I had all 6 of the teeth extracted in March of 2008. My insurance expired the same month. One month later I found my first cavity in several years. I had a consultation with a dentist and was told I would probably need a root canal at worst, a two-step filling at best and that full payment would be needed up front after drilling because a x-ray wouldn't be able to tell be which one I actually needed. Unfortunately, due to my circumstances, I could not afford to get it fixed in the case that I needed the root canal. He said it would be better to wait it out as long as it wasn't hurting too much than it would be to go in to see if it could be filled. I believed him.

I have been taking care of the tooth as best that I can since that time hoping to return to that dentist soon to get the root canal done, but taking care of my little girl was and is always my first priority. Now however, it is beginning to hurt on a continuous basis. What was once a small hole is now a large gaping one that I have filled with a temporary filling to stop the air from making it hurt.

I have looked up the pros and cons of extraction and implant (when I could afford it) versus root canals and I would love to be able to save the tooth. However, I can't pay the whole price up front. I was wondering, do I have any options, or should I continue to wait until I could pay for the whole thing in full? Please, someone help ... I can take the pain if it means saving the tooth, but I don't want this whole thing to be an exercise in futility.