question: I had a crown replaced after 27 years--he removed the pins and put on a new crown.  It was not hurting me--but said the old one was showing decay--after the crown I had severe pain and he sent me to an emergency root canal at $1200 --the crown and build up was almost the same price.   Now I have to go back and finish the root canal--remove the packing and put on temporary crown before a final is placed--my problem is I am afraid the dentist will now say there is not enough tooth left for a crown and will want to do an implant.  I have already spent too much money on this tooth.  I wish I would have just pulled it --it is #19 back molar and they did not recommend it because it will cause other teeth to shift,etc.  But it has turned into one major expense--I hardly have not tooth left after all this--it is just a hole now---can they still do a crown since the dentist said he would re-do it for free?   I cant afford now an implant and not sure I want to go thru that after I just paid for root canal and I may not had too if they do an implant---shouldnt they have seen that first?  I am just frustrated and more out of pocket than what I wanted to spend.  I know they may say an implant since I just have a hole left--but I need another expert advise--since he said he would put the crown- a new crown back on for free--can he crown it with no tooth left--I think more fell off since during root canal taking off old crown and waiting on root canal.   What is your best advise?   I really do not want to go thru anymore and not do an implant...can they crown it with no tooth left?   I would greatly appreciate your advise in case they come back to implant instead.   Thank you.