Hi, it's Mia Armonde here to talk to you about family dentistry. As my small family grew into a large one, I found myself at the dental office on a regular basis. Every six months, the kids would go into the dentist for a cleaning or repairs to their teeth. During that time, I took an interest in the various ways the dental tools were evolving. Tools used in the dental industry have grown in leaps and bounds in the last few decades. For example, my kids went from hearing the dental drill to wearing headphones that completely canceled out the sound. Each time we go back into the dentist, I take a close look at the improvements that have arisen since the last visit. The results are astounding. I will cover my findings on this site, so you can also enjoy the improvements to dental tools and techniques.
People with poor teeth are often faced with a difficult question: try to save the tooth with a root canal or simply replace it with a dental implant. Read the following information to see which of these procedure is right for you.
The Process Behind Each
Root canals are designed to save the tooth by eliminating its damaged roots and replacing them with artificial filler. This helps the tooth stay in your mouth longer and can even eliminate some dental pain. Dental implants are the literal implant of an artificial tooth to replace a removed tooth.
Potential Health Problems
Like any health procedure, root canals and dental implants are associated with certain health risks. For example, the scariest health problem associated with root canals is bacterial infection. When this happens, you may experience a wide range of health problems, including infections and severe heart problems.
However, that's not to say that dental implants are 100% safe. Sometimes, the body may be allergic to the titanium used in many implants. However, other problems associated with dental implants include gum disease, inflammation, and physical damage to your gums.
Clearly, there are health risks associated with both root canals and dental implants. Unfortunately, there have been cases of death after root canal surgery, though the exact connection between the two is sometimes uncertain.
Cost Investment
Neither root canals or dental implants are particularly cheap. For example, the average cost of a single dental implant is $4,250. And while dental implants are often covered by dental insurance plans, they may only cover about 10% of the total cost. That's because they are often classified as a "cosmetic" procedure.
By contrast, root canals are relatively inexpensive: costs of about $700-$900 are commonly associated with the procedure. And insurance often covers root canals entirely because they are a more established procedure than dental implants.
Average Lifespan
Last, but certainly not least, is the lifespan of each procedure. After all, you don't want either of these treatments failing on you. The good news is that both can seemingly last for a very long time.
For example, the American Dental Association has reported that dental implants can last a lifetime, as long as they are properly cared for via brushing, flossing, and regular dental inspection.
By contrast, root canals can only tenuously be considered a lifelong procedure. For example, teeth treated by root canals are more brittle and prone to fracture. Remember: root canal teeth are generally considered "dead teeth." This means they are likely going to be more prone to dental problems, such as decay.
As you can see, there are major advantages and disadvantages to both procedures. While dental implants do seem to have an edge, it's probably best to talk to your dentist first to decide which is right for you.
For more information about these procedures, contact a dental clinic such as Tijeras Dental Service.
Share16 September 2015
