Do you have tooth pain? You may need a root canal or a dental implant. But which one is the best choice?
While both root canals and dental implants can restore your smile, the two procedures are quite different. Our dentist in Glenwood Springs can help you sort out the differences between dental implant vs root canal, and decide which dental procedure is right for you.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal can save a badly infected or damaged tooth. While many people think that root canals hurt, the opposite is actually true – a root canal can stop tooth pain.
Strong roots hold your teeth in place. Inside each tooth is a canal, or hollow space, known as the root canal. This canal holds pulp, which is a soft tissue that contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue; the visible part of the tooth (crown) also contains pulp.
Pulp helps nourish developing teeth in growing children. In adults, the pulp helps you feel pain, provides nutrients, and protects against infection.
About root canal treatment
Root canal treatment, also known simply as a “root canal,” involves removing the infected pulp to save the rest of the tooth. To perform the root canal process, your dentist:
- Numbs the tooth
- Makes a tiny opening in the enamel
- Removes the infected pulp
- Cleans the inside of the tooth
- Fills the tooth so that it does not get infected again
- Puts a crown over the tooth to protect it from damage
Thanks to modern technology and our experienced team, a root canal operation is a quick and comfortable way to save your tooth and relieve root canal pain.
Benefits of a root canal
There are a number of advantages to having a root canal. Benefits of a root canal include:
- Preserving your tooth
- Maintaining the structure and appearance of your jaw
- Relief from tooth pain
- Affordability
- Fast, comfortable procedure
Costs of a root canal
A root canal can cost $600 to $1200, with the price covering x-rays and anesthesia. Dentists can access front teeth more easily, so root canals there are usually less expensive than for teeth further back in your mouth. Private dental insurance plans typically cover root canals, but the coverage can vary.
How long do root canals last?
With proper care, your root canal can last for decades – it may even last a lifetime. Certain factors can affect the lifespan of your root canal. These factors include:
- The location of the tooth
- Your overall health
- Your oral hygiene
Potential risks of root canals
Root canals are generally safe, but like all dental and medical procedures, they do carry some risks. The potential risks of root canals include:
- Re-infection
- Nerve damage
- Tooth fracture
- Allergic reactions
- Discoloration
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a natural-looking replacement for a missing tooth. More specifically, a dental implant is a metal post surgically embedded into your jaw. The titanium post creates a sturdy anchor for an artificial crown, which looks and works like a real tooth. In fact, bone tissue actually grows into the metal to create a permanent and stable connection between your jaw and the implant.
The dental implant procedure requires several visits. After your initial consultation, you will come in for placement of the implants. After the bone tissue fuses with the implant, which can take several weeks, you will come in for the crown.
Benefits of dental implants
Dental implants are:
- Made to last a lifetime
- Natural-looking and feeling
- More affordable over the course of a lifetime
Dental implants can also help you maintain bone mass in your jaw. The pressure of biting and chewing transfers down your teeth and into your jaw, where the pressure stimulates the growth of new bone tissue. Without this pressure, you lose the bone mass that holds nearby teeth in place. When you lose bone mass in your jaw, you might lose more teeth. Dental implants work like real teeth to transfer the pressure into your jaw to stimulate the growth of new bone tissue.
Costs of a dental implant
Dental implants can cost $3000 to $7000 per tooth. The exact price depends on your location, the amount of experience the dental professional has, and your needs and preferences. Some private dental insurance plans cover part of the cost of dental implants.
How long do dental implants last?
The titanium post of a dental implant is made to last a lifetime. Depending on the material used, a dental implant crown can last for 20 years or longer.
Potential risks of dental implants
While dental implants have a very high success rate, the surgical procedure does come with some risks, as do all dental procedures.
The potential risks of dental implants include:
- Failure of the bone tissue to grow into the metal post
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Gum recession, in which your gums pull away from the artificial crown
- Allergic reactions
- Gum disease around the implant
- Sinus problems
Read more of our Dental Implant blog here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Implant vs Root Canal
If you are trying to decide between an implant vs root canal, you probably have questions. Our dentists at Murray Dental Group have answers!
Is it better to get an implant or a root canal?
It depends on a few things, such as whether you want to save your tooth and if the tooth can be saved. As a general rule, root canals are better if the tooth can be saved and a dental implant is better if the tooth cannot be saved or is already gone. If you have an infected tooth, a root canal is a cost-effective solution. If you are losing a tooth due to an infection – or if you have already lost a tooth due to infection – a dental implant may be the best solution.
Your overall oral health is also a factor. Dental implants require significant bone mass to hold the implants in place, for example. If you don’t have enough bone mass to support dental implants, you may need to undergo a bone graft, which introduces bone tissue into your jaw to increase bone mass.
- A root canal saves damaged teeth, while a dental implant replaces a tooth
- A root canal lasts many years and may require additional treatment later, while a dental implant is made to last a lifetime
- A root canal is less invasive than a dental implant
- Healing time is shorter for a root canal than for a dental implant
- A root canal has a lower upfront cost, but an implant may be a better long-term investment
Should I redo my root canal or get an implant?
Even with the best care, root canals can sometimes fail. If your root canal has failed, you might wonder if you are better off repairing it or getting an implant. A number of factors can shape your decisions. These factors include:
- The reason your root canal failed
- How much you want to spend
- How much time you want to invest in your smile
What is the root canal vs implant cost?
Dental implants can cost $3000 to $7000 per tooth, while a root canal can cost $600 to $1200. This means there may be a cost difference as large as $6400. At the very least, a dental implant is more than twice as much as a root canal.
Do all root canals eventually fail?
Not all root canals are doomed to fail. In fact, a 2023 study found that 97% of root canals survived 10 years, and 68% were still going strong after 37 years. You can reduce the risk of root canal failure by brushing regularly and visiting your dentist regularly to avoid gum disease and tooth decay that contribute to dental infections.
Should I skip the root canal and just get an implant?
It depends on the condition of your tooth and your personal preferences. Factors include:
- How much you want to spend – dental implants cost more, but will likely last a lifetime, whereas root canals may need to be redone if the tooth becomes infected again
- How much time you want to spend – getting a root canal is faster than getting an implant; you’ll need to wait several months while the bone grows into the implant before you can get the crown, whereas getting a root canal is done in one office visit
- Whether you want to keep your tooth or replace it
Are you ready to do something about that bad tooth? Murray Dental can help you restore your attractive, pain-free smile! Call us today or book online in just a few clicks!
