Root Canal

[Badrabbit]

Could someone in the know hopefully give me an Idea on the cost of Root Canal on an upper back tooth, it's only painful to touch at the moment, Dentist says "22,000bht maybe more" to take tooth out 800 to 1500bht.

If taking the Tooth out is cheap which removes the tooth and root why is root canal so expensive when it does the same thing? maybe I just don't understand.

 

Edited September 13, 2021 by Badrabbit

[WhiteBuffaloATM]

Search this Forum. Subject definitively covered several months ago.

Included Direct Dentist Member Advise !

[The Fugitive]

Try a different dentist. A General dentist told me filling was not possible, only options were extraction or root canal, post and crown (estimated 14,000 baht). She didn't do root canals so referred me to a specialist friend in the next town. He decided a filling was possible and that was what I had, total cost 1,200 baht.

[Jingthing]

Well assuming you need a root canal (it definitely happens) if you pull it and it's not a cosmetic issue as it's a back tooth then you're dealing with the functional issues of a gap. I'm curious about that myself.

 

The Problems Associated With Missing Back Teeth. | William J. Claiborne, DDS MS (biltmoreperiodontics.com)

 

Up to you, but if you can afford it, the root canal with crown is a no brainer, yeah?

Edited September 13, 2021 by Jingthing

[Badrabbit]

16 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Well assuming you need a root canal (it definitely happens) if you pull it and it's not a cosmetic issue as it's a back tooth then you're dealing with the functional issues of a gap. I'm curious about that myself.

 

The Problems Associated With Missing Back Teeth. | William J. Claiborne, DDS MS (biltmoreperiodontics.com)

 

Up to you, but if you can afford it, the root canal with crown is a no brainer, yeah?

It's at the back out of site so I'm happy to keep the gap I already have below it company, apparently I can have a plate with a false tooth for just a couple of thousand, a nice cheap option and for just a few thousand for all.

 

In all the years having the lower back gap I have never had a problem other than sometimes the Gum does get a bit sore.

Edited September 13, 2021 by Badrabbit

[Jingthing]

15 minutes ago, Badrabbit said:

It's at the back out of site so I'm happy to keep the gap I already have below it company, apparently I can have a plate with a false tooth for just a couple of thousand, a nice cheap option and for just a few thousand for all.

 

In all the years having the lower back gap I have never had a problem other than sometimes the Gum does get a bit sore.

Sounds like a plan then. Good luck.

[Tanomazu]

A root canal is a much more involved and labour intensive procedure than removing a tooth. Of course it's more expensive.

 

 

[Badrabbit]

1 minute ago, Tanomazu said:

A root canal is a much more involved and labour intensive procedure than removing a tooth. Of course it's more expensive.

 

 

I've been told that Root Canal can be risky as it sometimes does not work meaning more expense, I'm 65 and not bothered about a gap which can be sorted cheaply with the plate and false tooth, it is removable.

[Tanomazu]

17 minutes ago, Badrabbit said:

I've been told that Root Canal can be risky as it sometimes does not work meaning more expense, I'm 65 and not bothered about a gap which can be sorted cheaply with the plate and false tooth, it is removable.

If you're happy with the gap there is no reason to go for the root canal. I've had one and it is the second most horrific dental experience you can have.

[Sheryl]

A root canal is a vastly more complex procedure than extraction and usually requires at least 3 separate visits, each taking up to an hour.

 

Typically costs 10-15k and then there is cost of post and crown on top of that.

 

But if you won't miss the tooth, then extraction is a viable alternative and far less expensive.

 

 

[vinci]

if you don't think that tooth is not useful in anyway, by all mean remove it, but if it serve a purpose get a root canal, we are living in 2021 transplant can always be done, transplant is even stronger then your original tooth, if you have the cash you can replace all your tooth with new one if you wish.

 

honestly root canal is so yesterday, people just replace them these days

Edited September 13, 2021 by vinci

[ThailandRyan]

You can always have a dental implant done as well.

