Can We Save My Tooth or Do I Need an Extraction?

When you are experiencing severe dental pain, you may feel like you want to get that tooth out of your mouth no matter what! However, an extraction is only recommended as a last resort and root canal therapy may be able to preserve your tooth. Here is the important information to know about dental pain and tooth extractions.

What Is Causing My Toothache?

If you are experiencing severe dental pain or a toothache, it could be indicating an infection or an abscess. Dental infections can be caused by a crack, fracture, or decay that reaches the nerve of your tooth. An infection in your tooth is not going to resolve itself without treatment, so it’s important that you don’t wait to contact your dentist.

When Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy can eliminate a dental infection, relieve your pain, and preserve your tooth. Your dentist will remove the diseased tissue from inside your tooth and then seal it with a temporary filling that gives it time to heal.

Since a tooth treated with root canal therapy is not as strong as it once was, you will return to your dentist after healing is completed to have it strengthened with a permanent filling or crown. Restoring your tooth ensures that you will have all the function you enjoyed before your tooth became infected.

When Do I Need an Extraction?

If your tooth is decayed or fractured beyond what root canal therapy can restore, your dentist will recommend an extraction. Sometimes removing a failing tooth is the best way to protect your surrounding teeth.

If a tooth extraction is recommended for you, unless your tooth is being removed for orthodontic treatment or it’s a wisdom tooth, it is a good idea to think about tooth replacement options. When you lose a tooth, neighboring teeth begin to move and shift without a replacement. Your jawbone will also begin to lose density without a root to support.

Contact Your Dentist

Being proactive about visiting your dentist every six months for cleanings and examinations may help you avoid situations that cause dental pain since your dentist can detect concerns like gum disease and tooth decay early on.

If you do find yourself dealing with a toothache, contact your dentist right away to have your condition evaluated and treated.

About the Author

At Boyles General Dentistry, you receive the talents and expertise of two dentists with a combined total of nearly 50 years of experience. This ensures that you enjoy the highest quality dentistry and most comprehensive treatment available. Patients love the warm and friendly atmosphere they experience when they choose Boyles General Dentistry as their dental home.

If you would like to contact our dentists, they can be reached by calling 432-685-7011 or online.