My dentist said that since so much of the tooth structure is rotten and needs to be drilled out, the gold crown has the best chance of lasting without cracking or failing. I'm only in my 20s so I r...
That pain after drilling is the worst, especially when you didn’t expect to need a root canal in the first place. I’ve had a similar thing happen—went in thinking it’d be a quick filling, but the decay was deeper than it looked on x-rays. Ended up with a root canal and crown too. Gold’s pricey but my dentist said it’s super durable. Still, three root canals in a year sounds rough. I totally get the embarrassment, but honestly, it’s more common than people admit, especially if teeth are already weakened.
It’s honestly more common than people think for a filling to turn into a root canal, especially if the decay is deep or hiding under old fillings. X-rays can only show so much—sometimes the real extent doesn’t show up until the dentist starts drilling. I’ve seen a lot of folks in your age group surprised by this, and it’s definitely not something to feel embarrassed about. Genetics, enamel quality, even just bad luck with how teeth form can play a role.
Gold crowns really do hold up well, especially when there’s not much tooth left to support a regular filling or porcelain crown. Cost is a hurdle, but if you’re hoping for something that’ll last decades, it’s a solid choice (no pun intended). Three root canals in a year is rough, though... It can feel like you’re doing something wrong, but honestly, sometimes it’s just the hand you’re dealt. I’ve had patients who brush and floss religiously and still end up with these issues.
If you’re worried about the pain or healing, most people find things settle down pretty quickly after the initial soreness fades. Hang in there—it gets better.
That’s been my experience too—sometimes you just can’t see how deep the decay goes until they’re in there. I had a molar that looked fine on X-rays, but once my dentist started drilling, it turned into a root canal situation fast. I’ve always wondered, for those who’ve had gold crowns, do you notice any difference in comfort or sensitivity compared to porcelain? I stuck with porcelain because of the cost, but sometimes I wonder if gold would’ve been worth it in the long run.
I’ve wondered about gold crowns too, especially after my dentist described them as “the Cadillac of crowns” (which made me laugh, since my teeth are more like old used Hondas). I went with porcelain for the same reason—my wallet started crying just hearing the price for gold. But now I’m curious if I missed out on some secret dental luxury.
Has anyone actually had both types? Do you notice a big difference in how they feel? My porcelain one is fine, but sometimes I get a bit of sensitivity when I drink something super cold. Not terrible, just annoying. Part of me thinks gold would be smoother or something, but maybe that’s just the grass-is-greener thing going on in my head.
Also, anyone else freaked out by how fast a “little filling” can become a root canal? One minute you’re chilling in the chair, next minute you’re scheduling another appointment and mentally calculating how many coffees you’ll have to skip to pay for it...
Also, anyone else freaked out by how fast a “little filling” can become a root canal? One minute you’re chilling in the chair, next minute you’re scheduling another appointment and mentally calculating how many coffees you’ll have to skip to pay for it...
That’s honestly the most relatable thing I’ve read all week. Had a tiny cavity filled last year and thought I was in the clear—then bam, pain out of nowhere and suddenly I’m getting a root canal. It does feel like things escalate way too quickly sometimes, but my dentist said it’s not always predictable. Porcelain crowns are decent, but yeah, gold supposedly lasts forever (if only my budget did too). Hang in there, you’re definitely not alone in this dental rollercoaster.
