An infected tooth is a painful experience and should not be neglected. Depending on tooth prognosis, people can choose two methods or treatments to restore normal dental functioning – A root canal and extraction. The latter leaves a gap in the dental arch, which can be filled with a dental implant.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
When the decay in a tooth has penetrated the pulp contained within the tooth, it needs more than cleaning. At our dental clinic near you, our dentist will empty the root canal of the infected pulp, clean and disinfect it, and then fill it with a composite resin material called Gutta Percha. Sometimes, our dentist in West Edmonton might put a permanent crown to seal the tooth. This entire procedure is called a root canal.
The process of undergoing root canal therapy takes less time than dental implants. It can take only one day if you go for a same-day crown. The success rate for this treatment is good if the prognosis is correctly done. The best part about this method is that the natural tooth is preserved, and no extraction is required.
WHEN IS A ROOT CANAL RECOMMENDED?
It is not always possible to have root canal therapy performed on your tooth to eliminate the infection. The first thing our dentist will check when you go for our root canal treatment near you is whether the tooth has sufficient structure to withstand the treatment. As it is an invasive procedure, a tooth that has lost most of its structure due to decay or infection may be unable to stand the treatment.
DENTAL IMPLANTS
When tooth decay has destroyed the tooth so much that an extraction is necessary, or when a tooth is lost in an accident or injury, our dental clinic in Edmonton may advise you to go for a dental implant. Under this procedure, a dental post is installed inside the jawbone to replace the actual tooth structure, followed by an abutment and restoration or crown on top to seal it. Over time, the post fuses with the jawbone to replace the root in osseointegration.
There are many benefits of dental implants. It is a permanent solution, as this treatment can last as long as the other natural teeth. The dental post inserted into the jawbone stimulates it to promote bone growth. Maintaining a dental implant is easier and less cumbersome than dentures or bridges.
WHEN ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS RECOMMENDED?
A dental implant is a perfect action when a tooth has lost substantial structure, and a root canal is no longer viable. Sometimes people prefer to go for implants even when a root canal might be able to solve the problem in the hope of a permanent solution. Also, dental implants can be considered when time is not a constraint, as the procedure takes a few months to complete.
If you are looking for a clinic to perform a dental implant or root canal near you, these factors will have a definite role in your decision, although our dentist is in the best position to guide you.
- Tooth prognosis – The treatment largely depends on whether the tooth needs extraction. Dental implants can be done only after tooth extraction.
- Durability – Dental implants are the definite choice if you are looking for a permanent solution. A root canal may sometimes relapse if not performed properly.
- Time – A root canal is a faster process than dental implants. The procedure can be done in as little as one day.
- Originality – A root canal allows you to retain your natural tooth.