A dentist might recommend root canal therapy or tooth extraction to treat an infected or badly damaged tooth. Factors like the severity of the infection and the tooth's location often determine how the dentist approaches treating a patient.
Tooth extraction is the cheaper alternative, but it can end up costing more than root canal therapy if the extracted tooth is replaced with an oral prosthetic. Root canal therapy enables the dentist to save the tooth, so it is typically the first option explored.
Let us take a closer look at the factors that a dentist considers when making a recommendation on how to treat a severely damaged or infected tooth.
Root canal therapy is an effective way to stop an infection and save the tooth. However, some people do not get dental care immediately when they have an infected tooth, so the infection spreads into its roots.
Suppose that the dentist determines there is a high risk of the infection spreading to other parts of the body, like the brain, where it can have life-threatening consequences. In that case, a tooth extraction is recommended to prevent this from occurring.
The location of a damaged or infected tooth also determines how a dentist opts to treat it. Some teeth play more important roles than others. The least important teeth in a person’s mouth are the wisdom teeth. These are relics of evolution from a time when humans consumed mostly hard nuts and grains. Modern humans no longer have a use for these teeth, and extracting them does not negatively impact the remaining teeth.
An infected wisdom tooth can be treated with a root canal, but dentists often view that as a pointless endeavor because the tooth is likely to develop other issues in the future. The location of wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth makes them the most challenging set of teeth to clean, making them more vulnerable to issues like tooth decay and infections.
Dentists often recommend extracting a wisdom tooth when it becomes infected. They might also recommend extracting the remaining wisdom teeth before they develop problems.
In some cases, damage to a tooth makes it impossible to save it with a root canal. For example, a severe fracture that reaches teeth roots negates the dentist’s ability to save it. In this scenario, the dentist is forced to do a tooth extraction and replace it with an oral prosthetic, like an implant.
Our dentist will evaluate your infected or damaged tooth to determine the right approach to treating it. If possible, a root canal will be recommended to save the tooth. Give us a call or drop by our Fredericksburg clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://ddaestheticdentistry.com or call D&D Family Dentistry at (540) 739-7589 for an appointment in our Fredericksburg office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Tooth Extraction in Fredericksburg, VA.
A wisdom tooth extraction is often necessary in order to create room in the mouth as well as to help avoid or relieve pain. While the procedure itself is common and generally goes well for most patients, it is important is to know the steps to take to fully recover afterward. Recovery varies for every…
Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket. There are two types of extraction: simple and surgical. Simple extractions involve the removal of visible teeth. During simple extractions, dentists loosen the teeth and remove them with dental forceps. Surgical extractions become necessary when teeth break off at the gum line or do…
After a tooth extraction procedure, it is important to follow the aftercare tips provided by the dentist to ensure full healing and prevent complications. The first few days after the treatment are crucial, and a quick recovery will mean that you can resume your normal activities as soon as possible. This article highlights a few…
Many dentists have limited their practices to emergency dentistry in response to the Centers for Disease Control's COVID-19 guidelines for healthcare providers and dentists. The coronavirus is an airborne microorganism that infects people by attaching itself to mucus membranes in the nose and mouth. It is a highly contagious virus that remains active on some…
Many people resort to using dentures instead of dental implants in managing tooth loss. Dentures may restore the look of the lost tooth or teeth, but they do not compare to implants. Many dentists may recommend shifting to implants. The goals are to increase comfort and improve function. If you want to know how to…
Denture repair involves restoring broken dentures to like-new condition. Before the restoration, general dentists examine the dentures to check for various damage. Next, the dentist provides the lab technician with detailed instructions to ensure appropriate repairs occur. Following the exam, a patient's dentures undergo repair at a dental laboratory.Patients should never ignore their dentures if…