A painful tooth is unbearable. You cannot eat, drink, or even sleep with an infected tooth. You become irritable and lose focus in your day-to-day activities. You book an appointment with your dentist and they might either suggest you go in for root canals or dental implants depending on your tooth condition.
Difference between Root Canal and Dental Implants
A root canal is suggested when you need to preserve the tooth but eliminate the infection. Your dentist will remove the affected tissue and thoroughly clean your tooth and seal it with a dental composite. You might have to visit their clinic 2- 3 times for the entire process to be completed.
A root canal might sound scary, but when you go through root canal Cypress TX specialists such as Orion Dental Specialties, in Cypress, TX, you can be assured of relatively painless treatment by their team of specialists.
So, what can you expect from a root canal treatment? This treatment is done in 3 stages:
- Extirpation – The tooth is covered with rubber dams and clamps are placed to hold the tooth in place while drilling.
- The dentist makes use of small instruments to clean the root canal and remove the infected nerve
- Instrumentation – Through cleaning of the root canal is done to control bacterial infection
- Obturation – When the tooth is completely pain-free, your dentist will fill the root canal with composite and seal it up
Dental implants, on the other hand, are recommended when several teeth are missing in a series. Implants can be used to fill in these gaps. This treatment is suggested by dentists when there is no chance to save your tooth.
Dental implants can be carried out in three stages:
- Implant placement – The dentist will make an incision in your gums to expose the jawbone
- A hole will be drilled to place the implant and will allow the jawbone to heal
- Osseointegration occurs giving ample time for the bone cells to get attached to the implant
- Abutment placement – An abutment is a connecting bridge between the implant to your prosthetic tooth.
- Your gum will be reopened to expose the implant and the abutment attached
- Placing the Prosthetic tooth – The last stage involves placing your prosthetic tooth over the implant
It is always better to go with a root canal specialist or a dental implant specialist for such dental treatments. These treatments need to be done with lots of precision, giving attention to the minute details.
Which is Better – Root Canal or Dental Implants?
If you opt for a root canal:
- It can save your teeth from further damage
- It is comparatively less than other dental treatment plans
- You can munch on your favorite foods without worrying about your new crown
The benefits of dental implants are:
- Implants last for a longer time
- They look natural
- They are versatile
It is better to consult with your dental implant or root canal dentist on the cost and duration of the treatment. If you suffer from any medical condition, you need to be frank and discuss it with your dentist
Conclusion
The cost might be an important factor in deciding whether to go in for implants or root canals. Check with your insurance company where both these procedures are covered.