Am I Better off Getting an Extraction or a Root Canal Treatment and Dental Crown?
Posted by Annmarie SanSevero
I’ve had dental work done that is getting up there (sort of like me) and needs to be replaced. I have old fillings that I’m going to switch out for those new fancy white ones. What I need to decide though is on my other teeth. I have a crown that needs to be replaced along with an infected tooth. I’m trying to decide between a root canal treatment and dental crown or just extract the tooth. Is there a benefit of one over the other?
Bennie
Dear Bennie,
Let’s start with those white fillings first and then I’ll answer your question about the infected tooth. It is great that you are trying to get rid of those old silver fillings. Most people don’t realize that their main ingredient is mercury. Because of that, you want to make sure that your dentist knows how to do a sanitary amalgam removal. This ensures that you don’t swallow or inhale any of the mercury vapors or loose bits. A mercury-free dentist will know just how to do that.
As for your tooth infection, saving the tooth is best if possible. If the tooth can’t be saved, then extraction is your only option. However, you did not say anything about replacing the tooth. This will be essential. Otherwise, the adjacent teeth will shift or tip into the empty place. This will throw off your bite and lead to headaches, jaw pain, or even TMJ Disorder.
The best tooth replacement is a dental implant. This is the closest thing to having a healthy, natural tooth in your mouth again. The implant stands in for the tooth root and a dental crown is attached to it. Because the implant signals to your body that you have a tooth there still, it will preserve the bone in that area.
If the implant will be in a visible place when you smile, then you will want to make sure you go to an expert cosmetic dentist to have it done. Matching a single crown to the rest of your teeth takes advanced cosmetic skills.
This blog is brought to you by an AACD accredited cosmetic dentist in Franklin, TN Dr. Christopher Weber.
