Is There An Alternative to Root Canal Treatment?

Do you have a severely infected or damaged tooth? Has your dentist advised you to undergo root canal treatment? Many people do not relish the prospect of root canal therapy. If you are one of those people, you may be wondering if there are alternatives to endodontic treatment to treat your ailing tooth.

Endodontic treatment removes the infected pulp and nerves of the affected tooth and refills the space that is left after the infected tissue is removed. To complete the procedure, a permanent restoration is placed to protect the weakened tooth. Root canal treatment is considered the preferred method to treat a severely compromised tooth; however, there are alternatives you may want to discuss with your dentist.

In some cases, your dentist may opt to clean out the decay from the infected area of the tooth and fill the space with a medication to curb the nerve pain. After this temporary filling has been in place for several weeks, a permanent filling would be put into the affected space.

Another option would be to treat the infected pulp with an antibiotic. Your dentist would also prescribe pain management medication to alleviate pain while the infection takes time to dissipate. This treatment plan is only feasible if the infection has not become too advanced.

Extraction would be the last alternative to root canal treatment for a severely damaged tooth. This option fully eliminates the chance of future issues with the affected tooth, but this also creates the need for some type of supporting restoration to be placed such as a bridge or dental implant.

To determine if you are a candidate for any of these options, schedule an examination with Fresno root canal dentist Dr. Rob Smith immediately if you are experiencing severe tooth pain related to a diseased or damaged tooth. Postponing treatment will only limit your options and create more severe complications to your dental health.