When your tooth is infected or diseased, it may seem like pulling it is the easy choice, especially if you’re in pain. But not so fast! Having that tooth pulled may be the easy choice, but it may not be the best choice. Most people are unaware of the benefits of saving your natural teeth. The choice to pull your tooth or save it is ultimately yours to make but make sure you know all the facts before making that big decision.
What exactly are the benefits of saving your teeth? We turned to the experts, endodontists – dental specialists who focus on saving natural teeth, for answers.
There are many compelling reasons to hang on to your natural teeth for as long as you can. But decay and infection are symptoms you should watch out for. These symptoms can make it a challenge and force you to decide whether to pull your tooth or save it.
The answer to these symptoms is usually a root canal, a procedure where the inside of a tooth is cleaned and disinfected to remove the inflamed or infected interior pulp. Once the interior of the tooth is clean, the natural tooth is filled with a substance for strength and protected or restored with a crown, making it function again like any other tooth.
Not only do you save your natural tooth, a root canal treatment eliminates the pain and the recovery time is very brief.
While it is always preferable to save a tooth, there are times when extraction is a better option. When a tooth is cracked, especially if it is cracked below the gumline, or in several places, an extraction may be required. If the tooth is too weak to be restored, it may also be best to have it pulled.
If your dentist is suggesting an extraction, ask if a root canal can be done instead. Having this discussion with your dentist is important to help answer the question, pull your tooth or save it?
To learn more about root canals & tooth extraction, Schedule an appointment with Dr. Zorro today-Come in today so we can assess your teeth and help you get ahead of your oral care. Also ask us about our teeth whitening services!
2656 Gateway Rd Suite 145,
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Mond - Wed, Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 6:00pm
Saturday By appointment only