A root canal is a common dental procedure that helps remove the infected pulp and the root in the tooth. The endodontist (root canal treatment) removes all the inflamed pulp until it is cleaned and disinfected. After the procedure, your dentist will measure your tooth to prepare a cap to cover it so that the affected tooth may return to its original function. Often, people wait until their tooth decays to the extent that it cannot be bought back to life. Instead of doing that, you may opt for an endodontist which is a pain-free treatment that is capable of saving a tooth from being removed completely.
Not only root canals but there is also an array of root cabal alternatives like pulp capping, dental laser therapy, regenerative endodontics, and apical microsurgery. So, in this article, we are going to discuss all these alternatives for root canals so that you get a lot of options to pick from.
4 Alternatives to Root Canals
Pulp Capping
Pulp capping is a technique used in dentistry to prevent inflamed dental pulp, which was, in the first place, formed as a result of cavities. While pulp capping, the biomaterial is placed on top of the pulp after caries excavation. That is, in this procedure, the pulp is exposed directly to the medicine and is expected to generate reparative dentin.
Dental Laser Therapy
Dental laser therapy became commercially used as an alternative to root canals after it was discovered that lasers treat numerous dental problems. It is one of the best alternatives to a root canal as it helps remove the decay within a tooth in a short period. It also prepares the enamel for receiving the filling. Moreover, lasers are also capable of reshaping the gums and removing bacteria during the process.
Apical Microsurgery
The Apical microsurgery is the surgical opening of the apex of a tooth root, which is also the junction of the pulp. When a root canal is not enough to get rid of the infection, you can always look for apical microsurgery that removed a portion of the root tip to make sure that the infected pulp is completely removed. This way, the procedure becomes an effective approach as it targets the infection directly. Since a local anesthetic is used before the beginning of the process, it can be said that apical microsurgery does cause any pain during the action.
Regenerative Endodontics
Regenerative endodontics is a cutting-edge research development made in dentistry during the last decade. This technique works on the concept of tissue engineering, pulp biology, and dental trauma. It leaves the root as well as the surrounding tissue for continued development. It results in increased thickness in the dental walls and continued root growth. Altogether, regenerative endodontics acts as the foremost step taken by researchers toward the ultimate goal of natural dentition.
Conclusion
While endodontics has been a common procedure for protecting a severely damaged tooth, exploring the alternatives will provide you with more than a couple of options to choose from. This modern approach allows you to pick a personalized treatment plan per your need and budget. From pulp capping to regenerative endodontics, you have a string of dental treatment options that potentially preserves your natural teeth. So, why would you settle for anything less?
