When considering how to handle a damaged tooth to avoid further oral complications, the two best options are a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction. Each treatment has its own benefits and specific conditions that warrant its application.
In this guide, Dr. Harish Patel, D.M.D, our Indian Trail dentist, shares his insights on getting a root canal vs. a tooth extraction and when you should consider each treatment. Remember that your oral health has an effect on your overall health, and it’s crucial to maintain your teeth properly. So, without further ado, let’s learn about root canal treatment.
What is a Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is an oral procedure performed to relieve pain caused by an abscessed or infected tooth. The primary aim of a root canal procedure is to fix dental conditions that affect the innermost layer of your teeth.
During the root canal process, the inflamed or infected pulp is extracted, and the surface inside the tooth is cleaned and disinfected. Your dentist will then place a filling to close the space.
When Is a Root Canal Treatment Needed?
Our root canal treatment in Indian Trail, NC, is often considered a tooth-saving option for patients with a damaged, diseased, or dead pulp. The pulp is an integral part of your teeth because it provides a healthy blood flow to each tooth.
However, you can damage the pulp by developing a deep dental cavity or cracking your tooth. A cracked tooth or cavity-filled tooth makes it easy for the bacteria from your mouth to reach your pulp, which causes swelling, infection, or the death of the vital tissues in the pulp.
Other conditions that warrant a root canal treatment include:
Severe Tooth Sensitivity
Do your teeth hurt when you consume hot foods or cold drinks? If so, it could mean that you need a root canal treatment. The probability of needing a root canal is high when the pain lingers after the initial sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks.
Frequent and Deep Toothaches
A variety of dental problems can cause a toothache. However, if you experience deep pains in your tooth, you may need root canal therapy. Deep toothaches often cause discomfort in your jaw, face, and other teeth, and this pain likely means you need a root canal.
Pimple on Gums or Swollen Gums
An infected tooth may cause you to develop a pimple or boil on the gums. Also, the pus from the infected tooth may either collect in an area, leading to a swollen or tender gum, or it may drain from the pimple, producing a foul smell or taste.
Benefits of a Root Canal Procedure
There are numerous benefits of a root canal procedure to treat your dental conditions. Root canal treatment can:
- Remove or reduce the symptoms associated with having an infected tooth.
- Prevent the infection from spreading to another tooth.
- Prevent the need to remove your tooth.
- Reduce the risk of damaging your jawbone.
What Is a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction, sometimes called “pulling a tooth,” is a dental procedure during which your tooth is completely pulled from its socket. Tooth extraction occurs when a damaged or infected tooth cannot be saved by other procedures such as dental crowns or dental fillings.
When Is a Tooth Extraction Needed?
Sometimes when your dentist can’t save a tooth, it must be extracted. Occasionally, tooth extraction is required when you have a large cavity that has affected a considerable part of your tooth structure, causing it to be too weak to repair.
Also, a tooth with a crack that extends below the gumline warrants a tooth extraction procedure in Indian Trail, NC. Additionally, if your tooth has a severe fracture, the best option may be to pull out the tooth. Other conditions that may require tooth extraction include:
Infection
When tooth decay or damage affects the pulp leading to an infection that is so severe that it can’t be cured with antibiotics or root canal therapy, an extraction may be required to avoid the spread of the infection.
Crowded Mouth
Your dentist may need to prepare your mouth for an orthodontic treatment intended to straighten and align your teeth properly. However, if your teeth take up too much space in your mouth, your dentist may recommend pulling them prior to the procedure to ensure your teeth have the space to move and straighten.
Benefits of a Tooth Extraction
A tooth extraction procedure offers numerous benefits to patients with severe dental conditions. Here are some of the benefits of tooth extractions:
- They reduce harmful bacteria that can damage your teeth and gums.
- They offer you the best chance at optimal oral health.
- They ease dental pain caused by severely broken or infected teeth.
Choosing Between a Root Canal and a Tooth Extraction in Indian Trail, NC
In most cases, root canal treatment is preferred to extraction for treating an infected tooth. However, your dentist will examine your diseased or damaged tooth and recommend the procedure that will better resolve your condition based on their years of extensive experience.
Schedule an Appointment With Your Indian Trail Dentist at Nexus Dental Associates
Whether you need a root canal therapy or a tooth extraction, our dentist in Indian Trail, NC, can recommend the best solution. Visit our dental office to consult with our dentist, and if you’re already experiencing some of the symptoms mentioned above, schedule an appointment with us today.
