Root Canal vs Dental Implant
Root canals and dental implants are two dental procedures that may be suggested if you’re facing severe tooth damage or potential tooth loss. Whereas root canal therapy involves removing the infected pulp and nerve of a tooth and filling the tooth with an inert material, dental implant surgery involves removing and replacing the entire tooth (and tooth root) with a prosthetic.
When weighing a root canal vs dental implant, you’ll need to take into account the relative benefits and risks, the time each takes to complete, and the costs involved. A dentist in your area can evaluate the affected tooth or teeth and talk you through the treatment options that would be most appropriate in your case.
Root Canal Treatment Pros & Cons
Root canal therapy is often indicated when a tooth root becomes infected or inflamed. Generally, this is the result of deep tooth decay and declining dental health. Not only can an infected tooth root cause considerable pain for the patient, but if not treated promptly, the inflamed pulp can lead to infection throughout the entire jawbone. A root canal procedure can be the first course of action for a patient who shows signs of considerable pulpal nerve damage.
What Are the Pros of Root Canals?
Saves the natural tooth. One of the main advantages for patients undergoing root canal treatment is that it allows them to keep their natural tooth and avoid tooth extraction.
Cost-effective. A root canal procedure is generally more cost-effective than dental implants, which could make it a more accessible treatment option for patients who don’t have insurance coverage.
Less invasive. Root canal treatment involves carefully cleaning and disinfecting the soft center of the tooth (pulp) and does not require surgery. Consequently, the recovery time after a root canal is fast.
What Are The Cons of Root Canals?
Discoloration of the tooth. Sometimes, root canal therapy can lead to the discoloration of a tooth. This, however, can be solved by restoring the tooth with a dental crown.
May require advanced dental care. There is a risk that a tooth may become weaker after root canal therapy and require additional dental care (such as a temporary crown) to restore its health.
Risk of infection. If the dental restoration is inadequate, an infection can occur and antibiotics or analgesics may be prescribed.
Dental Implant Pros & Cons
A dental implant is a type of artificial dental restoration that involves placing a small titanium post in the jaw to support a new replacement tooth. A dental implant procedure is usually recommended when there is a significant amount of tooth decay or when teeth have been lost due to trauma, gum disease, or are severely damaged.
What Are the Pros of Dental Implants?
Offer a long-term solution. With proper care and maintenance, dental implants, unlike crowns or dentures, can last for decades without additional repair or replacement.
Feels like a natural tooth. Dental implants mimic the function of the original tooth, helping to restore bite force and keeping the remaining tooth structure in the mouth stable.
Minimal risk of future tooth decay. Dental implant surgery is a long-term solution for tooth replacement. Unlike natural teeth, dental implants don’t decay since they are not made up of living tissue.
What are the Cons of Dental Implants?
Higher cost. Dental implants are a relatively expensive procedure, but this depends on the location of the procedure and whether or not the procedure is covered by insurance. Implant dentistry in Bakersfield, California will naturally have a different cost to implant dentistry in Los Angeles or New York.
Longer recovery time. Dental implants require a surgical procedure to replace a missing tooth or teeth. The initial healing process after dental implant surgery can take a week or longer, and you may need to wait several months between the placement of the post and the placement of the abutment and crown.
Requires follow-up appointments. Dental implant surgery requires several visits and follow-up appointments with the dentist. However, following the recommended timeline diligently helps to ensure the longevity of the implant.
A Highly Skilled Dentist Can Give You Great Results with Both Root Canal Therapy and Dental Implants
Deciding between dental implant surgery and root canal therapy depends on the condition of the tooth, the strength of the surrounding bone, and your budget for treatment. To help you understand the pros and cons in greater depth, it can help to go over each of these dental treatment options with a dental implant specialist.
When you go for an initial evaluation, the dentist can assess the damaged tooth and your overall health, and discuss the costs that are associated with each kind of treatment. From there, you and your dentist can decide whether dental implant surgery or a root canal is the right choice for helping you achieve optimal oral health.
