Reviewed by Dr. Kerri Font, DDS
Reading time: four minutes.
When you have a severely damaged or infected tooth, the first priority is to save it whenever possible.
Root canal therapy is often the best way to preserve your natural tooth. However, if a tooth cannot be saved due to extensive damage or infection, replacing it with a dental implant may become the recommended solution.
In this blog, we break down root canal vs implant, explaining when each option makes sense and what factors help determine the best choice for your situation.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Root Canal?
- What Is a Dental Implant?
- How Dentists Determine the Best Treatment
- Dental Implants in Highlands Ranch, CO
- FAQs
Key Takeaway
If a tooth can be saved, root canal therapy is typically the preferred option. When a tooth is beyond repair, a dental implant provides a reliable, long-term replacement. Your dentist will recommend the best approach based on the condition of the tooth and surrounding bone.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that treats infection inside a tooth to preserve its structure. During the procedure, the dentist removes the damaged pulp tissue from the root canals, thoroughly cleans and disinfects the area, and seals the tooth to prevent future infection.
In most cases, a dental crown is placed afterward to restore the tooth’s strength and function.
Root canal therapy allows patients to keep their natural tooth and avoid extraction, maintaining normal biting and chewing function and helping to preserve jawbone health.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant replaces a missing or severely damaged tooth entirely. It involves the surgical placement of a titanium post into your jaw bone, which acts as an artificial tooth root.
Once it integrates with the bone, a dental crown is attached to the post to create a fully functional and natural-looking artificial tooth.
Dental implants are a permanent solution for tooth loss and offer long-term benefits for oral health when proper care is taken.
Implant vs. Root Canal: Which is Right For You
After understanding what each procedure involves, the main question becomes whether your tooth can still be saved.
- Root canal therapy is ideal when the natural tooth structure is healthy enough to preserve after removing the infection.
- Dental implants are recommended when a tooth is too damaged or compromised to restore.
Both treatments have high long-term success rates when performed properly and supported with good oral care. Your dentist will evaluate your specific situation, including the health of the tooth, bone support, and your overall oral health, before recommending the best option.
How Dentists Determine the Best Treatment
The decision between root canal therapy and a dental implant is made based on the condition of the tooth, not patient preference alone.
If a root canal is a viable option, your general dentist or endodontist will aim to preserve the natural tooth. If the tooth cannot be saved, it may need to be extracted and replaced. In that case, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist or oral surgeon for implant placement.
Key factors include:
- The extent of infection or structural damage
- Health of surrounding gum and bone tissue
- Long-term success potential of root canal therapy
- Overall oral health and risk factors (e.g., periodontal disease)
Preserving your natural tooth is always the first goal. When that’s not possible, implants offer a highly functional and lasting alternative.
The goal is always to save the natural tooth whenever possible. However, when preservation is not possible, dental implants provide a strong, long-term solution to restore oral function and protect your smile.
Dental Implants in Highlands Ranch, CO
If your tooth cannot be saved and a dental implant is recommended, our team at Highlands Ranch Periodontics & Implant Center is here to help. Our periodontists specialize in the surgical placement of dental implants and can restore stability, function, and confidence to your smile.
Contact us today to schedule a dental implant consultation and find out if a dental implant is the right solution for your needs.
To book a consultation at our periodontal clinic in Highlands Ranch, CO, call (303) 683-1144 or visit us at 9090 S Ridgeline Blvd. #225, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129.
FAQs
If the tooth can be saved and restored, preserving it is typically the best option. Keeping your natural tooth helps maintain bite function, jawbone health, and overall alignment. An implant is recommended when a tooth is too damaged to repair successfully.
Dental implants require a surgical procedure and a longer healing period compared to other treatments. They also tend to be more expensive upfront, and not all dental insurance plans provide full coverage. In rare cases, complications like implant failure or bone loss can occur if proper care is not maintained.
If the infection has caused severe damage to the tooth structure or surrounding bone, or if the tooth has fractured below the gumline, it may no longer be possible to restore it. In these cases, removing the tooth and replacing it becomes the more predictable long-term solution.
Whenever possible, saving your natural tooth is the preferred choice. Natural teeth provide the best function and feel. However, if the damage is too extensive, an implant is a strong, durable option that can restore both appearance and bite stability.