[katana]

4 hours ago, Badrabbit said:

If taking the Tooth out is cheap which removes the tooth and root why is root canal so expensive when it does the same thing? maybe I just don't understand.

Root canal will involve the cost of the crown and fitting it.

[Badrabbit]

1 hour ago, Tanomazu said:

If you're happy with the gap there is no reason to go for the root canal. I've had one and it is the second most horrific dental experience you can have.

Well that has made up my mind as I don't like bad experiences, thanks.

[Duke007]

If the problem is diagnosed as irreversible nerve damage or non-vital, then the most economical and fastest treatment is extraction (about 800 - 1800 baht) with no replacement(at age 65). If having a space bothers you, then root canal treatment (14-18000) followed by possible post and core (5-8000) and a crown (15-25000) is recommended. Alternatively, extraction followed by a single tooth implant(not transplant) may be possible depending on remaining bone and soft tissue health and anatomy, at an estimated cost of 20000 baht plus a crown. Use of some type of partial denture (4-20000 depending upon material and design) to replace the missing tooth can be done but is generally not well tolerated.

[Badrabbit]

10 hours ago, Duke007 said:

If the problem is diagnosed as irreversible nerve damage or non-vital, then the most economical and fastest treatment is extraction (about 800 - 1800 baht) with no replacement(at age 65). If having a space bothers you, then root canal treatment (14-18000) followed by possible post and core (5-8000) and a crown (15-25000) is recommended. Alternatively, extraction followed by a single tooth implant(not transplant) may be possible depending on remaining bone and soft tissue health and anatomy, at an estimated cost of 20000 baht plus a crown. Use of some type of partial denture (4-20000 depending upon material and design) to replace the missing tooth can be done but is generally not well tolerated.

They showed me a plate and false tooth(removable) for between 1500 and 2000bht, cheap alternative should I want to fill the gap.

[Will B Good]

Had four root canals...they take a lot of time and effort.

 

22,000 doesn't sound too bad to me.

 

Mine, along with gold caps, were all free courtesy of the Brtitish Army.....555

[Badrabbit]

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

Had four root canals...they take a lot of time and effort.

 

22,000 doesn't sound too bad to me.

 

Mine, along with gold caps, were all free courtesy of the Brtitish Army.....555

I'm not joining the Army again I'm 65 lol 

[Sheryl]

18 hours ago, Tanomazu said:

If you're happy with the gap there is no reason to go for the root canal. I've had one and it is the second most horrific dental experience you can have.

 

It may have been for you but that is NOT usually the case. I have had many root canals over the years. None have been in any way "horrific". Only pain was the initial anesthetic injection.

[Will B Good]

3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

It may have been for you but that is NOT usually the case. I have had many root canals over the years. None have been in any way "horrific". Only pain was the initial anesthetic injection.

I never felt a thing, but where there is no sense there is no feeling I guess.

Edited September 14, 2021 by Will B Good

[Sheryl]

Just now, Will B Good said:

I never felt a thing, but where there is no sense there is no feeling I guess.

Most people feel nothing or just a quick pain from the injection. OP has been misled to think root canals are usually painful. They are not. A hassle (many visits) and an expense yes, painful or otherwise horrible to go through, not at all.

[Pravda]

I paid for a crown close to 30,000 baht 10 years ago... Dentist that caters to japanese inside Thanaya Plaza. Ten years later still going strong, no issues whatsoever. I do remember it being a bit painful even after multiple anesthesia. 

 

Btw, I'd never go over internet recommendations, most posters don't have a clue how dentistry and doctors in general work in Thailand. 

 

Oh, the equipment was so modern...much better than USA.....

 

Oh, the staff was really great.....they spoke English!!!!

 

Oh, the clinic is so close to thinglor!!!!

 

[Tanomazu]

Quote

painful or otherwise horrible to go through, not at all.

Lol.

