An infected tooth is a serious oral health issue that can cause extreme pain. If you are suffering from this problem, you should see your emergency dentist as soon as possible. After they perform a thorough examination, they might present you with a couple of different treatment options. Which one should you choose? This blog post provides a candid overview of root canals vs. tooth extractions.
Root Canals vs. Tooth Extractions: The Basics
A tooth extraction can end a toothache and prevent a dental infection from spreading into nearby tissues. It does so via the removal of an entire infected tooth. It is a straightforward and relatively simple procedure
Root canal therapy is a bit more complicated. Rather than removing the entire tooth, a dentist uses special instruments to access the infected tissue within the tooth. Once they remove the damaged area and extract the tooth’s nerve, they fill in the tooth with a special material. Then, they usually protect it with a crown. Root canal therapy is consistently successful and allows patients to avoid the loss of one of their natural teeth.
When Is Root Canal Therapy the Better Option?
In most cases, root canal therapy is the better option for addressing an infected tooth. That is because it can allow you to avoid the complications and inconveniences that often come with tooth loss. For example, keeping your tooth can prevent:
- Bone deterioration in the jaw
- The expenses associated with tooth replacement
- The embarrassment of an incomplete smile
- Dental drift (a problem wherein the remaining teeth drift into the empty space left by a missing tooth)
- Future tooth loss
When Is a Tooth Extraction Better?
Of course, there are some cases where an extraction would be a better option than root canal therapy. This is usually true if a tooth is so badly damaged that attempting to preserve it would be impractical.
An extraction may also be preferable if a wisdom tooth is infected. Although it is possible to perform root canal therapy on wisdom teeth, it is usually simpler and more beneficial to remove the teeth altogether.
Which Is Better for You?
Your dentist will answer your questions and let you know whether they believe a root canal or tooth extraction would be the best option for your unique circumstances. Whatever they recommend, you can look forward to a healthier, pain-free smile!
Meet the Practice
The expert dentists in our practice are proud to offer root canal therapy, gentle extractions, and other restorative services in a welcoming, comfortable environment. If you are struggling with a toothache or other oral health concerns, we are ready to assess the situation and recommend a treatment. Contact our Westborough dental team at 508-217-7265.