Extraction and root canal therapy are two of the most common treatments that damaged or infected teeth undergo in NE Calgary. Extraction is a procedure in which a tooth is removed when it cannot be saved while getting root canal therapy near you involves removing the infected pulp to save the tooth. Both procedures aim to protect your oral health, and understanding each one’s steps can help determine which is the best option for you.
Basic Steps of Extraction
Here are some basic steps of extraction:
- Examination and X-rays: The dentist will first check your tooth and may take X-rays to see its condition and the surrounding area.
- Anesthesia: To make sure you don’t feel pain, the dentist will numb the area around the tooth with local anesthesia.
- Loosening the Tooth: The dentist will use special tools to gently wiggle the tooth loose from its socket.
- Extraction: Once the tooth is loose enough, the dentist will remove it using forceps. If the tooth is stuck or hasn’t fully grown in, a surgical extraction may be needed.
- Post-extraction Care: After the tooth is out, the dentist will place gauze to stop any bleeding and give you care instructions to help the area heal.
Steps of Root Canal Therapy
Here are the basic steps of a root canal:
- Examination and X-rays: This will be done exactly like during extraction, where the dentist first checks your tooth and takes some X-rays on how much is affected.
- Local anesthesia: They will anaesthetize the region around your tooth to eliminate the pain from this procedure.
- Accessing the Pulp: They will then drill a hole in the top of the tooth so that the dentist can gain access to the infected pulp or damaged one.
- Cleaning and Shaping: The dentist removes the infected pulp using special tools and shapes the inside of the tooth for filling.
- Filling and Sealing: The filled root canals are sealed using dental cement after being filled with gutta-percha, a type of rubber.
- Post-treatment care: In some cases, the dentist may place a temporary filling or crown on the tooth but then send you home with instructions as to how to care for the tooth.
Now that we have a basic understanding of the steps involved in extraction and root canal therapy, let’s compare the two procedures in terms of their effectiveness, recovery time, and potential risks.
Effectiveness
Both extraction and root canal therapy are highly successful procedures if performed by a good dentist. Extraction will remove the entire tooth, whereas root canal therapy removes the infected or damaged pulp only. This means there is no possibility of reinfection as the tooth is not present with extraction. On the other hand, root canal therapy might harbor a very slight chance of infection with bacteria present in the canals, thereby leading to reinfection; however, proper cleaning and sealing of the canals minimize the risk.
Recovery Time
The extraction period typically is much less compared to a root canal. When a tooth has been extracted, a few days pass by in which it can start to heal properly in the socket and even exhibit pain and swelling, while when subjected to root canal treatment, it will continue being sensitive for several days, but if possible, it needs to have some form of a temporary filling or a temporary crown made so a proper crown or onlay is established.
Potential Risks
As with any medical treatment, both extraction and root canal therapy share some possible risks. With an extraction, for instance, there is a risk of damaging other teeth or structures around the extraction site and also the chance of bleeding into the extraction site or infection. With root canal therapy, the chance of damage to other structures outside of the treated tooth whilst cleaning and shaping the root canals exists. This also includes a small percentage of reinfection when the canals have not been sealed appropriately.
So, which treatment is better?
This, again, depends on the specific case and dentist’s recommendation. However, generally, people prefer to save their teeth via root canal treatment because this approach keeps the structural integrity of the mouth and preserves the normal appearance. Of course, where the damage of the tooth or the caries is irreversibly damaged, one would be inclined to remove the said tooth.
Choose the Right Treatment for Your Smile at Temple Square Dental
Both extraction and root canal therapy are effective treatments for damaged or infected teeth. The right choice depends on a detailed consultation with a trusted dentist in NE Calgary, who can guide you through all available options.
At Temple Square Dental, we offer personalized care to help you make the best decision for your oral health. Our experienced team of dentist in NE Calgary provides thorough exams, expert advice, and gentle treatments to restore your smile. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your options and keep your smile healthy for years to come!