Considering options for damaged teeth, tooth extraction or root canal?

Being an informed patient and consulting with your root canal dentist are the best ways to choose between a tooth extraction and a root canal and ensure a positive outcome. Know your options and the long-term benefits of maintaining your own natural teeth with root canal therapy.

Most dentists agree that root canal therapy is preferable over tooth extraction in the majority of cases. Unlike an extraction, root canal therapy saves your natural tooth. Even though tooth replacement technologies and techniques have progressed in recent years, retaining your biological, natural tooth is optimal. When an infected tooth can be saved through root canal therapy, dentists agree that the procedure is less invasive, safer and less costly than tooth extraction.

When it comes to your overall health, root canal therapy is far superior to tooth extraction. Extracting a tooth can release as much as 84 percent more bacteria into your blood stream compared with root canal therapy. For this reason, a root canal with both Endodontists and root canal dentists is considered far safer than tooth extraction.

Extracting a tooth leaves a gap that is both asethically not pleasing and can cause the neighboring teeth to shift. This movement increases your risk of developing temporomandibular joint disorder, crooked teeth or a bad bite. These problems make you more susceptible to dental problems in the future.

Dentists often recommend replacement teeth following an extraction. An artificial tooth is placed with an implant or dental bridge, and the cost of these treatments is not small.

Overall, root canal therapy is preferred over tooth extraction because of its reduced complexity, cost and effectiveness. Nothing is more optimal than keeping your natural teeth, and root canal therapy is the only option for saving an infected tooth.

About the Author

Dr Gary Leff is a nationally recognized Endodontist and root canal specialist in Lake Ridge & Northern Virginia. Connect with Dr. Leff on Google+