Dental pain which results from infections or tooth decay is a real nuisance that can make you miserable for days. Most dentists advise tooth extraction or root canal treatments to patients for these medical conditions.

Both of these procedures aim to lessen the pain and stop the spread of infections. However, these are different in terms of their methodology as well as long-term effects on your dental health.

The choice between these treatments determines your comfort level and overall dental health. This is why you need to understand which of these treatments is right for you.

This blog looks into tooth extraction vs. root canal treatment in detail. This article will help you pick the right approach that ensures better protection of your oral health. So, keep on reading till the end.

• What is a Tooth Extraction Treatment?
• When Do You Need a Tooth Extraction
• What is a Root Canal Treatment
• When Do You Need a Root Canal Treatment
• Tooth Extraction vs. Root Canal: Pain Levels, Recovery, and Aftercare

What is a Tooth Extraction Treatment?

In this procedure the dentist completely removes an affected tooth from its socket in your jawbone. This treatment is the only choice when it is no longer possible or viable to save the actual tooth. 

A retrospective pre-covid study shows 569,938 surgical tooth removal episodes in the UK in a period of 5years. Out of the total, about 87% removals were in adults and 13% in children ≤18 years.

Types of Extraction

• Simple Extraction

Simple extraction works best for easily visible teeth. In this case there is no trouble accessing the teeth. First the experts from specialist dental services london numb the area. Then they use an elevator which is a lever-like appliance to loosen the teeth in your socket. Finally, they will use a tool called forceps to get the tooth out.

• Surgical Extraction

If the tooth is broken right at the gum line the doctor recommends surgical extractions. This treatment is also an option for teeth that haven’t fully erupted or are very hard to access due to limited visibility. The dentist may need to make incisions on the gum or cut the teeth into smaller pieces in this case.

After the tooth extraction you bite on a piece of gauze for about an hour. This allows a blood clot to form over the empty space.

When Do You Need a Tooth Extraction

Research shows that about 49.1% of tooth extractions result from dental caries. Other common causes are impactions, which account for 7.2%, remaining roots 18.5%, and periodontal diseases in 18.4% of the cases.  

You need a tooth extraction in the following scenarios.

• There is severe decay of the tooth which is beyond treatment.
• You suffer from advanced gum diseases like periodontitis.
• The damage to the teeth is below the gum line.
• You have impacted wisdom teeth.
• There is a fracture in your tooth root.
• The cavity in your tooth is so large that it compromises its entire structure.

What is a Root Canal Treatment

This is a common restorative dental treatment that can save a damaged or infected tooth. You can think of it as a deep internal cleaning of the root of your teeth.

A recent survey shows that in the US alone, more than 45% of people report having at least one root canal in their lifetime.

In this treatment the dentist first uses local anesthesia to prevent pain. They access the root through a small opening at the top of the tooth. This gives them access to the pulp.

This pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue which can get infected due to bacteria that accumulate in the cavities of cracked teeth. Then they remove the infected or inflamed pulp from the root of the tooth.

After that they disinfect the root canals and seal them with a biocompatible material like gutta-percha. Finally, they restore the tooth with a dental crown.

When Do You Need a Root Canal Treatment

According to a report, more than 15 million people undergo root canal treatments worldwide every year. Here are a few cases when dentists recommend a root canal treatment.

• This treatment is often the choice when actual teeth preservation is possible. 
• Experts recommend a root canal when the tooth infection is localized. 
• You need this treatment if there is damage or dead pulp in the root of your teeth.
• People with cracks in their teeth or with deep tooth cavities get this treatment.
• If the structure of your tooth above the gum line is intact you are most likely to get a root canal instead of an extraction.
• This treatment treats the inflamed or infected tooth pulp.
• If the damage is to your premolar or molar teeth which you use for chewing doctors recommend a root canal for the treatment.

Tooth Extraction vs. Root Canal: Pain Levels, Recovery, and Aftercare

The following is some additional information that tells you what to expect during and after these treatments. 

• Pain Levels

A standard tooth extraction takes about 10-20 minutes. For more complex procedures, the dentist needs about 45 minutes to extract the tooth. After this procedure, you may experience pain or swelling that lasts a few hours.  

The root canal treatment in the UK takes about 45 minutes. It takes longer as the dentist has to carefully clean the tiny canals of your teeth. Complex root canal treatments can take 1-2 hours.  Most patients experience tenderness or mild pain after this treatment. Over-the-counter tablets like Panadol or Nurofen can alleviate this pain.

• Recovery

You need to avoid eating or moving your mouth for a day after the extraction. This allows a blood clot to form over the empty space. The tooth heals after several weeks of treatment.

After the root canal, the dentist may put a dental crown over your teeth. You can resume normal activities after 24 hours of this treatment.

• Aftercare

Here are some aftercare tips that can increase the effectiveness of these treatments.

• In case your face swells after the treatment, use ice packs to reduce inflammation.
• Stick to foods that are soft or cool.
• Rinse your mouth with saltwater after 24 hours of the extraction.
• Maintain good oral hygiene or dental health habits.
• Do not skip follow-up appointments.
• Avoid foods that are sticky or hard for a few days.

Conclusion

The main objective of a tooth extraction or root canal is to get rid of the pain or prevent the spread of infection. These procedures protect your long-term oral health. If your tooth is intact for the most part dentists recommend a root canal treatment. This approach preserves your jawbone and protects your natural smile.

But if the damage to your teeth is extensive an extraction is a better choice. After this procedure the dentist suggests a suitable replacement for the lost tooth that involves minimal invasiveness.

Just make sure to consult a medical expert before you pick a treatment to save yourself from unnecessary discomfort. This guarantees you get the right kind of dental care that leads to long-term benefits for your oral health.

Visit us at Specialist Dental Services today to get the best root canal and tooth extraction treatments from experts in the industry.

FAQs

How long do you have to wait before you can eat after a root canal or extraction?

You can eat a soft diet after just a few hours of the root canal treatment. After a few more hours, you can resume a normal diet. However with extraction you have to eat a soft diet for several days.

What can happen if you do not replace an extracted tooth?

This can result in jawbone loss. It also causes your teeth to shift which gives rise to bite problems.

Is tooth extraction a better option than a root canal?

Root canal is always a wiser option if the damage is not too much. This treatment preserves your natural tooth which is not something you get with extraction.

What happens after a tooth extraction procedure?

After this procedure the dentist suggests suitable tooth replacement options to the patients. They recommend dental implants to patients who need natural aesthetics as well as durability. Patients with several missing teeth get bridges. People with multiple missing teeth get dentures or implant retained dentures or bridges

Is a root canal an extremely painful treatment?

Expert dentists perform a root canal under local anesthetic. This means there is no pain while you go through the procedure.

Which treatment is cheaper: a root canal or an extraction?

The upfront cost of the tooth extraction procedure is less than that of a root canal. However the overall costs which involve this procedure plus replacement tooth treatment like an implant or bridge can get very high.