For those of you who are confused between the best methods to substitute a compromised tooth, the choice is very clear. A recent study shortlisted two of the most popular treatment options –dental implants and root canals. Although both fare practically the same on success and survival rates, there are differences.
A dental implant procedure requires tooth extraction followed by a couple of surgeries to fix a metal post within the jaw bone and attach a crown to the post. Surgeries can take up three or more visits to finish and are expensive in comparison to other methods. In root canal treatment, the main cause of tooth ache – inflamed pulp – is taken out and the tooth’s insides are then sanitized, filled and sealed. Root canals can normally be completed in a single visit and turn out to be lot cheaper than dental implants.
Since the roots and the nerves within the tooth are removed, they render the tooth weak, and susceptible to fracture. Therefore, in a root canal an onlay or a crown is made to cover the tooth. An onlay or a crown prevents the tooth with a root canal to break. The longevity of the crown or the onlay is based on how much of the tooth is left. So if a root canaled tooth had a big cavity that traveled under the gum line, there is a big possibility of the artificial onlay or crown to fall out or fail prematurely.
Hence, as per experts, if a tooth has a good chance to be restored, by all means it is best to undergo a root canal treatment. If not, undergoing dental implant treatment makes more sense for long term benefits. The prosthetic is worth every penny as it is bound to last for the rest of your life, especially if done by a skilled dentist in Baltimore.