Is It Time to Get a Root Canal, or Is a Dental Implant a Better Choice?

You have a couple of options for a tooth that’s severely damaged or decayed, but your best alternative depends on the condition of your tooth and your long-term dental needs. Here’s what you need to know about choosing between a root canal and a dental implant.

What to Know About Utilizing a Root Canal

Your tooth has soft tissue in the center called pulp that extends from the tooth’s root to the crown. This pulp has nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

When you damage your tooth, bacteria enters the pulp, causing pain and infection. A root canal opens your tooth and removes the decayed or damaged portion. We then use a crown to repair and protect the tooth. 

Benefits of a Root Canal

A root canal is an effective way to remove the damaged pulp that’s causing your dental pain and allow you to save your natural tooth. The procedure is affordable, safe, and has a high likelihood of success.

We use anesthesia to ensure you’re comfortable during the procedure. 

Root Canal Limitations

While most root canals can be completed in a single appointment, severe damage or decay might require multiple appointments.

A tooth with extensive decay may be too damaged to save using a root canal. Or, if the tooth’s infection is severe, it might be difficult to remove all the infection.

What to Know About Opting for a Dental Implant

We can extract your diseased tooth to eliminate the source of your discomfort. This is done using dental anesthesia to ensure the procedure is pain-free. 

Once your gums have healed, we can replace your missing tooth with a dental implant.

Benefits of Using an Extraction and Dental Implant

An extraction will remove your damaged tooth so that it doesn’t spread infection throughout your mouth. Replacing the tooth with a dental implant prevents bone loss and teeth shifting associated with missing teeth. 

A dental implant will match the size and shape of your other teeth so that it looks natural. Dental implants also have longer lifespans than dental crowns. 

Dental Implant and Extraction Limitations

It’s typically more expensive to extract your tooth and replace it with a dental implant. The process is usually more invasive, with a longer recovery period, and requires more appointments. 

Need more information to help you decide between a root canal and dental implant? Contact Parthenia Family Dental in Panorama City to schedule an appointment.