Is It Better To Save A Tooth Or Pull It?

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Is It Better To Save A Tooth Or Pull It?

Is It Better To Save A Tooth Or Pull It

Many people experience having a toothache at one point in their lives. Sometimes, a toothache can just be caused by a temporary incident such as accidentally biting too hard. Or, it can be a sign of a more serious problem such as a tooth infection or decay. When people have a tooth that’s bothering them a lot, they usually wonder, “Is it better to save a tooth or pull it?”. In this post, we will talk about what’s the best dental option for you.

Saving Vs. Pulling Your Teeth: What to do

Sometimes, it can be confusing to decide whether you want to save or pull a problematic tooth. But one thing’s for sure when you have a toothache that isn’t going away after a few days, you will need to see your dentist about it.

If you’ve tried consulting with your dentist before, you’d know that between saving vs. pulling your teeth, they will always want to preserve your natural set of teeth. However, there are certain conditions where they would need to do an extraction as the best possible treatment. For example, if you have a tooth with a crack below the gum line, the tooth may already be too weak for it to be fixed and your dentist might recommend pulling it instead.

Here are some of the procedures your dentist will likely perform during your visit:

  • Your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination of your teeth
  • Your dentist will likely take x-rays that will help him view your teeth from all angles. In this way, it will be easier for him to check details of your teeth, such as exact length, shape, position, and surrounding bone
  • He will also check your medical and dental history. You will likely be asked questions about when or how your toothache first started and the location of the pain
  • If your dentist thinks that pulling your teeth will be the best way to go, he will be able to discuss the process with you and address any questions you may have

 

When is it best to save your tooth?

Saving your tooth is the best option when your tooth has mild to moderate damage. If a tooth only has a mild bacterial infection, your dentist may be able to save the tooth by performing a root canal treatment. This dental procedure can help save your tooth’s natural structure at the same time treating the damage.

Saving your tooth can also have many benefits for you, such as avoiding the shifting of your teeth, preserving your natural teeth structure, maintaining your appearance, and avoiding any changes to the way you chew or bite.

The root canal procedure

A root canal is a fairly quick and easy treatment where your dentist will make a small opening in your crown to expose your infected pulp. He will clean the infected part of your tooth by using special dental tools. Once done, he will fill the gap with a sealant made up of biocompatible material. Then finally, he will place a crown or other restorative treatment to fully protect your newly improved tooth. 

A root canal is a painless treatment because your dentist will administer local anesthesia. Depending on your tooth’s condition, you will need several visits to your dentist to complete the procedure.

WHEN IS IT BEST TO PULL YOUR TEETH?

Here are some situations where pulling your teeth may be the best treatment option for you.

  • When your tooth is already severely infected.
  • When your tooth has suffered severe damage or trauma and it is too fragile to be restored.
  • When your tooth is already broken on or under the gum line.
  • When you have an impacted tooth.
  • When you have a very loose tooth due to periodontal disease.
  • When your mouth is too overcrowded.
  • When your infected tooth is not responding to a root canal treatment.

So is it better to save a tooth or pull it?

At the end of the day, it will depend on the state of your tooth. It is important for you to seek professional help. You will need to weigh the facts with your dentist to know if saving your tooth or pulling it will be the best decision for you.

If you are undecided, you can talk with your dentist and your dentist can make the decision for you. He will be able to arrive at a decision after thoroughly evaluating your condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve had my teeth pulled, what can I expect next?

Let’s say you’ve had severely damaged teeth that have been extracted, the next step is to replace your missing teeth. Many people tend to overlook this step, but replacing missing teeth is an important and necessary part of keeping your overall dental health. It is highly recommended by dentists. 

There are many dental treatments that you can choose from to replace your missing teeth. The best treatment thus far will have to be dental implants.

Remember that time is of the essence when you have missing teeth. This is because we experience bone loss very quickly when there is no longer a stimulation from where the tooth once was. Treatments like dental implants require adequate healthy bone to support them, so it is encouraged for you to see your dentist soon after your extraction is healed and to replace absent teeth.

Visit our Dentistry in Wall Township!

Are you confused about saving or pulling your teeth? Let us help you! Sage Dental and Spa in Wall Township, NJ offers many dental treatments from general, restorative, or cosmetic dentistry. Call our office today so our dentist can evaluate you!

References:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10957-toothache

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/tooth-removal/when-surgical-extraction-of-teeth-is-necessary

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