I just got the bad news from my dentist and an endodontist that the preferred treatment for my tooth is extraction and then a bridge. I'm reluctant to do this because of the risk of complications from the extraction.

The alternative is to remove and replace a 40+ year old root canal, then attach posts to the new root canal to attach the new crown as there is nothing left of the tooth to attach a crown to. the endodontist ordinarily wouldn't try this approach.

My idea of just leaving the tooth alone got rejected because the old root canal is no longer sterile and will infect.

My question is: does the risk of osteoradionecrosis and/or other complications decrease over time or does it increase or stay the same? Any other advice or suggestions from the dental experts out there would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
marilyn