Should you keep your tooth or pull it? Which one is the best?
At some point or another, we all unfortunately may face some dental trouble. In some instances, you may be wondering why can’t the tooth that’s giving you trouble just be removed. However, if your tooth can be saved, it is well worth it to keep your natural teeth for as long as you can. Remember, we’re only given one set of adult teeth and it’s important to know why your natural teeth are worth keeping.
Why should we Save Natural Teeth?
Natural Teeth are Stronger
Natural teeth are designed to take on the stress of chewing the foods you enjoy, and as a result are stronger than teeth fabricated in a lab. The outer layer of teeth, known as dental enamel, is actually the hardest substance in your body, even stronger than bone!
Avoid Teeth Shifting
When teeth are moved, the space that is leftover may cause teeth to naturally drift into the space. As a result, your bite and the alignment of your teeth can change. This can even lead to trouble chewing and speaking.
Boost Confidence
Keeping your natural teeth can play a huge role in your confidence. Having a tooth pulled may make you less willing to smile due to the space.
Less Pain
Dental procedures such as dental fillings, crowns, or root canals may sound daunting, but it is a true misconception that they cause extreme pain. Your dentist will provide you with treatment recommendations to help save your teeth and an environment to make you as comfortable as possible during any planned procedure.
Fewer Dentist Visits
Once a tooth is pulled, many additional dental procedures are often required to help maintain your smile. This may include dental implants, bridges, dentures, or other oral appliances to prevent bone loss from occurring at the site of the missing tooth and to prevent your teeth from shifting. Saving your teeth can lead to fewer dental visits that would be required to replace the missing tooth.
Less Cost
Preventing tooth loss can save you a lot of money in the long run. Catching tooth decay and other oral issues early on can help prevent the need for expensive restorations to replace missing teeth such as dental bridges and implants.
How can you save your tooth?
Root canals
Root canal treatment can help relieve discomfort from sensitivity because of bacteria that has reached your tooth’s nerve, the dental pulp. The procedure involves removing the infected pulp and sealing the root with a material to help lower the risk of further infection. Teeth treated with root canals may also require a dental crown depending on your existing tooth structure and damage. The root canal may be performed by your general dentist, or a root canal specialist (endodontist).
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns may be recommended when more extensive tooth decay or tooth structure loss has occurred. Crowns are an artificial tooth shell that fits over your natural tooth and are designed to match the shade of the rest of your teeth. These restorations serve to protect weakened teeth and help you continue to chew sufficiently.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are a common procedure that help cover the teeth after minimal tooth decay has been removed by the dentist. There are different types of filling materials, including white composite and silver amalgam fillings, both of which are designed to restore decayed teeth safely and adequately.
When to have your tooth extracted?
Irreparable Tooth Injury
In some cases, a tooth extraction may be recommended to prevent the risk of a severe infection from spreading. This may occur when the bacteria have invaded into the innermost layer of the tooth, the dental pulp, but is beyond the point where a root canal procedure can save the tooth.
Tooth Damage due to Trauma
Trauma to a tooth may cause the tooth to crack or chip severely beyond repair. Your dentist will determine the tooth’s likelihood of surviving within the mouth based on the extent of tooth damage.
Teeth Over Crowding
Your dentist or orthodontist may recommend the removal of specific teeth to allow for proper alignment during orthodontic treatment (braces). It may also be recommended to remove impacted teeth, such as third molars, that will not be able to fit within the mouth due to lack of space.
Lack of Tooth Structure
Inadequate tooth structure remaining can make the tooth too weak to support a restoration such as a dental crown.
How Gentle Dental can Help?
Your dental professionals at Gentle Dental can help give you the best treatment options to help save your teeth. We are here to answer all of your questions and concerns, and offer you the best care for a long-lasting smile.
