Crown VS. pulling the tooth?

The dentist told me that I need to have a crown put on my left 2nd molar (#18). It will cost me $850. What is the benefit of this? I have already had the root canal on that tooth 8 years ago, and the temp filling has lasted until now. Why not just get it pulled? What good is the 2nd molar to me? I have already had my 6 (yes, 6!) wisdom teeth pulled. Can anyone fill me in on the pros and cons?

Crown VS. pulling the tooth?
If the temporary filling has worn out I would get that refilled if able to instead. I have a big tooth just drilled and filled and so far it has been fine for years now. Then I had gotten a crown as the dentist talked me into this with a root canal on a few teeth, one of the crowned teeth still had an infection after the root canal. This had to be removed and I have NO tooth now there until I get some replacement to keep my teeth from shifting around this one.





I feel if I had to do it over again I would have JUST had it drilled and filled like the other one that is holding up well on it's own now instead. I don't see why there isn't just drilling and filling of cavities like they used to. I guess it's not as profitable for them to do that. I mean, the crowns cost more and they get more out of that when they convince you to get a root canal. I have my own natural tooth with the one drilled and filled just and I wish I still had the other tooth, but I didn't insist to just drill and fill or get a second opinion. I found my dentist got money happy and crowns pay better in the long run.
Reply:I have a back bottom tooth with a cap.


Those are your chewing teeth.





I got mine about 2-3 years ago, and have been very happy with it.
Reply:The molars are incredibly important in chewing. They are much more important that wisdom teeth, and you should never have one pulled if there's another way out. If you remove a molar, you are removing a stabilizing force in your jaw. This means that your other teeth will most likely shift, and get crooked.





Sign up for a dental discount plan, like careington. Check the details, as some does not cover work in progress. For $10 a month, you can probably shave off 50% of the price for the crown.
Reply:If you have already spent money for a root canal then you should definitely finish with the crown ,benefit will be having your tooth .If you just take it out no sudden severe affects will be noticeable immediately except less chewing ability ,but later on the tooth above this tooth will over years drift down until something stops it if nothing is there to stop except your gum then that's what will stop it and that would probably be over a lot of years .But if you can do it I would because you've already invested the cost of the root canal .
Reply:Crowns are very beneficial. They protect the tooth from decay and look very natural. i would never suggest extracting a tooth that can be saved. in later years when you start needing teeth out and possibly a denture that is when as many teeth as possible come in handy.
Reply:hmmm... wy not your tooth get pulled off.... easy to say... :) here are the benefits enlisted....





1. you can save your tooth


2. no problem for chewing and grinding food


3. all your other teeth are intact


4. no drifting of adjacent teeth


5. no passive erution (over eruption) of opposing tooth


6. no change in the arch length


7. aesthetics


8. mainly, your Bone is being preserved....





when teeth is removed,





1. loss of function


2. malalignment of teeth


3. abnormal occlusion


4. resorption or loss of alveolar bone.





once when u get your teeth pulled out, the space previously occupied wil be replaced by bone consequently... as a process of aging bone will undergo resorption or bone shrinking... wen teeth are present bone is intact due do normal physiology... any periodontal disease in its later stages cause bone loss....





its better to save your teeth for the above functions... the crown that your doctor adviced to wear will enhance these functions....





you've mentioned you got your 3rd molars removed... thats again a right treatment... doctors pull out your 3rd molards when they are growing in an un natural position or when it is buried within the bone or when the teeth is decayed.... we normally remove it to prevent any cyst or tumor formation, adjacent root resorption in that region.... no doctor removes the wisdom tooth when it is growing normally or the tooth is healthy...





cost is also nominal... wanna save money without a crown at the expense of bone and other functions of that tooth??? when your teeth is alright wy unnecessarily to remove it... when pros and cons are weighted surely benefits over weigh....





if there is no other go teeth can be removed and should be replaced immediately or as early as possible to preserve the bone....





hope I've answered all your questions....
Reply:Im sorry to hear that you are having alot of problems. What i can say is to check out this website.


www.healthsavings.ourperfectcard.com


for under $20 a month it will save you up to 80% on dental work. I had to get plan when I dental cosmetic surgery and it saved me alot of money on exams, xrays and follow up. Of course the procedure. All services are offered.


Good luck



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