If you have a tooth that is experiencing high levels of decay, or that has a damaged pulp, you are going to have to decide if you want to save the tooth via a root canal or if you want to have the tooth pulled and have a dental implant put in its place. Here are two things to consider to help you decide what the best option is for you.

#1 Saving The Tooth

When it comes to your dental health, generally, it is best to try to save your teeth. Saving your teeth allows you to keep your natural teeth in your mouth for as long as possible, which helps maintain the integrity of the other teeth in your mouth and helps the health of your gum and jaw bone.

Many people have root canals performed on teeth and then do not experience further issues with that tooth; however, a very small number of individuals eventually need a re-treat on a root canal. A re-treat is essentially where a second root canal is performed to remove additional dead or diseased pulp from your tooth and generally happens years after your first root canal. 

#2 Strong Jaw & Gums

Second, if you are considering removing the tooth instead of treating it, you need to take into consideration the health of your jaw bone and your gums. A dental implant is a fake tooth that is literally drilled into the bone in your mouth in order to stay anchored in place. If you have health issues that affect your jaw bone, it may make more sense to try to treat the tooth first. If your jaw bone is weak, it may not be the best candidate for a dental implant.

The same is true with your gums. If you suffer from gum disease, you may have to fight against an infection after you have your tooth removed. You would need to improve the overall health of your gums before a new tooth could be implanted.

In order to be a good candidate for a dental implant after having an infected tooth pulled, your bones and gum need to be in good health. If they are not healthy, it may be smarter to have a root canal performed so you can first save the damaged tooth and then work on improving your overall dental health. 

Having a root canal performed will help save your tooth and potentially improve your overall dental health. Additionally, a dental implant is usually only a better option than a root canal to treat a damaged tooth if your jaw and gums are healthy; without a healthy jaw and gums, treating your tooth can be problematic. Keep the two tips above in mind, and also speak to your dentist to get a better idea of what the best step forward is for your particular situation.