u/Jafaratar05

Hello! I had an exam/cleaning yesterday and I'm hoping to get some insight from you guys on whether or not #18 really needs a root canal and crown or if I should go get a second opinion.

Some facts:

- Pano was taken September 2024. Bitewing was taken yesterday 5/13/26.

- I previously had an amalgam filling in that tooth which was removed and replaced with a composite filling in Sept 2024. Occlusal surface filling only.

- I have no pain in #18 or any of the surrounding teeth.

- I drink occasionally (like 1 drink a week), non-smoker. Floss 1x a day at night and use an electric toothbrush. No history of periodontal disease and have never had a root canal.

The dentist did not mention seeing decay or infection on the xrays. He only saw some decay upon visual exam. The hygienist initially thought the discoloration was just a little staining from the previous amalgam filling that I had for 10+ years prior. When I started asking questions about the urgency of having a root canal since the tooth is asymptomatic and if there were any less invasive methods we could try first he seemed pretty put-out that I was not immediately accepting his assessment and reluctantly said he could try to remove the filling and see how extensive the decay is first but that a root canal would be the likely outcome. No pulp vitality test was done.

Thanks in advance!

I was so excited when I found this platform to make a little extra cash because I really need it right now. I created an account on Monday. I've had 22 accepted submissions with a few still awaiting review and no rejections. I tried to do everything right because, from what I've read on this subreddit, this platform seems pretty fickle. Then on Wednesday I realized no studies were showing up because my account was put on hold for failing an identity check. I searched this subreddit for answers and found one post about it likely being that my paypal account still had my maiden name on it. So I updated my paypal name and opened an appeal. Well, it was rejected today with no further info as to why.

I never received a warning, which was stated in their help FAQ that I should've received one. I only noticed the hold because there were no studies showing up. They won't tell me why I failed this identity check and there's absolutely no way to get answers once the appeal is rejected.

From my little bit of lurking on this sub, I feel like my post is going to fall on deaf ears and nobody is going to care. But I'm just so genuinely upset, and I just feel like screaming into the void, okay?

Does #18 really need a root canal?