 

"I had my first ever root canal today and I can honestly say it will also be my last. I was warned by the dentist that I may feel pain for a second or two while she was pulling the nerve. Ok, felt that and she said the rest is boring procedure. So that was ok, until it came to packing the tooth. She used whatever instruments they use to push down into the tooth and I screamed every time even though she said it "shouldn't hurt"... yeah, easy for you to say, you aren't the one with it being done. Then when it came time for the cement, that was in one word excruciating, and every time she pushed cement down I was screaming with the pain shooting up through my gums into my face. Apparently I had lots of anesthetic and shouldn't have felt any pain during that part of the procedure but it was the most pain I have ever felt in my life. Needless to say I will never repeat that experience at a dentist office and the only way I'd get one done in the future is through an endodontic specialist and only if they put me to sleep."

 

"I had a root canal today on a rear molar, I had no infection he said, but I had a tooth ache for about two weeks prior. First it was just hot and cold that bothered me and then it was everything. He put numbing gel first before all the shots, which were many and the procedure itself I was numb for. I have been taking hydrocodone and it doesn't touch the pain of this tooth that is supposed to be dead! It is Friday night and the dentist is not open until Monday! Yikes, I am in so much pain, I had natural child birth three times and this pain is worse!"

 

"My root canal was on tooth number 30, the right back lower molar. I was referred to an endodontist since I had a filing and a crown on top of a cracked tooth. My dentist felt like it was worth saving, but for about USD 2,000! The endodontist’s nitrous oxygen machine was broke so I had 3 painful shots before the procedure and 2 during. I still felt a lot of pressure and pulling. Now I have to go back. I wish I had it pulled, against the advice of 2 dentists. It was too much pain and expense, and 12 hours later, it's still hurting even after taking double hydrocodone tablets for a knee replacement."

 

"I had a tooth break and went to the dentist. He said I needed a root canal on two other teeth, not the one that originally broke. I had root canals done on both teeth the same day. I went home with prescribed antibiotics and I felt fine at first. The next day I started to notice a little swelling, and it just got worse. The procedure was performed Thursday and by Friday night my face was huge. The swelling was so severe I could not see out of one eye. The pain was terrible. I called the dentist and did not hear back until Monday. The receptionist was terrible. She was defensive and not at all sympathetic, she actually said they did everything right. When I talked to the dentist, he prescribed a new antibiotic. I am taking it now. However, the whole process was terribly unpleasant and expensive. There has to be a better way."

 

"I had root canal on two front teeth a year ago that have not stopped hurting despite being opened and redone several times. Dental specialists (3 of them) say it is neuralgia and pain control is treatment plan, but after a year of believing this I still can’t touch two teeth that are supposed to have dead nerves in them! The same thing happened to my first ever root canal and I had it pulled and all pain stopped. I will never have another root canal done, and almost everyone I have talked to who have had them eventually lose the tooth anyway. I know I need to have these 2 teeth pulled but with the 'experts' saying there is nothing wrong with the teeth it is so hard to do it. But my guy says the pain will go away once the teeth are gone. Root canals are just a money maker for dentists."

 

"I had a root canal done through my crown. They drilled a little bitty hole through crown and did the canal. I have had pain in that tooth since that day. Actually my tooth does not hurt but my gums and up to jaw bone are very sensitive. I went back and they say nothing is wrong with it. I know that I am going to lose this tooth. Like everybody says, I wish they would have pulled the tooth from the start, but of course the dentist discourages this because they would not make any money on a tooth that isn't there."

 

"I"ve had 2 root canals on both a primary and a secondary molar. It was not a pleasant experience by any means and if I had it to do over I probably would have simply had the teeth extracted. I had nothing but problems with both teeth after the root canal procedure and had to go back for more surgery. Both molars never felt normal again and both were very sensitive after the procedures. There was always a lingering pain when chewing on those teeth. The life of one molar after root canal was about 5 years and the other was about 2 years before they eventually became re-infected and had to be extracted."

 

"I had my first (and last ever) root canal done a few days ago. It was a bottom front tooth. I wish they had just pulled it out! After the Novocain wore off I felt like my entire lower jaw had been hit by a baseball bat! My chin was swollen up, throbbing, and extremely sore to the touch. The dentist was off the 3 days (this was on a Thursday) but thank goodness I had an emergency number. So she called in some Vicodin and antibiotics for me. For the next 3 days I was immobile and couldn't eat. I had always heard rumors about root canals but honestly thought it was all just hype. But I will never, ever get another one done!"

