If you are experiencing severe tooth pain due to an infected tooth, there are two treatments that may be recommended to remedy the issue: root canal therapy or tooth extraction. Left untreated, a severely infected tooth can cause more damage. This means that it’s crucial to decide on the best treatment to heal your beam, so keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of root canals vs tooth extractions.
Pros of Root Canals
Root canals are often feared due to their reputation as being incredibly painful. Fortunately, they actually provide relief for a severely infected or damaged tooth. During the procedure, the dentist removes the damaged pulp from the tooth. This includes the nerves, thereby relieving any pain the patient is experiencing.
Additionally, this approach preserves the natural tooth, saves money, and maintains your bite. Root canal therapy also generally requires minimal or no recovery time, allowing patients to quickly get back to their everyday lives.
Cons of Root Canals
Root canal therapy has a high success rate, and complications are rare. However, in some cases, retreatment may be necessary if the tooth pulp was not entirely or correctly removed or there was residual decay in the tooth. This will prevent further damage and maintain the health of the tooth.
Pros of Tooth Extractions
Severe tooth pain can be relieved by having the tooth extracted. This also provides patients with the opportunity to replace the missing tooth with a prosthetic one, which will not be susceptible to decay. Moreover, tooth extractions provide a permanent solution as well as ensure that there won’t be any future pain.
Cons of Tooth Extractions
Although extracting a painful tooth may seem to be the simplest and most immediate way to alleviate pain, it is more expensive than root canal therapy. This is because it involves both the extraction and a replacement of the tooth.
Moreover, tooth extraction is a more invasive procedure than root canal therapy and requires several days of special aftercare. Delaying or avoiding tooth replacement after extraction can also cause bone loss in the jaw due to a lack of stimulation in the area.
While the decision of which dental procedure to choose is ultimately yours, it’s crucial to consider the above factors before making a choice. Consult with your dentist for their opinion on which treatment option is best suited to help you regain your healthy, gorgeous smile!
About the Practice
Baldwin Family Dental, led by Dr. Faris Waheed, Dr. Amanda M. Panousis, and Dr. Alan Diep, is the perfect place to take care of your dental needs. Their comprehensive services are designed to cater to every patient’s individual needs, ensuring that you receive personalized care from highly skilled professionals. Additionally, their team takes great pride in providing quality services, such as root canal therapy to repair severe tooth infections and tooth extractions for teeth that are too far gone. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit Baldwin Family Dental’s website or call their Panama City office at (850) 215-0128.