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Should You Try A Root Canal Or Go Straight For A Dental Implant?

3 August 2018 by Christy Long

Many people with compromised or diseased teeth have a challenge in choosing the right treatment option between root canal and dental implant. Most dentists and dental professionals usually prioritize saving the natural tooth, even though not everybody agrees on the prioritization of dental implants. However, a doctor must consider several factors when determining to go for either a root canal or dental implant.

Root Canals

A root canal is done to if a patient doesn't want their diseased tooth to be extracted and replaced. There are several things that happen during a root canal. First, the dentist numbs you to prevent you from feeling pain. Then, the dentist drills down to remove the tooth pulp, which is the primary source of the tooth pain. After that, the orthodontist cleans, fills and then seals the affected tooth using a crown. A root canal makes allows you to retain your tooth and its root, while preventing any further pain in your tooth.

Dental Implants

This procedure is mostly performed to replace a tooth that is so damaged that it requires extraction. During a dental implant, a doctor usually performs several techniques to extract and replace the diseased tooth. First, the doctor numbs the patient to allow for tooth extraction through a surgical procedure. Then, the dentist allows the patient's gums to heal after extracting their tooth before evaluating them for a dental implant.

A patient must meet a few criteria for this procedure to be performed on them. First, a patient should have sufficient jawbone tissue, which should support the dental implants. The jawbone tissue is essential when it comes to dental implants since it helps the jawbone and titanium rod of the dental implant to connect well. In case a patient doesn't have the enough tissue on their jawbone, they might be required to undergo a bone graft, which helps in rebuilding the jawbone tissue.

Also, if the tooth was extracted from your upper jaw, the dentist must check to ensure that you have sufficient jawbone to handle the titanium rod and without allowing it to impede your sinuses. Patients with short jawbones or low sinuses might be required to undergo a special surgery to lift their sinuses.

So, What's The Right Solution for Your Diseased Tooth?

As we've seen, dentists prioritize saving the patient's tooth, and mostly prefer performing a root canal because of the complicated procedure of performing dental implants. However, many doctors usually consider after factors before determining the right solution. Young patients, for instance, should consider dental implants since they are cheaper, and more permanent than a root canal. Also, the doctor must consider whether you require extra surgeries, like sinus lift or bone graft for you to qualify for a dental implant. Have a peek here for more information.

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