Why Root Canal Is Superior To Implant
ShareA root canal treatment and dental implant have roughly similar success rates. However, this doesn't mean they are equally suitable for dealing with damaged teeth. For the majority of people, a root canal treatment is vastly superior to a dental implant. Here are for reasons for its superiority:
Implants Require More Maintenance
Comparing the success rates for the two types of dental treatments isn't easy because they are vastly different. However, existing research seems to show that the two have roughly similar success rates.
However, a major difference appears in what you need to do to ensure your teeth survive after the respective treatments. Implants require more maintenance and interventions than root canal treated teeth. For example, the screw might loosen, and bone augmentation might be required for an implant. However, a successful root canal treatment may require nothing much than routine dental care and a high degree of oral hygiene.
The Risk of Blood Infection Is Higher With Implants
Everybody has some amount of oral bacteria. However, this doesn't mean you are unhealthy; you are safe as long as the bacteria are confined to your oral cavity, and your immune system is strong. You should only be worried if the oral bacteria find their way into our bloodstream.
Both dental implant and root canal treatments have the potential of infecting your blood with bacteria. However, this risk is higher for an implant than a root canal treatment. This is because the implant process damages more tissues whereas the root canal treatment is confined to the root of the tooth.
A Root Canal Is Cost-Effective
A single tooth implant costs thousands of dollars; the average is in the region of $4,250. The exact cost depends on different factors such as your dentist, location, initial procedures, and any additional procedures you may need. In fact, if you need multiple additional procedures, the cost can rise to as high as $10,000.
This contrasts sharply with the cost of a root canal, which rarely exceeds $2,500. This cost also depends on your location, type of tooth to be treated, and dentist, as well as postoperative care. Even with additional procedures, a complicated root canal isn't likely to match that of a complicated dental implant treatment.
Keep it in mind, however, that you may not be a candidate for both forms of treatment. During your consultation, your dentist will outline the different forms of treatment available for your case so you can make an informed decision. If you can have either an implant or a root canal, it makes sense to choose the root canal.
For more information, contact Louisville Family Dental or a similar location.