If you have damaged or missing teeth, you'll no doubt feel an impact or affect your ability to chew and eat certain foods, as well as the appearance of your smile. When looking for the right treatment for significantly decayed or infected teeth, there are two main choices that your dentist will (generally) recommend — root canal vs dental implant.
So, which type of procedure is better for a significantly decayed or infected tooth, and what’s involved for both dental implants vs root canal treatments? We'll cover what to expect with each, and how to make sure you’re choosing the right treatment for your oral health.
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that treats damaged teeth, specifically those with dead nerves or pulp.
The goal of a root canal is to save severely decayed teeth by removing and cleaning the infected pulp or nerve tissues, as opposed to extracting the tooth completely. Once the infected areas are cleaned out from the tooth, it will then be filled with a safe replacement material.
When is a root canal necessary?
When the innermost part of the tooth (known as the pulp) becomes infected or injured, root canal treatment can be used to remove the affected tissue. Infection or injury to the pulp of the tooth can happen in several ways:
Unaddressed tooth decay can penetrate deeply into the tooth and infect the pulp.
Physical damage such as hard knocks or hits to the tooth can damage the pulp inside. This can happen even if the tooth appears undamaged on the outside.
Cracks or gaps in the tooth can be a potential entryway for bacteria to infect the pulp.
What is a dental implant?
Alternatively, the damaged or decaying tooth can be extracted and replaced with an implant and crown .
This implant works similarly to the removed tooth for actions such as function or smiling. As it involves the complete removal of the original tooth and the placement of a new replacement implant supported crown, this is a much more extensive procedure compared to a root canal.
When are dental implants best used?
Multiple missing or severely damaged teeth that require replacement are ideal for the application of dental implants. Here are some common situations where dental implants are recommended:
Replacement for a single tooth – a dental implant can provide a stable and natural-looking replacement tooth.
Dental implants can be placed individually or with implant-supported bridges to support the replacement of multiple teeth, whether adjacent or separate.
In cases where all the teeth in an entire arch are missing, dental implants may be used to support complete arch restoration.
Long-term replacement after a tooth extraction procedure.
In conjunction with implant-supported dentures, ideal for individuals who face stability or fit issues with removable dentures.
Comparing root canals vs dental implants
Tooth appearance:
Getting a root canal is great for those who want to keep their natural tooth and smile instead of having an artificial replacement. In some cases, a dental crown may be a necessary add-on procedure to address any damaged parts of the tooth.
With dental implants, the natural tooth will be completely extracted. That being said, most modern dental implants can be custom-made to fit your facial structure and coloured to match your natural teeth shade for a natural-looking result.
Time for procedure:
The root canal process is quicker than getting a dental implant, requiring one or two appointments to complete most of the time. If a crown is needed, there may be a brief waiting period before the permanent crown can be placed.
Undergoing a dental implant will require more time and appointments. After the natural tooth is removed, the gums need time to heal before the implant process can begin. Multiple dental visits will be required to prepare the implant site and place the implant, and fit the artificial tooth, with time catered for healing after each stage.
How long it lasts:
Implants stand out as the long-term solution due to their durability. Well planned and placed dental implants require basic maintenance and can last for decades. Implants can fail if not looked after well, regularly assessed and professionally cleaned.
Root filled teeth can last a long time as well. Root canals can sometimes result in tooth failure due to a number of reasons e.g. fracture of the tooth. Root canal teeth that have well fitted crowns placed after, usually possess a higher long term success rate. Additionally, if there are complications or further damage to the repaired tooth, there could be risks of failure/abscesses, which may ultimately lead to the extraction of the tooth.
Costs involved:
Both Root canal and Dental Implants are usually covered in the major dental part of your private health insurance policies, which may also extend to crowns. We recommend always getting a quotation from your private health insurance to find out any out of pocket expenses prior to starting your chosen dental treatment.
Choosing between a dental implant vs a root canal
A dental implant will be more suitable for a tooth that already has extensive decay and has a poor or hopeless prognosis.
However, if the original tooth is still in a relatively good condition, a root canal can be a good option as it is a less invasive and cost-effective form of treatment for restoring (and keeping) the tooth.
To find out which procedure is better for your teeth, we recommend consulting a dentist who will be able to expertly assess your dental needs and help you decide between a dental implant vs a root canal.
At Bluff Point Dental, we offer both dental implants and root canal treatments in Geraldton. Book an appointment with our friendly dentists today to get the right treatment for your teeth!
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