Root Canal Therapy vs. Tooth Extraction

Brunette woman in a yellow shirt smiles while sitting in the dentist's chair after root canal therapy

Wondering if your issue would be solved best by tooth extraction or by root canal therapy? Generally, tooth extraction is considered a last resort. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the two procedures and let you know when each is appropriate.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

A root canal treatment serves to eliminate bacteria and infection from within the root canal of a tooth. During the procedure, the affected pulp is removed and the area is cleaned. The tooth is then filled, sealed, and sometimes reinforced with a dental crown. As a result, the dentist is able to salvage the natural tooth, and there’s no need for extraction and replacement.

When an Extraction May Be Necessary

Extraction is considered when a root canal isn’t an option. As we mentioned, preserving the natural tooth is always the preferred option. However, sometimes it’s just not possible if the damage is just too extensive or keeping it wouldn’t be beneficial for the patient’s oral health. Beyond damage and infection, other reasons for an extraction could be a stubborn baby tooth, teeth that are causing crowding issues, or problematic wisdom teeth. Learn more about wisdom teeth removal on this blog post!

Preserving Your Natural Tooth

Conservative dentistry calls for the least invasive treatment possible. For many patients, root canal therapy allows them to keep their complete, natural smile instead of paying for extraction and a tooth replacement unnecessarily. Although restorations offer an incredibly natural look and feel, nothing beats the real thing. Additionally, having a missing tooth, or teeth, can increase your risk of decay, shifting, and bone loss. However, if you need an extraction, dental implants are an excellent tooth replacement solution that can prevent these issues.

Consult with Our Team at Queensboro Plaza Dental Care!

Not exactly sure what dental treatment you need? Here at Queensboro Plaza Dental Care, your dentist in Long Island City, NY, our team treats patients of all ages and with various oral healthcare needs. We’ll be able to let you know which procedure will best serve your smile in the long term. Give us a call to schedule your next visit!

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Patient Reviews

Karoline PammerKaroline Pammer
20:52 30 Mar 22
Dr. Nguyen and his staff are extremely competent, friendly and professional. He is very thorough and explains everything very clearly. Finally I feel like I am in good hands when it comes to dental care.
Matt SmithMatt Smith
21:18 05 Feb 22
Great overall experience getting a dental cleaning. Very friendly staff, beautifully designed office, and a comfortable experience watching calming Netflix nature programming while in the chair. Complimentary beverages are in the waiting room and so is a little play area for kids.It felt to me that this was a patient-focused family practice as opposed to a cold, corporate dental mill trying to churn through as many patients as possible.I’ll definitely be coming back here for all my dental needs and I highly recommend.
Sundup SherpaSundup Sherpa
22:07 02 Feb 22
Dr. Nguyen and his staff are very welcoming and they provide an excellent experience every time I visit. I’ve only been here twice for annual checkups but would definitely consider and recommend this place to anyone who appreciates good customer experience and a very thoughtful approach to making sure that you feel at home. I have some procedures set up for later in the month and I must actually be the only person in the world actually looking forward to a dentist appointment.
Jayrockem GottemJayrockem Gottem
21:27 09 Nov 21
Great place wonderful staff they will be my go too dentist 100%
shawaf alishawaf ali
22:08 26 Aug 21
Very confident after leaving the office that my teeth are in greatttt hands. Above and beyond patient care. Very informative visits. A sense that they genuinely care about patient concerns. Added helpful guidelines I took home with me to reach dental hygiene goals before my next visits. Highly recommended you leave your old scary dentist ! 😁😁
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Queensboro Plaza Dental Care

Queensboro Plaza Dental Care