Root Canal vs. Dental Implant
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free skin care · Thu Aug 21, 2014 1:34 pm

Hello and good day!
I have one upper front tooth (eye tooth) that came in backward and as a result I have had a porcelain veneer on it for about 25 years now. This tooth has always had a recession of the gum on the back of the tooth. My latest visit to the hygienist for a cleaning brought to light that this tooth has died (didn't feel the cold test at all) and is also infected in the root, as seen on the xray. I apparently have 2 options: root canal or implant. I was wondering if anyone had any advice to offer - after perusing the internet (sometimes not the best idea!) and reading about root canal infections and 5 year 'lifespans', titanium vs. ceramic implant posts, implant infections I am at this point swimming in a number of thoughts....wanted to see if there was anyone with experience in dental matters with some information to share. At this point or up until this last cleaning, I have all my own teeth (no crowns, root canals etc.) and haven't had any issues with them.

free skin care · Thu Aug 21, 2014 2:21 pm

Hi myamax,

I am definitely not a dentist, but i had countless root canal cleanings in the past. I used to have really bad eating habits being a child and as a result had lots of problems with my teeth.

What i am saying is, root canal cleaning is not that bad. Make sure it is done by experienced doctor and soon you’ll forget you had it.
Nothing will change for you except you won’t have the infection anymore.
It will be still YOUR own tooth, while implant is not.

Another point: root canal will take an hour or two at max plus time to replace your porcelain veneer (in case they can't re-use the old one).

To install an implant you have to get your own tooth out, wait till the gum is healed, install the implant, wait till it becomes part of your bone, place back the porcelain tooth. Some times they skip the healing part and place the implant at the same day they remove the original teeth. But you’ve got the picture. The process will take months.

I hope this helps.
Good luck!

free skin care · Fri Aug 22, 2014 7:42 am

Having just had 2 root canals on my upper and lower left molars (with crowns put on them after) and an extraction on the upper right molar I can certainly sympathize with you.
The root canals and crowns were about 4400 and the implant were comparable in price at 4500.00, extraction and all.
Both are expensive but the root canals/crowns are a quicker process.
I had both root canals done and it took 3 and half hours for both. Then I waited 2 weeks and went in for my temporary crown on the lower molar. A week later I went back in and had the permanent crown put on. Repeat process for the upper molar.
For the implant, I had to have the molar extracted with a bone graft to strengthen it and wait 3 months for it to heal. Now I am going back in for the post implant. Then I wait a another few months to heal that and then have the porcelain tooth attached. A very long process!
Of course, every dental office is different depending on what they have in-house. Some can do it all!
Best of luck!

free skin care · Sun Aug 24, 2014 8:38 pm

Having had both, I would most definitely recommend a root canal over the implant. It allows you to preserve your natural tooth longer. I have root canals that have lasted over 20 years.

I had an implant done last year. Like YB and AnnieR have said, it's a real hassle and now I'm left with a persistent metallic taste from the implant.

Thu Sep 11, 2014 4:31 pm

I would definitely go for the implant - I have 3 and wouldn't have it any other way - I had 1 root canal and 3 years later had problems with it and ended up re- doing it - if you do the root canal there is a good chance an issue will come up again later- if you do the implant you do it 1 time and it will last forever

free skin care · Fri Sep 12, 2014 6:19 am

And sometimes with after the root canal there is no choice if the tooth is cracked or a root splits. Then they have to come back and pull it if it cannot be filled or have a crown on it.
Your dentist should be able to determine what would be the best solution long term based on the condition of the tooth.
Good luck!

free skin care · Fri Sep 19, 2014 8:43 pm

Hi again everyone - I had the root canal done as 2 dentists agreed it is an easy RC to perform and thought it would therefore have a good chance for success. I am, however, at present fighting with a slight infection in my gum at that area so am waiting to see how things turn out in another week or two. Thank you for your input

For those of you with implants, I was reading (on the internet!) about titanium vs. ceramic posts...anyone have an opinion/experience on either of these? Simply thinking ahead here as to what my next move is should the root infection not clear up. Cheers!

free skin care · Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:17 am

Interesting, may have to look into that.
I have put off having the implant as I have heard some have issues with the metallic taste.
Hope your infection clears up soon. I had a full course of antibiotics to get mine to clear up but it worked.

free skin care · Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:55 am

Most implants have 3 parts (although there are 2 part options as well). There is the screw that goes into your jawbone. The abutment that fits into the screw and the crown that goes on top. Good example here http://www.aaid-implant.org/about-dental-implants/what-are-dental-implants/

I have a titanium screw, a ceramic zirconia abutment and a porcelain crown. The abutment could also have been titanium. I choose zirconia in an attempt to eliminate the metallic taste even though the zirconia is weaker. My doctor stressed "no ice chewing on that side or it could crack". Unfortunately I still suffer from metallic taste. The oral surgeon and dentist think I'm a bit super sensitive because "in all their other patients the metallic taste goes away". Well it's been a year and I still have it. I have a gold crown immediately next to the implant. That will be swapped in an attempt to eliminate the taste.

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