Having an infected tooth can be very difficult to deal with due to the pain that comes with it. You will usually get multiple opinions about what to do about your diseased tooth. However, the best advice you can get will be from a dentist, and it will usually fall between options to save your tooth or pull it.
Pulling your teeth might seem like the most obvious choice, especially if you’re working with a budget. However, there are situations when saving your tooth can also be the best choice for you. It is crucial to consider both options before making a final decision.
To help you make an informed decision about your infected tooth, you should take some time to consider the benefits of both options.
Benefits of Saving An Infected Tooth
Saving an infected tooth is possible depending on how much damage has occurred to the dental nerve or the pulp of the tooth. Some of the reasons why a dentist might suggest you save your tooth are;
- Tooth decay that isn’t very severe
- Tooth mobility
- Recurrent toothaches
- Chipped or cracked tooth
- Tooth Sensitivity
All of these conditions might come with some serious, but bearable symptoms. However, they usually have not yet affected the pulp of your tooth. Hence, the reason why you can save the tooth. The primary solution prescribed by dentists for saving a tooth is Root Canal Therapy (RCT).
This process entails cleaning out the damaged canal and replacing it with a sealant that keeps it safe from infection. Once the tooth is restored, a crown is added to somewhat recreate the tooth in the original structure. Many dentists consider this procedure to be the best because of the following reasons;
- Your natural teeth are often stronger than artificial teeth.
- It prevents other teeth from shifting, as the other teeth will naturally try to cover the gap created when a tooth is removed.
- It maintains your natural smile and prevents a collapse of your lips.
Benefits of Pulling Your Tooth
Getting a tooth extraction can be a scary experience, however, there are certain situations where it is the best decision to make. An extraction is a simple surgery that usually takes less than 20 minutes, depending on the tooth’s position. Dentists consider extracting your tooth when it is too fragile and damaged to be restored with root canal therapy.
Some of the conditions that might make a dentist resort to extraction are;
- An impacted tooth
- Tooth damage due to trauma to the jaw
- Periodontal disease
- Overcrowding
- Severe tooth decay
Most of the time, these issues come with many severe symptoms that might get worse with time. Since the tooth cannot be saved, it’s always a good idea to extract it before it affects others.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with a damaged tooth comes with several symptoms that are often unbearable. However, deciding to lose a tooth can be a difficult and sometimes unnecessary decision. Be sure to speak with your dentist to figure out the best long-term solution before making a final decision.