Wisdom tooth extraction or root canal which is better

Although a root canal and tooth extraction may seem like daunting procedures, you may be one of the thousands of adults needing these dental services this year. Our team at Dental Specialty Associates performs these procedures every day in order to fix teeth that are causing pain and discomfort. To educate you about the procedures and help you determine which is right for you, here are some common questions we get from our patients in both Gilbert and Phoenix.

What Happens During Root Canal Vs Extraction?

During root canals, our team works to remove the damaged and decaying parts of your tooth while keeping the healthy sections of your tooth intact. Your pain is caused by damage and decay going down to the root of your tooth where your nerves are located. Once this is removed and disinfected, it’s sealed and a crown is fitted over the remainder of your healthy tooth to protect it from further disease and damage?

On their own, tooth extractions aren’t quite as extensive as root canals as we simply remove your entire tooth. However, we strongly recommend a dental implant or bridge to feel the gap from your missing tooth as this can help prevent future problems.

What Are The Benefits & Drawbacks To A Root Canal?

The ability to keep your natural tooth is the primary benefit to root canals. While the unhealthy portion of your tooth is removed and covered with a crown, hanging on to the healthy portion of your natural tooth helps protect your overall oral health and your smile alignment. Root canals also require less time as all items can be accomplished in one day due to our ability to create crowns in our office during your procedure.

One of the major drawbacks to root canals is that they are not right for everyone. Your tooth may be too damaged, decayed or unhealthy to be able to save it. Root canals are also pricey when compared to extraction costs. Root canals can easily cost more than $1,000 while pulling a tooth is often under $500. However, you should be aware that this is just the extraction cost. If you need a dental implant or false tooth to fill the gap from your extraction, it can end up costing more than a root canal depending on what you choose to replace it.

What Are The Benefits & Drawbacks To A Tooth Extraction?

The amount of time you spend at the dentist office getting your tooth extracted is significantly less than the alternative procedure. However, this is just for the extraction procedure as getting a dental implant to replace your missing tooth requires additional appointments. If you don’t have dental insurance or the funds to pay for a root canal, extraction of a tooth is a much more affordable option. For a few hundred dollars you can be free of the tooth and the pain it’s causing you in your mouth.

The drawback to having an extraction done on your tooth is that it creates a gap in your mouth. This can make it more of a challenge to talk or chew depending on where the gap is located in your mouth. It can also cause the other teeth in your mouth to shift thus taking your smile out of alignment. This is why it is highly recommended that you fill the gap with an implant if you choose teeth extraction over root canals.

While you probably want us to provide you with a direct answer to this question, the truth is that the right option can vary from one patient to another. While root canal procedures might be the right option for some patients, the oral health and needs of other patients make them more suitable for tooth extraction. The best thing you can do to determine which one is right for you is to schedule a consultation appointment with our team at Dental Specialty Associates.

With offices in both Gilbert and Phoenix, we are located nearby to accommodate your dental needs, especially when emergency root canals or extractions are needed. We’re happy to meet with you to discuss both types of procedures and help you determine based on your pain and overall oral health which option is best for you. Give us a call at Dental Specialty Associates today! You’ll be all smiles after we eliminate the cause of your pain and restore your oral health.

Root canal or extraction—many people hope never to be presented with this choice, but it is actually an incredibly common situation. Both treatments are solutions for teeth with extensive damage or decay. If your dentist has given you these options, it is important to understand exactly what is involved with each choice.

Root Canal: Saving the Tooth

If the pulp (dental nerve) layer of your tooth is damaged, diseased, or even dead, a root canal is the only way to save the tooth. We will numb the tooth with local anesthetic, and then create a small opening into the tooth, exposing the canals.  We use 3D imaging CBCT scans and microscopes, when needed, to accomplish it.

Using special tools, we then clean out all decay and damaged tissue, and disinfect the canals. We will fill the canals with a biocompatible material known as gutta-percha. This seals the tooth against infection and fills in the canal space. The tooth is then restored for further protection and functionality by your dentist.

Most people experience little discomfort after a root canal procedure. Over the counter pain relievers may be used to combat any discomfort you feel.  We are available 24/7 if you need any post operative care.

Tooth Extraction: Letting the Tooth Go

Like a root canal, a tooth extraction begins with a local anesthetic to completely numb the area. Your dentist will then use special tools to loosen the tooth and pull it out. You will feel some pressure and hear some loud cracking and popping sounds, but it should not hurt.

After a tooth extraction, it is normal to bleed, so you will be sent home with gauze in your mouth to bite down on for 30-45 minutes or as instructed. You may experience some oozing or light bleeding for the next 24 hours or so. Minor facial swelling and bruising are not uncommon, especially when a back tooth is extracted. Using an ice pack for 15-20 minutes at a time for the first 24-48 hours can help minimize these issues.

Some pain is not unusual after a tooth extraction. Your dentist might give you a prescription for a pain reliever, which you should take as directed to stay ahead of the pain. Some people also choose to manage the pain with over the counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil.

Most people feel significantly better within two or three days, but be aware that it can take two weeks or more for the extraction site to fully heal. Carefully follow your dentist’s instructions, especially in regards to spitting, drinking through a straw, eating, and brushing your teeth.

After a tooth extraction heals, it is important to replace the tooth. Otherwise, your other teeth could shift out of place. Depending on where the tooth was in your mouth, you might also have trouble speaking or chewing without it. There are many replacement options, from dental bridges to partial dentures to dental implants. Your dentist will review the choices with you and help you select the one that best fits your needs, goals, and budget.

Final Verdict: Save the Tooth if Possible

Although a missing tooth is easy to replace with modern dentistry, it will never be the same as your own natural tooth. In addition, healing from an extraction takes longer and is often more painful than healing from a root canal, and pulling the tooth means even more dental procedures and healing time to replace it later.

Still, pulling the tooth might be right for some situations. Some teeth are simply too far gone to save, even with a root canal. Some people have had very bad teeth for a long time, and know from experience that a root canal will only delay the inevitable—that the tooth, or more likely multiple teeth—will need to come out eventually. While this situation is rare, and modern dental technology is making it easier and easier to save even problematic teeth, ultimately the decision is yours. Talk it over with your dentist, take some time to really consider both options, and make the choice that you feel best about.

Ready to Get Started?

If you need a root canal from an endodontist you can trust, contact North Shore & Brookline Endodontics today at the location that is most convenient for you.

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