Should You Get a Root Canal Therapy Instead of Tooth Extraction?

November 24, 2023

Different dental treatments are given to patients depending on the severity of their dental problem. The patient might not have the liberty of choosing the type of treatment they prefer. However, some patients might have many options. The main issue is, can you make the right decisions about your dental treatment? Choosing the proper dental treatment is essential for dental patients who have to pick between root canal therapy and tooth extractions. In this article, you will learn more about root canal therapy and tooth extraction.

Teeth infection or tooth decay require root canal therapy or tooth extraction. Tooth infections can occur for several reasons. A person’s tooth can get infected through diet, lifestyle, and other dental problems leading to teeth infection. When a tooth is infected, the internal teeth tissues can get infected too. The teeth have different structures that enable them to function correctly.

  • The Enamel: This is the outer part of the teeth. It is usually hard and white. It helps to prevent infections from getting into other structures of the teeth. It is also the protective part.
  • The Dentin: This part lies under the enamel. It is slightly yellowish.
  • The Dental Pulp: This part is inside the inner chamber called the root canal. It connects the teeth tissues. It is the most delicate part.

When a person’s dental pulp or teeth tissues become infected, they can go through many dental issues. They might experience teeth sensitivity, toothache, swollen gums, and other dental problems. Root canal therapy is only for patients who have teeth decay or infections. However, tooth extractions work for several reasons. But in the case of tooth infection, most dentists prefer to use root canal treatment instead of tooth extraction. According to researchers, tooth extraction is the last resort for patients who can’t get root canal therapy for teeth infection. So what then are a root canal and tooth extraction?

A root canal therapy is a dental treatment that involves drilling into the tooth’ root to remove infected tooth tissues or infected dental pulp.

Tooth extractions, on the other hand, are performed to remove the teeth from their socket. A dentist can perform a tooth extraction, but for more complicated cases, you may need the services of an oral surgeon.

Why Root Canal?

One of the benefits of root canal therapy is the preservation of the natural tooth. Unlike tooth extractions, root canal therapy doesn’t require total removal of the infected tooth. Dentists remove the infected tissues or dental pulp in root canal therapy to preserve the natural teeth. Of course, most dental patients would be happy to save their teeth and still enjoy relief. However, the dentist would eventually recommend another dental procedure when a person can’t get root canal therapy due to underlying medical conditions or other factors.

When To Consider Tooth Extraction Procedure

As stated earlier, tooth extractions are for various reasons. Also, when isn’t patient enough to get root canal therapy and insists that the tooth be removed immediately due to the pain they might be experiencing, the dentist would have to perform a tooth extraction procedure. Tooth extractions are also for other dental issues like broken or chipped teeth, wisdom teeth, irritated gums, abscesses, possible jaw issues, and other dental issues that require teeth extraction. The difference between tooth extraction and root canal therapy is that root canal therapy is performed for only tooth decay. In contrast, tooth extraction is performed for tooth decay and other dental problems. Also, root canal therapy preserves your natural tooth. Tooth extractions do not maintain your natural tooth. Furthermore, tooth extraction is a quick procedure and provides fast relief. Root canal therapy, on the other hand, takes time.

Root Canal Procedure

To get a root canal procedure, you have to consult a certified dentist or the best endodontist around you. Once the dentist has confirmed your appointment, you will be asked to see the dentist for treatment. The dentist would examine your teeth with a dental x-ray and check if there are risks due to the patient’s state of health. Once the patient is in for treatment, the dentist will administer local anesthesia to lessen the pain. The dentist would then drill into the infected tooth’ root and remove the infected tissues. After the infected tissues have been removed, the dentist will clean and disinfect the area with antibiotics. The dentist will then fill the space and seal it to prevent infections from getting into the tooth’ roots again. You can get root canal treatment in Livingston, NJ.

Tooth Extraction Procedure

Tooth extraction is a fast procedure except in cases where there are complications. The dentist will examine the tooth before starting the tooth removal process. After the dentist has administered anesthesia to the patient, a unique dental tool would pull out the decayed tooth.

Make Your Decision

Now that you have seen the differences between root canal treatments and tooth extraction, you might be able to decide what is best for you. Also, you can consult our root canal specialist in Livingston, NJ or a dental clinic for extractions to weigh your options.

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