You have a troublesome tooth. Maybe it’s causing you pain, or maybe it’s a little too wiggly for comfort. While trying to figure out what you should do about it, you discovered that there are not one, but two main treatment options to consider. Should you visit your emergency dentist for a root canal, or extract the tooth altogether?
While both solutions have their place in emergency dentistry, a root canal is going to be the best call in most situations. Keep reading to learn why!
What Problems Are Root Canals For?
If bacteria or infection has found its way inside of your tooth, decay has penetrated your dental layers, or an injury has caused nerve damage, you’ll likely experience pain. Human teeth aren’t equipped to remedy these issues on their own, so oftentimes what needs to happen is a root canal.
Your dentist will essentially get inside of your troublesome tooth to clean out whatever is harming your oral health. Afterwards, they’ll protect your pearly white from developing similar problems in the future by fitting it with a dental restoration.
When Are Tooth Extractions Recommended?
When bacteria, infection, tooth decay, or damage threatens to spread and create problems for your other teeth or otherwise worsen, that’s when your dentist might recommend an extraction. Basically, they don’t take this treatment lightly and tend to only consider it when no other option is likely to remedy the situation.
Why Do Dentists Prefer Root Canals?
It might seem easier to simply remove your tooth and replace the gap with a dental implant, bridge, or other such restoration. However, there are multiple good reasons why dentists generally agree a root canal is better for your oral health:
- It preserves as much of your natural tooth as possible
- You’ll avoid orthodontic issues due to shifting teeth
- There’s lower risk of jawbone deterioration caused by a dental gap
- You’ll retain more bite force, allowing you to eat more efficiently
From a more financial perspective, root canals are also less costly in the long run, since you won’t have to worry about tooth replacements or orthodontics.
How Do I Know Which Treatment I Need?
The only way to know for sure whether a root canal can help, or your oral health needs to be saved by an extraction is to visit your emergency dentist. Dental aches and pains can be signs of complications that might get worse the longer you wait, so this is a case for urgent action.
Your dentist will see you promptly and can take X-rays to determine the root cause of your problem. You can be rest assured that they’ll keep you informed about what’s going on inside your mouth, and which treatment is most likely to provide the best results.
About the Dentist
Dr. Jonathan Smiley earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. He takes a comprehensive approach to dentistry and focuses on treating the root problem, so patients don’t have to struggle with reoccurring symptoms. If you have a troublesome tooth, he’ll get to the bottom of your discomfort and keep you informed throughout the process. To contact Dr. Smiley’s office, call 319-352-2270.