Dental ? (root canal vs. not)

[BakersDozen]

After reading the thread about dentists I'd like input as to whether you would go with a root canal in my situation or not.

I have a fairly large cavity on a tooth which already has a large filling. The cavity, according to an x-ray, comes to about 1mm from the nerve, maybe a bit closer. I have zero pain but greatly fear my dentist, who is most excellent and gentle, finding that the cavity is too deep and can't continue the work.

Would you just get the root canal and have it done with? I've waited too long in the past and experienced the lovely pain of decay/infection...ouch ouch ouch.

[popmom]

Is a pulp cap an option? My daughter had that done years ago and she hasn’t had any trouble since. I will say… the first pulp cap didn’t fix it. She continued to have pain, so I took her to another dentist who saw further decay and went in a second time to redo the pulp cap. He told me at the time that she might end up needing a root canal, but she hasn’t had any trouble since. It’s been 5 years.

[BakersDozen]

39 minutes ago, popmom said:

Is a pulp cap an option? My daughter had that done years ago and she hasn’t had any trouble since. I will say… the first pulp cap didn’t fix it. She continued to have pain, so I took her to another dentist who saw further decay and went in a second time to redo the pulp cap. He told me at the time that she might end up needing a root canal, but she hasn’t had any trouble since. It’s been 5 years.

Oooh, I just looked it up and will ask my dentist tomorrow! Thanks!

[Pawz4me]

I'd get the root canal and be done with it, if that was what my dentist suggested. But I (mostly) trust my dentist. Good luck!

[regentrude]

After having three root canals on the same tooth plus two surgeries to cut that root from the side, and still developing an infection that resulted in loss of that tooth, I will first try anything to avoid a root canal.