Root Canal Or Implant?

Tooth decay is a common dental problem which occurs due to infections and poor oral hygiene. Most people neglect the pain on the onset of tooth decay, and the problem slowly aggravates.

Dental anxiety is common amongst the people visiting a dentist for decayed teeth because they feel too anxious to know that they have to make a choice, whether to go for saving the damaged teeth by root canal or simply get the teeth extracted and implanted.

Over the years, there has been a major debate in the dental industry when it comes to treatment of decayed teeth. Here are some basics to know about the two common dental procedures.

What is a Root Canal Treatment?

Generally, the most conservative treatment for an infected or a decayed tooth is root canal therapy. In this procedure, the nerve and the pulp of the infected or decayed tooth is removed from the root canals by creating an opening through the crown of the teeth. Once the roots are cleaned, they are filled with a special biocompatible material that seals the tooth. The tooth is then finally covered by a custom-made crown that helps in preventing the further damage of the tooth.

Tooth Extraction

In case of severely damaged or badly broken teeth, extraction of teeth and teeth replacement solution mimics the natural appearance and function of real teeth. Instead of repairing the damaged teeth, they can be extracted and replaced with a dental implant. In this process, a post is implanted in the jawbone and given a time of two to three months to heal. Once healed, a crown is placed on the top of the post.

Pros and Cons

It is usually better to preserve the tooth whenever possible. Both the procedures provide effective results when it comes to eliminating tooth pain and treating a damaged or diseased tooth. However there are some points to ponder.

• Root canals are more affordable and require less recovery time
• Root canals generally don’t last long
• Certain amount of healthy bone must be present in your jaw to place an implant
• Dental implants last longer, function more like real teeth, and look better
• Dental implants are expensive as compared to a root canal

The pain of an infected tooth is enormous. We are always on our toes to help our patients to choose between root canal versus dental implants by considering their individual needs and preferences.