Oral decay, fractures, or an injury to your tooth can cause permanent damage, requiring extensive treatment to repair. Dental implants and root canal therapy are effective restorative treatments for severely damaged teeth. Depending on the extent of the damage, your oral health, and the condition of your jawbone, your dentist may recommend a tooth implant vs a root canal.
At Dental Spot, we provide root canal therapy and dental implants at our state-of-the-art facility (we even have a lab on-site), ensuring you can get the dental treatment you need to restore your oral health. If you require a dentist that offers consultations, one of our experienced and skilled dentists can provide a comprehensive oral examination and answer your questions before recommending treatment for restoring your smile.
Tooth Implant vs Root Canal: Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy involves extracting infected pulp from the inside of a tooth. After numbing the area around the tooth to be treated, your dentist makes a small hole in the tooth’s crown using a high-speed burr. Then they remove the infected pulp using endodontic files.
Once your dentist clears the canals of infected pulp, they coat the site with a topical antibiotic to prevent reinfection. Your dentist seals the exposed tooth with a natural latex called gutta-percha to stop bacteria from food or drinks from penetrating the tooth’s surface.
You will be given a temporary filling until the infection subsides, and you can revisit our practice for either a permanent metal-free filling or a dental crown.
Tooth Implant vs Root Canal: Dental Implants
Your dentist may prescribe dental implants if the tooth cannot be saved with root canal therapy and needs to be extracted. While dental implants have a 95% success rate over 10 years, you can reduce the risk of implant rejection by having an implant placed soon after the tooth extraction.
After the extraction, you may need to wait between two and three months before the dental implant can be placed. This allows the site to heal and the tissue to regenerate before implant placement.
During surgery for dental implants, your dentist incises the gum tissue to expose the bone and drills a small hole into the jaw. They then place a titanium screw in the bone, which acts as a tooth root to anchor the dental restoration.
Once the dental implant is surgically implanted in your jaw, there is a three to six-month healing process that allows the dental implant post to fuse with the jawbone, a process called osseointegration.
After stabilising the dental implant, your dentist schedules another minor surgery to place the abutment. This procedure requires a two to three week healing period, after which your dentist takes impressions to create a dental crown to restore the look and functionality of your smile.
Tooth Implant vs Root Canal: Risks and Benefits
In most cases, your dentist recommends tooth conserving treatment to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible. However, there are several instances when this may not be the right option. Some of the risks and benefits of dental implants include:
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Long-term oral health improvement
While root canal therapy offers a temporary solution to severely damaged teeth, it can leave the tooth prone to cracking or breakage, which may result in an extraction.
Dental implants offer a permanent tooth replacement solution. The dental implant is designed to last a lifetime, while the restoration can last between 15 and 20 years before it needs to be replaced.
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Cost-effective treatment
Root canal therapy is an effective treatment for an infected or severely traumatised tooth. However, you may need retreatment if the first is unsuccessful, weakening your tooth over time. The premolar and molars have several pulp chambers, and in rare cases, your dentist may miss one if it is hidden behind another.
Dental implants are more cost-effective long-term because they last longer than other restorative dental treatments and need fewer repairs, replacements, or repeat treatments.
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Strong, durable materials
Dental implants are made from durable biocompatible materials, including titanium and zirconia ceramic. These materials can withstand intense bite pressure, allowing you to eat and speak as normal.
Get a Consultation at Your Local Dental Clinic
An experienced dentist can help you determine whether tooth implant vs root canal therapy is best for your smile. If you need a dental consultation near you, schedule an appointment with Dental Spot.
Our cutting-edge dental practice serves Sydney and the surrounding areas, including Croydon, Abbotsford, and Strathfield. We explain every step of the process, ensuring you are comfortable and confident with your treatment. Request a complimentary consultation online or contact us on (02) 9158 6115 for more information on dental implant surgery or root canal therapy.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Factors Affecting the Survival Rate of Dental Implants: A Retrospective Study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5774056
Root Canal Explained
https://www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/what-is-a-root-canal/root-canal-explained/
Dental Implants
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-implants
