another thing, The medications required to kill a dental infection usually need to be very strong as they are often antibiotic resistant ( low blood flow, encapsulated) . There has been many studies linking the destruction of gut enzymes in your stomach that can cause future dietary concerns.

The end of the day pulling is permanent. Its a decision you have to make and be comfortable with it. I know I and many others have a only have one set mentality. That being said, Im glad mine was pulled.

With a recent bout of c diff, messing up my gut or getting c diff again is not happening. I also just realized I had lots of complications on my last root canal including a larger than grape sized hole eaten in my jawbone by an abscess and resulting heart trouble. I never equated the abscess to the root canal before, but it was the same tooth. It will not be a problem in an hour. She is coming out.

I would never ever get a root cannal done.
I have a family member that works for a major insurance company in the states, they will not cover your cancer treatment if you have had one done. Now there has to be a reason, pull it get a implant done.

My old dentist told me to try and keep as many bottom ones as i can as dentures dont work so good in the bottom. Still got most of my own,23 and counting. Got a partial where gaps show. Left gaps where they cant be seen. Been working great that way for years.
I actually had molars pulled, they were bad shape anyhow, to get my wisdoms to move down, years ago. Avoiding a big bill and not so nice operation as molars were mostly buried. Still got nice healthy wisdoms now that work like molars.
Only ever had one root canal and now its pulled because of nasty infection.

So would i ever root canal again? Never i just pull them now. Learned my lesson.

I'd keep it as long as you can.

There is a smoking hole where that tooth used to be. So much better already

I've lost count of how many root canal treatments I've had performed. Not one has caused any issues.

I find it interesting that most websites that say root canals cause cancer or other issues are usually trying to sell crap, like this clown:

Read the article then click on the link at the bottom where they try to sell you $155/month of

https://beatcancer.org/blog-posts/ro...ls-and-cancer/

http://www.Beating-Cancer-Gently.com

BTW the guy selling this crap is actually dead, he died of cancer go figure. Interesting enough his website lives on, using his name within extensively.

Too many fake websites nowadays, you just need to wade through them. I think I'd rather take the advice of a dental professional over that of some internet quack trying to sell crap that will cure my dental woes.

You can blindly follow whatever you like but the medical/pharmaceutical industry is big business. You know what they say about the root of all evil.

My father was killed by a medical professional and I nearly lost both my son and wife to medical professionals. Yes it was another medical professional that saved the day in the later cases but they also left us with a warning to use common sense.

I deal with the public all the time and those of you that think medical professionals are super intelligent, are very naive. I have met plumbers, mechanics and other tradesmen with much higher IQs. Some of the absolute stupidest people I have met are teaching our children, but that is a different story.

Remember this when dealing with a medical professional. Money and a good memory will get you through medical school. I went to school with several people that couldn't even learn to play chess but graduated with honors and went on to be "professionals".

Anyway, there are many medical professionals that graduated in the top 25% of their class and are both skilled and brilliant. Then there is the other 75% that are neither.

Procedures change over time. European countries treat cancer and other illness much differently than North American doctors, with what most would argue a better success rate. It wasn't that long ago we considered leaches a sound medical practice.

The third-leading cause of death in US most doctors don't want you to know about;

A recent Johns Hopkins study claims more than 250,000 people in the U.S. die every year from medical errors. Other reports claim the numbers to be as high as 440,000.
Medical errors are the third-leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer.
Advocates are fighting back, pushing for greater legislation for patient safety.
Ray Sipherd, special to CNBC.com

Pull it.

47 and you have not lost a tooth?

Personally I would have it pulled. You will be fine without it and have 3k to blow on some gear.

Whoa there Nelly, don't put words in my mouth. I'm not blindly following anyone, I said I think I'd rather take the advice of a dental professional over that of some internet quack, big difference. Taking advice is just what it says, what one does with that advice is a whole different matter.

I agree with what you have to say about medical professionals, I was nearly put under by a Doc who thought it was a good idea to slow my heart rate down to 30BPM via meds. A guy really needs to do his homework.

Reading this thread has made me pause to think about my recent root canal / cap experience.

I was in to have a regular cleaning and was told I had a cavity in one of my molars. Had the filling done and then over a month or so the cold sensitivity I had got uncomfortable (I had been using Sensodyne for quite a while). Went back to dentist and all looked fine they said with filling. Long story short, was referred to a specialist and had a root canal done followed by a cap. By the time I had the root canal I couldn't hardly breath through that side of my mouth without feeling some slight pain. I felt like it was good decision and really didn't consider pulling it. Perhaps I should have?

My personal reason for having it pulled was that the molar was cracked. I had no infection in the tooth itself ( some infection in the sinus cavity above the tooth, upper jaw). I dont know that if it was not cracked I would have had it pulled. Furthest back molar.

Already done, dont worry about it. If in the future it bothers you I would consider pulling it if it was myself.