weighing my options

[redrose85]

I could either:

 

A: Get a root canal and crown done (about $1900)

 

B: Make an appointment with my doc to get the tooth pulled, for free or very little. (The tooth in question is the second molar in, on the top row.)

 

My boyfriend says that if I just got it pulled, we could buy me a new tooth (meaning implant) later on. This tooth isn't one that shows when I smile, so getting it pulled wouldn't be so bad from a cosmetic standpoint. I'm having trouble deciding... that would be an odd spot to have a hole... I am leaning more towards getting it pulled.

[Cognitive_Canine]

If you get it pulled, you'd have to get it replaced soon or else the bottom tooth that lines up with it may develope problems.

[dreamwarrior]

I could either:

 

A: Get a root canal and crown done (about $1900)

 

B: Make an appointment with my doc to get the tooth pulled, for free or very little. (The tooth in question is the second molar in, on the top row.)

 

My boyfriend says that if I just got it pulled, we could buy me a new tooth (meaning implant) later on. This tooth isn't one that shows when I smile, so getting it pulled wouldn't be so bad from a cosmetic standpoint. I'm having trouble deciding... that would be an odd spot to have a hole... I am leaning more towards getting it pulled.

 

 

Never pull your original teeth !!!! Implants are more costly, takes months to heal once they insert the post, before they put in the tooth, and nothing is better than your original teeth.

[redrose85]

but it's a terrible, mean tooth anyways.

[Cognitive_Canine]

but it's a terrible, mean tooth anyways.

 

But, it's your, terrible mean tooth.

 

A root canal is basically a fake tooth anyway.

 

It no longer has feeling and is basically a dead tooth filled with a plastic like standin for a root.

[greensleeves]

Keep your original tooth if at all possible. I think you might regret it later if you don't.

[alli]

You should ask your dentist how much an implant would cost. I think it would cost more than the 1900 for a root canal & crown. And you don't want to leave that open space there because your other teeth WILL shift to fill that open space, and that will not be attractive to get gaps everywhere else! And you lose that bone structure in your jaw with nothing there to hold things in place. You know that stereotypical old man bite, where they have a sunken jaw? Yeah, that isn't because they are old men. It is because they had all their teeth pulled & over time they lost all the structure of their jaw.

 

When I had a crown, my dentist initially put a dark-silverish colored crown until my porcelain crown was made. It wasn't actually silver but I can't remember what metal it was made of. Later I had to get a root canal anyway. But I remember that non-tooth colored crown was more comfortable than the porcelain crown. I'm not sure if those can be used long-term as mine was intended to be temporary anyway, but I am certain it was cheaper than a porcelain. If your tooth is in the back of your mouth that is not very visible anyway, ask about getting one of those as a cheaper alternative.

 

You don't have dental insurance?

[redrose85]

I do, but it's only $500 coverage per year and it's just about spent.

The filling you're talking about is probably amalgam. I just know whatever I get, I want it to be strong.

 

You all make some pretty convincing pro-tooth arguments.

[PrincessBOT]

Unfortunately I've had three crowns and two root canals. I've had three 3 teeth pulled, but only because they wisdom teeth that got cavities and not worth the pain and money. The other teeth I got the root canals and crowns and one I didn't even get the root canal just the crown.

 

Btw, I know it may seem like I have a ragged mouth, but all were in the back, I have great front teeth, and even get compliments, lol.

[amberche]

Unfortunately I've had three crowns and two root canals. I've had three 3 teeth pulled, but only because they wisdom teeth that got cavities and not worth the pain and money.

 

 

I had my wisdom teeth pulled out as well... it was the best and painless decision ever. I wouldn't do that too any other tooth in my mouth though. Maybe go to another dentist and get a second opinion about the prices.

[dreamwarrior]

I see you live in Canada and from what I heard you get free medical...I am not sure about dental...but if you can go to a dental school it would be cheaper, they would save your tooth, and believe me they do a great job because it's for their license not to mention there are specialists they over see every move they make...they also take most insurances, and have payment plans, sliding fees based on your income.

 

Anything is better than losing a tooth.

[greensleeves]

We do get free medical here in Canada, but unfortunately dental is not included in that.

[Ellie2006]

If you get it pulled, you'd have to get it replaced soon or else the bottom tooth that lines up with it may develope problems.

 

I agree w/ Debaser_wolf; my mom developed serious dental issues when she got her tooth pulled, which messed up her alignment (?)

 

And I think the debate about implants are still going on.

 

I think it's better to be on the safe side and go w/ option A.

[redrose85]

I think so too. Thanks guys for your very helpful input. I can come up with the money, I'll just have to remember that a vacation can happen another time, as can buying a car.

 

Thank goodness for free medical. Once the pain started wearing off from my trip to hospital this weekend, I started worrying about what it was going to cost me, and I was told that it wouldn't cost anything. What a relief!