In the past, saving a tooth with a root canal and a permanent crown was considered state of the art. Today, however dental implants offer an alternative that is safe, long lasting and close to the appearance and function of natural teeth.
You have two options for restoring a seriously damaged tooth. Undergoing a root canal to repair the tooth, or extracting it and replacing it with a dental implant. One option allows you to “save” your natural tooth while the other removes it entirely and replaces it with a dental implant. The right option for you will depend on exactly how damaged your tooth is, which influences how predictable each procedure is in your unique case. Both treatment options require a dental crown for a final restoration.
In order for a root canal to be successful, your tooth needs to have good bone support and enough remaining tooth structure to be a functional part of your bite. If the tooth is too damaged or compromised, a dental implant may be the better option.
Dental implants are usually preferred over root canals when a tooth:
- Is severely decayed
- Is loose
- Has a root fracture
However, if there are too many variables that may cause a root canal to fail, then we will discuss the process of extracting the tooth and placing a dental implant. Remember that dental implants can last you decades. Dental implants do not get cavities, gum disease, and protect your natural teeth and support the bone around them. They are the next best thing to natural teeth.
Here at Maple Avenue Family Dentistry, we are committed to providing the best treatment for our patients. If you have questions about root canal therapy or dental implants, please contact us today at (401) 247-2200.