Do you have a severe toothache? Here’s why it’s much better to undergo a root canal than to extract the tooth.

Choosing a Root Canal Over a Tooth Extraction

Are you suffering from a significant toothache right now? You might think the only way to relieve your pain is to have your dentist in Lewisville pull the tooth. However, since missing teeth can lead to many oral health consequences, it’s best to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. Fortunately, your dentist can use a root canal to do just that. Keep reading below to learn why saving your teeth with root canal therapy instead of extraction is much better.

When Can a Tooth Be Saved?

The first step in deciding whether or not to get a root canal is determining if the afflicted tooth is still salvageable. The philosophy of conservative dentistry is that it’s better to retain as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. Root canal treatment helps prevent diseased teeth from being extracted, allowing you to preserve more of your natural smile.

Root canals are sometimes necessary when a tooth’s pulp is destroyed, even if the rest of the tooth continues to function correctly. However, tooth extraction will be your best choice for a beautiful smile if the tooth cannot be saved. The treatment will limit the damage from spreading.

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy vs. Tooth Extraction

Some of the benefits of undergoing a root canal instead of extraction include:

• It retains more of your natural smile
• It allows you to bite and chew without pain
• Prevent jawbone loss and other side effects of missing teeth
• The pain-free procedure with plenty of anesthetic and sedation options
• The procedure has an incredibly high success rate

What to Expect During a Root Canal

Root canals have a terrible reputation, but there’s no need to be afraid of this treatment. To ensure you feel no pain, your dentist will numb your mouth before the procedure begins. Then, the pulp is extracted from the tooth’s interior, and synthetic material is inserted in its place.

It typically takes two or three appointments to complete a root canal. A temporary restoration or crown may be placed over your tooth during the initial visit to protect it. Once you’ve recovered after a few weeks, the temporary filling or crown will most likely be replaced with a more permanent repair.

Don’t assume you have to give up on a tooth because of severe pain. You might need a root canal, regardless of the situation. Get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible to eliminate your discomfort immediately.