Root Canal

[Jizi]

I went to my dentist to have a root canal done, he had to stop and said he couldn't finish and said he has to send me to a root canal specialist because he can't get way in where the decay is in the molar. I went to the root canal specialist and he looked at the x-rays and said there is a 50/50 chance that a root canal could be done or can't be done because of the way the tooth looks.  I asked him If I should just have it pulled. He said well we can try to do the root canal, but there's a chance a few years down the road I will have problems with the tooth and it'll have to be pulled anyway. Well he said he'd get a second opinion and would call me back. They just called me and said they want to go ahead and try to do the root canal. Question is should I bother or should I just get it pulled. I have to give a co-payment of $520.00 dollars cause I only have about $800.00 left on my insurance. I don't have that kind of money right now. So should I try it or should I just have the tooth pulled. Now I'm really confused and stressed out over this tooth, I've already had a molar pulled in the past. Don't want to miss anymore teeth but don't want to go through the hassle and expense if its going to have to be pulled in the future. Help...very confused

[Zzzdentist]

I wonder if the original poster meant that the original dentist couldn't get through a calcified canal to clean it out.  Maybe the OP thought by cleaning out the canal, they meant cleaning out decay?  Did they mention anything about really calcified canals in their consultations with you?

There may have been a misunderstanding.  The endodontist probably just gave you a guarded prognosis due to a very calcified root canal system, extremely curved canals, difficult anatomy, etc and was just trying to cover the possibility that failure might result.   It doesn't necessarily mean that it will.  Somethings are hard to predict in dentistry so they want to cover any unexpected outcomes.

Most endodontists will tell you if they think a root canal can be done successfully, but they will also warn you of any possible problems that may occur.  If they feel that they want to try to go ahead with saving the tooth, I would listen to that advice.  You do have to make up your own mind depending on your interests and funds whether you want to take it to completion with a crown which would be best after the root canal is finished and proven to have healed properly.

Zzzdentist

[Jizi]

Thanks for all your answers, I will definitly get more information from the dentist. I beleive the tooth is #30.  He did explain everything to me but I'm going to give him a call back and get more info. As for bone loss I do remember him saying there is some bone loss.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I could certainly understand why you are confused, I am and I do this for a living. I would not make a decision re. saving or extracting the tooth solely on the finances.I would want more information of why the doctor thinks the prognosis is guarded. This would give you and I a better idea of what decision is the correct one irregardless of the insurance.If the tooth is so badly decayed that restoring it is the problem then you can make a more learned decision.

[Jizi]

Sorry I noticed on topic area I put Orthodontics, I went to an Endodontic Specialists...not sure if there is a difference

[KayRDH]

I agree ... I have been practicing for years and it doesn't make sense either. More information is needed ... if the decay is that deep, is there enough tooth surface to restore is with a crown after? Did he explain to you that you will indeed need a crown after a root canal. I am for saving our own given teeth, but more detail is needed so you can make an educated choice. You may want to take your x-ray to someone else to give you a third opinion. What tooth number is it? Does the decay extend below the gums? Are the roots straight forward or are they hooked at the ends? Ask these questions if you haven't already ... Also, hurry up before your insurance maximum runs out at the years end.