I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
If you have a tooth that needs a root canal and you're contemplating having the entire tooth replaced by suggestion of your dentist, there are a few things you want to consider before you have it pulled. Saving the tooth with a root canal instead of replacing may be a more practical option. Here are a few things to consider if you aren't sure if a root canal or dental implant is for you.
Cost
The cost to have a root canal should be less than $1,000. It could be much less if you have dental insurance. The dental implant can cost anywhere around $1,500-$7,500. The root canal is going to be much less expensive if you're working on a tight budget.
Procedure Length
The root canal will be performed at a dentist office (such as Pinon Hills Dental), and the mouth will be numbed. You will walk out that day and can go back to work or meet other obligations. The dental implantation surgery will require that you see an oral surgeon, like an endodontics specialist, and go under anesthesia or other sedation options. This could require time off work, and someone to drive you.
Risks
The root canal will remove the root of the tooth and put a synthetic root in, and then the tooth is covered with a crown. Your body isn't going to reject the procedure. The dental implant has to be fused into the jaw bones, so the dental surgeon will have to test to see if you have enough bone to support the implant, or they may suggest grafting bone to the area.
If the body rejects the dental implant the implant will have to be removed. If your bones aren't dense enough to support the implant, or if the bones in the jaw deteriorate greatly over time, this can also cause problems with the implants.
If you are looking for a fast and simple way to get your root problem taken care of so your mouth can feel normal again, getting a root canal is a great choice. If you take care of the tooth with cleaning and regular checkups, the crown can last up to 15 years, which is a great investment for the money. If there is still a lot of the tooth that is healthy and it can support a crown, and you don't want to have it extracted from your mouth, cross out the idea of a dental implant.
Share2 July 2015
