Baton Rouge Dentist

Is a Root Canal Worth It?

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Is a root canal worth it? My bottom right first molar will either need a root canal or extraction and dental implant. My second molar is missing. If I decide to have the dentist extract my tooth, could a snap-on smile help? – Thanks. Wendy from VA

Wendy,

You mentioned that you’ve already lost your second molar and are deciding whether to extract your first molar or get a root canal treatment. Without molars on your left side, you would be unable to chew and function properly.

Is a Root Canal Worth It?

When a natural tooth is savable, the best option is a root canal treatment followed by a crown. Root canal treatment is less expensive than a dental implant, but some prefer dental implants for long-term stability and predictability.

Given the benefits of preserving your natural tooth and the potential complications of losing it, a root canal treatment followed by a crown seems to be the most practical and cost-effective solution in your case. However, schedule an exam with an experienced dentist to determine the pros and cons of your treatment options.

Is a Snap-On Smile a Reliable Tooth Replacement Option?

While a snap-on smile can temporarily solve social situations, understand its limitations. It’s a cosmetic option, not for long-term use or heavy chewing. If you wear the appliance regularly, you need to replace it frequently.

What Are Alternatives to a Snap-On Smile?

A removable partial denture is an alternative to a snap-on smile for replacing missing teeth. However, its stability and effectiveness depend on having teeth in the back to anchor it.

Imagine a table with only two legs on one side. Similarly, your bite is unbalanced when you try to replace molar teeth with a denture supported only by front teeth. The force on the front teeth can cause them to tilt and eventually loosen.

 

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post.  Read how Dr. Perry strives to provide some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.

Should I Get My Molar Tooth Extracted?

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I had a toothache in my bottom right first molar several weeks that escalated so bad I made an appointment with a nearby dentist even though I was not her patient. The dentist took an x-ray and said that the tooth is infected, so I need a root canal to save the tooth. I already lost my second molar. The dentist also recommends a dental implant for the missing tooth. I was hoping for a cheaper resolution. Can I just have the tooth extracted and use a removable appliance like a snap-on smile when I am in public. I work from home, so I think I can manage social with something cheaper than an implant. Thank you. Brandon from WV

Brandon,

Thank you for your question.

It is good that you saw a dentist right away. Without treatment, a tooth infection will spread and become more costly to treat.

Should You Get Your Molar Tooth Extracted?

You should not get your tooth extracted unless it is so damaged or infected that it cannot be saved and is affecting your health. If you have already lost your second molar, removing the infected first molar would leave you without any lower right teeth for chewing. It would affect your diet and your oral health—not just how your smile looks in public. Also, without molar teeth, the neighboring teeth will begin to drift into the space.

Any appliance that snaps onto front teeth with no support in the back will be unstable. The instability is like a long table with legs in the middle and only one end. Any pressure on the table will cause it to tip or fall. Your oral appliance will lift or fall out without back teeth supporting it.

Root Canal Treatment or a Dental Implant?

Root can treatment is better than removing your tooth and replacing it with a dental implant. Although dental implants are highly effective, they are not better than preserving natural teeth.

Root canal

Root canal emergency diagram of five procedure steps
An toothache emergency can lead to root canal treatment to save the tooth

The root canal procedure removes the infection. After getting a root canal on a molar tooth, you will need a crown to protect it and help the tooth withstand the forces of grinding and chewing on back teeth. Also, a root canal is less expensive than a dental implant.

Dental implant

When a dentist must remove your tooth before placing an implant, it requires oral surgery. And after your dentist places the implant, you will need three to four months of healing time before receiving your final dental crown.

We hope you will decide to keep your natural tooth and protect your oral health for the long term.

 

Ryan Perry, DD, a Baton Rouge family dentist, sponsors this post.