When a dentist suggests root canal treatment in Gurunanak Colony, Vijayawada, a common reaction is: why not just take the tooth out? It sounds quicker, and for a tooth that truly cannot be saved it is the right call. In many cases, though, keeping your own tooth is the better long-term choice. Here is how the decision is made at GIA Clinics on Club Road.
What you keep by saving the tooth
Your natural root holds its place in the bone, keeps neighbouring teeth from drifting, and lets you bite with normal feel. Nothing we can place afterwards is quite the same. An extraction also leaves a gap, and filling that gap with an implant or bridge is further treatment.
When a tooth is worth saving
- There is enough sound tooth left to rebuild
- The gum and bone around it are healthy
- The crack, if there is one, has not split the root
When extraction may be wiser
- The tooth has broken down below the gum
- A crack runs through the root
- Gum disease has destroyed the support around it
An X-ray and a careful examination show which group your tooth is in. You will be told honestly, and the reasons will be shown to you on the X-ray.
Who does the work here
At Gurunanak Colony, root canal treatment is done by Dr Pravalika Mogili, who has a Fellowship in Dental Surgery, and by Dr Lalitya Dandamudi. Dr Lalitya also treats children's teeth, and has training in rotary endodontics. If a tooth does need to come out, Dr Sai Santosh, our surgeon, works at the same clinic.
The crown that protects it
A root canal takes out the infection, but it leaves the tooth more brittle. That is why back teeth usually need a crown, fitted soon after treatment. Skipping this is a common reason treated teeth later crack, so it is best to plan it from the start. The whole course, including the crown, usually takes one to three weeks.
After treatment
Mild tenderness for a few days is normal. Avoid hard food on that side until the final filling or crown is on. Then look after the tooth like any other, with brushing, flossing and check-ups.
Book at Club Road
Call or WhatsApp GIA Clinics Gurunanak Colony on 092814 93949. If the tooth is painful, say so when you call.