 

"I had a root canal done today; worst experience. I hate everything about going to the dentist and watching a video of how the procedure is done the night before probably wasn't a good idea as well. I had an anesthetic shot 7 times during my 3 hour procedure, because I kept on feeling the pain. Also seeing the tools my dentist was working with and the smell/sound had me going crazy. After taking 5 ibuprofens and 1pill of codeine I can say the pain is slowly getting better. Hope no one else experiences what I did."

 

"I still have pain were my root canal was done in the lower gum line. When x-rays were taken he told me it is still healing and it has been at least 6 years now. The pain comes and goes from time to time."

 

"This root canal procedure is extremely painful. Don't let anyone tell you it is not. Novocain does not stop the pain. I have had two children with no drugs and one bone that remained unset for two days. Root canal is far worse."

 

https://comments.medicinenet.com/root_canal/patient-comments-303.htm

Edited September 14, 2021 by Tanomazu

[Badrabbit]

25 minutes ago, Tanomazu said:

Lol.

 

"I had my first ever root canal today and I can honestly say it will also be my last. I was warned by the dentist that I may feel pain for a second or two while she was pulling the nerve. Ok, felt that and she said the rest is boring procedure. So that was ok, until it came to packing the tooth. She used whatever instruments they use to push down into the tooth and I screamed every time even though she said it "shouldn't hurt"... yeah, easy for you to say, you aren't the one with it being done. Then when it came time for the cement, that was in one word excruciating, and every time she pushed cement down I was screaming with the pain shooting up through my gums into my face. Apparently I had lots of anesthetic and shouldn't have felt any pain during that part of the procedure but it was the most pain I have ever felt in my life. Needless to say I will never repeat that experience at a dentist office and the only way I'd get one done in the future is through an endodontic specialist and only if they put me to sleep."

 

"I had a root canal today on a rear molar, I had no infection he said, but I had a tooth ache for about two weeks prior. First it was just hot and cold that bothered me and then it was everything. He put numbing gel first before all the shots, which were many and the procedure itself I was numb for. I have been taking hydrocodone and it doesn't touch the pain of this tooth that is supposed to be dead! It is Friday night and the dentist is not open until Monday! Yikes, I am in so much pain, I had natural child birth three times and this pain is worse!"

 

"My root canal was on tooth number 30, the right back lower molar. I was referred to an endodontist since I had a filing and a crown on top of a cracked tooth. My dentist felt like it was worth saving, but for about USD 2,000! The endodontist’s nitrous oxygen machine was broke so I had 3 painful shots before the procedure and 2 during. I still felt a lot of pressure and pulling. Now I have to go back. I wish I had it pulled, against the advice of 2 dentists. It was too much pain and expense, and 12 hours later, it's still hurting even after taking double hydrocodone tablets for a knee replacement."

 

"I had a tooth break and went to the dentist. He said I needed a root canal on two other teeth, not the one that originally broke. I had root canals done on both teeth the same day. I went home with prescribed antibiotics and I felt fine at first. The next day I started to notice a little swelling, and it just got worse. The procedure was performed Thursday and by Friday night my face was huge. The swelling was so severe I could not see out of one eye. The pain was terrible. I called the dentist and did not hear back until Monday. The receptionist was terrible. She was defensive and not at all sympathetic, she actually said they did everything right. When I talked to the dentist, he prescribed a new antibiotic. I am taking it now. However, the whole process was terribly unpleasant and expensive. There has to be a better way."

 

"I had root canal on two front teeth a year ago that have not stopped hurting despite being opened and redone several times. Dental specialists (3 of them) say it is neuralgia and pain control is treatment plan, but after a year of believing this I still can’t touch two teeth that are supposed to have dead nerves in them! The same thing happened to my first ever root canal and I had it pulled and all pain stopped. I will never have another root canal done, and almost everyone I have talked to who have had them eventually lose the tooth anyway. I know I need to have these 2 teeth pulled but with the 'experts' saying there is nothing wrong with the teeth it is so hard to do it. But my guy says the pain will go away once the teeth are gone. Root canals are just a money maker for dentists."

