Is an extraction better than a root canal? Our dental in Coorparoo compares
When you have had a dental infection, you are probably going to wonder how you can prevent it from recurring. Of course, diet and maintenance of teeth in general play a large part in preventing dental abscesses, but once one has already happened, the tooth needs to be treated to stop it from coming back.
Which brings us nicely to the debate you are going to have with yourself; root canal versus extraction. While you may have heard rumours about root canals turning teeth black and being uncomfortable, there are more benefits to this procedure than you may have considered.
At Brisbane Laser Dentist, our dental in Coorparoo has helped many of our patients recover from dental abscesses using root canals. Should you have concerns, feel free to ask us any questions; we will be sure to answer them in jargon-free language to help you make the best decision about your treatment.
When comparing an extraction to a root canal, how do they stack up?
Aesthetics
When you choose our dental in Coorparoo to remove one of your teeth, you will have obviously given some thought about how it looks; an extraction near the front is going to be noticeable.
With a root canal, the procedure removes the infection while the tooth remains in place, making it ideal for treating teeth at the front of your mouth.
Who wins this round? The root canal!
Re-infection occurrence
You may feel that once our dental in Coorparoo has removed your infected tooth, the infection cannot come back. An open socket in your mouth is likely to attract bacteria if you are diligent with aftercare.
With endodontics, the infection is physically removed from the tooth and the area is then sealed with either a filling or a crown, so the infection is exceedingly unlikely to occur.
Who wins this round? The root canal.
Procedure
An extraction is quite simple; your mouth is numbed and our team removes the tooth in under 30 minutes with precision extraction techniques.
With a root canal, should it be needed on a molar tooth, it can take up to 2 sessions to complete, which can make a bit of a dent in a weekly schedule. Each session is between 45-60 minutes.
Who wins this round? Extraction.
Aftercare
After an extraction, you will need to eat softer foods, take pain relief and gargle salt water multiple times a day to keep the area clean. All while ensuring that any stitches you may have stayed in place.
With a root canal, no aftercare is needed and you can eat whichever foods you desire without hassle.
Who wins this round? The root canal.
Longevity
An extracted tooth can cause issues with the stability of your other teeth, heighten the chance of gum disease and decay to surrounding teeth.
A root canal can last the rest of your life without hassle.
Who wins this round? The root canal.
DISCLAIMER
All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.