Your Tooth Truth: Root Canal or Extraction?
with Dr. Bryan McLelland
Hello, this is Dr. Bryan bringing you another edition of Your Tooth Truth. This week, we’re tackling an age-old question that even puzzled the Romans:
If a tooth goes rotten, what should you do?
Maybe you’ve been up all night with tooth pain.
Perhaps cold or hot drinks send shockwaves through your face.
Whatever the trigger, these symptoms often mean a root canal or an extraction may be needed. So how do you choose?
Below are the key factors to consider.
1. Your Natural Tooth Is Usually the Best Option
Nothing beats what nature gave you.
When a tooth can be saved with a root canal, that option is almost always preferred. Keeping your natural tooth supports jawbone health, bite strength, and long-term stability.
2. Root Canals Have a High Success Rate
A root canal works extremely well for most patients.
During the procedure, the infected pulp is removed, the space is cleaned, and the tooth is sealed. Many of these teeth remain healthy for decades, especially when protected with a dental crown afterward.
Of course, no treatment is perfect. While root canals have an excellent track record, failure can still happen on occasion.
3. What Happens If a Root Canal Fails?
When a root canal fails, the signs are usually clear, your dentist or your pain will let you know something is wrong.
At that point, treatment options include:
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Root canal retreatment
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Apicoectomy, a small surgical procedure to clean the root tip
If neither option offers a predictable outcome, extraction becomes the more reliable choice.
4. When a Tooth Cannot Be Saved
Sometimes the prognosis is simply not good enough to justify retreating the tooth or pursuing an apicoectomy.
In those cases, your dentist may recommend extraction.
Some clinicians may attempt “hero-dontics,” trying to rescue a tooth with little chance of success, but this often only delays the inevitable.
5. Extraction and Immediate Implant: Is It Possible?
When a tooth must be removed, an implant can often be placed immediately.
This depends on bone quality, infection level, and overall health, so a consultation is essential.
If you’re looking for an experienced oral surgeon, libertyoralsurgery.com is a great place to start.
Summary
A toothache is one of the worst pains someone can experience. It often signals the need for either a root canal or an extraction. Choosing the right option has a major impact on both oral and overall health.
I hope these insights help you make a more confident and informed decision.
