Endodontic treatment (RCT) vs extraction
About 4 weeks ago I visited the dentist after a 4 year absence. There had been some pain which is what prompted me to go, otherwise I would have left it even longer. I was expecting bad news and that was exactly what I got. On one side a filling had to be repaired which was quickly rectified. But on the other side, where I had been experiencing the pain I was given a choice. It was not something that my local dentist could perform so she could refer me to a specialist or I could have the tooth extracted. She told me how much the specialist might cost but did not push me in either direction as to how I should choose.
This was quite a dilemma as I had no real information upon which to base this decision so I began to compile some data on what people were saying. I read various forums online, I checked prices of specialists which I found were called ‘endodontists’, and I spoke to people who had undergone this kind of treatment and listened to what they had to say. And then I spoke to my dentist again.
Below are tabulated forms of the data I gathered. One table lists the pros and cons of having the tooth extracted and the other one lists the pros and cons of RCT or root canal treatment. This really helped me in making the decision.
The Pros and Cons of Tooth Extraction
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Quick and easy | Lack of support to neighbouring teeth |
| Cheap | Increased risk of infection |
| Teeth drift and cause changes to bite | |
| Increased risk of decay to neighbours | |
| Implant or bridge needed at a later date – very EXPENSIVE | |
| Extraction can take time to heal and may need surgery |
The Pros and Cons of Root Canal Therapy (RCT)
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Better to save the natural tooth | Expensive, can be up to £1000.00 |
| Maintains support to neighbouring teeth | May not last too long |
| Can chew on that side | May need re-treatment |
| May have to have it extracted later anyway | |
| Need a crown as well |
So what did I decide and why? To answer the first question, I decided to have RCT. Why did I decide on that given that it could be costly and only a temporary solution? It was a comment made by one of my yoga students who used to teach dentistry. She said that it needs to be done properly the first time it’s done. She made this comment after I told her of another root canal I had had done previously which had to be retreated twice.
So I’m having it done properly with a proper endodontist who will be using an operating microscope. It will be expensive and it may only last a few years and may even need extraction at a later date. But I’m putting my money on the fact that it could last a lot longer. And also that it will support the other teeth. Money comes and goes. It can be replaced and replenished. But once your tooth is gone, it’s gone. Even if I get another five years of use out of this one for £700 or whatever it is I still think it’s a small price to pay to save my original tooth.
Well, the appointment to start the work is at the end of the month. And hopefully it will encourage me to go to the dentist on a more regular basis. 
January 26th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
I have to admit that i generally get bored to read the entire thing however i think you can add some value. Bravo !