OK, I have had 2 root canals done... tooth numbers 12 and 4. Now my dentist is saying I also need a root canal on tooth 5. From my understanding, 4 and 12 were LIVE teeth when he did the root canals. Could there have been any other alternatives? Now for tooth number 5, there is a big hole between 4 and 5 (which is very annoying when eating). So maybe he is right. He said that if he just fill in the hole that pain will still be there and it won't help. My whole question is, am I wasting money getting all these root canals? Could there possibly be another way out, besides extractions?

Nope, will have to be extracted if you don't want root canals. Root canals are actually saving your teeth. Sure 4 and 5 were live teeth but the root system was compromised probably by infection, so the root canal was done to save them by taking out the nerve and replacing with gutta purcha.

If you want to save teeth that are compromised, then you should have it done, but then we get back to your other question a week ago about the crowns. You are looking at a heck of a lot of money for both, if some of the teeth do actually need crowns to keep the symmetry of you rmouth in place. Because basically, all teeth have to work together when say, chewing. Teeth are not cemented with the bone but have to move together for obvious reasons. That is why they check the inclusion with your other teeth after doing a large filling.

Having teeth pulled and a partial plate is not a bad idea as far as expense is concerned.

Big but here is, are your gums in good enough shape to even have root canals? Will you eventually need periodontal surgery to clean them up?

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Nope, will have to be extracted if you dont want root canals. Root canals are actually saving your teeth. Sure 4 and 5 were live teeth but the root system was compromised probably by infection, so the root canal was done to save them by taking out the nerve and replacing with gutta purcha.

If you want to save teeth that are compromised, then you should have it done, but then we get back to your other question a week ago about the crowns. You are looking at a heck of a lot of money for both, if some of the teeth do actually need crowns to keep the symetry of you rmouth in place. Because basically, all teeth have to work together when say, chewing. Teeth are not cemented with the bone but have to move together for obvious reasons. That is why they check the inclusion with your other teeth after doing a large filling.

Having teeth pulled and a partial plate is not a bad idea as far as expense is concerned.

Big but here is, are your gums in good enough shape to even have root canals? Will you eventually need periodontal surgery to clean them up?

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You know, after he did the root canal on tooth 4, he said something to the effect of decay reaching my gums and in order to put the crown on he'll need to do something extra. I think carve into my gums until he get beneath the decay. I might be saying it wrong but I know he said something like that. But the process sounded so painful!

Also, right now I have temporary feelings in teeth 12 and 4... How long can I wait before getting the crowns?

Periodontal surgery is not painful, the description is ! A lot of downtime too, because where the surgery is performed has to be packed and your diet is almost nil for a few days.

I can't say about the crowns, it depends on the dentist. You will be getting temps first anyway until the permanent crowns are 'assembled'.

Good luck with this Mini !

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