As I’ve spent time visiting with my patients over the years about their oral health needs, I often hear them say they’re fearful of certain dental procedures, and at the top of the list of treatments they dread are root canals and extractions.
There’s something very ominous about hearing that you need to have a tooth “pulled,” and a root canal sounds scary and invasive. But the truth is that my team and I regularly perform gentle root canal therapy in my Winston-Salem dental office, and if you need an extraction, we’ll completely numb your mouth before removing your tooth.
Let’s explore how each procedure works and if there’s ever a time when a tooth extraction is better than a root canal. Hopefully, after you read this information, you’ll be less apprehensive about what to expect when you visit my office.
My goal is for you to feel comfortable and confident about your oral health decisions and achieve the healthiest smile possible.
What Is a Root Canal?
The American Association of Endodontists defines a root canal as a procedure designed to remove infected tissue from inside your tooth, often saving the tooth from extraction and keeping the infection from spreading to other parts of your mouth or body. If your tooth’s nerve is irreversibly damaged or infected, you only have two treatment options: a root canal or an extraction.
When I perform a root canal, here are the steps I follow:
- Evaluation — The first step involves looking at your x-rays to determine that you have an infection that requires a root canal. You may have a severe toothache that doesn’t go away when you take over-the-counter medication, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures that continues once the stimulus is removed, swollen or tender gums around a certain tooth, or tooth discoloration.
- Anesthesia — Next, I’ll administer a local anesthetic to completely numb the area. That way, you won’t feel anything while I perform the root canal.
- Isolation — To keep your tooth clean and dry during treatment, I’ll place a dental dam over your tooth, making it easier for me to work.
- Access — I’ll carefully drill a small hole into the top of your tooth so I can access the infected pulp chamber.
- Cleaning and shaping — Using special dental tools, I’ll remove the diseased pulp from inside your tooth and then clean and disinfect the area. Then, I’ll shape the area to prepare it for a filling.
- Filling and sealing — Using a biocompatible material known as gutta-percha, I’ll fill and seal the disinfected canal, keeping the area from becoming infected again.
- Restoration — Often, I’ll place a temporary filling over the access area, and eventually, I’ll place a custom crown over your entire tooth. This crown will strengthen and protect your natural tooth, allowing you to bite down and chew comfortably. Our dental crowns look and feel just like your natural tooth; you’ll be amazed at how good they look!
What Is an Extraction?
As the name implies, an extraction is a procedure where I “extract” or remove one or more of your teeth. The extraction process is fairly straightforward, so if removing your tooth is the best treatment decision for your smile, here are the steps I take:
- Evaluation — I’ll examine your tooth and take x-rays to confirm that an extraction is the best treatment option. If you have extensive decay and most of your tooth structure is damaged, your tooth is severely broken, you have advanced periodontal disease, a severe infection, or an impacted wisdom tooth, I’ll likely recommend removing your tooth to restore your oral health.
- Anesthesia — Your comfort is very important to me, so I’ll numb your tooth so you won’t feel anything. And if you feel anxious, I offer numerous sedation options to keep you calm during your time in my office.
- Loosening the tooth — Using a tool known as an elevator, I’ll gently rock your tooth back and forth to loosen it from its socket.
- Extraction — Once it’s sufficiently loosened, I’ll carefully grip your tooth with dental forceps and remove it from your mouth. If your tooth doesn’t easily come out in one piece, I can make a small incision in your gums and remove your tooth a little at a time.
- Cleaning and disinfecting — I’ll carefully clean and disinfect the area, and if necessary, I’ll place a couple of stitches. You’ll need to bite down on some gauze to control any bleeding and encourage a blood clot to form.
Which Is Better?
I always tell my patients that it’s better to keep their natural teeth whenever possible. You only get one set of teeth, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Sometimes, patients tell me that they’d rather just have their tooth removed because they think it’s a less expensive option or they’re afraid that a root canal will involve pain and a lengthy healing process.
However, here are the advantages of root canal therapy that I share with them:
Preserves Jawbone Health
When I remove your tooth, you’ll eventually have to deal with jawbone deterioration in that area. Your tooth’s roots keep your jawbone healthy and help you maintain your facial structure. Missing teeth can make your face sag and look sunken.
Faster Recovery
Although my patients often don’t believe me when I tell them that a tooth extraction is more invasive than a root canal, it’s true! It takes longer for you to recover from an extraction. An extraction site takes weeks to heal, and you can recover from a root canal in just a few days.
Better Function
I will always encourage you to keep your natural tooth if it allows you to chew your favorite foods and speak clearly without difficulty. However, when we sit and talk about your options, you’ll always be in control of your treatment decisions.
Enhanced Aesthetics
I want every patient to have a natural-looking smile they’ll be proud to show others, so if we can save your tooth from extraction, it often helps you maintain the smile you were born to have. And if you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry, I can improve your smile.
Decreased Long-Term Cost
Although the initial cost of a root canal is likely higher than that of an extraction, I’ll argue that the long-term costs could easily be higher. To replace your tooth with a dental implant or bridge will cost more in the long run than the root canal/dental crown procedure.
Keeping You Comfortable With Sedation Dentistry
When I was a child, I endured numerous dental visits that made me fearful of going back to the dentist for any reason. So, when I decided to become a dentist, I was determined to show my patients that going to the dentist didn’t have to be something to dread. Instead, it could be a place where you saw friendly faces and achieved healthy teeth and gums.
That’s why I pursued a moderate sedation license; I wanted to offer stress-free care to anxious patients in Winston-Salem and the surrounding area.
When you visit my dental office, you can choose from any of the following sedation methods:
- Nitrous oxide — Also known as “laughing gas,” I administer nitrous oxide through a small mask placed over your nose. You’ll feel calm during treatment, and the effects wear off quickly, so you can get back to your busy day.
- Oral sedation — If you’re feeling more than a little anxious, I can prescribe a pill for you to take before you arrive for your appointment. You’ll need a driver, but you can get the care you deserve without fear.
- Moderate sedation — I prefer this sedation method for those who have severe dental anxiety, and because I’m one of the few dentists in the area licensed to provide IV sedation, you can get the treatment you need without going to an oral surgeon.
Questions About Tooth Extractions in Winston-Salem, NC?
If you’d like to learn more about the extraction process, or if you have missing teeth and want to explore your tooth replacement options, my team and I will happily assist you! At my Winston-Salem dental office, we’re committed to helping every patient explore their treatment options and make an informed decision about their oral health.
So if you’ve been searching for a new dental home, we hope you’ll consider giving us a call at (336) 760-1277. I don’t think you’ll regret it!
