Is It Better to Get a Root Canal or an Extraction?

No one wants to need dental work — but sometimes you can’t get around it. If you have significant tooth decay or dental damage, your dentist may recommend a root canal in Kernersville. This is a procedure that can rescue the natural tooth structure to help you keep your complete smile for a lifetime. Below, find out more about the benefits of root canal therapy and why it’s preferred over extraction.

Preserving Your Smile for Life

Tooth replacement options have gotten more sophisticated and effective over the last couple of decades, but it is still always better to keep your natural tooth structure intact whenever possible. Extracting a tooth takes away from the stable foundation your jawbone needs to thrive, as the teeth roots stimulate and bring necessary blood flow to the bone. Once you have lost a single tooth, the area around it will begin to degenerate and weaken. Afterwards, the chances that you will lose more teeth greatly increase. A root canal can help you avoid the serious effects of tooth loss.

Nothing to Dread with Root Canal Therapy

Right now, you may be thinking don’t root canals hurt?! But the answer is a resounding no. Root canal therapy has developed a reputation as being a thing to dread — but thanks to modern tools and anesthesia/sedation, there is truly nothing to fear from this procedure. In fact, if your dentist recommends root canal, that’s actually great news. It means the tooth can still be saved — which will help you enjoy a healthy and complete smile for life.

The steps of a root canal are as follows:

1. The jaw is numbed and sedation will be administered to help you fully relax
2. Your dentist will remove the infected tissue from the interior of the tooth
3. The tooth will be refilled with a biocompatible material
4. A permanent or temporary filling/crown will be placed
5. In a follow-up appointment if needed, a crown will be placed on top of the treated tooth
6. That’s it!

With proper dental hygiene and routine visits to the dentist, a tooth treated with root canal can stay stable in the gum line for years to come.

Don’t Put Off Necessary Dental Care

If you have a severely aching, decayed, or damaged tooth, don’t avoid getting it treated any longer. The problem won’t get better on its own — and the effects of tooth loss are significant, including weak self-confidence, poor nutrition, and other issues. If you act now, it may still be possible to avoid extraction and rescue the crown with a root canal. Your restorative dentist in Kernersville will take care to ensure that you have a pleasant experience.

Meet the Practice

Drs. Veronica and Zack Walker are a trusted source of comprehensive dentistry in Kernersville. This practice has been providing excellence since 1984 — and they are welcoming new patients like you. If you are in need of a root canal or any other general, preventive, or restorative dental treatment, do not hesitate to get in touch. Call (336) 993-3727 today.