- Feb 7, 2010
- 3,562
- 14
- 81
So, I recently was advised by the dentist that I need 3-4 root canals. I believe it, no question. My problem is this - I had one root canal done, and am in the process of the crown. Last visit is coming soon for that one.
However, the other two that need root canals are giving me hell and making me sick even when not directly hurting. So I want to get those done, expeditiously. I want to ask if they can just do the root canals on them and then fill them, skipping the crown. For two reasons:
1. If they do the next one normally, then I'll have to wait for 2 more visits to finish that one before I can get the 3rd root canal. No good, I need that third one done so it will stop being a problem.
2. Wouldn't mind saving the money that a crown costs.
Question 1: Is the dentist likely to resist giving me the choice of not doing the crown and instead just filling it? If they do, can I tell them that I understand their advice but I am still choosing not to do it, and they have to go with my choice? I stupidly went with the managed care plan that will take me a few weeks to change to someone else, so, that's important to know going in.
Question 2: If a weakened, root canal'd tooth breaks later due to no crown, does that present any increased infection hazard at that time? I mean, the canals will still be filled, so breakage exposing that filling wouldn't really make it get infected, would it?
Question 3: Is it a viable option to do the root canal only now, and plan on doing the crown 6 months later when I have a bit more money?
However, the other two that need root canals are giving me hell and making me sick even when not directly hurting. So I want to get those done, expeditiously. I want to ask if they can just do the root canals on them and then fill them, skipping the crown. For two reasons:
1. If they do the next one normally, then I'll have to wait for 2 more visits to finish that one before I can get the 3rd root canal. No good, I need that third one done so it will stop being a problem.
2. Wouldn't mind saving the money that a crown costs.
Question 1: Is the dentist likely to resist giving me the choice of not doing the crown and instead just filling it? If they do, can I tell them that I understand their advice but I am still choosing not to do it, and they have to go with my choice? I stupidly went with the managed care plan that will take me a few weeks to change to someone else, so, that's important to know going in.
Question 2: If a weakened, root canal'd tooth breaks later due to no crown, does that present any increased infection hazard at that time? I mean, the canals will still be filled, so breakage exposing that filling wouldn't really make it get infected, would it?
Question 3: Is it a viable option to do the root canal only now, and plan on doing the crown 6 months later when I have a bit more money?