Question on getting root canal without crown

[maniacalpha1-1]

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?

 

[Ancalagon44]

Question 1
I imagine the dentist would refuse if what you wanted was really a bad idea, but this isn't a really bad idea.

Also bear in mind, your dentist probably makes a little more money if you do it in more visits rather than less.

Question 2
I don't know, but I'd be more worried about whether the tooth can be repaired at all. You might have no option but to have it extracted
Question 3
This is exactly what I did for my two crowns. I had another root canal done recently, and there was not even a mention of getting the crown done at the same time. I'll make an appointment to have the crown fitted later in the year, probably December. For the previous 2 crowns, there was a gap of a couple of months between getting the root canal and getting the crown. The teeth were fine and the dentist was fine with it. He said the risk of them cracking in that time was low. They don't instantly become super brittle. But I probably wouldn't wait longer than a year.

If I were you, I'd probably get the two root canals you need done immediately. The other two, do as soon as you can.

Wait 6 months and then get one crown per month.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Cracked teeth suck, so be careful. I've got a cracked molar and even with a gold crown wrapped around it, it is still hurts to chew some foods on it (although tolerable)

 

[edro]

My wife had a root canal at 22 and still hasn't had it crowned (over 10 years later).
I am sure it is highly dependent on the situation.

As with any repair, it is common to push out more costly repairs to later dates.
I am sure it is quite common to do a root canal and wait for the crown due to cost concerns.

I wouldn't be concerned about extra damage.
If it does break and you are in pain, they can squeeze you in the following day.
Dentist schedules are very lenient with critical patients.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Crowns aren't necessary if the tooth is intact, but after a root canal that tooth essentially becomes "dead", so it will be less durable than a live tooth, and cracking is common.

Do a little research into crown materials if you get any. A bad thing about porcelain crowns is that teeth opposing the crown will be subject to increased wear and tear, because the material of the crown is so much harder than that of a natural tooth.

 

[iluvdeal]

In case money is a big issue, you should research medical tourism in Mexico for getting dental work done, it's pretty popular. I have not tried it myself, just read about the practice.

 

[marvdmartian]

Since getting the crown requires you to actually show up to have it done (versus the dentist sending someone to drag you back in, kicking and screaming), then yes....you can do the root canals now, and the crowns later.

However, if you explain to your dentist that you need to delay the crowns for 6 months, due to money issues, chances are good that, unless the tooth is so badly damaged that it cannot withstand 6 months without a crown, the dentist will find the situation acceptable. He probably won't be happy about it, but there's really nothing he can do, other than refuse to do the root canals.

I would definitely suggest you don't wait too long to do the crowns. After a root canal is done, the remaining tooth is usually just a shell, with a lot of filling material inside. And while modern dentistry uses pretty awesome materials, at the end of the day, the tooth will be much stronger with the crown on it.