 

"I had a root canal done through my crown. They drilled a little bitty hole through crown and did the canal. I have had pain in that tooth since that day. Actually my tooth does not hurt but my gums and up to jaw bone are very sensitive. I went back and they say nothing is wrong with it. I know that I am going to lose this tooth. Like everybody says, I wish they would have pulled the tooth from the start, but of course the dentist discourages this because they would not make any money on a tooth that isn't there."

 

"I"ve had 2 root canals on both a primary and a secondary molar. It was not a pleasant experience by any means and if I had it to do over I probably would have simply had the teeth extracted. I had nothing but problems with both teeth after the root canal procedure and had to go back for more surgery. Both molars never felt normal again and both were very sensitive after the procedures. There was always a lingering pain when chewing on those teeth. The life of one molar after root canal was about 5 years and the other was about 2 years before they eventually became re-infected and had to be extracted."

 

"I had my first (and last ever) root canal done a few days ago. It was a bottom front tooth. I wish they had just pulled it out! After the Novocain wore off I felt like my entire lower jaw had been hit by a baseball bat! My chin was swollen up, throbbing, and extremely sore to the touch. The dentist was off the 3 days (this was on a Thursday) but thank goodness I had an emergency number. So she called in some Vicodin and antibiotics for me. For the next 3 days I was immobile and couldn't eat. I had always heard rumors about root canals but honestly thought it was all just hype. But I will never, ever get another one done!"

 

"I had a root canal done today; worst experience. I hate everything about going to the dentist and watching a video of how the procedure is done the night before probably wasn't a good idea as well. I had an anesthetic shot 7 times during my 3 hour procedure, because I kept on feeling the pain. Also seeing the tools my dentist was working with and the smell/sound had me going crazy. After taking 5 ibuprofens and 1pill of codeine I can say the pain is slowly getting better. Hope no one else experiences what I did."

 

"I still have pain were my root canal was done in the lower gum line. When x-rays were taken he told me it is still healing and it has been at least 6 years now. The pain comes and goes from time to time."

 

"This root canal procedure is extremely painful. Don't let anyone tell you it is not. Novocain does not stop the pain. I have had two children with no drugs and one bone that remained unset for two days. Root canal is far worse."

 

https://comments.medicinenet.com/root_canal/patient-comments-303.htm

Thanks, I'm having it out job done and cheap, I can do without it!

[Duke007]

You can post as many negative comments as you like, but world-wide the number of successful root canal treatments far outnumber the problem cases. That being said, proper diagnosis and treatment by a well-trained endodontist will go a long way toward ensuring success.

[Atlantis]

22 hours ago, Tanomazu said:

If you're happy with the gap there is no reason to go for the root canal. I've had one and it is the second most horrific dental experience you can have.

Thank you for sharing. And I would note that nowhere did you try to claim that your experience is the most common. Those commenters who've never felt the kind of pain that you and others have felt really need to think twice before downplaying your experiences. One horrific experience does not and should not hold the same weight as many more supposedly "usual" experiences. That's not how it works.  It's incredible that this even needs to be said.

[Tanomazu]

1 hour ago, Duke007 said:

You can post as many negative comments as you like, but world-wide the number of successful root canal treatments far outnumber the problem cases. That being said, proper diagnosis and treatment by a well-trained endodontist will go a long way toward ensuring success.

Oh so there are "problem cases"? I thought they were never "painful or otherwise horrible to go through, not at all."? Lol.

 

The reality is with root canal you are throwing the dice. Yes, it can be a mere 2 hour procedure where the worst is the huge injection deep into your jaw, the long scrubbing of the root canal, and the pain after the procedure. That's in the best of cases.

