Root Canal Vs. Tooth Extraction: What To Expect

Root canal therapy is a procedure where the infected or damaged inner core of the tooth, called the pulp, is removed, and the inside of your tooth is cleaned, disinfected, and sealed. The pulp may be affected by decay, infection, or trauma. This procedure is intended to save the original tooth and restore it to full function.

A tooth extraction is a procedure that completely removes a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. This procedure is generally done when your tooth is too decayed to be repaired using a root canal. It may also be done if a tooth is impacted or misaligned. When getting a root canal, you can expect the dentist to numb the area around your tooth with a local anesthetic. They will then use a small drill to remove the infected pulp and seal the tooth with a specialized filling material. The entire procedure typically takes between one and two hours.

When getting a tooth extraction in Phoenix, you can expect your dentist to numb the area around your tooth with a local anesthetic. They will then use a special tool to loosen the tooth and remove it from its socket. After the tooth has been removed, the area will be cleaned, and sutures may be placed to help the socket heal. The entire procedure typically takes between 30 minutes and an hour.

Root Canal: Procedure and Aftercare

After numbing the area, your dentist will open the affected tooth and remove the diseased or dead pulp. After the pulp has been removed, the pulp chambers will be thoroughly cleaned to ensure that no bacteria remain. Following that, the pulp chambers will be filled with “gutta-percha,” a dental material that will replace your damaged pulp. Finally, to help restore the tooth’s appearance and strength, a crown may be placed on top of it. Depending on your specific situation, your root canal may necessitate multiple visits.

It is normal to experience pain for a few days following your procedure. This pain can either be a dull ache to sharp or acute pain, but it should be manageable with an over-the-counter pain reliever. If your pain is too severe for home treatment or goes away and then reappears, consult your dentist at Healthy Smiles.

Procedure and Aftercare for Tooth Extraction

If the tooth needs to be extracted, YOUR Phoenix Dentist will numb the area so that you won’t feel any pain and discomfort during the procedure. They’ll then use an elevator lever-like device to loosen your tooth while it’s still in the socket. The tooth will then be extracted using forceps. You can expect to feel some little pressure while this is happening, but nothing that will make you feel uneasy.

After your tooth is extracted, you will bite on a piece of gauze for up to 45 minutes to clot the natural blood flow. Light bleeding and facial swelling are normal for the first 24 hours following the procedure, but ice packs can help reduce the inflammation. When you start eating again, stick to soft, cool foods that won’t irritate your extraction site, and gradually return to your regular diet as you heal.

In general, the extraction site can take at least two weeks to heal, during which time you should brush your teeth gently to avoid further irritation.

Risks and Disadvantages

There is no such thing as a completely risk-free dental or medical procedure. Root canal therapy has the following risks:

• Endodontic retreatment may be required if a dentist cannot remove all of the bacteria from inside an infected tooth. This is extremely unusual.
• After a root canal, a tooth becomes weaker and more prone to fracture. However, you can virtually eliminate this risk by investing in a high-quality crown.
• Some people believe that root canal therapy can lead to systemic illness. However, evidence of that effect is scarce and of dubious quality.

The risks of tooth extraction are greater than those of root canal therapy. They are as follows:

• The bone that once held the tooth will begin to shrink in volume and mass.
• Adjacent teeth may shift out of position, resulting in a misaligned bite.
• The likelihood of future tooth loss rises.