Posted: November 7, 2019
A root canal is done to preserve a tooth that has become infected. With root canal therapy, infection and debris are removed from the pulp chamber of the tooth and a dental crown is placed over the top to help prevent future damage. The procedure is quick, painless, and incredibly effective at preserving natural teeth.
Tooth extraction is done to remove a tooth that is beyond repair. When a tooth is extracted, there are two options: leave the empty space or look into tooth replacement options such as dentures, a dental bridge, or a dental implant.
Root Canal is Better Than Tooth Extraction
A root canal is preferable to a tooth extraction. It is always better to keep your natural teeth in place. However, preserving the tooth with a root canal is not always possible and, in these cases, extraction may be the best bet. The only way to find out which option will be best for your needs is through an evaluation with an experinced endodontist.
Do I Have to Replace an Extracted Tooth?
You don’t have to replace an extracted tooth, but you may cause serious problems for yourself if you do not. Over time, adjacent teeth may begin to slide into the space left by the extraction, altering your bite and changing the way you speak and chew. Equally worrisome, when a tooth goes missing – either through trauma or extraction – the jaw begins to lose density and strength. With time, this will allow your jaw to shrink and collapse, producing a sunken in and aged appearance to the jaw, low face, and smile.
Only Dental Implant can Prevent Jaw Shrinkage
Dentures and dental bridges hold replacement teeth fast to the gums, enabling them to restore bite tension, strength, and function, but only dental implants can prevent jaw collapse. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that addresses the missing tooth’s root. Once placed, implants continue to signal to the body that minerals are needed in the jaw, helping to preserve your facial integrity and structure while providing a complete restoration of strength and beauty.
Is a Root Canal Painful?
When it’s time for a root canal, the nerve in the infected tooth is likely dead already. This means that root canal therapy is, essentially, painless. Topical numbing is always offered before a root canal to help ensure comfort, but the procedure is no more invasive than a standard tooth filling.
If you are nervous about root canal therapy or if you require an extraction and feel uncomfortable with the prospect, we can discuss your sedation dentistry options. Effective and safe, dental sedation can produce feelings of calm, eliminate anxiety, and help safeguard your comfort before, during, and after your procedure. If you believe sedation may be useful in your case, be sure to discuss your options during your initial consultation.
Forestream Dental is Here to Help
Experinced endodontist Dr. Evola and the staff at Forestream Dental are here to help men and women struggling with tooth infection. Call our Depew, New York office at 716-656-8686 to schedule a consultation today. We welcome patients from Buffalo and surrounding communities including Orchard Park and Cheektowaga.
