Three Reasons Why Root Canals Are Better Than Dental Extractions
When a tooth goes bad, either due to injury or infection, there's often a choice between having a root canal or a dental extraction. Tooth extractions may seem like the faster and cheaper option on the surface, but there's a reason why root canals are still commonly used by dentists all over the world. There's a lot of advantages to having a root canal over a dental extraction, so if you've been told that you could have either and aren't sure which to pick, here's three reasons why you should consider a root canal.
No Gap
When a tooth is extracted, it has an immediate impact on your appearance. If the tooth is far back, other people might not be able to notice it. However, if it's near the front, it will immediately become obvious that you're missing a tooth. This gap can leave you feeling self-conscious and embarrassed about the appearance of your smile. Unfortunately, it's been shown that others do judge people based on appearances, as well, so if you're trying to get a job or are going on a date, this could have a negative impact on your luck.
No Shifting
When there's a gap in your smile, it does more than impact your appearance in the short-term. It can also impact your oral health and appearance in the long-term, as well.
Teeth partially rely upon each other in order to stay in the correct position. When there's a gap between teeth, the neighboring teeth can start to shift and move out of position. This can lead to teeth looking crooked. This can undo a perfect smile and undermine any work you may have had previously done with braces to make your smile look good.
No Replacement
In the event that you're worried about the gap or the shifting, you'll also need to get a dental replacement at some point in the future. This unfortunately adds costs, as any kind of tooth replacement - whether you're choosing dental bridges or implants - costs money. They also take time, especially if you choose a dental implant, as they require time to fuse to your bones and heal before you can have the replacement put in place. So while it might seem faster or more affordable to have your tooth extracted in the short-term, it could mean longer recovery times and more cost in the future.
In comparison to these problems that come from dental extractions, root canals have none of these problems. The interior of the tooth is removed and cleaned out, and the tooth is left in position. Root canals have no outward impact on your appearance and also prevent gaps, shifting, and the need for a future replacement. With that in mind, it becomes clear how root canals prevent a lot of future headaches.