No one likes to think about a root canal treatment or tooth extraction when visiting the dentist about an oral health issue. But sometimes, these treatments offer the best outcomes and may be necessary to address your issue.
The good news is that both root canal treatments and tooth extractions are relatively simple, and they are the beginning of restoring your oral health and renewing your smile. You may wonder whether a root canal or tooth extraction is better for your situation.
Your dentist will be able to evaluate your oral health and recommend the right option for you, but understanding more about these procedures and why your dentist may suggest one over the other can help you feel at ease with what your dentist recommends for you.
Root Canal Treatment: What is It?
Root canal treatment is a procedure used to treat an infected tooth. The infection affects the pulp or the soft tissue inside the root canal of your tooth. Your dentist will first access the inside of the tooth to clean out the infected pulp and disinfect the various canals. Then, they will refill the area with a biocompatible rubber-like material and seal it off for protection.1
Pros of Root Canal Treatment
One of the best things about root canal treatment is that it helps to preserve your natural tooth. Your dentist may need to place a dental crown over it for extra protection and support, but the most important thing is that the natural tooth root is still there to stimulate bone growth in the jaw and maintain the natural order in your mouth.
Another advantage of root canal therapy is that no further procedures are generally necessary once it’s complete. On the other hand, with tooth extraction, you’ll also need to determine some sort of tooth replacement procedure.
Cons of Root Canal Treatment
Perhaps the most significant disadvantage of root canal treatment is the potential for reinfection. The procedure is typically highly effective, but the success rate is not 100%, so you may require an endodontic retreatment or other procedure after receiving the root canal treatment.
Tooth Extraction: What is It?
A tooth extraction is when a tooth is removed from the mouth entirely. It’s a procedure that can address an infected tooth and issues like severe tooth decay or damage, impacted teeth, and tooth crowding. It can also benefit those with severe gum disease (periodontitis).2
Pros of Tooth Extraction
A key advantage of tooth extractions is that they are a simple, effective way to address a severe tooth infection or teeth that are damaged beyond repair.
Cons of Tooth Extraction
A disadvantage of choosing a tooth extraction is that once that tooth has been removed, you will be left with a space in your mouth where the tooth was. If you opt not to replace the missing tooth, you may experience teeth shifting, a change in your bite, bone loss, and more.2 If you decide to move ahead with tooth replacement, you will require another procedure.
Root Canal Treatment vs. Extraction: Which Option Is Best?
When it comes to choosing between these procedures, there are different factors to consider including your general dental health condition, the history of the dental problem, and personal preference.
For example, a root canal may be the best option if you want to preserve your natural tooth whenever possible. However, if you’ve received root canal treatment on a particular tooth before and the infection returned, a tooth extraction could be the right choice.
Your dentist will be able to evaluate all these possibilities and recommend the best treatment for your unique situation.
Restorative Dental Care from Albion Family Dental
Whether you need a tooth extraction or root canal treatment, the experienced team at Albion Family Dental provides exceptional, comfortable dental care in our comfortable office. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry services to Albion, NY, patients. To schedule an appointment, contact us today at 585-589-9044.
Sources:
[1] https://www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/what-is-a-root-canal/
[2] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22120-tooth-extraction