When would a dentist recommend an onlay and when would a dentist recommend a root canal? If tooth decay is not treated, would it result in a root canal? I understand it makes sense to preserver the existing tooth, but cost wise, which is more effective – an Onlay or a Crown?
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#1 by ? on February 24, 2010 - 6:18 am
I work for a dental plan and I can assure you that a crown will be a LOT more expensive than a filling.
You need a filling when:
-you have a cavity or a chipped or missing chunk of your tooth. You’ll know you have a cavity if the spot is sensitive to cold or if it’s irritated when you eat sweets. Otherwise you can feel it with your tongue or you can see it. Fillings vary in price depending on what part of the country you are in, but are usually affordable to whatever the cost of living is in your area.
You need a root canal when:
Your small cavity grows to a big one, or even worse, a deep one. You’ll know it’s most likely going to be a root canal if the spot sensitive to hot and cold, sweets, and or pretty much anything that gets in there. Just so you know, root canals are expensive too, and are usually followed up with a crown which will make your now dead tooth look like a real one, and crowns are outrageous in price, not to mention lab fees.
If you let your cavity go untreated, here’s what you can expect:
Pain… Lots of pain… And there is always the possibility of an abscess (which can kill you if it pops)… Gum disease… Horrible breath… Oh, and a HUGE dental bill. Not properly treating dental problems can actually lead to severe health problems…
So, all in all, you can pay the $100-$200 for a filling and get it done and over with, or you can wait until it becomes a root canal, then it’s $300-$800 for that, PLUS the $800-$3000 for the crown… Not to mention the hassle of being in pain and so forth…
Prevention is your best dental treatment.
#2 by Anonymous on February 24, 2010 - 9:08 am
You only need a root canal if your tooth has died and abcessed. You will know because it will be a throbbing pain that you can’t stand and it will probably swell up your face. And if decay is not treated it will eat into the nerve and become abcessed. Not sure on the onlay vs. crown.