Being told you might lose a tooth is unsettling. But the reality is that far more teeth can be saved than patients are sometimes led to believe - and the decision is often more nuanced than a straightforward yes or no. This section is designed to help you understand what determines whether a tooth can be saved, what a realistic assessment looks like, and when an extraction may be indicated.
What determines whether a tooth can be saved?
- Whether there is enough healthy tooth structure remaining to restore the tooth once root canal (endodontic) treatment is complete.
- Complicating factors such as the presence and nature of a crack or external cervical resorption need to be carefully assessed to determine if treatment is viable, and to avoid unnecessary treatment.
- Before recommending root canal treatment, Professor Patel always considers the tooth involved, the health of the rest of your teeth and gums, and your general medical history, to make sure the treatment is appropriate and has the best chance of success.
Why get a specialist opinion?
A general dentist may not have access to the diagnostic aids - in particular a high-resolution Cone Beam CT (CBCT) 3D scan - needed to accurately assess whether a tooth can be saved. There are cases where a tooth appears unsalvageable on a standard X-ray but, with 3D imaging, a realistic treatment option becomes clear. Equally, there are cases where treatment is attempted unnecessarily when extraction would have been the better outcome. Specialist assessment gets you closer to the right answer.
When is extraction the right choice?
If a tooth has a crack running well into the root, if the infection has destroyed too much surrounding bone, or if retreatment is very unlikely to succeed, Professor Patel will tell you honestly. He does not carry out treatment he does not believe will work, and he will help you understand your options for replacing the tooth if extraction becomes necessary.