Root Canal Treatment (RCT) is considered a popular and predictable way to save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. During this procedure, the infected pulp from the root canal system of the tooth is completely removed; the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.
Similarly, a tooth, which has to be extracted nevertheless, has a new replacement option that mimics your natural tooth morphology through the Dental Implant.
Root Canal Treatment may become necessary approximately in 60 % of cases with Dental Caries, 19% with Damaged Filling, 13% with Apical Periodontitis arising post-treatment, and 6% with Dental Trauma.
A few reasons warranting the extraction of a compromised tooth and replacement with a Dental Implant include
- Fractured Dental Crown
- Badly decayed teeth that cannot be restored
- Root fracture with a large endodontic post, or root resorption
- Compromised Periodontal status of a tooth
Root Canal Treatment
With the rapid progress in digital dentistry, the prognosis of Root Canal Treatment has now become more predictable. Endodontic microscopes, Loupes, and newer bioreductive materials can provide a better prognosis for Endodontic surgical procedures or Root Canal Treatment.
Earlier, achieving total disinfection of the root canal system was a challenge. Now, a clinician can easily achieve complete disinfection of the root canal system with Lasers and Ultrasonic Irrigation Protocols.
RCT has now become less time-consuming and tension-free for both Dentists and patients. But both Non-surgical and Surgical Endodontic Retreatment Procedures have the possibility of a negative outcome, due to the presence of Apical Periodontitis and hence, the possibility of an unfavorable outcome should be discussed with the patient.
Dental implant
A Dental Implant is a root replacement anchored to the jawbone. A Dental Implant actually fuses or integrates with the bone and this process is referred to as Osseointegration. In most cases, it takes 2-6 months for a Dental Implant to osseointegrate with the bone.
The healing time depends upon the density of the bone; if the bone is denser, the integration will be quicker. After successful integration, a Dental Crown that simulates the patient’s normal tooth is fabricated and placed.
Implant Treatment carries the risk of ongoing periodontal and occlusal complications, particularly in the anterior teeth, which may compromise smile aesthetics. It has an “all or nothing” outcome; that is, if an Implant fails, the attached Crown will also fail.
RCT versus DENTAL IMPLANTS
Time and cost are the two vital factors influencing a patient’s decision to choose a Root Canal Treatment. The other influencing factors include patient expectations, dental and medical health status, regional anatomy, bone characteristics, prognosis, and risk associated with the treatment. If a Clinician is not competent in Implantology, he/she may refer a patient to a Specialist to make an informed choice about the ideal replacement option for the patient.
A simplified cost-benefit analysis of an Endodontic Treatment and a Single Tooth Implant Procedure concludes that a Root Canal Treatment, when it can be successfully done, is less expensive and entails fewer dental visits than a Dental Implant Therapy. A comparison of the prognosis of Implant Therapy and Endodontic Treatment is very difficult, due to the differences in the treatment procedures, possible outcomes, and complications.
When evaluating the success rates of both Endodontic Treatment and Implant Therapy, it is apparent that Endodontic Treatment is more promising and less invasive with fewer complications.
Conclusion
Root Canal Treatment is less time-consuming and a more promising treatment modality. For the successful placement of a Dental Implant, the adequate density of the bone is very vital. Irrespective of the popularity and many benefits of a Dental Implant, the choice of replacing a tooth with a Dental Implant should be considered second top reserving a natural tooth with Root Canal Therapy. In general practice, the outcome of an Endodontic Treatment is similar to that of Implant Therapy.