Upper Second Molar dilemma

[catou142]

Hello, I'm posting here as I feel I'm losing my mind over this tooth.
I had UL6 root canaled by an endodontist but sadly, this didn't stop the pain in this UL6/UL7 area.

UL 7 is hypersensitive to endo-ice and also to biting, but only in the area right next to UL6.
UL6, despite being RCT, feels slightly sore when you tap on it.

UL7 has had deep fillings, including one 3 weeks ago, but I still have the same symptoms, in fact, I feel worse.

My dentist 'shaved' the tooth a bit, which initially helped, but now he's told me that UL7 has moved down in the last 2 weeks and this is why I am more sore.

I have been told that UL7 is very likely cracked, and, even though it cannot be seen on any xrays / CBCT, the tooth is displaying the symptoms (biting pain on release of a cotton roll).
My dentist wants to remove most of the fillings, but not the last layer as he is worried about irritating a nerve, and place an onlay, which would hold the tooth more strongly together and stop the biting pain.

Another option he is proposing is RCT on that tooth, if the onlay fails, which I really don't want to do.

I am paying for all my dental treatments privately now as I have lost my NHS dentist place like most people. The pain is mild to strong, like stingy, and worse in the morning. It's always there and I cannot eat on that side.
I just don't know what to do for the best. This is really depressing me now.
I wish this tooth could be taken out but my private dentist is not keen, before he tries the onlay, the RCT etc...I just have this gut feeling that the tooth is cracked at the root, as the root in my gum is sore when I put my finger on it.
I'm also becoming worried about the amount of ibuprofen that I take, usually 2 a day, sometimes more.
I'm 55, would it be really bad to have this tooth removed? Thank you for your patience reading this.

 

[Gordon]

If it's cracked then onlay/rct may not fix it at all. Honestly it's up to your dentist to advise you but at the end of the day, it's your mouth and your decision.

If you'd rather cut your losses and go for an extraction instead then it's not an unreasonable decision to make and your dentist should support this.

There's no real downside to removing an upper second molar. It won't be missed and there is no issue with teeth drifting or over eruption.

2 Ibuprofen per day long term is not a big deal but obviously you don't want to do this forever!

 

[catou142]

Dear Gordon,
Thank you so much for your advice on this. I thought the same, but I'm always wondering: shall I give my tooth one last chance, whilst at the same time time thinking: "I'm not realistic".
It's so hard as no one has even seen this crack or even less seen it on an Xray or even the CBCT my UL6 endodontist did. It's apparently under 4 different fillings on that tooth.

I had my 4 wisdom teeth removed under general anesthesia when I was a student back in my French life...so I am very worried about the extraction of UL7 as the roots are very twisted apparently.
Is there any advice on this extraction you could give me? I am petrified at the idea of it.
The crown fitted on my UL 6 is, to me, huge, and I'm worried that it will be damaged whilst removing the UL7.
I feel like a rabbit caught in the headlights!