Root Canal Vs Extraction: What’s The Best Option?

Are you suffering from a painful tooth? Confused about whether you should go for a tooth extraction or a root canal treatment? Always go for a professional judgment. Do not try a DIY for pain removal as it may worsen the pain or tooth condition. Limited knowledge about dental treatments and their aftercare makes you scared to visit the dental clinics in Newtown. And your teeth issues increase.

An experienced dentist can treat a cavity-infected tooth in two ways: a root canal and tooth extraction. A root canal is performed to save the tooth for use in your mouth, and the other one, i.e., extraction of a tooth, is the final option to get rid of your pain. Some situations may arise when both options can be chosen. In other situations, the dentist will decide if a root canal can be performed or if extraction of the tooth is best.

Read this blog to understand the benefits and aftercare of both procedures. Whenever you are in such a situation to choose between an extraction and a root canal, you will be able to make the right decision. First, you need to understand when a root canal is possible and when an extraction is the key.

Can Your Tooth Be Saved?

Your tooth is aching and damaged due to a cavity. The dentist will follow a checkup with an X-ray of your mouth. If the infection has not spread deep enough into the tooth, it can be saved through a root canal procedure.

Is Extraction Mandatory For The Tooth?

If the tooth infection has spread too deep into the tooth or advanced pulp damage has occurred, then no other treatment is possible except for pulling the tooth. This suggests the tooth has been damaged beyond repair, and a root canal will be of no use. Moreover, some other instances may occur where tooth extraction is necessary, though pulp damage has not occurred –

• The tooth is traumatically damaged beyond repair
• Impacted tooth, i.e., stuck in your jawbone
• A decayed tooth with severe damage
• A root canal has been performed on a tooth, and it is still painful

Root Canal Vs Extraction: Procedure & Aftercare

Root Canals

• How Do You Know A Root Canal Is Required?

If your tooth requires a root canal treatment, some symptoms will be visible. The initial symptoms may include a painful tooth while consuming too hot or too cold beverages. If the pain persists for long, it can cause swollen gums and bad breath, too. All these together signify a root canal is necessary.

• Root Canal Procedure: What Is It Exactly?

Your dentist will perform a root canal procedure to take out the decayed pulp from inside the damaged tooth. Then, the dentist seals the empty chamber with a filling material. Finally, after recovery, a permanent filling is placed over it. The motto of this treatment is to save the maximum tooth structure. The dentists only destroy the damaged or unrecoverable parts of the tooth. Finally, you will have a healthy and strong-looking tooth to perform your daily activities.

• Aftercare

After an RCT is performed, proper aftercare is suggested to avoid further infections. You need to brush your teeth twice a day with the necessary flossing. In case you are experiencing any discomfort, talk to your dentist for proper medications.

Tooth Extraction

• Does Your Tooth Require A Tooth Extraction?

There are certain conditions, like the tooth having severe decay, advanced pulp damage, or it is still painful even after an RCT. It means extraction is required.

• Tooth Extraction: What is it?

The dentist injects anaesthesia into the tooth area to make the surrounding area numb. The procedure includes the following steps –

1. Scaling – In this method, plaque is scraped away from under the gums of the teeth. This reduces the chances of further infection in the tissues. Dentists use scalers for this.
2. Root Planing – The dentist smoothens the rough spots along with the roots of the teeth.
3. Curettage – It is a surgical process that removes dead tissues from the tooth socket.
4. Stapling – In this step, the dentist closes the gum tissues with stitches or staples.

In more complex cases such as when a molar is deeply impacted or causing pain, you may need a wisdom tooth extraction, which involves additional surgical care and expertise.

• Aftercare

A tooth extraction requires proper aftercare to avoid further infections at the site. 

Tooth Extraction or Root Canal – Make Your Choice!

Now, you have a better understanding of both procedures. When your tooth is under scrutiny, with the suggestion of your dentist, you have to choose which procedure to undergo. Here are some factors you need to consider –

• Severity of tooth decay
• How much area of the tooth is infected?
• Does it have any exposed nerves?
• How much money and time can you spend on the procedure?
• A root canal is a surgical procedure. Are you comfortable with it?
• Do you have any kind of health issues like heart disease or diabetes?
• How badly can an extraction hurt?

Contact the best dentist in Newtown: Blue Tooth Dental. Depending on your oral health, your dentist is the best person to suggest the best treatment and what can fit into your budget.