My lower left wisdom tooth #17 has a titanium crown placed 4.5 yrs ago. 3 to 4 wks ago it started to develop sensitivity to temp & pressure. 2 wks ago General Dentist referred me to Endodontist for root canal, but havent made it there yet due to appt backlog and travel schedule. Now pain is substantially reduced but still occurs with heavier pressure.
I am wondering if it is worth time and high cost for RCT & restoration for this tooth. It sounds like root-treated teeth can often continue to be sensitive or painful until extracted, and there is some risk of prolonged periapical tissue reaction to canal sealers and fillers.
I still have all my wisdom teeth because I had 4 bicuspids extracted to make room during orthodontia 40 yrs ago. My jaw is still pretty crowded due to large size of molars.
So, even though I would prefer to keep all 28 of my remaining teeth, I am considering extraction of #17 instead of RCT. I think the risk of supereruption of the opposing wisdom tooth may be low since I am in my 50's now.
Any recommendations and insights appreciated.
Get Dentist Opinions