I am really struggling to make a decision here. I had root canal on first molar (no crown) about 15 years ago and it’s done well since then. I have recently switched dentist about a year ago. New dentist keeps looking at this tooth and questioning its longevity. The X-ray shows a grey area around one of the roots which I believe is an infection. I am not getting any pain. Dentist has said either a root canal redone (which he said 50% success likely) or an extraction.
I am really worried about the extraction in case it is visible or changes face shape. Is this likely? The top first molar is directly above and has a high likelihood of over growing in to the space. What is the likelihood of the repercussions of this? Will I eventually lose this tooth too? I am worried about a domino effect of more teeth ending up extracted.
I don’t want to sit through a root canal repeat unnecessarily but I tend to think that if tooth not broken and not giving pain, it seems a bit eager to just take it out? I am really not keen to have implant and even less keen for bridge as worried about damaging neighbouring teeth.
Hoping for any advice? Any stories of first molar extractions that have been fine afterwards with just a gap? Dentist says now that I can leave a gap. But I suspect one tooth is out he will start suggesting an implant.
I am really worried about the extraction in case it is visible or changes face shape. Is this likely? The top first molar is directly above and has a high likelihood of over growing in to the space. What is the likelihood of the repercussions of this? Will I eventually lose this tooth too? I am worried about a domino effect of more teeth ending up extracted.
I don’t want to sit through a root canal repeat unnecessarily but I tend to think that if tooth not broken and not giving pain, it seems a bit eager to just take it out? I am really not keen to have implant and even less keen for bridge as worried about damaging neighbouring teeth.
Hoping for any advice? Any stories of first molar extractions that have been fine afterwards with just a gap? Dentist says now that I can leave a gap. But I suspect one tooth is out he will start suggesting an implant.
