Has your dental care expert asked you to choose between root canal (endodontic therapy) or tooth extraction and implant? Both treatments can restore your chewing ability and jaw support. Patients and dentists select one of the options based on the condition of the affected tooth.
As a reputed root canal dentist Roswell GA, we often come across several queries concerning endodontic therapy and implants. So here’s a glimpse into the pros and cons along with answers for FAQs to help you make the decision.
1. Endodontic treatment
As you probably know, dental surgeons open the root canal, clean the infected pulp, fill the space with gutta-percha (natural material), and seal it. A cap or crown is then placed on the operated tooth to restore the bite force.
A local anesthetic is injected into gums to ensure you do not feel any discomfort. Yes, professionals use a dental drill to make a hole and reach the infected pulp. But, it’s a straightforward procedure.
When do dentists recommend endodontic treatment?
Dental care experts use x-rays to determine the cavity depth (infection). Dentists often see dark spots in digital radiography, highlighting the need for endodontic therapy.
The treatment is recommended if dentists feel they can stop the infection by cleaning the nerve space inside the tooth.
Dentists also suggest root canal treatment to individuals with pulpal sclerosis, doubtful pulp. Your dentist will choose the procedure if the affected tooth has insufficient tooth substance to hold the crown.
If you fail to get the endodontic therapy on time, the infected tooth reaches the stage where extraction remains the only option.
Can the root canal procedure offer aesthetic benefits?
Yes, a root canal is always the first choice as the procedure helps restore your natural tooth. But endodontic therapy does restore the affected tooth’s strength. Dentists do cover it with a crown or cap that matches the color of other teeth. Yet, results might not prove to be aesthetically pleasing.
2. Dental extraction and implant placement
When do dentists recommend tooth extraction?
Most dentists don’t look at pulling the tooth out as their first option. But, extracting the natural tooth becomes inevitable if it’s too decayed, damaged, or parts of it break off. Removal is also recommended in case of a failed root canal, gum disease, or overcrowding.
Some patients start thinking of dental drills, forceps, blood, and pain when they hear the words tooth extraction. But thankfully, these days, the extraction process has slightly become patient-friendly.
Extraction and implant placing happen in multiple phases. First, specialists administer local anesthetic to ensure you do not feel even a pinch during the extraction process. Then, pieces of the infected tooth are extracted using forceps and other tools. In the case of molar tooth extraction, the surgeon will slightly cut the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. The procedure is often referred to as surgical extraction.
What’s the need to place an implant post tooth extraction?
Tooth extraction results in the formation of space between teeth. These teeth slowly start shifting and occupying the empty space.
Extraction also results in a loss of jawbone and facial support. These problems further trigger facial sagging as well. Most importantly, you lose your ability to chew properly due to missing teeth. Bite misalignment and speech changes are other oral health problems that no one can ignore. Therefore, placing an implant in this space becomes crucial.
A variety of dental implant options
When it comes to artificial teeth, there are a variety of options. Every piece has a different connector, coating, and size.
Your prosthodontist can help you select the best option from endosteal and subperiosteal implants. Depending on the location of the missing tooth, your dentist can recommend standard, wide, mini, or narrow implant screws. These minor titanium devices are placed in the jawbone. They dissolve and integrate with the bone within a few weeks.
Can patients from the high-risk group go for implants?
Implants are permanent and long-lasting. But, the treatment should be the last option for persons with diabetes, hypertension, respiratory, kidney, and liver diseases. It’s also not the best alternative for patients with low jaw bone density. Individuals from such high-risk groups must get the treatment done at a reputed clinic.
Do you have metal-related allergies? If so, it’s best to keep your dentist updated about the same well in advance.
Which option offers more chances of success?
Root canal treatment and implant placement are the most appreciated procedures for restoring damaged teeth.
There’s always that slight chance of failure in both cases if you fail to follow aftercare steps and maintain oral hygiene. Implant failures are rare in cases where dentists conduct a pre-surgical review and guide patients with post-surgical implant care.
Implants can last throughout your life if you take proper care. On the other hand, studies suggest that as many as 86 percent of root canals may last for ten years.
You undoubtedly wish to have the ability to talk or smile confidently. Extraction and implant treatment offers more aesthetically pleasing results than endodontic therapy.
What about the time frame for both treatments?
You certainly wish to know about the time and dental office visits required for both. Specialists can perform root canal procedures within 60 to 90 minutes. They might schedule a follow-up appointment to place the dental cap or crown. You can start eating soft foods immediately after the final restoration gets in place.
Extraction and implant procedure is time-consuming. In some cases, the gap between tooth extraction and implant placement needs can be three months or longer.
The implant (screw) placement requires one to two hours. The titanium component integrates with the jawbone within three to six months. As the last step post healing, your dentist will place the crown on the screw.
The cost factor
Yes, implants are costlier than the cost associated with root canal treatment.
To conclude:
Which treatment option can be in your best interest? Unsure about choosing between root canal or extraction and implant? If you are in Roswell(GA), contact TruCare Dentistry. Let the best dental professional evaluate your dental health and make a choice.