Dentists usually can use two procedures to treat infected or damaged teeth – Root canal treatment and tooth extraction. It can be difficult to decide the best Option – However, if you learn more about the pros and cons of both procedures, you may understand which one will be suitable for your oral condition.
This blog provides an in-depth understanding of root canal treatments and tooth extraction procedures.
The necessity of a root canal treatment
Root canal treatments are a way to save teeth with damaged, diseased, or dead pulp. They can also be helpful for other reasons.
The pulp is the internal part of your teeth. It provides healthy blood flow and protects your teeth from decay. However, it can be damaged if your tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity. These situations can allow bacteria from your mouth into your pulp. This can cause infection, swelling, and even death of the pulp’s vital tissues.
A root canal procedure will eliminate the infection from your pulp and restore your teeth at this stage. If the infection spreads into the pulp and the tooth is beyond repair, tooth extraction is the only option.
Get more info about Gum disease
The necessity for Tooth Extraction
If your tooth has a large cavity, it may not be possible to save it. Extraction may be the best option if you have a severe fracture. A tooth with a deep crack below the gum line is ideal for extraction.
Root Canal Procedure
A root canal treatment is usually a painless procedure. After numbing the tooth region with anaesthesia, your dentist will create an opening in the tooth and then remove any decayed or dead pulp. After the procedure is completed, the pulp chambers are cleaned thoroughly to remove any bacteria.
The chambers are then filled with a dental material that replaces the damaged pulp. To restore the tooth’s strength and appearance, a crown can be placed over it. A dentist might schedule several appointments to complete a root canal, depending on the situation.
Aftercare Tips
Patients do feel some discomfort after a root canal procedure. You should be able to manage the discomfort with an over-the-counter painkiller. Visit your dentist if your pain becomes unbearable.
Tooth Extraction Procedure
Your dentist will use numbing to relieve any pain during the extraction. Then a lever-like device called an elevator removes the tooth from its socket. The tooth will then be officially extracted by forceps. You may feel some pressure, but it is normally a painless procedure.
Aftercare Tips
To stop the natural blood flow, you will bite down on a piece of gauze for 45 minutes after your tooth has been extracted. There will be some bleeding for up to 24 hours. However, there may be some facial swelling. Ice packs can help reduce inflammation. You can return to your normal diet by eating soft, cool foods.
It can take up to two weeks for the extraction site to heal. Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent further irritation during this time.
The best option?
A root canal treatment does have a few advantages like keeping the natural tooth, eliminating toothaches and preventing gaps in the mouth. However, it might be good to pull the tooth in some cases when the teeth cannot be saved, even with root canals. People who have suffered from bad teeth for years know that a root canal won’t stop the unavoidable.
Root canal vs extraction can be a hard decision. Your dentist can provide you with the right choice depending on the oral condition of your tooth.