I have received tremendous help from this forum. The last question I asked about my 104 year old mother and going to NY changed my life in a profound way. I'm so grateful to this community. So, I turn to this forum once again. My mother's dentist (it's Eastern Dental which appears to be like a chain. It's not personal) wants to remove her bottom front tooth. It's infected underneath. Her primary doctor told me to ask them why not an antibiotic. I was finally able to get an answer: because it could still come back. My cousin and I googled and it looks like a root canal is less traumatic than a tooth being pulled. Mom also cares about her looks and a missing tooth in the front would bother her a lot. At the time (a few weeks ago) I just remember the dentist saying "We'll pull the tooth because you don't want a root canal!". But he never said why. He's not very communicative. The appointment is this week. We intend to ask "him" (really it will be relaying the message through his admin) again tomorrow why not a root canal. But I'd be interested in anyone's thoughts on this. Thank you all so much.
First, the tooth is drilled out to remove all the infected pulp interior...down to the ROOT. An Endodontist (specialist) is required, and it runs well over $1,500. The cavity is packed with gutta percha, a special filler. Then the remaining tooth ground down to prep for a crown, which will be another $1,400. A temp crown is applied to keep it sealed, so the infection fully heals.
Two weeks later, her regular dentist drills out the gutta percha, refills the tooth with specialized cement, and puts the new crown on. It takes 3 visits to complete, each one an hour to 90 minutes of holding her mouth open (after several injections). Also taking antibiotics during the 2 weeks of procedures.
The alternative? Pull the damn tooth for $150. Be done with the infection and instant relief! Then get a single "flipper tooth" for a few hundred to pop in to look nice.
I was in my late 50s and still working, with excellent insurance. I was totally concerned about my looks, since I faced the wealthy public every day, so couldn't go to work with a blank space in front.
It's going to run $3,000 for a root canal/crown. Versus extraction and a flipper tooth in 2 easy visits, running about $500. Those prices were in 2015, and could be much higher now.
Good luck!
That being said, this past year my 95-yr old Mom had a similar issue: infected upper tooth towards the front of her mouth, what to do about it. The dentist got her on antibiotics right away and the decision was made to pull the tooth and then fit her for a "flipper" tooth. This is a "faux" tooth that is attached to a retainer-like device. It suctions to the roof of her mouth (with a little help from an adhesive) and you cannot tell that it's not a real tooth. She can still eat most foods with it in. It does require a little cleaning and care, some of it was covered by insurance, and it was not too expensive (which is relative, I know).
Your Mom's is on the bottom so not sure how it will be secured in her mouth. FYI my Mom's flipper is not considered "temporary". The first one that came back from the dental lab did not fit perfectly so the dentist used a different lab. It clicks into place very easily and is comfortable. Even with my Mom's arthritic fingers with neuropathy, she is able to get it in and out all by herself.
https://www.healthline.com/health/what-you-need-to-know-about-maintaining-a-partial-denture-also-known-as-a-flipper-tooth
To me this is a no brainer. I mean your mother is 104 years old.
And since I've had both a back tooth pulled and several root canals over the years, I would say BY FAR the root canals are much more traumatic than having a tooth pulled, plus you have to keep your mouth open for at least a good hour once you get good and numb.
Your mother deserves the simplest procedure done now, as she doesn't need the aggravation of a root canal. Not at 104 anyway.
Best of luck to you both..
Antibiotics prophylactically should likely be given to someone of this age before extraction, and certainly to kill infection. She isn't going to miss this tooth. Just get it done; will be easiest and fastest healing. Don't allow everyone and every internet site to cause you to question the expert here, your dentist.
Just my humble opinion as an old retired RN.
Since reading everyone's response, should I even bother with a second opinion?
The tooth has been loose for about a year.