Hello,
I am 45 years old. I had a root canal done about 10 years ago that started to give me problems a couple years ago, namely infections. I went to a oral surgeon who tried to correct the problem. During this period we found a crack in the enamel so there was nothing that could be done with the tooth. This all happened a year ago.
Everything seemed well enough and I have let it be. The problem is that where the crack in the tooth, just above the gum line, puts off a unpleasant odor and I need to get this tooth pulled. Of that much I am certain and have no problem with that.
What concerns me is what to do after that. It seems a bridge is going to cost in the area of $3200 and a implant is in the neighborhood of $4500. A bridge is not a attractive option to me because the two teeth beside the removed teeth will have to have so much enamel removed.
I am tempted to just have it removed, but I have heard a lot of bad things about doing this. The tooth in question is my lower left (my left hand side) first molar (from what I have identified from a tooth map). I have my wisdom teeth and the tooth in question is the third one counting from there.
Is it necessary to have a molar replaced and are there any other options (less expensive) for resolving this? I know my child needed a spacer when he had a baby molar removed, is there a permanent spacer or something along those lines? I am not a vain person, I just don't want things to get worse.
Can I have the tooth removed now and how much time do I have to make a decision?
Thanks for your help