Burlington area dentist explains root canal therapy vs. tooth extraction

Burlington, ON area dentist, Dr. Sam Gupta of Mount Royal Dental, is committed to helping patients achieve beautiful healthy smiles. If you live in or around the community and want quality dental care, we encourage to take the time to connect with his team to develop a wonderful relationship to improve your oral health and wellness.

At Mount Royal Dental, we are pleased to provide patients with a wide variety of treatments under one roof. Our dentist provides many services, including root canal therapy.

What is root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy is a procedure that is performed to avoid tooth extraction t to save a natural tooth. It is often done when patients have been diagnosed with:

• An extremely large cavity
• An abscess
• An infection of the dental pulp
• Trauma to the dental pulp

The procedure is relatively straightforward. Patients are made comfortable before we start the treatment. This means the use of sedation and local anesthetics. Once patients are comfortable, we begin the process. Treatment starts with the dentist creating a very small hole to access the inner portion of the tooth called the root canals. The root canals hold the dental pulp, which is tissue that includes the blood supply and nerves. The dental pulp is carefully removed before the area is cleaned and filled with gutta percha. Then, the tooth is sealed with composite resin to keep any bacteria from entering back into the tooth. After this, some patients may benefit from the placement of a dental crown over the tooth structure. This ensures the tooth is protected and strengthened from the possibility of damage down the road.

Root canal vs. tooth extraction

Many patients ask their dentist about the benefits of root canal vs. tooth extraction. Root canal therapy saves the natural tooth, though it does deaden it with the removal of the dental pulp. This means that the tooth is no longer going to get a supply of blood to keep it “alive” and that, without the nerves, patients will not feel pain in the tooth. However, it does not keep it from being susceptible to damage, especially when it has become weakened with dental pulp removal, and it can still develop cavities or periodontal disease. Therefore, it is important for patients to regularly see their dentist for check-ups.

However, without root canal therapy, the only alternative is tooth extraction. Tooth extraction has its share of downfalls. Patients need to undergo a procedure to remove the tooth in its entirety. Then, there is a gap left in the smile. Without replacing the tooth, the rest of the teeth within the dental arch may shift out of place, creating more spaces and gaps that affect the appearance of the smile. It can also cause misalignment which could only be improved with orthodontic work. When it comes to replacing these teeth, patients have many options, including dentures, bridges, and dental implants. However, these come at a cost. Dentures need to be replaced regularly and readjusted, and dental implants can be incredibly costly when compared to the cost root canal therapy. Dr. Sam Gupta and his team of professionals will consult with patients to help them understand the difference between undergoing root canal therapy and just removing the tooth. Many times, patients choose root canal therapy to avoid the expense for the replacement of teeth. There is no “one size fits all” solution, so it is best that patients take the time to educate themselves on their options before making a choice as to how to continue with services.

Schedule a visit with the team of Mount Royal Dental today to discuss the benefits of root canal therapy

Our team of professionals understand the importance of performing certain procedures to save the natural teeth from extraction. If you are interested in discussing the advantages of moving forward with root canal therapy rather than tooth extraction, we encourage you to book a visit with Dr. Sam Gupta and his staff. Call (905) 581-9912  today to schedule a visit at 2043 Mount Forest Drive in Burlington, ON.

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