When faced with a chronic tooth ache many people have to weigh the pros and cons of getting the tooth pulled or paying for the tooth to be repaired. This is not an easy decision to make, as there are several pros and cons for both tooth extraction, and tooth repair. However, before going to a dentist, you need to know which option is best for you and your wallet.
Pros and Cons of Tooth Extraction
Perhaps the most affordable option for dealing with a severely damaged or infected tooth is tooth extraction. Extraction costs typically range between about $99 and $300 a tooth. Not a bad price, especially since there are few medical effects of extraction beyond pain. However, while an affordable option, tooth extraction will remove a tooth from your mouth leaving a void that will cut back on the functionality of your bite and will impair the cosmetic appearance of your smile.
Pros and Cons of Root Canal Treatments
If you don't want to get your tooth pulled, then one of your tooth repair options is to have a root canal. Root canal costs are going to vary based on which tooth is affected, how many root canals are needed and who your dentist is. However, you can expect the costs to range between $400 and $600 for a front tooth and between $500 and $800 a tooth for molars.
The first advantage of having a root canal is that RCT "success and failure" rates are favorable. In fact, about 92 percent of all root canals are successful. Other advantages of having a root canal are: the tooth won't need to be extracted and there is relatively little pain during the procedure. On the other hand, the drawbacks of having a root canal include: cost, pain, you have to have surgery and there is a chance of an infection developing.
Pros and Cons of Dental Crowns
Crowns are your second tooth repair option. The cost of a crown is going to depend on the crown's material and the dentist. The overall cost of a crown is going to range between $600 and $3,100 per crown. The cost of this procedure is a major drawback for many people. Other drawbacks include: porcelain crowns can wear down your other teeth quickly, gold crowns are not attractive, porcelain crowns require the tooth be filed down and dental insurance typically won't cover all care and costs associated with a crown procedure.
On the other hand, crowns have several advantages that make them an attractive option. First of all, porcelain crowns can create a very natural and aesthetically pleasing smile. Finally, the procedure for gold crowns is fairly simple, and can be done with limited effort and pain.
Author: Eisla Sebastian
© 2008 Associated Content