Deciding Between A Root Canal vs Extraction
A root canal vs extraction are both great options for treating a damaged tooth. Your dentist will work with you to provide the best care in treating your teeth.
This article will go over the root canal vs extraction pros and cons to help you make the best decision for your smile.
Table of Contents
Root Canal vs Extraction: What Is A Root Canal?
A root canal is a way to treat a tooth that is badly damaged or infected. The difference between a root canal vs extraction is how damaged the tooth is and if it’s able to be saved.
Root canals are usually performed by an Endodontist, a dental specialist, and can be done in one easy appointment. You may need a root canal if:
- You have a large, untreated cavity in the tooth that has reached the inside layer of the tooth called the pulp.
- A bad infection is present in a tooth. Signs of an infection are a pimple or abscess at the gum line, facial swelling, or swollen gums creating pressure that does not go away.
- Continual pain that gets worse and does not go away. Pain may be present when sleeping or eating.
- Your tooth starts to change color and turns grey.
To learn more about the root canal procedure, check out our Root Canal Recovery Time article.
When Is A Tooth Extraction Needed?
A tooth extraction is needed if the tooth cannot be saved by a root canal or other dental treatments. Getting a root canal vs extraction will depend on several factors. Signs you may need a tooth extraction are:
- Extensive Tooth Decay: Left untreated, a cavity will continue to spread to the tooth’s nerve. If a root canal is not a viable option, then extraction is needed to get the infection out of your body.
- Tooth Breakage: Fracturing can occur from cavities or trauma. There are many restorative options to help with a tooth fracture. If there isn’t enough tooth structure left to restore, then extraction is needed to prevent infection.
- Gum Disease: Advance gum disease will destroy the gum tissue, ligaments, and supporting bone. This will cause the tooth to become mobile, cause sensitivity, and increase infection risk. Learn more with our Treating Gum Disease article.
- Overcrowding: Space issues may prompt your orthodontist to electively remove certain teeth.
- Impacted Teeth: Your dentist may recommend removing teeth that are stuck in your jawbone. Impacted teeth can cause pain, permanent nerve damage, become cystic, and destroy the neighboring tooth and bone.
Check out our Is A Tooth Extraction Painful? and The 4 Tooth Extraction Healing Stages to learn more about the dental procedure.
Root Canal vs Extraction
Your dentist will determine which of a root canal vs extraction is needed through several diagnostic tools. Before treating the tooth, your dental team will test the tooth to find the best treatment for you.
These tests can include:
- Dental X-Rays: Whether the tooth is being extracted due to complications or proactively, it’s important to get up-to-date radiographs to see the whole picture of the tooth and the area surrounding it.
- Vitality Testing: Along with x-rays, your dentist will test the condition of the tooth.
- A Percussion Test is tapping on the tooth to test the vibrations reaching the nerve.
- An Electric Pulp Test uses a small electrical current to test the nerve reaction. Thermal testing involves using hot or cold stimuli to test the nerve reaction.
Depending on the condition or the location of your tooth, your dentist may refer you to an Endodontist or an Oral Surgeon. Your dental specialist will help go over the root canal vs extraction pros and cons to help make the right decision for you.
Root Canal vs Extraction: Pros and Cons
There are many benefits to receiving a root canal vs extraction. Your dentist will be able to help your tooth with the best treatment. There are several root canal vs extraction pros and cons to consider with your dentist.
Root Canal
Pros:
- To treat pain and infection.
- A way to save the tooth and prevent losing a tooth.
Cons:
- In most cases, a crown will be needed after a root canal. This can add to the cost.
- There is a small chance a root canal will fail and lead to a tooth extraction.
Tooth Extraction
Pros:
- A definitive way to get rid of pain or infection.
- A cost-effective and convenient way to treat a damaged tooth.
Cons:
- A tooth extraction of a permanent tooth will leave a gap in your smile. In order to fix that, a bridge, denture, or implant is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the right choice between a root canal vs extraction?
Your dentist will be able to work with you in making the best decision to keep your smile healthy. Common factors that influence your decision may be if your tooth is severely damaged and the cost of the dental procedure.
Is a tooth extraction and a root canal painful?
For both a root canal and a tooth extraction, your dental professional will make sure you are fully numb before starting. Both dental treatments require local anesthesia where your doctor will use a shot to numb the nerves of the tooth.
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