When you experience pain in your natural tooth, it is wise to seek dental care services as soon as possible. However, you might have some questions about the available treatment options before getting an appointment with the dentist in Tarpon Springs, FL. There are two ways of treating teeth with extensive decay or damage; root canal and extraction.
Severe toothaches are often caused by damage or infection in the tooth pulp, the innermost chamber in the upper section of the tooth’s cavity. This irritates the tooth’s nerve, sending immense pain signals to the brain.
Root Canal Procedure: Saving The Tooth
Surgical Opening to Remove Unwanted Tooth Pulp
Root canal therapy involves the removal of damaged tissue and nerve from the internal parts of the tooth. The dentist will start the root canal procedure by numbing the area around the damaged or infected tooth using local anesthetics. An opening into the affected tooth will be created to remove the diseased, damaged, or dead tooth pulp.
Cleaning and Replacement of the Tooth Pulp Chamber
To ensure no bacteria are left behind, the dentist will use special equipment or tools to clean the pulp chamber and disinfect the canals carefully. The canals will then be filled with gutta-percha, biocompatible dental material, and a convenient option to replace the damaged pulp. The gutta-percha helps seal the canal space to boost oral health and avoid infections.
A crown may be placed to improve your natural tooth’s strength and appearance, but it may not be necessary. With root canal therapy, you will be able to avoid a dental implant which will involve replacing your entire natural tooth with an artificial one.
Treating Pain After The Root Canal Procedure
It is normal for patients to experience pain or discomfort after the root canal procedure. You can combat the pain using over-the-counter pain relievers. You can also visit your experienced dentist to continue with root canal treatment, especially if the pain does not completely disappear or the professional recommends check-ups.
Tooth Extraction Procedure: Getting Rid Of The Tooth
Loosening And Pulling Out The Tooth
Your dentist will also use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the decayed or damaged tooth. An elevator, a lever-like appliance, will then be used to loosen the tooth when it’s still attached to its socket. Another special tool called Forceps will be used for pulling out the teeth. Tooth extractions will involve popping and cracking sounds and some pressure, but they should not be painful.
Treating Bleeding And Inflammation After Teeth Extraction
It is normal for natural teeth to bleed after extraction, and your dentist will recommend that you bite a gauze piece for up to 45 minutes on your way home to clot the flowing blood. Also, don’t worry if you continue to have light bleeding for the next 24 hours because it is normal. You will experience swelling in your facial area, and ice packs can help minimize the inflammation. An extracted front tooth may experience lower levels of inflammation than back teeth.
Treating Pain After Teeth Extraction
You should follow the instructions to cure your dental problems completely. Your doctor or dentist may recommend or give you some medications to help relieve pain. You may change your diet and switch to soft foods for some time to have the most pleasant experience during the meals as you recover from dental treatments after tooth extraction.
Healing And Teeth Replacement Options
After two weeks, your extracted tooth should have healed. You must gently brush your teeth to avoid irritation during this period. Also, you can consider replacing your extracted tooth to prevent the shifting of your other teeth. You may find it hard to chew during the initial days before and after healing, but you will adjust with time.
Your dentist may recommend several replacement options, including a dental implant, partial denture, or dental bridge. Depending on your budget and dental needs, your dentist will help you choose the right path if you wish to replace your tooth after extraction.
When Can A Tooth Be Extracted
There are situations when a dentist may not be able to save your tooth. They include:
- If your tooth is severely damaged or fractured, the best option is extraction.
- If your tooth structure has been overly affected due to a large cavity making it extremely weak to undergo repair.
- When you have a tooth crack that continues underneath the lines of your gums.
When Can Teeth Be Saved Using Root Canals Procedures
Root canals work well to save teeth still viable in your mouth but have diseased, dead, or damaged pulp. This occurs when you either have a deep cavity or cracked tooth, which can cause bacteria in the mouth to arrive at the pulp and cause it to get damaged, swell, and die.
The Best Dental Care Option: Save The Tooth If Possible
Tooth extractions may appear as a cheaper option, but along the way, they will turn out to be expensive, especially because you may be forced to replace them with dental implants. However, with advanced and modern general dentistry procedures and technology, it is possible to save damaged teeth using a root canal option. As discussed, a few reasons can make your dentist extract your tooth.
Also, tooth extractions take time to heal compared with root canals. Although choosing a dental treatment option may entirely depend on you, you may decide to consider saving your tooth. A natural tooth cannot be compared with an artificial or modern dentistry option for strength and ease of maintenance.
Why Our Dental Services Are The Best For Your Oral Health
At Tarpon Dental, we have the best interest of our dental patients in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and its surrounding areas. We provide quality dental health services in our dentistry clinic or office. We will carefully listen to you and offer long-lasting solutions based on the symptoms and pain you’re experiencing, followed by our accurate tests and diagnosis.
We can also treat dental issues in your child and offer long-lasting treatment solutions for adult teeth. Contact us today at (727) 937-4285, and let us give you quality and patient-friendly dental services in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
