Tooth decay is a very common dental problem that usually happens because of infections and poor oral hygiene. Because each tooth has a soft hole in the middle, it can easily infect. This is painful and uncomfortable and can ruin a person’s smile and appearance. Most of the time, people don’t want any treatment because of dental anxiety, which is a common fear. When they visit ORIS Dental Clinics, most people worry when they think about going to the dentist, especially if they have a decayed tooth. This is because everyone knows that the only sure way to fix a decayed tooth is to either get a root canal or have a tooth extraction. But how are these two methods different, and which one is more reliable? Let’s find out:
When Can You Save a Tooth?
Root canals can save teeth that are otherwise healthy but have a damaged, diseased, or dead pulp. The pulp is the layer of your teeth closest to your gums. It keeps them healthy by bringing blood, but it can hurt if you break a tooth or get a deep cavity. In both cases, bacteria from your mouth can get to your pulp, which can cause infection, swelling, or even death of the vital tissue in your pulp.
When Should You Consider Tooth Extraction?
Sometimes your dentist won’t be able to save a tooth, and it will need extraction. This could be the case if you have a large cavity that destroys too much of the structure of your tooth and makes it too weak to fix. If your tooth is severely broken, extraction may be the best choice. A tooth with a crack that goes below the gum line is another good candidate for removal.
Risks & Disadvantages of Tooth Extraction & Root Canal
There are risks with every dental or medical procedure. Root canal therapy has risks like:
- If a dentist can’t get all the bacteria out of an infected tooth, you may need endodontic treatment again in the future. This happens very rarely.
- After a root canal, a tooth is weaker and more likely to break. Though, you can almost completely avoid this risk with a high-quality crown.
- Some say that getting a root canal can make you sick. But there are few and only a few good signs that this is true.
The risks of having a tooth pulled are worse than those of having a root canal. Among them are:
- The bone that once holds up the tooth will shrink and weaken.
- If two teeth next to each other move out of place, the bite will not be right.
- The chance of tooth loss in the future goes up.
Cost of Each Treatment
A tooth extraction costs less than a root canal treatment. But if you don’t want your jawbone to weaken and your teeth to move, you should consider getting a dental implant to replace the missing tooth. Implants are a great way to fix a tooth, but they can cost a lot of money. Because root canal therapy keeps your natural tooth in place, it can save you money in the long run because you won’t have to replace it later.
So, Which One Is Better?
Most of the time, root canal therapy is better than removing an infected tooth. But there are some exceptions, like if the tooth has been badly hurt. Before recommending a treatment, your dentist will carefully look at how healthy your mouth is.
If you have a tooth that is decaying or has already decayed, don’t wait any longer and call our dental office immediately. When one tooth is infected, it can spread the infection to other teeth in the mouth. Call ORIS Dental Clinics in Richmond Hill, Toronto, right now to make an appointment and find a solution to your dental problems.
