Weigh Your Options
When faced with a root canal, removing the tooth instead seems like the easier option but often isn’t ideal. Both options for treatment are solutions for teeth that have extensive damage or decay. If your dentist has given you these options, it is important to understand exactly what is involved with each choice.
Root Canal
When the inner layer (the pulp) of a tooth is badly damaged or deteriorated - and even completely dead, a root canal might just be the only way the tooth can be saved.
The tooth is numbed with a local anaesthetic to open it up and expose the tooth canal which is needed to properly inspect and diagnose the issue.
The tooth is then cleaned from the inside out and then filled with a temporary filling which will remain until your follow-up appointment, usually one or two weeks later.
When you come back for your follow up, your tooth will be restored with a permanent crown for further protection. It will feel like a brand new tooth!
A root canal is a common and straightforward procedure that usually results in very little discomfort.
Tooth Extraction
Just like the root canal, tooth removal will begin with a local anesthetic to completely numb the area so you don’t feel any pain when your dentist uses their tools to pull the tooth out. The worst part of this procedure is generally the sounds you hear but it should not hurt!
Bleeding is normal for a tooth extraction, so you may be sent home with gauze to soak anything up. Some pain is also not uncommon so you might want to drop by the chemist on the way home. Discuss this with your dentist though as you might require a prescription.
It can take up to two weeks for the extraction site to fully heal but most will feel better after two or three days. It is very important to follow your dentist’s instructions about aftercare when it comes to spitting, drinking through a straw, eating, and brushing your teeth.
Many people have a misconception that the tooth doesn’t need to be replaced; however, without replacing the tooth, your other teeth can move and shift out of place. So if you’re thinking of going down the path of tooth removal to save costs, it may not always be the cheaper option.
It is always best to take your dentist’s advice and thankfully, regardless of the treatment, The Emergency Dentist Sydney has flexible payment options to suit any budget.
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