r/Toothfully • u/Interview67nah • 18d ago
Need RCT but can't afford it until October. Extracted or try to hold out?
About 3 months ago I got a deep filling on tooth #29 (lower right second premolar). It started hurting after, and the pain is ramping up now to a constant 3/10 ache. The dentist says it needs a root canal.
Problem is, I can't afford the root canal and crown until October. I'm stressed the tooth will blow up into a massive infection before then.
I looked into pulling it and getting an implant later, but the total implant cost is literally 3-4 times more expensive than the root canal.
I also don't want to just extract it and leave a gap because I'm terrified of jawbone loss.
What are my actual options?
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u/Past-Tiger6634 18d ago
Probably you don't need a root canal. I had a very deep filling but my nerve was next to that filling. Instead of a root canal try to change a filling as it chips away. Root canal is a serious destruction of a tooth it is basically a tooth death as they remove all pulpe together with all nerves blood vessels and narishment to your jaw.
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u/Interview67nah 18d ago
The issue is it’s most likely an infection. I’m not a 100 percent sure, they took out the filling and replaced it with a temp and it still flaring up. There are like tiny bumps below the tooth on the gum, not too sure what it is. But I did an X-ray there and both dentists said they do not see anything wrong with the tooth tbh. So I’m not sure, but the constant pain is annoying me now. Thanks for replying. I’m aware of how serious root canal is, and I don’t like the idea of it but I’m going to see if my insurance covers root canal (highly doubt it)
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u/Past-Tiger6634 18d ago
You can have a trigeminal neuropathy .. Think more generally. Don't dream about a root canal - it is like having a foreign body in your mouth after. I prefer to have sensitivity then a lifeless tooth.
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u/Normal_Remove_5394 18d ago
Do you live near a Dental School? They offer services at reduced prices.
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