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Molar infection, extraction or root canal?

E

Escarole

Junior member
Joined
Sep 17, 2021
Messages
9
Location
Spain
Hi, I 'm having a hard time because I have an infection in the 16 molar. It has hurt a lot, 3 days of antibiotics and supposed to take it out or root canal. I wouldn't like to lose it but I'm so afraid of the root canal procedure that I'm thinking about telling de dentist to just take it out. But then I' m afraid of the other teeth moving and deteriorating. I just don't want to go through this anymore, and I think the extraction is better in terms of reinfections and post procedure pain.

I'm also afraid of the root canal procedure because I don't see myself capable of being with the mouth wide open for such a long time (1 hour??) because I sometimes have some jaw problems.I need to move it, open and close it, otherwise I have to go to the phisitherapist to fix all the pain around neck, jaw etc. I would like something quick and with no Risk of infection.

Another great fear is the possibility of sepsis through the root canal procedure, spreading or hiding the infection under the molar. I don't see the sedation as a option because with colonoscopy I didn't have a nice experience, because that medication os like It makes me sleepy but at the same time It doesn't allow me to sleep, It's like It makes me agitated at the same time. I don't know if there's another option for sedation.

Please I would like to hear some advice about all these fears
 
Try reading some of the FAQs already here, then feel free to ask about anything you need clarified.
 
Hi, you may like these pages:



There is no risk of sepsis with either root canal treatment or extraction.

A bite block might help a little with the jaw problem and keeping your mouth open for a long time (@Gordon or anyone else - any other tips?).

If you’re concerned about reinfection, then getting a specialist endodontist to do the root canal treatment would give it the best chance of success (obviously, check their reputation and reviews as you would with any dentist).
 
I also have some TMJ problems and was very worried about my jaw during my two root canals. I just asked for breaks so I could rest my jaw or open and close my mouth. The endodontist was very accommodating and I got through two root canals (on the same day!) without problems. Just let your dentist know what’s up and you will do fine.
 
I didn't know they let you rest and move your mouth.. Thank you!
 
Two root canals the same day? WoW! And how was your experience afterwards? A lot of pain?
 
Yep! Luckily, they were both on the same side of my mouth. No pain afterwards, except where they placed one of the injections. I ended up with an abrasion that took about a week to heal.
 
Ok, thank you for answering
 
I've had two teeth pulled because I didn't want a root canal and I am now sorry. I have had two root canals in my life and there wasn't much difference in getting a filling -- it just takes a little longer.
 
Are root canals advised on molar teeth? My one dentist told me that she wouldn’t recommend a root canal on a molar tooth due to the high possibility of it failing ? Not sure if this is correct or not ? ? I’m facing the same problem as you. Last Remaining molar on bottom has been hurting for 11 months. Now facing possible extraction as I don’t know if a root canal will even solve the problem? As the dentist seems a bit uncertain as to whether or not it is irreversible pulpits in the molar, or because of my severe TMJ. X rays done back in December didn’t show any infection. But I’m waiting to see my dentist next Friday for a review on this molar. I’ve also seen an endondontist who couldn’t see any significant issues with the tooth, but now they’re not sure , so I guess more X Rays to determine what is happening. I had 2 molars pulled last year, one healed absolutely fine , the other developed dry socket, and now I have pain in the extraction site every day even though it’s healed. So I suppose there’s risks with both procedures. I hope you get it sorted one way or the other.
 
Are root canals advised on molar teeth? My one dentist told me that she wouldn’t recommend a root canal on a molar tooth due to the high possibility of it failing ? Not sure if this is correct or not ? ? I’m facing the same problem as you. Last Remaining molar on bottom has been hurting for 11 months. Now facing possible extraction as I don’t know if a root canal will even solve the problem? As the dentist seems a bit uncertain as to whether or not it is irreversible pulpits in the molar, or because of my severe TMJ. X rays done back in December didn’t show any infection ? But I’m waiting to see my dentist next Friday for a review on this molar. I’ve also seen an endondontist who couldn’t see any significant issues with the tooth, but now they’re not sure , so I guess more X Rays to determine what is happening. I had 2 molars pulled last year, one healed absolutely fine , the other developed dry socket, and now I have pain in the extraction site every day even though it’s healed. So I suppose there’s risks with both procedures. I hope you get it sorted one way or the other. ???
I think it depends on the molar. My molars all have twisty roots. My previous endodontist gave me a 50/50 chance estimate of success, and it turned out not successful. She did try a retreat also. So I opted for extraction for the next one.

She did say that there was no endodontist that she knew that would touch my 2nd molar on the bottom left, if it acted up, as it had “roots from hell”. ?. So if that one ever goes bad, and it does have a large deep filling, it will have to be extracted.
 
Ah right okay, that makes total sense. why do teeth have to be so complicated??
 
Ah right okay, that makes total sense ?? why do teeth have to be so complicated ? ?
Some people have it so easy! My siblings had no teeth issues…no braces, straight teeth, just a few fillings. I had complicated teeth from the start, with overcrowding and permanent teeth that didn’t come in where they were supposed to.
 
I think some of us are just really unfortunate ? regardless of what good care we take of our teeth. I just hope that my children do not have any issues along the way, as it’s such a hard thing to have to deal with dental issues ? hopefully they’ll be fine ??
 
There's also this thread in the FAQs here on the forum:

 
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