Remember to Take out Your Dentures Every Night

If you have an infected tooth, or the tissue surrounding the tooth is infected, you have two options. You can either have a root canal performed to save the tooth or you can have the tooth pulled. Both of these actions remove the infection to help prevent an abscess from forming in the tooth and gum area surrounding the tooth. Learning the benefits of having a root canal versus having the tooth pulled can help you determine whether that is the best option for you. Here are three benefits of having a root canal instead of pulling the tooth. 

You Keep Your Tooth

One of the major benefits associated with having a root canal compared to a tooth extraction is that you keep your natural tooth. While there are many ways to replace a tooth that has been pulled, including bridges and implants, these options are not the same as having your real tooth. They require more care and may limit the types of food you can eat. It is always best to keep your natural teeth, when possible. 

The Costs 

Another benefit associated with having a root canal is the cost. One of the biggest myths out there is that pulling a tooth is cheaper than a root canal. While the actual cost of pulling a tooth is cheaper than having a root canal, the associated costs with replacing the teeth, such as placing an implant or having a bridge made, up the price associated with pulling a tooth. This ultimately makes an extraction more costly in the long run. If you are looking to keep your expenses lower, a root canal may be the better choice. 

Decreased Risk of Infection

The last benefit associated with having a root canal versus having a tooth pulled is that you are less likely to develop an infection with a root canal compared to a dental extraction. There are many more side effects, including the risk of infection, with a dental extraction compared to a root canal. As such, if you are looking for the safest option, a root canal may be the better choice for you. 

If you have a tooth that is infected and causing you pain, it is important to have a dentist examine the tooth and treat it immediately. Failure to do so can cause the infection to spread and an abscess to form. This can be life threatening. When possible, it is recommended that you keep the tooth by having a root canal, instead of opting to have the tooth pulled. This allows you to keep the tooth, keeps your dental costs low and decreases your risk of infection due to the procedure. Contact a clinic, like Top Dental, for more help.