Unfinished crown, open root canal

[SuzyinOkla]

After having a root canal in December '08 to prepare two back molars for crowns I lost my job and all my health insurance.  The last molar has now split completely down the middle leaving two craggy and sharp halfs with a hole in the center.   I cannot get into a dentist for at least 6-8 months, just finding work is difficult enough.  My concern is since the root and temporary filling is gone what are the dangers to my health, any symptoms I should look out for?  I do not want an infection in my jaw and not have any pain until it has become severe.  There is some discomfort when biting down, I usually just avoid chewing with the 3 molars left on the right side.

[scottma]

if the tooth is non-restorable, extraction is the treatment of choice. Your dental condition as described appears to invite jaw bone infection.

[hannah12]

Root canal treatment is done when there is no chance of tooth to be saved, and the patient doesn’t want it to be extracted although decayed. It is done to kill the vitality of the tooth and then filling it with mechanical components, and placing a cap over it.
The procedure involves the removal of the nervous elements of the tooth which have been infected or decayed already due to microbial action or any physical pressures.
Root Canal