Damaged or infected teeth cause persistent and dull pain, which hinders the ability to chew and even interferes with the daily activities of life due to constant discomfort. If left untreated, the bacterial infection from the gum or the tooth’s root spreads to the nearby gum tissues and neighbouring teeth, leading to severe pain, swelling and eventually tooth loss.
A missing tooth has a significant impact on the self-esteem of an individual, making them uncomfortable to smile or laugh. It even leads to the shrinking of the jawbone and causes migration of adjacent teeth towards the missing tooth space.
The two most common methods to treat infected teeth are root canal treatment (RCT) and tooth extraction. Deciding between the two often proves to be a dilemma for patients. Both procedures have advantages and disadvantages, serving different purposes and making them suitable for patients according to their needs.
In this write-up, we will compare the pros and cons of RCT and tooth extraction, helping patients make the right decision.
Understanding RCT
Root canal treatment, or RCT, is a painless procedure to save an infected tooth from getting extracted caused by decay. During the procedure, the inflamed or infected pulp from the tooth is carefully removed, After that, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected to place a filling on your tooth. The procedure is recommended for patients who have sensitivity, throbbing pain from the tooth to the jaw, or swelling around the gums of a particular tooth.
To get the best results, patients are advised to get root canal treatment in Kolkata by an experienced endodontist who specialises in performing the procedure using advanced technology. It is on the basis of a careful evaluation with a CBCT to evaluate the condition of the tooth and decide whether or not an RCTwill have a successful outcome.
On the other hand, tooth extraction is a procedure that involves the complete removal of the tooth from its socket. This method is also referred to as “pulling a tooth” and is mainly carried out for severely damaged teeth that are beyond repair or non salvageable.
Comparison Between Root Canal Treatment And Tooth Extraction
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both RCT and tooth extraction procedures.
Root Canal Treatment
Advantages
- One of the primary advantages of RCT is that it preserves the natural tooth and its jawbone. Hence, it prevents bone loss and alignment issues.
- The procedure is less invasive and completely painless as compared to other methods.
- Keeping your natural tooth is visually more appealing than replacement options and makes your smile beautiful.
- Root canal treatment in Kolkata, especially in Dental World, a super speciality dental clinic, is much more affordable and technologically advanced and can be accessible by most patients.
Disadvantages
- Depending on the severity of your infections, you might need multiple sessions.
- In rare cases, if patients fail to follow the oral hygiene instructions, the chances of reinfections are high.
Tooth Extraction
Advantages
- If the tooth is badly damaged, tooth extraction is the best option to prevent the spread of bacteria and improve your oral health.
- The procedure is quicker and is completed in a single sitting.
- Once, the infected tooth is removed, there is a reduced risk of the spread of infections.
Disadvantages
- In tooth extraction, the natural tooth is removed, affecting your ability to chew and hindering the overall alignment of teeth.
- Your dentist will recommend other tooth replacement options like dentures, bridges and implants, which comes with additional costs.
- If replacement is not done, the jawbone begins to deteriorate and the surrounding teeth start to shift, thereby impacting the facial structure and also results in premature aging.
- The recovery period after the procedure is longer and often causes discomfort, swelling and bruising near the extracted site.
Conclusion
The choice between RCT and tooth extraction should be made after consultation with an experienced dentist who will examine the condition of your tooth and overall dental health.
If you are looking for root canal treatment in Kolkata, book an appointment with us. Dental World is a top super speciality dental clinic to get the best quality treatment and save your teeth.
