general dentists out there if you look around. Honestly it is the way dentistry is going. Its mostly older dentists that are specialized in one area. Most newer dentists are general dentists that have had extra training in specialized areas. They aren't specialists, but can do the work of specialists. The main reason for this is economics. A general dentist can complete training in oral surgery(or other areas) and then be able to do both the oral surgery and the general dentistry required for implants. Same goes for endo therapy and crowns.

 

[phucheneh]

Root canal, then extraction in 1-3 years. Everyone knows this.

A dentist is like a mechanic that will rebuild your engine. But do a poor job of it. Then tell you it's fucked and that you need a totally new one.

 

[Wreckem]

Root canal, then extraction in 1-3 years. Everyone knows this.

A dentist is like a mechanic that will rebuild your engine. But do a poor job of it. Then tell you it's fucked and that you need a totally new one.

Of all my root canals I've had done, I have never had to have one extracted and the oldest one is going on 17-18 years. You may need a new crowns every 7-10 years though. Just depends on the crowns workmanship, the age at which you got the crown, and how well you take care of your gums.

 

[sze5003]

I've heard most root canals last a long time. I really think this is a temporary crown or cap that I have in because it has a small hole in the top where you can see the silver filling or whatever is under. It's been on this molar since I was 17 or 18 and I'm 27 now so it lasted a while. Probably why the tooth is infected now or could be because it was an attempt to drill out the cavity/root canal and they didn't do it fully.

Besides friends and family how do you know who is good or not without going there ?

Maybe it's just my area that seems to have little reviews. I hope the root canal and crown works since I'll be able to partially pay for it with my tax refund. Otherwise I'll have to use credit cards and I hate keeping big balances on cards any time.

Only time I use cards is when there are 0% offers then I just pay it off without worry within the allotted time.

At the same time I do feel like dentists are the money grabbing docs. For most people that are healthy regular medical procedures don't cost this much or are pretty much covered with insurance. Next year I'm going to choose the enhanced dental plan even if it costs more because the only difference I found out is there is a higher deductible you are allowed to get to but everything else is the same.

I'm not even sure my employer offered the enhanced dental last year when I chose I think they changed benefits each year that I've been with the company.

 

[phucheneh]

Of all my root canals I've had done, I have never had to have one extracted and the oldest one is going on 17-18 years. You may need a new crowns every 7-10 years though. Just depends on the crowns workmanship, the age at which you got the crown, and how well you take care of your gums.

'You didn't brush your teeth three times a day' is the dentist go-to excuse for their shitty work being shitty. Seriously, who the fuck brushes their teeth in the middle of the day?

While I'm sure there are competent dentists out there, most are just terrible, and it's really an awful thing to have to deal with. Not to mention 'dental assistants,' who, along with pharmacy techs, are probably the #1 'Devry told me I would make lots of money if I went to school for this' profession.

Ugh.

 

[sze5003]

'You didn't brush your teeth three times a day' is the dentist go-to excuse for their shitty work being shitty. Seriously, who the fuck brushes their teeth in the middle of the day?

While I'm sure there are competent dentists out there, most are just terrible, and it's really an awful thing to have to deal with. Not to mention 'dental assistants,' who, along with pharmacy techs, are probably the #1 'Devry told me I would make lots of money if I went to school for this' profession.

Ugh.

My dentist's recent assistant seemed pretty incompetent. She had a hard time placing the pallets in my mouth for the xray. Then she couldn't line up the machine with the palettes to take the picture. The dentist came in and asked her to take more xrays and my mouth was sore as all hell.

After my cleaning she was given the task to polish my teeth. I think she was just lazy. She took this little electric toothbrush thing and began the procedure. Then she would stop and look at the tool, turn it on and off, place it on my teeth again and then she was like oh I can't your in too much pain. It's not going to work.

I was not in any pain I had no clue what she was talking about. Which is why I'm gonna go to this endodontist and not back to my dentist for this big process even though my dentist could possibly do everything including a crown.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

My dentist's recent assistant seemed pretty incompetent. She had a hard time placing the pallets in my mouth for the xray. Then she couldn't line up the machine with the palettes to take the picture. The dentist came in and asked her to take more xrays and my mouth was sore as all hell.

After my cleaning she was given the task to polish my teeth. I think she was just lazy. She took this little electric toothbrush thing and began the procedure. Then she would stop and look at the tool, turn it on and off, place it on my teeth again and then she was like oh I can't your in too much pain. It's not going to work.

I was not in any pain I had no clue what she was talking about. Which is why I'm gonna go to this endodontist and not back to my dentist for this big process even though my dentist could possibly do everything including a crown.

I feel the same way. A good dentist is so hard to find that doesn't charge you up the ass. I had one guy try to talk me into a deep cleaning for $1000 out of pocket when I went in cause my gums would bleed sometimes when brushing.

 

[sze5003]

I feel the same way. A good dentist is so hard to find that doesn't charge you up the ass. I had one guy try to talk me into a deep cleaning for $1000 out of pocket when I went in cause my gums would bleed sometimes when brushing.

Yea he may be cheaper in terms of prices but cheaper doesn't always mean better. I'm probably in this mess because he didn't or whoever did this tooth 8-9 years ago was being lazy or cut corners. If I had been numbed properly at that time I would not have had this issue today.

 

[sze5003]

Well I had the root canal done at the endodontist yesterday. He was very accommodating and he felt bad my dentist last couple years ago put a crown on and continued working on my tooth when I was in pain.

The procedure was pain free. He filled the canals with medicine and put a temporary filling on my crown. Told me to come back in two weeks to check it and then he will fill it with regular filling.

