Thanks to technological advancements, there are quite a few options to choose from when your teeth start to decay. However, if your teeth have not reached the extent where extraction is the only option, you should always try to save your natural teeth.
Five reasons to try to save your natural teeth
1. Removing your natural teeth will negatively impact your quality of life
This isn’t an overreaction or an exaggeration. Removing your natural teeth might sound cost effective when you are dealing with tooth decay or any other thing that might make you consider having your teeth pulled, but it will also have a negative impact on your quality of life and long-term health.
2. Implants will cost you more money
A lot of people opt to have their tooth removed instead of trying to save the damaged tooth because they believe it will be cheaper than undergoing a procedure, like a root canal, to fix the tooth. However, having a tooth removed will likely end up costing you more money because you have to pay to get the tooth pulled and also pay for the implant that will be used to replace the tooth.
In some cases, your insurance company might not cover the procedure depending on the type of policy you have. If you opt to save the tooth and undergo a procedure, like a root canal, you won’t have to pay much out of pocket because most policies cover the procedure.
3. Loss of coordination when chewing
If you have your natural teeth replaced by implants, chewing your food will be more difficult because natural teeth have nerves that communicate with the brain, relaying messages to the brain about how hard to chew what you are eating to protect you from biting too hard and ruining your teeth.
Dental implants do not have nerves, so the connection to the brain is lost because communication is impossible. Without the ability to communicate with the brain, you will lose coordination when chewing with dental implants and it will take you some time to get used to it.
4. It can affect your facial appearance
Having your teeth pulled can lead to significant bone loss, which can affect your appearance and have a negative impact on your oral health. If a tooth has been pulled, bone loss occurs at the site of the extraction because the tooth is no longer there to put pressure on the jaw and help the regeneration of bone.
If you have several teeth pulled, the significant bone loss can affect your facial appearance, which will require surgery to fix. If you have your teeth pulled and don’t immediately get implants, you might not be able to do so later if you suffer bone loss. You need good bone density for the implants to be successful.
5. Your teeth shift
When some people have their teeth pulled, they often can’t decide how they want to replace the pulled teeth. Taking too long to replace pulled teeth can lead to the remaining teeth shifting to fill the gap left by the pulled teeth. This can lead to more dental challenges.
Conclusion
If you have damaged or decayed teeth and have the option of going through a procedure like a root canal or having the teeth pulled, always opt to save your natural teeth because it will help you avoid other dental problems down the line and save you money.