Pros And Cons Of Root Canals Vs Extractions

The treatment of tooth decay usually only involves filling in the cavity. It is possible, however, for the tooth to become infected if it is not treated early enough, and invasive treatment will be required in order to restore it to full health.

The root canal or extraction are the two options you have when your tooth suffers from a cavity or infection. The topic of whether a root canal is better or extraction is often discussed online.

Both treatments can seem intimidating if you don’t know much about them. So, let’s learn the pros and cons of the same which will help you decide which one to go for!

Overview of root canals and extraction

Root canal:  This treatment involves the removal of diseased tissue from the inside of the tooth or the pulp. The process is also known as root canal therapy. Rather than having to pull teeth, this treatment can save them. 

It may take up to three appointments for you to get this procedure done. A pulp chamber on the tooth and its root canal is cleaned and sealed during treatment with the aim of removing the diseased tissue.

The canals are shaped differently in each tooth and it narrows as we age. Hence the intensity of the procedure can vary.

Extraction: A dental specialist offers several important services, one of which is tooth extraction. People have saved themselves from agonizing tooth pain with this service. 

When the pain in the mouth cannot be resolved by oral medication, tooth extraction may be the best option. In any case, you should only let a dental expert perform it.

If you don’t take adequate care when solving dental problems, you might suffer severe dental trauma or get injured.

There are many reasons why your dentist will suggest tooth removal. If you are suffering from tooth decay, cavity, crowding, infections, etc., you might have to get your tooth removed in order to keep your oral health on track. 

Pros and cons of root canal

To help you to take an informed decision let us see some of the pros and cons of root canal treatment: 

Pros:

Defends Against Tooth Loss: Cavities and decayed teeth can be treated in a variety of ways, and a root canal is one of the ways. It helps to preserve the natural arrangement of your teeth since patients do not have to worry about losing their teeth.

Infection doesn’t spread to other teeth: The decay of the tooth cavity is often caused by pulp infection. Pulp infections are caused by bacteria accumulation in the mouth. Root canal surgery removes the bacteria-infested pulp and stops its spread.

Tooth aesthetics: The pulp inside a tooth is removed during a root canal. Afterward, the cavity is filled with polymer material or the tooth is crowned once the affected area has been cleaned which makes the tooth look brighter and aligned.

Cons: 

Sensitivity: When the dental pulp is removed from a root canal-treated tooth, it becomes more fragile. In some cases this treatment can cause fractures and cracks in the tooth, requiring reinforcement with a dental crown.

Discoloration: You may experience darkening of your teeth after this procedure. Darkening in your teeth can be caused by medications you received after the treatment or a residual amount of dental pulp.

Pros and cons of tooth extraction

To help you make an informed decision let us see some of the pros and cons of tooth extraction treatment: 

Pros: 

No chances of infection: With tooth removal treatment there is no chance of re-infection of your tooth because the tooth is removed directly from its roots.

Quick relief from pain: Worn and decayed teeth are often painful. When you remove such a tooth, it ceases to send pain messages to your brain. Therefore, this treatment can significantly relieve toothache symptoms almost immediately

Cons: 

Long recovery time: With tooth removal, it takes a lot of time to fully recover and you also have to follow some eating restrictions.

You might need implants: To achieve the best results, you may need a dental implant to replace your missing tooth which also costs extra. 

Getting a root canal or tooth extraction depends on a number of factors. There are various things that should be kept in mind while going for either of these dental treatments. So, it is best to take advice from a professional.