Have you ever thought about having an infected or damaged tooth saved? Most patients think it has to be extracted, but in the majority of cases, a root canal specialist in Richmond and more advanced treatment options can save your natural teeth for years. And keeping your natural tooth (or teeth) is always a better option in terms of function, strength, and continuity of the bite, and you also protect your jawbone. In this blog, we’ll provide an overview of the top 5 dental procedures to save teeth, to avoid an unnecessary tooth extraction and keep the smile powerful.
1. Root Canal Treatment
When many people think of tooth pulp becoming infected, they think of extraction. However, root canal treatment can save the tooth by removing infected tissue, cleaning the canals, and sealing them.
- How it works: This procedure gets rid of the infection while preserving the natural structure of the tooth.
- Why it matters: Your natural bite is preserved and avoids the shifting of neighbouring teeth.
- Good for: Deep decay, trauma, or severe infection.
Seeing a dentist in Richmond for early diagnosis is critical for avoiding the spread of the infection and ensuring a successful procedure.
2. Dental Crown
Crowns are most commonly used after either a root canal or if a tooth is cracked or significantly compromised. A crown is a protective restorative “cap” to restore strength and function.
- How it works: The tooth is then reshaped to get ready for the crown to be placed over the tooth.
- Why it matters: Crowns mean your tooth will be protected from any further damage and can ultimately allow you to eat your food comfortably again.
- Good for: Teeth with large fillings, fractures, or considerable wear.
Crowns can often be some of the best ways to save a natural tooth because they reinforce the tooth while matching your smile naturally.
3. Periodontal Therapy
Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss and, if untreated, weakens the supportive structures of the teeth. Periodontal therapy is a tooth-saving dental procedure designed to treat the infection in the gums and bone.
- How it works: Cleaning the bacteria from the gum and bone through scaling, planing, or surgical measures ultimately restores health to the gums.
- Why it matters: It protects the health of the entire foundation of the tooth and prevents loss of bone.
- Good for: Patients with bleeding gums, recession, and/or early stages of periodontal disease.
The best way to save your natural tooth from the deep-seated effects of gum disease is to treat it early.
4. Dental Bonding and Inlays/Onlays
Minor cracks, chips, or cavities do not always require a crown or tooth extraction. Dental bonding and inlay/onlay restoration methods are less invasive options.
- How it works: Bonding, which uses tooth-coloured resin, and inlays and onlays, which are custom-fabricated restorations bonded to the tooth.
- Why it is important: Repairs damage and preserves the natural tooth structure as much as possible.
- Ideal for: Small cavities, chips, and minor structural damage.
This type of restoration can often help to reduce the risk of a tooth extraction, most of the time, by stabilizing weakened areas of the tooth without having to undergo an extensive treatment plan.
5. Splinting for Loose Teeth
Teeth may loosen because of injury or gum problems. Rather than extracting the tooth, dental splinting stabilizes the affected teeth by joining them to adjacent healthy teeth.
- How it works: A composite material, or wire, is used to join a loose tooth with stable ones.
- Why it matters: Gives teeth time to reattach to supporting tissues.
- Ideal for: Teeth loosened from injury or early gum disease.
This technique is a conservative and effective method for how to avoid tooth extraction when mobility is the main concern.
Why Saving Natural Teeth Matters?
Saving natural teeth is not just for looks.It will help prevent:
- When you lose a tooth, the teeth next to it can shift.
- The jawbone can get smaller or weaker.
- It may become harder to chew or speak.
- You might need costly treatments later, like implants or bridges.
Keeping your natural teeth helps protect your mouth and overall health.
Schedule Your Visit and Keep Your Natural Teeth for Life!
Looking for the ideal way to save your natural tooth and avoid having it extracted? At Clear Dental in Richmond, our expert team provides modern treatments and individualized care to maintain the health and strength of your smile. Get in touch to book your consultation today!
FAQs
Can a root canal not work properly?Then what happens?
In some cases, a tooth may not heal properly after root canal treatment and retreatment or an apicoectomy may be performed by a root canal specialist.
How long can a dental crown stay strong?
A dental crown can last 10–15 years or more with good care and is the best way to save a natural tooth.
Do gum treatments hurt?
Most modern periodontal therapies are performed using local anesthesia, so they are comfortable. A dentist in Richmond may also use sedation if the need arises.
Can bonding fix large cavities?
Bonding would be most suitable for smaller damage. Larger cavities may need to be treated with an inlay, onlay, or crown (all of which are stronger, tooth-saving dental procedures).