How to Save a Damaged Tooth

A damaged tooth can functionally and aesthetically degrade your smile. If the damaged tooth is left untreated, it can result in tooth loss. Tooth loss results in a gap along with certain side effects. Do not fret, because you can save your damaged tooth with the help of your dentist!

Sometimes a damaged tooth need not be extracted. A root canal would then be the best alternative to save your teeth.

Before extracting a damaged tooth, the dentist will try everything they can to save the tooth from extraction. In some cases, the teeth cannot be saved by any means and have to be extracted. 

Saving Your Tooth

Tooth decay or trauma causes teeth to become damaged. The simple solution, in the past, was to remove the damaged teeth altogether. However, with a root canal procedure, a damaged tooth need not be extracted. A root canal saves your teeth by clearing out the infected or damaged contents and the nerve inside. 

During the process, your dentist numbs your teeth using a local anesthetic. A tiny opening is created to expose the canals. Using specialized tools, the decay and damaged tissue are cleaned out with utmost care. 

After cleaning, a sealant is used to fill the chamber to protect the teeth from further infection. In some root canal cases, a dental crown is placed on top of the treated tooth to prevent further damage.

Some dental problems you can save your tooth from:

• Tooth sensitivity
• Tooth discoloration
• Tooth mobility
• Tooth decay
• Chipped or cracked tooth
• Persistent toothache

Removing Your Tooth

Even though it is always better to save your teeth, sometimes an extraction is the only option for the tooth to prevent further complications. If your tooth is broken, especially if it is broken beneath the gum line, an extraction is a must. 

Primary causes of tooth extraction are:

• Impacted teeth
• Periodontal disease
• Teeth overcrowding
• Tooth damage due to trauma
• Irreparable tooth injury 
• Severe tooth decay

Does My Tooth Need Saving?

The first sign of a damaged tooth is a toothache. During a root canal, the nerve and the damaged tissue are removed to cure the toothache. But sometimes, a damaged tooth cannot be saved from extraction by a root canal. Whether the damaged tooth can be saved from extraction or not depends on the severity of the damage. 

Visit Aurora Children, 3340 Providence Dr Suite #A552, Anchorage, AK 99508, to save your tooth from extraction! Contact us at (907) 336-1234 or visit our website for online booking.