I aqm in a bit of a dilemma,i have an upper rear molar that had an amalgam filling that was close to the root.
The dentist has given me a scenerio of what may take place,one is i may be able to save the tooth and have it filled,without a problem,2 is it may me too decayed and may have to be root canaled,that of wich i am nervous about and also will cost more money.
The other solution is extraction,but i am nervous about pulling all my teeth i already had 2 done.
I'm just looking for a few sugestions.TIA

Dear Strength I know its tough but if I were you Id have it pulled. I went through exactly the same dilemma, having already lost the one next to it. But it was only when I had it pulled, they discovered a cyst and abcess underneath, mine was also filled up to the gum with Mercury, I would never have another root canal filling, as I found this started my problems, the root was filled with Cadnium and I found much later I am allergic to it. hugs Tracy

I was in a similar situation. The problem I had was that there was infection, including bone damage, on a tooth with a root canal. The root canal only lasted 5 years. I decided to have the tooth extracted and have a permanent bridge, even though this meant placing the bridge on two "good" teeth. The reason that I decided this was that I didn't want another root canal. There has been too much negative that I have learned about that and I didn't want a temporary bridge. The only thing I knew for a fact was that I wanted the amalgam out.

I would do a whole lot of research before I would have that root canal done. Probably, many on this forum can tell you of their experiences. Mine was that it only lasted 5 years and by the 5th there was infection under the tooth. When the dentist took off the cap, he showed a picture of the black decay that was sitting under it. Please, think very carefully before getting a root canal. That was $575.00 down the drain. Not to mention that this was the same dentist that put in my last amalgam and told me that it was perfectly safe He said the amount of mercury in an amalgam wouldn't be unsafe. That's the filling that sent my health over the edge. Of course, it had been declining for many years. Having out all of my amalgams was the best thing that I've ever done for my health.

Thanks for the reply,i am actually against having the root canal,i just wanted to get some more feedback before i make a decision,i had too teeth rootcanaled already,and one never healed from day one,the gum lining was always sensitive around the crown,the second was filled with amalgam to the root,i have since had that tooth extractd,i just don't want to throw money down the drain,fighting a battle that's already lost.

If you're going ot have a tooth pulled, suggestion. make sure you request a local anaesthetic WITHOUT a vasoconstrictor and also make sure they will remove the periodontal ligament with the tooth. As so often they don't and this can end up interferring wtih healing and allow cavitations to form.

Vaso constrictors are not good, as they are designed to frustrate the blood flow to the area (to increase the effectiveness of the anaesthetic), problem is, in doing that, the area is deadened far more and for longer and can also frustrate healing, and yet another possible contributing factor in cavitation forming.

So root canals are bad, so are cavitations and wise to make sure you are going to a dentist who is aware of this and will do THOROUGH clean out of tooth, ligament and the whole area and then stitch it up.

Definitely no root canals, I wish I had stuck to my guns and got dentures when I got my mercury fillings all changed, my root canals would have been gone by now and I would have saved thousands of dollars and I likely would not have cancer now either.

I would definitely opt for pulling....

Sandi
xoxo

Ok thanks for the feed back,i think i'm gonna opt for just pulling the tooth,today is the day,i have the wisdom tooth and thye one in front that may need the root canal,i am thinking of having them pulled at the same time,is this a wise choice or should i wait and do them one at a time?
Hmm as far s anesthesia,i'm just having novocaine and nitrous oxide.
I was told by my nd to make sure they remove the periodontal ligament,which the surgeons secretary told me they do,as they remove tissue beneath and around the tooth which is from my understanding the ligament with the tooth sits in,and stitches will be applied where needed.

Well had boh teeth pulled yesterday evening at the same time,i'm glad i actually did them both,now i on't have to worry about it,besides the extaction is less painful than the root anal itself anyway.
The worstpart was the nitrous oxide( i hate that stuff)
Now i really fail to see why people abuse hard drugs,if it give any similar effect as the nitrous.
Well i have 3more amalgams to be replaced,and one crown from a root canal i had done prior,then i'll be amalgam free <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good going!! Sounds like you had it done right and I bet you can't wait to get the rest done! you'll be on your way. At least, this will have turned off the ongoing tap (when you get the last amalgams out etc).

I seriously cannot wait to be done with removal,well another month hopefully and i will be done.
I wish everyone here a full recovery and hopefully a speedy one to add.