What is Tooth Extraction? 

Tooth extraction refers to the complete removal of a tooth from its socket. This surgical procedure is always done under local anesthesia.

Reasons for pulling a tooth include:

• Chronic periodontitis – when inflammation affects the tooth, gum, and bone tissue.
• Inaccessible root canals – in such cases, root treatment is impossible.
• Advanced periodontitis leading to significant tooth mobility.
• Severe dental, tooth root, or bone tissue trauma.
• An atypical tooth position disrupting the natural bite.

Tooth extraction can be planned or emergency-based. In the latter case, the debate doesn’t lie between root canal treatment or tooth extraction, because the surgical intervention must be immediate – following severe trauma due to a fall or blow, or in the presence of complicated inflammatory processes.

Getting a tooth pulled is contraindicated in the following situations:

• Acute or chronic bacterial and viral infections in the exacerbation phase.
• Pregnancy.
• Menstruation.
• Severe diseases of the endocrine, nervous, cardiovascular systems, and mental disorders.
• Systemic blood diseases.
• Taking anticoagulants (blood thinning medications).
• Stomatitis, gingivitis.

In these cases, it’s highly inadvisable to extract a tooth because the recovery after the procedure will be significantly longer than usual.

When consulting with a dentist, it’s essential to disclose all current symptoms, as well as any acute and chronic illnesses you have. This will allow the doctor to make an informed decision about the most effective therapy. 

What is a Root Canal Procedure? 

Many specialists, when making a decision whether to treat the root canal or extract the tooth, lean towards the first option. What are the differences?

A root canal treatment is a procedure aimed at preserving the tooth. The pulp, the internal tissue of the tooth consisting of blood vessels and nerve endings, is removed through a small artificial opening in the tooth.

After the removal, the doctor cleans and disinfects the canals to prevent re-infection and inflammation. A temporary filling is placed, followed by a crown 2-3 weeks later. The procedure is done under local anesthesia.

Situations where root canal therapy is effective include:

• Infection and inflammation of the tooth’s pulp.
• Cracks, fractures, and other tooth injuries.
• The presence of a cyst.

When root canal therapy doesn’t yield the desired results, the only option left is to extract the tooth. 

Root Canal vs Extraction: Factors to Consider When Making the Decision 

Recovery Period: 

Everyone wishes to return to their regular routine, free from excruciating tooth pain. In this regard, root canal therapy has an advantage, as the patient stops feeling pain immediately after treatment. Some discomfort may persist for a short while, but these symptoms typically disappear within a week. After the procedure, one can immediately return to work without needing medical leave.

The recovery period after a tooth extraction lasts a month, initially accompanied by intense pain and dietary restrictions.

Pain Level: 

Some patients at our VIP Dental Care clinic ask our doctors why a root canal hurts more than an extraction. In reality, this is a misconception.

Root canal therapy is often described as painless. Discomfort can only arise during severe and deep inflammatory processes. There’s no pain after the procedure, just a slight increase in sensitivity.

For tooth extraction, local anesthesia is also applied. However, if the tooth has a deep-set root, there might still be some pain. After pulling a tooth, the pain is felt for at least three days and up to five days in the case of wisdom teeth removal. The pain can span the entire jaw and extend to the ear.

Visit the Doctor: 

You’ll only need to visit the doctor twice to fully treat a root canal. After a tooth extraction, several visits are required for check-ups and suture removal if they aren’t self-dissolving. Moreover, after a tooth extraction, prosthetics are often recommended in most cases, which can be time-consuming.

To visually understand the difference between root canal therapy and tooth extraction, we have compiled the mentioned factors into a table

	Root canal treatment	Tooth extraction
Recovery period	1 week	up to 1 month
Painfulness	It is completely absent in most patients	Severe pain is present for up to 5 days after the procedure
Number of visits	2 visits	3 visits and more
Physiological	The natural tooth is preserved	Implants, a bridge, or a denture are required; without this, the other teeth start to shift, and the bite becomes misaligned

It’s essential to understand that tooth extraction is a drastic measure, often avoidable in cases of mild to moderate caries, pulpitis, and periodontitis.

Only a qualified specialist can accurately assess the individual situation and advise on whether a root canal vs. tooth extraction is more appropriate. 

Tooth Extraction vs Root Canal: What are the Results?

The pain from inflammation in the pulp subsides. In both cases, the primary issue — the source of infection, which poses a potential threat to other teeth — is addressed.

If pain persists after the procedure, it’s crucial to consult with the attending physician for further monitoring. If there’s a rise in body temperature, indicating an infection, seeking medical attention becomes urgent.

With root canal treatment, the natural tooth is preserved, and a crown is placed over it. After tooth extraction, there’s only a void, which subsequently needs to be filled with a dental prosthesis. 

Root Canal Treatment vs Extraction Costs

The costs of pulling a tooth and root canal therapy differ considerably.

Root canal treatment can range from $850 to $1,600. Without complications, patients can permanently forget about the troublesome tooth.

On the other hand, tooth extraction seems significantly more economical at around $300. However, it’s essential to realize that further procedures like dental prosthetics installation will cost considerably more, approximately $1,000 to $3,000.
Root canal treatment at VIP Dental Care is supervised by experienced and qualified professionals. Here, you’ll be provided with a consultation where you’ll get a definitive answer on whether you should get a root canal or extraction. Only a dentist can accurately assess the extent of damage and determine whether to strive to save the tooth or resort to drastic measures.