Whether you are considering having a tooth extraction or a tooth canal, none of the choices is pleasant right? These two procedures can be undertaken when the tooth is extensively damaged and a normal drill or fill procedure cannot remedy the situation. However, not many people understand what entails a root canal procedure or a tooth extraction despite the terms being rather self-explanatory. Just knowing the basics and especially the prices of dental procedures is important. In most cases, you will find that the root canal cost and the tooth extraction cost varies. This variance is pegged on the complexity of the procedure being undertaken meaning that costs related to other procedures such as the cost of dentures or dental implant prices will also be different. Before walking to the dentist, how do you establish the kind of procedure you want between a tooth extraction and root canal?

If you want to save a Tooth from Extraction, Go For Root Canal
Your dentist might recommend root canal if the pulp of your tooth has suffered severe damage. However, this is only applicable if the rest of the tooth has no major damage. It is estimated that approximately more than 15 million root canals are performed every year. A root canal procedure will have the dentist numb the area around the damaged tooth. Using specialized equipment, the area will be cleaned and the pulp removed entirely. This is done to ensure that no bacteria remain. However, the root canal procedure does not end there. Once the pulp chamber has been cleaned, the next process involved filling the area with gutta-percha. Gutta-percha acts as replacement pulp so that the tooth can continue functioning in the same way that it did before the root canal procedure. There are instances where the dentist can add a crown on the tooth in order to strengthen it and also maintain its original appearance. After a root canal procedure, pain is unfortunately inevitable but just for a few days. This pain is not severe and you can self-medicate yourself using over the counter pain relieving drugs. However, for prolonged severe pain, you are encouraged to contact your doctor.

Tooth Extraction Should be a Last Resort
Tooth extraction should not always come to mind whenever you have any dental issues. A tooth extraction procedure should only be carried out once it is established that there is little that can be done to salvage the tooth. Tooth extraction is carried out in almost a similar manner as root canal. The dentist will start by numbing the area around the tooth to be extracted. Using specialized medical equipment, the tooth will then be loosened before eventually getting pulled out. After extraction, there will most definitely be blood and your dentist might recommend that you bite on gauze for approximately 30 minutes in order to facilitate blood clotting. You might also experience very light bleeding around the area for the next few days. One of the greatest challenges after a tooth extraction procedure is eating solid food. It is highly advisable that you choose foods that do not require a lot of chewing or those that might cause irritation. Facial swelling might also occur immediately after a tooth extraction but this is only visible for a short period of time. An important thing to note after having a tooth extracted is that it might take you a few days-weeks for some people, before complete healing takes place. This means that you brush your mouth gently regardless of whether there is any pain emanating from the area. Not experiencing any pain does not automatically imply that you are fully healed.