Root Canals vs. Implants: Which Treatment Is Best?

When there’s something seriously wrong with one of your teeth, your dentist often chooses one of two treatments: a root canal or a dental implant. A recent review found those treatments achieved virtually equal success when it comes to the survival of the treated tooth or implant.^1,2

The review, published in a 2007 supplement to the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, looked at 68 related studies and found no significant differences in the survival of compromised teeth that had either been restored with root canal therapy followed by a crown or replaced by a single tooth implant.²

That means the decision to treat a tooth with a root canal or replace it with an implant should be based on such factors as the complexity of your case, your individual health, or your preference.¹

¹ “Dental Implants and Root Canals.” American Association of Endodontists, 2008. www.aae.org/patients/pressroom/ImplantRelease.htm Accessed 2008.

² “For Teeth Requiring Endodontic Treatment, What Are the Differences in Outcomes of Restored Endodontically Treated Teeth Compared to Implant-Supported Restorations?” M.K. Iqbal and S. Kim. The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants. 2007, vol. 22, supplement, pp. 96–116.