Tough decisions come to us in all shapes and forms. In many cases, we simply don’t know the answer, and so we rely on the experts to point us in the right direction. We ask doctors, specialists, and professionals to give us their best advice, but can we trust that advice?

When patients walk into our Houston, TX, dentist office, they immediately feel that we are there to help. Our staff is here to help you have a happier, healthier smile! When it comes to saving your teeth, we are all about it!

The same is not true for many other dental offices in the area. Some doctors see a damaged tooth and immediately jump to talk of an extraction. If you are seeing a dentist who has recommended that your tooth be extracted, you need to come see us for a second opinion because often, a tooth can (and should) be saved!

Understand the Consequences of an Extraction

While Hollywood sometimes makes a joke about extractions, it really is no laughing matter. To lose a tooth is to lose an important part of your jaw structure. Each tooth is used to help you chew, to pronounce words, and to support your jaw bone. You might not realize it, but your tooth is made of two distinct sections. Dentists often want to pull a tooth if one section is bad, but that can be a dangerous pattern for future care.

The Crown: The crown is the part of your tooth that shows above the gumline. It is the part of your tooth that shows when you smile, chews your food, and works with your tongue and lips to make sounds. It is primarily made up of tooth enamel with a core of dental pulp that leads to the root and nerve of your tooth.

The Root: The root of your tooth is what rests beneath the gumline. The purpose of the root is to support the crown. It also stimulates the jawbone. The root is where the nerve of your tooth is. It is the hub of your tooth where all information about stimuli go. In other words, this is the part of your tooth that feels pain.

Can Your Tooth Be Saved?

So when you are considering having a tooth extracted, you need to understand just how damaged your tooth is. If your tooth’s crown is damaged, we can generally save your tooth root by replacing the crown with a ceramic crown.

However, if it is the root of the tooth that is damaged, things get trickier. Damage to a tooth root can often be repaired with a root canal, which will in turn save the entire tooth, but some dentists are not willing to take these measures to save your natural tooth.

The Argument for Saving

Whenever possible, we want to save your natural tooth because there is nothing we can place in your mouth that will fully restore your natural tooth root and crown. We can get close, but nothing is perfect. Even with the top of the line, best dental restoration, your natural tooth is always better!

It is better because it fits perfectly in your mouth! The nerve of your tooth is sharing vital information with your brain, and no restoration will ever be as comfortable as your own, healthy tooth. With that being said, we know that sometimes repairs are needed. We try to make those repairs as simple as possible with tools like CEREC.

Same-Day CEREC Crowns

The CEREC machine allows us to restore your tooth with a perfectly crafted ceramic crown. We can take digital impressions after we prepare your tooth and send those impressions through our computer. A 3D image is created and sent to the CEREC machine, which will then turn a block of ceramic into your new dental crown! This can all happen while you relax comfortably in our chair!

When Your Tooth Can’t Be Saved

There are some legitimate cases where it is in your best interest to have a tooth extraction. We can help you make that decision! All it takes is a conversation about the viability of your current tooth. If we can help you save your natural tooth, that’s what we will do. If we cannot save your natural tooth, we will help you find restoration options, like dental implants.

A dental implant is the closest thing we have to a natural tooth replacement. It is the best way to restore your chewing, speaking, and smiling functions after an adult tooth has been removed.

Let Us Help You Make a Decision Today!

Contact our office today, especially if you have been told by another dentist that you need a tooth extraction. Our trained staff will give you a second opinion so that you can make the best decision for your future health. We can’t wait to hear from you soon!