 

However, if the dentist goes just a mm too far, or if he misses something which he is supposed to clean out which then later gets infected, very easily done, disaster can ensue. This is what happened to me. A few months after the root canal it turned out something got infected, the dentists said he needed to operate immediately. Right there and then in the dentist chair my gums were CUT OPEN. I'll never forget the blood splattering on the dentist's glasses. Even the 19 year old attractive Dominican Republic nurse sequeezing my hand could not make the incredibly unpleasasant experience enjoyable.

 

That's why I said the root canal is only the second most horrific dental experience. The top worst experience is when the dentists misses a minor thing and the root canal then gets infected, which can require immediate dental surgery. Lucky my dentists was a dental surgeon and he was able to remedy the problem. But what I went through I would not wish on anyone, not even my worst enemy.

 

So yah, it can be fine. Very, very often it is not, and it can be an absolute disaster. It's a throw of the dice. And if the dentists sees the patient go away and thinks it is a success, does not mean it actually is, just because the patient does not come back. He can have great pain for a long time, and after 2 or 5 years the tooth can be lost anyway. A success for the dentist, not so much the patient.

 

Like with lawyers, unfortunately with doctors and dentists there are only very few really good ones who do perfect work every time.

Edited September 14, 2021 by Tanomazu

[Atlantis]

1 hour ago, Duke007 said:

You can post as many negative comments as you like, but world-wide the number of successful root canal treatments far outnumber the problem cases. That being said, proper diagnosis and treatment by a well-trained endodontist will go a long way toward ensuring success.

"You can post as many negative comments as you like" - Well he shouldn't even HAVE TO should he? The very fact that such occurrences do happen, and often enough for a fellow poster to see and comment on within a short time seems to be valuable in of itself. How do you even presume to know that the OP was already aware that root canals can be so horrifically painful? - especially when he has valid alternatives.

-----But, but, but, MOST of the time, it doesn't feel like someone is drilling straight onto your nerve?----- Oh okay then Doc, thank you so much for that. Shame I can't translate that claimed statistic into an effective anesthetic.

[Atlantis]

"world-wide the number of successful root canal treatments far outnumber the problem cases."

You know that's kinda funny to read. I somehow doubt my dentist will be entering the details of discomfort into a Global Database of Root Canals, assuming I actually follow through with the third and final dose of torture.

But hey, I'll feel so much better knowing that some other people somewhere else in the world didn't go through this unnecessary experience.

[Atlantis]

1 hour ago, Badrabbit said:

Thanks, I'm having it out job done and cheap, I can do without it!

Hi OP, you may* have dodged a bullet.

 

*I choose my model verb carefully lest it attract unwanted attention from the statistics police.

My (very experienced and well-known) dentist over-sold it just a little when he continually promised during consultation that everything will be okay, he would be gentle etc. It wasn't until just before the first surgery that he quickly and nonchalantly mentioned "over 80%" of people don't have any problems, when I very clearly communicated to him that my personal decision regarding root-canal vs. extraction was very much based on likelihood of problems.

The initial multiple injections into the gum below the molar wasn't pleasant but hardly a problem. Most of the drilling wasn't a problem. The problem came with 'mechanical cleaning' and when a piece of metal is inserted right through into the root of the tooth. You can literally feel nerves being pulled out. It mattered ZERO that he commented I had "sensitive" this and that. It mattered nothing that he hypothesized that it was something to do with the pH (acidity) affecting the anesthetic.

For some bizarre reason, he intimated that most of the ordeal was over / the nerves were gone after the first visit. When the less frequent but  nevertheless fugging intense pain happened the second time, he bizarrely blamed it on the "trauma" of the first time i.e. should have waited longer between the first and second visit that the clinic had scheduled. Just Brilliant.

TBF, It's quite naive of me to put so much trust into a medical professional, but equally foolish of me not to have done a little research online beforehand. A post like Tanomazu's (had I been fortunate to have seen it) including the links would have easily persuaded me to go with the much cheaper and straight-forward extraction. Some of the vivid descriptions in the link were written as if someone had read my mind.

Hope your extraction goes well.