Nothing is as good as your natural tooth!

Saving your natural tooth should always be your first choice when dental care is needed.

Nothing, not even the most advanced bridges and implants, can truly replace your natural tooth.

  • If your dentist recommends extracting your tooth, ask if an endodontist can help save it with a root canal!
  • Endodontic treatment removes the injured pulp (soft inner tissue) of your tooth and fills and seals the space.
  • Your tooth is then restored and can function just like any other tooth for the rest of your life, ensuring comfortable chewing and a natural appearance.
  • Endodontists can often save the most severely injured teeth.
  • If your tooth cannot be saved — and some cannot — you may consider replacements such as a bridge or dental implant. Your options may depend upon the condition of surrounding teeth and bone structure.
  • Dental implant procedures can be complex, costly and they often require several visits and several month’s healing time before the procedure can be completed.
  • Do everything possible to save your teeth before considering extraction. Nothing is as good as your natural tooth!

 

Facts About Saving Natural Teeth

Although it is possible in some cases to replace an extracted tooth with an implant or bridgework, Americans have strong negative feelings about losing their natural teeth.

In a recent AAE survey, 76 percent of participants said they would prefer a root canal to tooth extraction.

  • Nearly a third would not sell a healthy front tooth for any amount of money.
  • Most people are not aware that root canal treatment is a viable alternative to tooth extraction.
  • Older individuals are much more likely than younger individuals to have experienced a tooth extraction.
  • Women are more likely than men to have had a tooth extraction.
  • More than half (58 percent) of those who have had a tooth extracted did not replace it with anything; the remainder replaced the tooth with a bridge (17 percent), dentures (12 percent) or an implant (8 percent).
  • Artificial teeth can limit your ability to chew certain foods necessary to maintaining a balanced diet.