When experiencing a terrible toothache a visit to a dentist near you will likely end in one question - whether to go for a root canal or have the tooth extracted? While it might seem like a matter of personal choice, it is imperative to understand the procedure and repercussions of both treatments before making a decision.
Root Canal Treatment - Restoring The Tooth
When an infection has reached deep into the roots of a tooth, it is necessary to stop it’s spread into the surrounding gum region. The best way to do this is by performing a root canal, where the infection is cleared out from the roots of the tooth and then a dental crown is placed over it to restore normal functioning of the tooth.
On your first visit with a root canal dentist in Winnipeg, the treatment begins with numbing the region of your mouth around the infected tooth to allow you to be comfortable and relaxed during the procedure. Next, the dentist will make an access hole into the infected tooth to clear out the ‘pulp’, or the soft centre of the tooth containing a mass of blood vessels and tissue. Once this is done, the empty root canal is cleaned and sanitized, before filling it up with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. Then the remaining structure of the tooth is trimmed down to make room for the dental crown.
On your second visit to your dentist in Winnipeg, they will have the customized dental crown ready for you, which has been made to look and feel exactly like your real tooth. This dental crown is placed over the restored tooth and any adjustments required to ensure a perfect fit will be done by the dentist then and there. The root canal procedure ends with this step and you can walk home confidently bidding goodbye to toothaches!
Tooth Extraction - Letting The Tooth Go
There is no doubt about the fact that a tooth extraction is a much simpler procedure compared to a root canal. However, the same comparison cannot be applied to the results of both the procedures!
The procedure for tooth extraction also begins with numbing the particular region of your mouth using local anesthetics. Then your dentist will proceed to first loosen and then pull the infected tooth out of its socket, using specific tools. Since your mouth has been numbed you will not feel any pain from the extraction but sensing a mild pressure where the extraction is taking place is still natural. After the extraction, there will be bleeding and gauze will be placed in your mouth to control the flow-out. You will also be prescribed some pain relievers, common over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil, to control the sensations of pain.
The tooth extraction leaves an empty socket behind which might take a few weeks to heal. Your dentist might also discuss follow-up options with you to prevent your remaining teeth from shifting out of position or loosening, due to the recent tooth extraction. The most common choices to fill-up the empty socket are dental implants, dental bridges, or partial dentures.
How To Choose What Works Best For You?
Consider these crucial factors before deciding which treatment to go for:
- Duration - A root canal takes about a couple of weeks to be over and starting from that point onwards your life returns to normal. However, after a tooth extraction, it takes at least 3 weeks before you can resume the normal functioning of your mouth. Even after that, you might require to follow certain food restrictions.
- Pain & discomfort - Tooth extractions are more painful than root canal treatments, both during and after the procedures.
- Risks - After tooth extraction, there is a minor risk of your other teeth shifting out of place or loosening due to the empty socket in your jawbone. A root canal has no known risks.
With complete knowledge of both the procedures, you will still be required to discuss what works best for your situation with your dentist providing a root canal in Winnipeg, before making a decision.