Do You Need A Root Canal Or Will The Tooth Have To Come Out?

Posted on: 16 September 2022

If you need a root canal, you'll likely know by the dental pain you're in. Unfortunately, you'll also feel the same way if you need to have a tooth removed. Your dentist will have two main goals when they treat your smile; the first will be to save your tooth or preserve your smile, and the second will be to bring you relief. Both a root canal and tooth removal will make you feel better, but only your dentist can tell you if you need one service over the other.

Do you need a root canal or will the tooth have to come out? Here's a way you can somewhat tell so you know what to expect when you go to the dentist.

The tooth still has lots of pain in it

When it comes to dental care, oddly enough, the more painful the tooth is, the better. A painful tooth is a living tooth and can be saved if it's not badly infected and your mouth is otherwise healthy. A tooth that had a lot of pain that went away or got less severe is a tooth that may have died or is in danger of losing its viability and may have to come out. If your tooth has a lot of pain, a root canal can not only be possible, it can save your tooth and make your pain go away very quickly.

The tooth is in the front of your mouth

Where the tooth is placed will often determine whether a root canal is the best solution or if you can have another procedure done. If the tooth is in the back of your mouth and is not visible when you eat, smile, or speak, then your dentist may recommend simply pulling the tooth to bring you relief. If the tooth is in the front of your mouth or very visible when you smile or speak, then tooth removal is not as likely.

When you get a root canal, you may need a dental crown afterward. It's all dependent on how bad your tooth decay was and how deep your root canal goes. Preserving your smile is a top priority to your dentist, so they will go over all your options and let you determine if a root canal is right for you. Root canal services can help bring you relief and keep your smile going strong, so get to a dentist as soon as you notice any dental pain.

For more information about undergoing a root canal, contact a local dental office.

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Providing Children With Dental Knowledge

When my three children were young, they were all excited to go to the dentist. The dentist's office was great fun with a large fish tank and a variety of puzzle toys in the waiting room. I liked the pediatric dental office so much that I jumped at the chance when I was offered a receptionist job. Many of the children who came to see the dentist were not nearly as happy as my children. Most kids were scared and anxious, and I learned fairly quickly that the children were worried because they had no idea what to expect. The dentist at the office provided me with a set of dental tools that I could show to the children. I explained how each of the devices worked. This eased the fears, and I started this blog so parents could share dental information with their children before dental visits.