{"id":3940,"date":"2024-06-03T14:51:54","date_gmt":"2024-06-03T14:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.atriumfamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=3940"},"modified":"2024-06-28T14:56:54","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T14:56:54","slug":"which-is-better-root-canal-or-extraction-making-dental-decisions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atriumfamilydental.com\/blog\/2024\/06\/03\/which-is-better-root-canal-or-extraction-making-dental-decisions\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Get a Root Canal or Extraction? Which One is Better?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Like with many dental treatments, whether a root canal<\/a> or tooth extraction is better for you isn\u2019t so black and white. The truth is that it ultimately depends on your unique oral situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While your friendly neighborhood dentist is the only one capable of determining which option you need, it is nice to get an idea of which category your care might fall under. Let\u2019s review when it might be appropriate to get a root canal vs. a tooth extraction \u2013 as well as why root canals are almost always preferred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Reasons You Might Need a Root Canal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The aim of a root canal is to clean out harmful bacteria, decay, and infection from the inside of your tooth. So if gingivitis has spread to your tooth\u2019s inner-region, decay has advanced past your enamel, or you have dead dental nerves from previous injury, a root canal is exactly what you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a Tooth Extraction Might be Valid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tooth extractions are also used to remove infection, disease, and decay. However, it is reserved as a last-resort option for severe cases. The philosophy is that it\u2019s better to abandon ship and save your remaining teeth. Other than that, they\u2019re only employed to assist with orthodontics by relieving overcrowded or impacted teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Root Canals are Almost Always Better<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At face value, a tooth extraction might seem like the simpler, cheaper option. It\u2019s true that a root canal treatment is more expensive than an extraction and generally takes longer to complete. However, tooth extractions can cause several pricey and inconvenient complications:<\/p>\n\n\n\n