What should you do if there’s an infection that’s causing your tooth to hurt? In many cases, dentists recommend root canal therapy. However, many patients have misgivings about this procedure and wonder whether it wouldn’t be better to just have the tooth extracted instead. To help you make the right choice for your grin, here’s a brief overview of both procedures and why one might be preferable over the other in a given situation.
What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
The purpose of root canal therapy is simple: to get rid of the infection inside the tooth before it leads to irreparable damage or even more severe dental issues. The procedure is nowhere near as painful as many people think since the mouth is kept numb during the process.
Root canal therapy involves making a hole in the tooth, taking out any infected tissues, and cleaning the pulp chamber as well as the canals. To protect the tooth’s integrity, the now-empty space is filled with biocompatible material, and a customized crown is placed.
What Happens During Tooth Extraction?
When there’s no way to save a tooth, an extraction is performed. Oftentimes, the process is as simple as loosening the tooth until it can be removed. However, for teeth that have been badly damaged, it might be necessary to make a surgical incision in the gums to access more of the dental structure. Like with root canal therapy, your mouth will be numbed for your extraction.
Which Should You Choose: Root Canal Therapy or Tooth Extraction?
What’s important to remember about tooth extraction is that it is generally only recommended when there are no other viable options. It’s always preferable to save a tooth when you can; not only is it better for your smile, but you can avoid the costs that come with having it replaced. A tooth extraction should only be performed if your dentist has determined that there’s no way to keep the tooth in question without compromising your oral health.
As such, it’s generally better to have root canal therapy performed. By removing the pulp along with the bacteria that caused the infection, your dentist can protect the tooth from further damage. Additionally, completing this procedure means that you’ll no longer have to worry about the pain that’s typically associated with infected dental pulp.
Bear in mind that if you wait too long, root canal therapy might no longer be possible, leaving tooth extraction as the only choice. So if you’re currently suffering from a toothache, you should act quickly to get the care you need so that you don’t lose a tooth that potentially could have been saved.
About the Author
Dr. Lucia Troisi was born in Venezuela. She completed the dental program at Universidad de Carabobo, and after moving to the United States she attended NOVA Southeastern University. At Troisi Dentistry in Chesapeake, she is able to perform root canal therapy to help patients find relief from their dental pain. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Troisi, visit her website or call (757) 548-1611.