Root canal besides extraction?

I was told the other day my dentist wanted to extract one of my teeth. I asked about getting a root canal instead. And he said it was "too far gone" for a root canal. I"m not sure what he means exactly and will get a 2nd opinion. I don't have any pain there is no abcess or anything like that. So I'm wondering why a root canal is not possible?

Root canal besides extraction?
get a second opinion its a good idea, however having seen the problems my daughter has had with her root canal - she now will have to thave the root that is left removed (!) as she keeps getting infection and the crown keeps falling off. if she had had the tooth out would have been much better but dentist was determined to try and save it.
Reply:Just because you dont have pain doesnt mean that your tooth is not gone. The nerve could be dead and that is why you dont feel any pain. Your tooth could be decayed too far, and has left the tooth unstable. A root canal, and subsequent crown, would need enough of the tooth left in your gum to support the crown, so it doesnt fall off. He will probably need to extract the whole thing, and get you a partial instead.
Reply:If you are not having any pain, then it is very possible that the tooth is too far gone. You should always try to save any teeth that you can, but root canals are very costly and if there is no tooth left to save, pull it. The root canal extracts the root or the nerve and then they put in posts to build a crown around. See an endodontist. That is what they specialize in and they would be able to tell you if there is anything worth saving.
Reply:What he's saying is that if he performs a root canal and tries to save a tooth that's already too far gone it will be a waste of time and money. Even though it is cheaper to get a root canal and a crown. If your tooth falls out anyway you will have to get a bridge or fake tooth which will cost you more money. Its kind of like trying to put a new 1000$ engine in a car that's only worth 100$. Just get rid of the old car and just get a new one.
Reply:Okay, just realized Terry beat me to it!





I think if the nerves are completly dead that a root canal to get the dead tooth out is useless. I'm not completly sure but


f you have good insurance I would see a specialist that does root canals.


My dentist (ex dentist) concluded by looking at it that it needed to be pulled and after several x-rays sent to a specialist I got the root canal and the crown from another dentist.