No one likes the idea of losing a tooth, and for good reason. Your natural teeth are important, not just for chewing and speaking, but for keeping your jawbone strong and your smile looking full and healthy. That’s why, whenever possible, we do everything we can to save a tooth before considering extraction.

Tooth extraction is our last resort. Before we ever suggest removing a tooth, we carefully explore a series of treatment options to restore its health and function. Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, saving a severely damaged or infected tooth is often possible.

In this blog post, the Gander Smiles Dentistry team takes a closer look at the six steps we commonly take to save a tooth before turning to extraction.

Steps We Take to Save a Tooth Before Extraction

Step 1: Thorough Examination and Digital Imaging

Every tooth-saving journey starts with a detailed dental examination. This includes a visual inspection, a discussion of your symptoms, and digital X-rays to assess the extent of damage or infection.

Sometimes, what appears to be a hopeless tooth might be salvageable with the right treatment. By closely examining the tooth’s root, surrounding bone, and overall condition, we can determine if there’s a path forward.

This step is essential for forming a proper diagnosis. We need to know whether the issue is decay, infection, trauma, or gum disease as well as how far it has progressed. From there, we’ll develop a treatment plan designed to give your tooth the best possible chance at survival.

Step 2: Professional Dental Cleaning and Debridement

In cases where gum disease is contributing to the problem, the first step in treatment may be a deep cleaning. This isn’t just your standard dental cleaning, but rather it’s a more involved procedure known as scaling and root planing. The goal is to remove the buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria beneath the gum line, which can cause the gums to recede and the tooth to become loose.

By thoroughly cleaning the tooth and its root surfaces, we can sometimes reverse early to moderate gum disease and help the surrounding tissues reattach. This helps stabilize the tooth and gives it a stronger foundation.

Step 3: Dental Fillings and Crowns

If the tooth is damaged due to decay or a fracture, restoring its structure is the next step. When caught early, a dental filling can repair a small cavity. But when the damage is more extensive, a dental crown may be needed. A crown is a custom-made cap that fits over the entire tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance.

Crowns are especially helpful for cracked, weakened, or heavily filled teeth. By protecting what remains of the tooth, a crown helps prevent further damage and keeps the tooth functional for years to come.

Step 4: Root Canal Therapy

When the tooth’s pulp (which is the soft inner layer containing nerves and blood vessels) becomes infected, a root canal treatment is often the only way to save the tooth. This procedure involves removing the infected tissue, cleaning and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and sealing it with a filling or crown.

Root canals have a bad reputation due to misconceptions. The truth is they’re a highly effective and routine procedure that can relieve pain and save a tooth from extraction. With modern techniques and local anesthesia, the process is comfortable and typically completed in just one or two visits.

Step 5: Stabilization and Bite Adjustment

Sometimes a tooth is at risk because it’s become loose because of trauma or bite misalignment. In such cases, we may recommend stabilization techniques like splinting, which involves bonding the loose tooth to neighboring teeth for support while it heals.

Additionally, if your bite is placing too much pressure on a certain tooth, a minor bite adjustment (also known as occlusal adjustment) can help. By reshaping a small portion of the enamel or adjusting dental restorations, we can reduce stress on the tooth and improve overall comfort.

Step 6: Follow-Up and Maintenance Care

Saving a tooth doesn’t end once treatment is complete and ongoing care is essential to make sure the tooth stays healthy. We schedule follow-up appointments to monitor the tooth’s progress, ensure healing, and provide professional cleanings to reduce the risk of future problems.

We also empower our patients with tips and guidance on how to care for their teeth at home. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly are key to maintaining the success of any tooth-saving treatment.

Why We Prioritize Saving Teeth

Natural teeth are so valuable that even the most advanced dental implants or bridges can’t perfectly replace the strength and function of your own tooth. Whenever we can, we focus on preserving what you have.

Of course, there are cases when extraction truly is the best or only option. For instance, such as when a tooth is severely fractured below the gum line or the bone supporting it has been lost. In those situations, we’ll walk you through the next steps and offer excellent tooth replacement options like implants or bridges.

Tooth Extractions at Gander Smiles Dentistry

At Gander Smiles Dentistry, we’re committed to helping you keep your natural teeth for as long as possible. From thorough evaluations and cleanings to advanced procedures like root canals and crowns, we use every tool at our disposal to save teeth before considering extraction.

If you’re experiencing tooth pain, sensitivity, or signs of damage, don’t wait. Book an appointment with us today and let our experienced team guide you through your options.