Dentistry: David E. Barnes, D.D.S.

Q: My tooth is sensitive when I chew and to hot and cold. My dentist advised a root canal. I've heard that's painful. Why not just have it pulled?

A: First, you need to understand what happens after having a tooth extracted. Spaces left by missing teeth affect the rest of your teeth. These gaps cause chewing problems. If even one tooth is missing, other teeth may slowly shift out of place. This changes your bite. A poor bite may make your jaw sore. Shifting of the teeth following tooth extraction can eventually even change your smile. Thanks to modern dental techniques, root canals can save damaged teeth. The damaged nerve is removed with little or no discomfort following a simple injection of anesthetic. The tooth and root stay intact and continue to function normally. You can usually begin to chew on the tooth the next day. The root canal is far less traumatic to the patient than a tooth extraction.

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