If you have an infected tooth, you may be apprehensive about undergoing the standard root canal treatment and might be considering extracting the tooth instead. Despite modern advancements in dental care and the prevalence of sedation dentistry, the root canal procedure has a bad reputation, but the fear and anxiety surrounding it are entirely unwarranted. In fact, most people who undergo this treatment admit it is no worse than getting dental fillings. Still need some convincing? Below, the friendly team at Legacy Dental Arts in Eagle River, AK, shares a few benefits of opting for root canal treatment instead of tooth extraction.

3 Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

1. It Will Preserve Your Smile

In general, you should try to retain your natural teeth for as long as possible to maintain your bone structure and reduce the risk of complications. If a dentist extracts the infected tooth instead of simply treating it, you will have to replace it with a dental implant or some other restorative option, and your smile will never be the same.

2. It Will Reduce the Risk of Infection

Root canal treatment may be fairly invasive, but the procedure for inserting an implant following an extraction is even more invasive. At the end of the day, the fewer procedures you must undergo and the less invasive they are, the lower your risk of developing a serious infection.

3. It Will Improve the Tooth’s Appearance

If the tooth is salvageable, you should do everything in your power to preserve it; however, some people are not inclined to save infected teeth because these teeth often appear much darker than the surrounding ones. Since your tooth will be topped with a natural-looking crown after the procedure, you can be sure it will not affect the overall aesthetic in your mouth. 

If you need root canal treatment, head to Legacy Dental Arts in Eagle River, AK. Visit their website to learn more about the comprehensive services this dental practice offers, and call (907) 622-7874 to make an appointment today.