A sudden, throbbing toothache can disrupt your entire life. The intense pain could make you just want the tooth pulled. While an extraction is sometimes necessary, modern dentistry offers powerful alternatives to save your natural teeth, even in an emergency. At Lilac Dental, your trusted dentist in Saugus, MA, we prioritize preserving your smile whenever possible.
The solution? A root canal in Saugus. Below, learn why we might opt for a root canal instead of a tooth extraction in an emergency.
When Is It an Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation that requires immediate attention from a dental professional to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, or save a tooth. Many people underestimate what qualifies as an emergency, waiting until the pain is unbearable.
Common dental emergencies include:
- Severe, Persistent Toothache
- A Cracked or Broken Tooth
- A Knocked-Out Tooth
- An Abscess
- Significant Bleeding
When faced with these issues, our immediate goal is to address the pain and prevent further damage. Your first instinct might be to ask for an extraction just to make the problem go away. However, our dentist in Saugus, MA, will first decide if the tooth can be saved.
When Is an Emergency Root Canal the Right Choice?
In many urgent situations, a root canal is not only possible but also our preferred treatment. The primary goal of our team is to preserve your natural teeth. That’s because they’re crucial for proper chewing, speech, and maintaining the alignment of your other teeth.
1. Severe Toothache from Pulp Infection
An unrelenting, deep throbbing pain is a classic sign of infected pulp. This pain often gets worse when you lie down or eat something hot or cold. This indicates that the nerve inside your tooth is inflamed or dying.
An emergency root canal in Saugus can remove the infected tissue, immediately relieving the pressure and pain. After the procedure, the tooth is no longer alive, but its structure remains functional. That means you’re free to eat and drink like normal with a tooth that’s no longer painful or sensitive.
2. A Cracked or Chipped Tooth
A cracked tooth can expose the pulp to bacteria, causing a painful infection. If the fracture extends below the gum line, extraction might be the only choice. However, if the crack has not split the tooth and the root is stable, a root canal can save it.
Our dentist in Saugus, MA, will clean out the pulp and then often place a crown on the tooth to protect it from further damage. Acting quickly is key, so contact Lilac Dental as soon as the injury occurs.
3. A Dental Abscess
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It can form at the tip of the tooth’s root and often appears as a small, painful bump on the gum.
An abscess is a serious condition that can lead to widespread infection if left untreated, not just in your mouth but throughout the rest of your body. It indicates that the infection from the pulp has spread. An emergency root canal can drain the abscess and treat the source of the infection within the tooth, allowing the area to heal and saving the tooth itself.
When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?
While saving the natural tooth is always the priority, there are times when a dental extraction is the only viable solution. A responsible dentist will only recommend pulling a tooth when all other options have been exhausted.
1. Severe Structural Damage
If the tooth is broken or cracked so severely that it cannot be restored, we’ll need to remove it. An example is a vertical fracture, which extends from the top of the tooth down through the root.
2. Widespread Decay
When decay has destroyed so much of the tooth structure that there isn’t enough left to support a filling or crown, extraction is often the best course of action.
3. Advanced Periodontal Disease
Severe gum disease can destroy the bone and ligaments that support the tooth. If the tooth has become extremely loose, it may not be possible to save it.
4. Failed Root Canal
Although root canals have a high success rate, a tooth can occasionally become reinfected. While retreatment of the root canal is sometimes possible, complex cases may require an extraction.
The Long-Term Benefits of Saving Your Tooth
Opting for a root canal in Saugus over an extraction offers significant long-term benefits.
- Alignment: When a tooth is removed and not replaced, neighboring teeth can shift into the empty space. This can cause bite problems, difficulty chewing, and asymmetry.
- Bone Health: Tooth loss is often accompanied by bone loss, and it can happen fast. Bone loss can affect chewing, facial structure, and overall health.
- Cost: Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture is often more complex and costly than undergoing a root canal to save the original tooth.
Preserving your natural tooth maintains your smile’s function and appearance while being a more conservative and cost-effective solution over time.
Get Help from a Dentist in Saugus, MA, No Matter What
If you’re experiencing severe tooth pain or have suffered a dental injury, don’t wait for the problem to resolve on its own. Dental emergencies require prompt professional care, whether that’s a tooth extraction or a root canal in Saugus. The sooner you see us, the better the chances of saving your tooth. Contact Lilac Dental today!