Boise Dental Facts: Root Canal Vs. Extraction

If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, a dentist may suggest either a root canal treatment or an extraction. In some instances, you may be asked if you would like to try a root canal to see if it is successful before using extraction as a last resort.

To help you decide the best course of action, it’s important to understand exactly what is involved with each option. That’s why Summit Dental Group would like to provide you with the following guide to a root canal versus an extraction.

Root Canal Treatment

While a root canal gets a bad reputation, the tools and techniques used have greatly improved over the years making it no more painful than any other treatment.

A root canal is a Boise dental procedure that is performed to repair a damaged tooth or to eliminate an infection without the need to extract it. During the procedure, a dentist removes the damaged part of the inside of a tooth. Once the pulp and inside of a tooth is cleaned and disinfected it is then sealed using either a large cavity filling or a Boise dental crown. This restores the shape and function of a tooth while protecting it from additional damage or decay.

Dental Extraction

A dental extraction is a procedure that permanently removes a tooth from your mouth. This procedure is often recommended by your Boise dentist if a tooth is severely infected, damaged, and beyond saving.

There are two types of extraction, simple and surgical. In a simple extraction, a tooth is loosened and removed whole. A surgical extraction may be needed of a damaged tooth is impacted or broken at the gumline. Incisions may be made and sutures may be required afterward.

Both extractions are performed using local anesthesia. Recovery can take several days or more for the extraction area to heal. During this period your Boise dentist may want to monitor the healing process.

Replacement Options

If you opt to have a tooth extracted, you may be concerned about how a missing tooth may affect your smile. Fortunately, Summit Dental Group offers several options to replace a missing tooth, thus restoring the function and appearance of your smile. These options include crowns and bridges or a dental implant. Our Boise dentists would be more than happy to explain to you what is involved with both solutions so you can make the best decision as to which treatment option is right for you.

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