RCT Versus Implant

The outcomes of both dental implants and endodontically treated teeth have been extensively
studied. However, there is still great controversy over when to keep a natural tooth and when to
extract it for a dental implant.
So, what should you do? Keep reading to learn more about these procedures.

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

• A root canal is the treatment of choice for teeth whose roots have been damaged, whether by trauma or decay.
• The dentist will numb your tooth before creating an opening through the crown of your tooth to access the pulp chamber.
• Then, he or she will clean out the infection and remove any unhealthy pulp to prep the tooth for the filler.
• A material known as gutta-percha, are placed into the canals to prevent future infection or contamination.
• You’ll get a temporary filling until a permanent one (called a crown) can be placed on your tooth to seal the opening.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

• Some dentists are recommending dental implants to patients with severely damaged teeth.
• Rather than try to restore the tooth, the dentist would simply extract it and replace the hole with an artificial tooth via an implant.
• During the procedure, the root of the tooth is replaced with a titanium implant.
• The implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone where it will embed and become part of the jaw.
• A crown is then placed into the implant. The time frame for completing the dental implant process will depend on several factors.
• The traditional method requires two steps — at the first appointment, the implants placed, then take a few months to heal.
• The crowns (the part that looks like a tooth) will be placed at a second appointment. However, some surgeons can complete the process in one visit.

In dentistry, saving a natural tooth is always the best and preferred option of dental professionals because there is nothing better about preserving a person’s oral health than their natural teeth.

While implants have their medical need and are generally safe procedures, there is no dispute that there is a higher chance of infection when embedding a foreign substance into a person’s mouth.

CONCLUSION– The patient’s preference is of fundamental importance. Some patients prefer not to have extractions at all costs while others avoid high-risk treatments and prefer low-risk options. It is the dentist’s responsibility to keep the tooth or replace it with an implant.

Dr. Megha Gupta

Consultant Endodontist