Choosing between Root Canal and Dental Implant

Our teeth are one of the most essential part of the body,which requires the most basic care,and yet dental caries is the most common disease. Proper brushing and flossing of teeth is enough to achieve strong,healthy gums and teeth, neglecting this basic care can lead to many complications in the long run.

Root canal treatment and Dental Implants are two of the most common procedures done by Dentist when the tooth is in pain due to the cavity.While both this treatment is common there hasn’t been much resource to help patients choose which is best for them.

As a Dentist I feel obliged to help patients have a clear idea about Root canal Treatment and Dental Implants. 

There are many resources available for the treatment procedure of Root canal and Dental Implants.

“There’s a lot of randomness in the decisions that people make.”-One of my favourite quote by Daniel Kahneman from the book Thinking Fast & Slow, I’m trying to help patients to make better decisions when it comes to choosing between Root Canal Treatment and Dental Implants

Before we go to the core of the subject.Let us understand Root Canal Treatment and Dental Implants. 

What is Root Canal Treatment all about?

When you visit your dentist with pain in your teeth,the probable cause could be cavity. The Cavity on the teeth isn’t always painful. When the cavity has just started there are chances that food particles get stuck in the cavity. When this kind of cavity is left unattended for a long time,the bacteria in the cavity go deeper into the nerve of the teeth.The pulp of the teeth which contains the nerve,blood tissue,and organic matters inside our teeth gets infected due to the cavity or bacterial attacks. In these cases, severe pain occurs, and the infection spreads towards the pulp of the infected teeth.And this infection causes pain in the teeth.

If the teeth in pain has minimal structural damage,then it can be saved by doing a root canal treatment followed by Zirconia crown. A Xray for the teeth in question is taken and then the treatment option is decided.

If the condition of your teeth is extremely bad, then removal of the tooth is recommended.

How is a root canal treatment performed?

●       Firstly, local anaesthesia is given to numb the mouth and teeth area so that no pain is felt during the treatment.

●       Next,  a small drill is made to reach into the inside of the tooth through the cavity. By filing the infected parts will be taken out and removed as the inside becomes accessible to the dentist.

●       Then, the dentist will irrigate to remove any gunk, and bacterial growth anywhere found in the insides.

●       The pulp area is cleared finally, and some antibacterial gel will also be applied in the areas to keep them clean and safe from further infections.

●       Next, after the insides are cleaned and the infected portion is cleared out, the dentist will fill up the area with a gummy textured ingredient called gutta percha. The temporary filling is added and sealed.

●       The dentist will assign you with an ascertained period of time to dry up the filling and let it settle in. During this time, you will have to put a lot of restrictions on your food habits and brushing patterns as well.

●       After a week or so depending upon the condition of the actual tooth, the crown will be posted and attached to the rest of the teeth. If the original teeth is fragile, then a dental post will be set up to provide support to the newly constructed crown.

The post-operative care for root canal treatment is nothing extraordinary. You might require some X-ray to see if any infection is taking place further, and also you need to take full care of the treatment done as well. Brushing your teeth carefully with the correct products is also very important.

What is dental implant all about?

Dental implants are considered a stronger and longer way to replace a natural  teeth that has been removed or damaged beyond restoration. Dental implants are like roots of the teeth which are placed inside our jawbones and then a custom fabricated dental crown tooth is attached to it. This provides a firm and long term solution.

Dental implants are mostly performed when the condition of the teeth is extremely hopeless.  In such cases, it is always better to get the whole tooth removed rather than compromising the entire teeth.

To have successful dental implant, one should have healthy gums and bones to support the implants..

Implants are mostly of two types named endosteal implants and subperiosteal implants. Depending upon your gum condition,appropriate implants will be recommended.

Now comes the real question.

Root canal treatment or Dental implants- which is it for you?

Considering the procedures of both treatments, it can be said if you are interested in having a stronger and long term solution, then getting dental implants are the best option. Also, these are expensive, and post-surgical care requires some complicated tasks as well. You need to visit the doctor on a regular basis to get checked and should rest for a longer period of time.

On the other hand, in the case of root canal treatments things are not that complicated, also the whole procedure is light on the pocket and the post-surgical care does not demand high maintenance and multiple check-ups by your dentist. Root canal treatment is a basic treatment, and the majority of the dentists will recommend patients to go for that only.

Both the procedures if performed by an efficient dentist, will give you effective results. But there are a lot of factors that govern whether which one will be a fruitful option for your infected teeth.

The success rates of root canal treatment are undoubtedly higher than that of a dental implant because it is a less complicated procedure. Also performing a root canal treatment does not demand any special requirements like dental implants.

People with proper gums and strong bones are only capable of going for a dental implantation procedure. On the other hand, for the root canal, you do not need to fall under any eligibility criteria.

The time period required to complete a root canal is a lot shorter than what a dental implantation procedure will demand. A root canal can be completed within two weeks, whereas a dental implant will require four to five months to complete the whole procedure.

Hence it is always better to evaluate the pros and cons of both the services and discuss with your dentist before opting for either of the treatments.

If you are looking for a Dentist in Chennai for further details about choosing between Dental Implants and Root canal treatment,You can visit us at the following address

Ramchandras Jussmile Dental Clinic & Dental Implant Centre
1333/A,B1,Royal Castle Apartments,
7th Cross Street,Kolathur
Chennai -99