When the nerves and pulp in a tooth become infected, your dentist has two options. They can remove the tooth and replace it with a dental implant or perform root canal therapy to save the tooth.
A few factors may affect which treatment you need, such as the integrity of your tooth structure and your overall oral hygiene. Although both procedures are long-lasting, consider these factors when deciding between a tooth implant vs root canal therapy.
What are the Pros of Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a suitable treatment if you have severe tooth decay that has caused an infection in the tooth’s pulp.
Even if a tooth doesn’t show any signs of chipping or cracking, facial trauma could cause pulp damage.
If pulp infection is not treated with root canal therapy, it may lead to extreme discomfort or an abscess. There are several benefits to root canal therapy, including:
Preserve the natural tooth structure
Root canal therapy helps ease discomfort and prevent more damage to the tooth by removing infected tissue from inside. Even if a dental crown is required to safeguard the tooth, a root canal keeps the tooth’s original structure. Although it is no longer alive, the tooth can continue to function like your remaining teeth.
Less time in treatment
Root canals can take from 90 minutes to 3 hours, and they require two appointments. This may take less time than a dental implant since the implant procedure requires several weeks of recovery time between treatment stages.
Ease of recovery
The recovery time for a root canal is typically one to two weeks. While you may have some discomfort after treatment, it is easily manageable with cold therapy and over-the-counter medications. After undergoing root canal therapy, follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions, including eating a soft food diet and using medications to relieve inflammation.
Cons of a Root Canal Therapy
There are some disadvantages associated with a root canal. These include:
Risk of a dental crown breaking
If there is a crack in your dental crown, bacteria can enter the inner tooth. Bacteria can also re-contaminate the inner tooth surface if the inner sealing substance deteriorates.
Your teeth’s colour may change
Because the dentist removes the pulp, your tooth may turn grey. Your dentist may prescribe a cosmetic dental procedure such as a dental veneer if they haven’t already capped the tooth with a dental crown.
Possible re-infections
You may experience additional infections after root canal therapy. An infection can come from an undiscovered crack in the tooth’s root. You may need to go under an apicoectomy, or root-end resection, to remove the infected tissue and the deepest part of the tooth’s root.
What Are the Pros of Dental Implants?
When your tooth is severely damaged and requires extraction, you may need a dental implant. To qualify for a dental implant, you must have jawbone tissue that is dense and thick enough to receive dental implants and be willing to commit to long-term recovery for the dental implant treatment.
Less prone to lose bone mass
Your gums recede when the jawbone’s density decreases after losing a tooth. This risk increases if you have crooked teeth or tooth misalignment. A dental implant not only repairs teeth but also restores your jaw’s natural bone integrity.
If you have severe bone loss in your jaw, the dentist may use guided tissue regeneration and sinus augmentation techniques to stimulate bone growth. These techniques can increase the chances of successful dental implant placement. The dental implant also acts like a natural tooth root, promoting osseointegration in the jawbone and stimulating bone growth.
Increased bite and chew functionality
Dental implants can act just like your natural teeth while consuming food. You won’t need to worry about which side of your mouth to chew on since the dental implant’s direct placement supports your jaw. A dental implant has between 85% and 95% of the bite force of a natural tooth, increasing your ability to chew and speak naturally.
Natural-looking smile
Getting a dental implant means receiving a tooth replacement to match your natural teeth. The dentist attaches a dental crown to the implant using a small connector called an abutment. Traditional dental crowns can be made of porcelain, ceramic, or composite and require additional time to create and fabricate.
At No Gaps Dental, we offer Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) same-day dental crowns. The dentist uses specialised dental technology to scan your mouth, create a mould, and customise a dental crown for you on the same day.
Long-lasting
The dental implant procedure is a long process between X-rays, the implants, and the abutments. Between the implants and the abutments, you need a minimum of six months to heal.
Although the procedure can take months, dental implants are permanent dental restorations compared to root canal therapy. Titanium-surfaced dental implants can last as long as 25 years. If you want your dental implants to last as long as possible, brushing and flossing regularly and having regular dental cleanings are important.
Cons of Dental Implants
While dental implants are considered the ‘gold standard’ in restorative dentistry, there are some drawbacks to the procedure, including:
Long treatment times
Dental implants are placed in stages to allow adequate healing time between the implant post-placement, the abutment attachment, and adding the restoration. This time is necessary to allow the bone to fuse with the implant to create a firm foundation for the dental crown, bridge, or denture.
Additional surgeries
If you have insufficient jawbone density or thickness, you may need additional surgeries, such as a bone graft or sinus lift, to stimulate bone tissue growth. These procedures can add several months of additional recovery time and cost extra on top of your dental implant fee.
High initial cost
Due to the quality of the materials used and the expertise required to accurately place a dental implant, the procedure has one of the highest initial costs of any restorative treatment.
Choosing Between Tooth Implant vs Root Canal
You can discuss your treatment options with your dentist to see what is best for your oral health. Think about the following before making your decision:
Cost
Root canals may seem more cost-effective since they only require two visits compared to dental implants.
However, dental implants are worth the cost, given their longevity and endurance.
A root canal and other tooth restoration options may result in more visits to treat possible infections and replace missing teeth, increasing costs.
Oral health
A root canal allows you to preserve your natural teeth, which is good for your jawbone and smile health. If there is significant damage to the tooth and its roots, preserving the teeth is not an option. A dental implant can preserve your jawbone’s structure and your smile.
Permanence
A study has found 98% of root canal treatments can last one year, with 86% of root canals lasting 10 years or longer. Since dental implants are permanent, they can last for decades with proper dental care.
Get Help With Your Choice of Tooth Implant vs Root Canal
By visiting us at No Gaps Dental, we can help you decide whether you need a tooth implant vs root canal. If you want to know which option is best for your oral hygiene, call us on (02) 8806 0227 to schedule an appointment today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Root canal treatment
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/root-canal-treatment
How Long Will I Have to Sit in the Dentist Chair During a Root Canal?
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-a-root-canal-take
Dental Health and Root Canals
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-root-canals#091e9c5e800087d8-3-7
Bone growth around dental implants
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1879579/
Receding Gums
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/receding_gums_causes-treatments
Outcomes of Primary Endodontic Therapy Provided by Endodontic Specialists Compared with Other Providers
https://www.jendodon.com/article/S0099-2399(16)00169-2/fulltext