Which is more painful, the tooth removed or root canal?

Nick Nack · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 09:35 PM

i would wud rather hav none :| but i need to make a descision

kaytee · #2 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 05:06 AM

I would consider them equally painful. Everything at the dentist is equally painful. Sooo, basically your out of luck on that one.

zuckerschnecke · #3 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 06:29 AM

i would say they both can or can not be painful, with a root-canal, if you have an infection they may not get you numb very easily and you may have pain for a few days after, same for the extraction, may not get you numb if the tooth is infected and you may get something that is called a dry socket, which is very painful. the thing is regardless after the root-canal your tooth needs a crown, which isn't painful, but is pretty $$ same with the extraction you're either going to need a partial, implant or bridge which isn't cheap either, it's kind of a loose-loose, or win-win situation, depends on what way you see it. I wish you the best of luck!!
PS: in my opinion save your tooth, get the root-canal and the crown...

Belgian maiden · #4 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 08:12 AM

Both, but root canal seems to take longer, although you still have the tooth!

spongebobrogers · #5 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 09:05 AM

Obviously the hole will be sore after they remove the tooth, but neither should be really painful. If your tooth is infected make sure your dentist puts you on a round of antibiotics first to get rid of the infection. Otherwise, you won't get numb for either and both will be painful. When deciding to have a root canal or extraction one thing to guide you is will you miss the tooth? It is often much more expensive to replace the tooth later than to fix it now.