Extractions/Sedation/ Root Canal Question

[Dental_Forum_RP]

Have been diagnosed with cracked tooth, lower right molar #31, (likely caused by grinding). I feel slight pain only when chewing. Although the office has offered a treatment plan of crown + possible root canal, it is not covered by insurance.

I will likely choose extraction.

Due to financial constraints and limited insurance, I do not have much choice in choice of Dentists and sedation. The office does not offer IV sedation.

1. Are all Dentists generally competent to handle extractions? It is pretty straightforward?

Among the different types of dentists (General, Endodontist, Oral Surgeon) who generally does the extractions? I am not getting a clear answer when I call the dental office as the receptionists are not helpful. (Note: I am not able to easily change offices due to very limited choices in insurance plan).

They say something about the "specialists" only come in every few weeks or so for extractions. There is a revolving door of dentists coming in and out so I don't know who I will get.

2. Sedation for extraction.

The office does not offer IV sedation. Several years ago I had extraction under IV sedation and it was comfortable. Do not remember anything... Is there any reason why the office would not offer IV sedation? Is IV typically only used by oral surgeons?

Reading the other posts here, it seems that numbing is comfortable and extraction will be tolerable. But I am still nervous and would prefer IV sedation.


3. If I choose the crown option instead of extraction:


I am not sure WHEN the root canal, if necessary, is performed. Dentist mentioned that since my pain was not constant (typical root canal infection symptom), root canal may not be required.

Will they typically put on a temp crown and watch the result for few months. If the pain does not go away, do they then go back and perform the root canal? Or will they generally perform the root canal, if needed, at the time of installing temp crown?

 

[HLundquist]

Both my teeth that are needing RCT do not have constant pain -in fact, none at all. One is a cracked (on top, broke off a part of the top of the tooth eating chinese food..lol...an old filled tooth) and that's a left back lower tooth, and the other is a front lower tooth that's slightly crooked. I have sensitive teeth all around, so I have grown up using sensodyne.

So just an FYI, teeth needing RCT do not always exhibit pain. Mostly sensitivity. Going in to do the 1st RCT tomorrow morning ..no sedation (even tho they offer the pill, nitrous (gas) and IV)... just asking to get super numbed up.

 

[Dental_Forum_RP]

Both my teeth that are needing RCT do not have constant pain -in fact, none at all. One is a cracked (on top, broke off a part of the top of the tooth eating chinese food..lol...an old filled tooth) and that's a left back lower tooth, and the other is a front lower tooth that's slightly crooked. I have sensitive teeth all around, so I have grown up using sensodyne.

So just an FYI, teeth needing RCT do not always exhibit pain. Mostly sensitivity. Going in to do the 1st RCT tomorrow morning ..no sedation (even tho they offer the pill, nitrous (gas) and IV)... just asking to get super numbed up.

In my case the severity of the crack is not visible on x-ray and will only be known after drilling...

Assuming the crack indicates that tooth is save-able, I am not sure if the root canal (if necessary) is typically performed at the initial procedure, or is performed after crown is placed. If it is performed later, I think that
would mean the crown has to be taken apart and initial crown procedure is all a waste.

 

[FearfulInMA]

I'm not sure what the normal order would be, but if you need to have a root canal after a crown is placed, it can often be done through the crown (so the crown doesn't need to be replaced). You may also find out while the temp crown is on that a root canal is necessary (if you have a lot of pain with the temp). In this case, the temp can be easily taken off, the root canal done, and the temp put back on.