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| Keeping
your teeth throughout your lifetime is a goal that can be easily achieved
with the help of your dentist. But even patients who see their dentist
regularly sometimes require more treatment than just a simple filling.
When the nerve of a tooth has been affected, either by decay or as a result of trauma, there are usually two options. The tooth can be extracted and lost, or root canal therapy can be performed, usually followed by restoration with a crown. Many patients have heard stories from friends and family relating bad experiences with root canals, which may influence their decision to undergo this treatment. These stories are typically the exception, and not the rule. New techniques and materials have enabled dentists to perform root canals quickly, painlessly, and very successfully in most situations. So why should you decide to save your tooth? When teeth are lost, many changes begin to occur. The bone of the jaw will disappear in the area where the tooth had been. Adjacent teeth may begin to shift, and sometimes will tip into the open space. This often leads to periodontal (gum) problems around the tipped tooth, and may result in further bone loss. Movement of the teeth can cause a patient to have trouble with their occlusion (bite). This can interfere with the normal function of the muscles used for chewing or cause pain in other teeth due to trauma. Eating is affected as well, since there are fewer teeth available for grinding food. Although extracting your tooth may be easier and less costly, the consequences may be extensive. Good communication with your dentist is necessary to make the best choice. |