If you’re looking to avoid having to undergo the excruciating root canal treatment, don’t worry – there are plenty of other options available to you. Most people are surprised to hear that if you catch the problem early enough, you can actually take care of it using preventative measures like special toothpastes and rinses, or even with traditional dental work. In this article, we will explore your options and how to make the best choice possible for yourself when looking for an alternative to root canal treatment.
Is it necessary?
For some people, it’s a necessary evil: The pain in their teeth is too much, and they have no other option but root canal treatment. But what are your alternatives? A root canal can be a relatively painful procedure that may leave you with an open sore in your mouth for weeks. It can also cost thousands of dollars out of pocket, and there is never any guarantee that a root canal will permanently fix tooth decay. So what other options do you have? There are plenty of alternative tooth treatments available that don’t involve drills or surgery—and may provide long-term results. Talk to your dentist about all your options before you go under anesthesia. And never skip regular dental checkups!
Sedation Dentistry
What Is It and How Does It Work? What is sedation dentistry? Many dental phobics suffer from some degree of anxiety while sitting in a dentist’s chair. The process of getting one’s teeth checked can be stressful and cause unnecessary worry that could lead to harmful, even painful effects on oral health over time. Sedation dentistry was developed as an alternative way for patients with dental anxiety to experience their routine appointments without pain or fear. Even though many people are in favor of sedation dentistry, there is still much debate among experts about how safe it actually is. Here’s what you need to know about it before scheduling your next appointment
Tooth Colored Fillings
These thin, white fillings go over cavities and completely mask them. They are painless and longer lasting than older-style silver fillings. It’s a good alternative to root canal treatment in teeth that still have a lot of healthy tooth structure underneath because they leave more natural tooth material intact. To keep them looking their best, be sure to use an antiseptic mouthwash regularly. The acidity level of most brands will wear away at your filling over time and cause discoloration or even further damage if you don’t rinse afterward with a dentist-recommended product. The cost of tooth colored fillings can vary widely depending on where you live and how much existing damage your teeth have but in most cases it is higher than traditional teeth gap filling .
Dental Crowns
A crown, also known as a cap, is a covering for a tooth that is placed over a portion of your tooth. When decay or trauma damages one or more of your teeth, crowns can be placed on them. Crowns protect your original teeth from additional damage and provide you with replacement teeth that look just like your original teeth. They are held in place by healthy surrounding tissue and are an alternative to root canal treatment. A dental crown might just be what you need if you have broken a tooth due to an accident, infection, or decay.
Teeth Whitening
A safe alternative to root canal treatment, teeth whitening can remove surface stains and discoloration on teeth. In most cases, you’ll go through a series of whitening treatments over time in order to achieve optimal results. If your smile is stained from tobacco or caffeine use, teeth whitening can help brighten your teeth within a short period of time. The process isn’t perfect—it doesn’t treat cavities, for example—but it will make your smile look whiter and brighter. It’s especially great for those who have begun staining since receiving their last dentist visit. Regardless of how long it’s been since you’ve visited a dentist office, teeth whitening treatments are definitely worth considering as an alternative treatment that can safely and effectively lighten surface stains.
Laser Dentistry
Dentists are now turning to laser dentistry as an alternative to traditional root canal treatments. Laser dentistry works by sending a concentrated beam of light into cavities, cracks, and other dental issues that are causing pain. The light helps remove tooth decay and can also create small openings in problem areas—all without drilling or filling. Although these lasers aren’t used for every type of dental issue, they do offer a non-invasive alternative to typical root canal treatments. If you’re worried about getting a root canal treatment for an inflamed tooth, ask your dentist if he or she recommends taking advantage of laser dentistry instead.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are made of porcelain and can be bonded directly onto your teeth, so they’re barely noticeable. With veneers, it’s possible to correct more severe misalignments of teeth and tooth decay while avoiding some of the painful treatments associated with traditional dentistry. Veneers can last from five to 15 years and can save you a fortune compared with root canal treatment. Talk with your dentist about veneers if you have any concerns about root canal therapy or need cosmetic dental work that doesn’t involve drilling or pulling teeth.
