Root canal Vs Extraction

Maintaining the health of your smile is important in preventing tooth loss or decay. However, Persistent tooth pain or ache is a good indicator that you may have an infected tooth.

When an infection is present, patients dentist often want to perform a root canal procedure over an extraction to preserve the tooth. On the other hand, an extraction may be necessary to rid the smile of decay and preserve overall oral health.

We will explore when you would need a root canal or extraction and the benefits of each option when given the choice by your dentist.

Root Canal Therapy

A cavity is the result of plaque buildup from leftover food. They form a hard to remove debris if you do not practice a diligent oral care routine. Plaque produces acids that erode the enamel and allows bacteria to access the dental pulp, the tissue that keeps the tooth alive. Root canals are necessary when bacteria have infected the pulp, causing dental pain and discomfort.

This treatment is often thought to be painful; however, the purpose of the treatment is to alleviate the cause of pain. Root canal therapy removes the infected dental pulp and cleans the chamber and canals. Once thoroughly removed, a dental material called gutta-percha is placed in the canals to prevent any further bacteria to access the roots and dental chamber. A porcelain crown is applied once the treated tooth has been filled, restoring the tooth’s structure and protecting the tooth from reinfection.

Root canal therapy preserves the natural tooth. Dentists focus on retaining as much of the natural tooth as possible as replacing a lost or extracted tooth requires dental implants to combat the effects. We take a preservative approach and try to keep teeth safe.

Extraction

Removing a tooth is only done when severe decay threatens other parts of the smile. Dentists recommend extraction when the tooth can no longer be saved by root canal therapy.

Before removing the tooth, our practices use local anesthetics to ensure patient comfort during treatment. This procedure is less expensive than receiving a root canal treatment but can require after treatment with a bridge or dental implant to preserve alignment, which may be costly in the long run.

Visit our dental practice to learn more about root canal therapy, extraction, and other dental treatments to preserve the health of your smile. Contact us today!