Toothaches are unbearable, and by the time you experience serious sensitivity to hot and cold foods, the infection has probably worsened. If there is visible decay or infection, you may need to consider an extraction, but can you save your infected tooth? The short answer is yes. Root canal treatment can help preserve your tooth and get away with the pain. Any general dentist or endodontist can complete the procedure, and for your help, here is an overview and comparison of both options. 

The basics

An extraction is exactly what it sounds like – getting rid of the infected tooth along with the affected tissues and nerve responsible for the pain. On the contrary, root canal therapy tries to save the tooth by clearing the pulp, bacteria, and nerves. Once the damaged tissues are removed, the tooth is treated with special materials to treat the infection, following which it is sealed with special materials. Contrary to popular opinion, root canal therapy doesn’t have to be very painful.

Risks at a glance

All dental procedures have inherent risks. The risks associated with root canal therapy include:

• If all of the infected pulp and bacteria are not removed from the infected tooth, the patient may need endodontic retreatment. 
• The infected tooth may become vulnerable to fractures due to root canal treatment. 

In comparison, tooth extraction can have more serious complications and risks, including:

• Damage to the bone that supported the infected tooth
• Misaligned bite
• Impact on adjacent teeth

What’s better of the two?

There is no single answer to that. If the infected tooth can be saved, your dentist will consider root canal therapy before thinking of extraction. In some cases, RCT may not be a practical choice, and therefore, extraction could be the only way to get rid of the pain. If the tooth is extracted, your dentist can use a dental implant to place the replacement tooth. As far as costs are concerned, root canal therapy does cost more than extraction but considering that you can save your natural teeth, the price is worth paying.

Check online now to find a reliable clinic and talk to a dentist if you have a tooth infection. The sooner you discuss the treatment options, the higher the chances of saving the tooth. Depending on the extent of the infection, your dentist may use local anesthesia for the first couple of appointments.