Dental treatment alternatives to a root canal include direct pulp capping, pulpotomy, pulpectomy, endodontic retreatment, endodontic surgery, tooth extraction, dental implants, bridges, or dentures.
If you've got longevity in mind, know that dental implants can last you for much longer than a root canal and crown. They have a low failure rate and can last decades with good care. With a root canal, you may still end up with your tooth failing or needing to replace crowns after five to 15 years.
>When you are dealing with a tooth with damaged nerves and pulp, a root canal is typically the first procedure your dentist recommends. It is not the only option though. You also have the option of having to remove the tooth.
Metal-Free Dental Implants
It improves the function and aesthetic of your smile. Metal-free dental implants use a biocompatible zirconia post to replace the tooth root. Since implants are placed in the jaw, they provide unparalleled strength and durability and can last a lifetime.
Root canal therapy is recommended when teeth can be saved with treatment, while an extraction is performed when the tooth's structure is too damaged, or a crack goes beneath the gum's surface, not leaving enough structure for stability or use after the repair.
Extractions are often done if there is no restorative alternative option left for a tooth. These are often shorter appointments, often less costly than root canal treatment, and less technique sensitive.
Your dentist may recommend a root canal when your tooth shows signs of infection or significant pulpal nerve damage. When a tooth is cracked or has a significant cavity, bacteria is able to enter the pulp, and if left untreated, can lead to serious infection, bone loss, or the loss of the tooth itself.
Root canal treatments and retreatments are a better alternative than extraction for most individuals. If a tooth has good bone support, a solid surface and healthy gums beneath it, it stands a good chance of being saved. Opting for root canal retreatment can be far less expensive than the alternatives.
So why wouldn't your dentist do your root canal? The answer is simple: they may not be trained to perform them. Endodontists are specialists in tooth canals, and they're more likely to be able to treat your problem than a general dentist.
Pulpotomy is commonly done on children, and it is performed on adults as a temporary substitute for a root canal.
Cons: Weakens teeth
Teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy can end up weaker than they originally were. The technique involves drilling a hole into the tooth, which weakens its structure.
You must undergo a root canal within a few weeks to fully eliminate the infection and save your tooth. In general, a root canal typically takes about two hours to complete, but it can require subsequent visits depending on the severity of the damage.
Also, patients might need two to three visits to get root canals on upper first molars. Upper first molars have three to five root canals, and each one must be treated, which takes longer to complete. Root canals can also cause discomfort to the mouth and jaw, as they will have to remain open the entire procedure.
Non-removal of a dead tooth from your mouth is not wise because it can harm your remaining teeth and jaw, which is significantly dangerous. Depending on the extent and type of damage, the tooth may remain in your mouth for days, months, and even years before falling out by itself.
If your tooth is damaged, but enough of the tooth structure is healthy, your dentist can save your tooth. It will need treatment, but since your natural teeth are sturdier than options like a bridge or dentures, most dentists will opt to save your tooth over extracting it where possible.
What is the most difficult tooth to extract? Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that have failed to erupt properly. They are generally considered to be the most difficult teeth to extract. The higher the degree of impaction, the more difficult the extraction.
After you undergo a tooth extraction, you will need to replace the missing tooth or teeth. If the teeth are not replaced, the bones in your mouth can weaken and lose density. Other teeth also might shift, and you might experience trouble eating. Fortunately, you have several replacement options for missing teeth.
It is possible for a tooth to become weaker after a root canal. Dentists must drill through the tooth to get to the pulp, and additional decay might need to be removed. If the tooth is too weak to function, the dentist will add a crown to it.
A Root Canal Saves Your Tooth
Thanks to this, dentists note that root canals have a lifetime success of 85%. This is much higher than in their early days and is practically a guarantee of optimal dental function and good oral health in most patients.
Once the bacteria starts acting on the pulp or nerve tissue, the process does not stop unless measures are applied by your dentist to stop it. Otherwise, the infection will continue to spread even to the surrounding teeth, the surrounding bone tissue, and soft tissue and throughout your entire mouth.
Saltwater rinse
Not only does salt help to reduce bacteria, but rinsing with warm salt water can also remove debris from your mouth, break up pus around the tooth, and help ensure proper wound healing. To create a saltwater rinse for a tooth infection, simply mix a half teaspoon of salt with a half cup of warm water.
Longevity of a Root Canal
Root canals have a very high success rate. In most cases, a tooth treated with a root canal can go on to function normally for many years. A treated tooth can even last a lifetime.
Unfortunately, root canal infections don't just go away on their own. In fact, the longer you wait to seek treatment, the worse the situation can become***.