I'm back at the endo today though. I have what looks like a pimple on the outside of my chin below the area where the root canal took place. It is hard and feels pressured. It also is a bit painful. I called and they wanted me to come back in to have a doctor look at it.

I'm worried, this tooth is going to make me absolutely broke. I paid $450 out of pocket for the root canal. So my insurance is done for the year. Now I have to pay off that credit card and use another for whatever else needs done.

 

[NetWareHead]

Seriously, who the fuck brushes their teeth in the middle of the day?

I do and I also floss after even a snack. I floss with the the easy to carry flossers so I can even do it at my desk. Getting a wisdom tooth extraction and molar root canal with a full crown sure as hell changed my dental habits. You only have one set of teeth so take care of them as best as you can.

 

[sze5003]

After looking at the big bump on my chin, it can't be seen at all from within the mouth or by the tooth, the doctor prescribed me cyclomaxin (sp?) A stronger antibiotic than amoxicillin which I need to take 4 times a day. Going to go fill it tonite and just take it starting tomorrow morning.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I do and I also floss after even a snack. I floss with the the easy to carry flossers so I can even do it at my desk. Getting a wisdom tooth extraction and molar root canal with a full crown sure as hell changed my dental habits. You only have one set of teeth so take care of them as best as you can.

I am the same way now. I got an infection on my top wisdom tooth and I wanted to get it extracted. It's gonna cost me $450 out of pocket just for that one tooth. It doesn't hurt or bother me so I make sure I clean and brush that area every time now.

 

[sze5003]

I am the same way now. I got an infection on my top wisdom tooth and I wanted to get it extracted. It's gonna cost me $450 out of pocket just for that one tooth. It doesn't hurt or bother me so I make sure I clean and brush that area every time now.

Keep an eye on the infection. What happens is pressure will build up and you will have a bump on your top jaw line like I do on the bottom jaw.

Eventually the longer you wait the infection eats at your jaw bone. Mine is already in the bone a bit but they cleaned it out and left medicine in the area and in the canals. Now the bump has gotten bigger on my chin one day after the root canal.

Tooth doesn't hurt as there is no more nerve there but the bump makes it feel like it does, more pressure than anything.

My dentist would extract the tooth for me for $67 but my insurance is all used up on the root canal at the endodontist.

It's not a problem with the tooth being out it's that your while jaw over time gets screwed up if you don't get an implant or bridge.

I've heard of these infections still exist even after the tooth is out because it made itself down into the bone. I'm surprised how my tooth or what's left of it under the crown didn't get destroyed by the infection yet the infection made its way all the way past the tooth to the jaw area.

Edit: You mentioned wisdom tooth, they are useless anyway. You should be fine but do have it looked at regularly to see where the infection is going.

 

[Miramonti]

What side of the train tracks you live on generally determines this.

 

[Chapbass]

You may wish to see a specialist called an Endodontist. I have had 2 root canals and the one by the Endo was painless and well done.

Absolutely this. My gf had a root canal, i suggested she see an endodontist, she was expecting to feel miserable for the next like 2-3 days, she got out of there and was ready to go back to work immediately. She ended up taking the day just to be safe, but she felt great.

 

[sze5003]

I've started the cleomicin and woke up today with swelling still and pain plus the bump is still hard and looks like a blister or pimple on my chin line is about to pop. Ibuprofen is helping with the pain. I'm suprised this happens after the area has been cleaned out and while there is medicine in the canals still.

Not sure why they won't just give me a cat scan to make sure nothing funky is going on with the bone.

 

[sze5003]

Turns out the infection after it was cleaned from the molar spread through my cheek and in to my face. I had a huge pimple like abscess on my face. Had to go to an oral surgeon right away to get it cut and drained. Now I have a wick or some crap going through my face to let it drain.

Tooth is fine though and no pain anymore.

 

[uhohs]

Turns out the infection after it was cleaned from the molar spread through my cheek and in to my face. I had a huge pimple like abscess on my face. Had to go to an oral surgeon right away to get it cut and drained. Now I have a wick or some crap going through my face to let it drain.

Tooth is fine though and no pain anymore.

ouch, get well soon.

oh, and... pics? :whiste:

 

[sze5003]

Yeah it hurt like a mother when the surgeon was putting anesthetic in my face. I don't have any pics but I did have one I sent to a med school buddy who told me it was an abscess.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Keep an eye on the infection. What happens is pressure will build up and you will have a bump on your top jaw line like I do on the bottom jaw.

Eventually the longer you wait the infection eats at your jaw bone. Mine is already in the bone a bit but they cleaned it out and left medicine in the area and in the canals. Now the bump has gotten bigger on my chin one day after the root canal.

Edit: You mentioned wisdom tooth, they are useless anyway. You should be fine but do have it looked at regularly to see where the infection is going.

They just gave me anti-biotics and did a cleaning and it went away. I don't have any leftover bumps or anything.

For the past 4-5 years I became a once a day brusher in the morning only. Now I'm making a conscious effort to brush twice a day, floss, and rinse with listerine.

 

[sze5003]

They just gave me anti-biotics and did a cleaning and it went away. I don't have any leftover bumps or anything.

For the past 4-5 years I became a once a day brusher in the morning only. Now I'm making a conscious effort to brush twice a day, floss, and rinse with listerine.

Wow you are lucky. I'm suprised you have not had any issues. I never floss but I do use mouthwash and a good electric toothbrush with various toothpaste.

I'm on doxycycline now twice a day. This is the third antibiotic they have given me. I have no idea how the infection from my root canal got to an abscess on my cheek/jaw. It was ridiculous.

I need to pick up those floss sticks because I can't get in there with the string.