Extracting Teeth is Traumatizing to Your Mouth

Extractions can traumatize the mouth. That is why we are very careful about recommending this type of procedure. While an extraction is advised for wisdom teeth, other approaches may be better for the other teeth in the mouth. For example, if we can perform a root canal on a tooth instead of extracting it, we would prefer to opt for that method.

Why Extractions Traumatize the Mouth

Whenever a tooth is extracted, it has the same effect as an injury or trauma to the mouth – such as one received while playing a contact sport. Therefore, we make every effort to save a tooth, if we can, to avoid this type of surgery. Not only are we removing the tooth, we are also extracting the root. The effect can also impact the other teeth in the mouth. That is why we consider extraction as a last resort type of treatment.

Why a Root Canal Is Better

A root canal is better that extracting a tooth, as it will not affect the surrounding teeth. The pulp and its content are removed, as it is no longer needed. This is the soft core of the tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels. It is only needed during development. Therefore, it can be safely removed to save a tooth that would otherwise be extracted. We clean out the tooth and disinfect it and fill the root canal to maintain the tooth. Doing so also prevents shifting of the other teeth, or shrinkage of the gum tissue.

If you need for us to look at a severely decayed tooth, we can save it without removing it. Give us a call at your earliest convenience for a cleaning and examination. Don’t extract a tooth unless it is affecting the health of the surrounding teeth, especially when a root canal could also do the trick.