Pain After Root Canal - Extraction or Crown? So Confused

[KBoy420]

Hi All. Just found this forum, hoping to get some opinions. First and foremost, I hate going to the dentist and have severe anxiety about going, which has resulted in poor dental hygiene. Here's my problem:

Severe tooth pain in late-2013. Long story short, RC procedure was required and done in Sept. 2013. Temporary filling remained because I forgot to have a crown put on. Anyway, 2 years went by, things were fine. Now I am getting dull pain sporadically.

Went to my general dentist, he said go back to endodontist. Went back, they said it appears there is a crack, but not sure if the crack goes all the way through or just on the one face. Since they are a specialist and they performed the RC, they feel a 2nd RC procedure would not be effective. Suggest extraction - but they don't do extractions.

Go back to my general dentist with the news, he said he can do an extraction, but no implant or cosmetic work. Wants to refer me to another specialist somewhere else.

Now maybe I'm just frustrated being passed around from dentist to dentist, but this is costing so much money already and I am still having issues.

Can anyone make a recommendation? It's a molar on the top left side, think #14. Any idea of cost of an implant? Would it do anything to get it crowned now? Thanks.

 

[Belinda]

Hi All. Just found this forum, hoping to get some opinions. First and foremost, I hate going to the dentist and have severe anxiety about going, which has resulted in poor dental hygiene. Here's my problem:

Severe tooth pain in late-2013. Long story short, RC procedure was required and done in Sept. 2013. Temporary filling remained because I forgot to have a crown put on. Anyway, 2 years went by, things were fine. Now I am getting dull pain sporadically.

Went to my general dentist, he said go back to endodontist. Went back, they said it appears there is a crack, but not sure if the crack goes all the way through or just on the one face. Since they are a specialist and they performed the RC, they feel a 2nd RC procedure would not be effective. Suggest extraction - but they don't do extractions.

Go back to my general dentist with the news, he said he can do an extraction, but no implant or cosmetic work. Wants to refer me to another specialist somewhere else.

Now maybe I'm just frustrated being passed around from dentist to dentist, but this is costing so much money already and I am still having issues.

Can anyone make a recommendation? It's a molar on the top left side, think #14. Any idea of cost of an implant? Would it do anything to get it crowned now? Thanks.

Hello KBoy420
First, hating going to the dentist is not a reason for poor oral hygiene. If you dislike dentistry (who doesn't?), you should be fanatical about good oral hygiene - it's the one thing that will make dentists unnecessary!
If you spent money on on a root canal specialist and then failed to have the tooth restored, you have no one to blame but yourself. A root canal will inevitably leak and fail if not sealed at the 'open end' with a crown. This is necessary in almost all cases.
If the tooth is cracked down the root, it cannot be treated again as the crack will leak and the RC will fail again.
The best option from what you say is an implant supported crown.
When I was in specialist practice my fee was £1250 to place the implant and £1500 for the subsequent crown restoration.
You can pay less but you generally get what you pay for in life and buying cheap often ends up being very costly in the long run. My advice would be to find someone with a lot of experience and a very good reputation - and be prepared to pay. Also it is a good idea to have the dentist placing the implant also extract the tooth as this has to be done with great care so as to preserve the bone.

 

[PlacidWay-US]

Hi @KBoy420 i understand your situation and it is really frustrating to go meet different dentist just to solve your dental problem. I can only suggest that if you find it hard in your local dentist or in your country to have dental work in just one clinic then try having it done abroad. As far as i know there are a lot of good team of dentist in other countries like in Costa Rica or in Mexico. Maybe you should do more research and don't just stick to your dentist who did nothing Good luck to you!