An infected tooth is a serious dental health issue that can cause extreme pain. If you are afflicted by this problem, you should see a local emergency dentist as soon as possible. After they thoroughly examine your mouth, they might present you with a couple of treatment options. How can you choose the best one for your situation? This blog post provides a helpful comparison of root canals vs. tooth extractions.
Root Canals vs. Tooth Extractions: An Overview
A tooth extraction ends a toothache and stops an infection by removing the affected tooth altogether. It is usually a straightforward procedure, and it can pave the way for improved dental health in the future.
Root canal therapy, on the other hand, seeks to preserve the infected tooth. During the procedure, the dentist uses special instruments to access the tooth’s interior chambers. Then, they clean out the infected tissue, extract the tooth’s nerve, and then fill in the tooth with a special material that will help it retain its shape. A crown is usually placed after a root canal. This procedure is consistently successful, and it appeals to many patients because it allows them to maintain a complete smile.
When Is Root Canal Therapy the Better Option?
Most of the time, root canal therapy is the preferred treatment for an infected tooth. That is because the procedure allows you to avoid the issues that come with tooth loss. For example, keeping your natural tooth may spare you from:
- Suffering deterioration of your jawbone
- Spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on tooth replacement
- The embarrassment of missing teeth
- Dental drift (Dental drift is an issue wherein the remaining natural teeth drift into the space left by a missing tooth.)
- Future tooth loss
When Is a Tooth Extraction Better?
While root canal therapy is usually the more advantageous option, there are some situations in which it would be better to remove an infected tooth altogether. That is usually true if a tooth is so badly damaged that attempting to preserve it would be impossible or impractical.
An extraction may also be better if a wisdom tooth is causing problems. Although it is possible to perform a root canal on a third molar, it tends to be simpler to perform an extraction instead. It is also beneficial because wisdom teeth are unnecessary and are known to cause multiple oral health issues.
Which Is Better for You?
Extractions and root canals are both effective ways to address a tooth infection. Your dentist will recommend the one that they believe is the better fit for your situation. Whichever one you undergo, you can look forward to a healthier smile that is free of pain.
Meet the Practice
The All Dental team in Watertown proudly provides a range of general and emergency services to our community, including gentle tooth extractions and effective root canal therapy. If you believe you require treatment, we are ready to evaluate the situation and recommend your next steps. Contact our office at 617-924-9993.