Implanting a tooth instead of root canal

I just had a implant tooth done and I look back to about 10 years ago when I had a root canal done to that same tooth. I was told then that I should do the root canal but I really don't remember why an implant would or would not have been better. Seeing that the costs are about the same I'm just wondering if anyone knows why an implant would have been a better way to spend my money on. I just would think that getting an implant should have been a better way to have done it because now after 10 years I have to go back and remove the tooth and place an implant there because the tooth developed an infection and was causing other problems as well. That means twice as much money spent for the same problem since I went the root canal way back 10 years ago.

So what are your suggestions as to what is a better way to do this procedure? :shrug:

 

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I found a very good and highly reputable dentist that did my implant for 2000.00 but some dentists that I went to get an estimate from charged between 3500.00 and 4500.00 only because they can get it not because it is any different than the one I had done. The procedure only took 30 minutes to do and I felt little pain but had Novocain used to numb my gums. I have a temp tooth there now but when all is healed I will have a permanent crown put on.

 

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They are free here (root canals) and I'm sure implants are nowhere near $5k.

/gloat

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Too bad they found out that root canals dont last. Was a good idea, unfortunately the dead tooth breaks.

 

Mine used a piece of synthetic bone or cadaver bone to fill the gap in my bone to have enough material for the graft to hold onto. He also screwed the post into that graft to insure that they will join together properly as time goes by. By having the graft done at the same time as the post insertions he saved a step and thereby reduced the amount of surgery needed to have this implant done in the shortest time possible without sacrificing another unnecessary surgery.

 

Great thread. Thanks for the information. I'm considering some implants but haven't started shopping. I have to see if any of my dental coverage will apply and find the right dentist. Did you go in and talk to several dentists or did you have recommendations from friends, or what?

 

I just went to several dentists after mine gave me the first amount of what it would cost and how he would do it. Then I just looked around for other implant specialists to get their opinions before I decided on the one that was the cheapest because he did the exact same thing , as he told me, that the others were going to do. Doesn't make sense if everything is the same to throw away money just because you know your dentist. Sometimes checking around makes you see things much differently. Good luck on finding a good one.

 

Has anyone checked on prices at the dental college. I asked a dentist that charged $3500.00 per implant and she said in a very low hard to hear voice $600.00 per implant and that was about a year ago. For those of you that think you wouldn't want a dental student working on your teeth think again. I have a friend that changed to the dental college and she said the work was better than the dentist that charged her 4 times as much and they always use state of the art equipment.

 

But if they make a mistake they can't be held liable, you sign an agreement not to sue them if they do the work with students. At least that's what I've been told.

 

The student will be close to graduation and always has a dentist professor checking his work. You are less likely to have a mistake made than you would by a regular dentist having a bad day. Anyway, I only mentioned it because the dentists in private practice charge 5 to 6 times as much and some of us without any dental insurance are short on any other options. Even if I had the money, I think they are price gouging and I don't like it.

 

Well let's see, I've had cataract surgery, excess bone removed from my right elbow and my appendix removed before it broke. I would consider all of those more complex than an implant, that only requires they screw in a post for the artificial tooth to be fixed to. I just don't see implants as being all that complicated.

 

Thanks again. I have some gum and bone loss that will probably result in another tooth loss in a year. I don't know if I would be better off to wait for that sad outcome or go for an implant before the current situation plays out :shrug:.

 

However you play it is probably okay, If cost is a concern it's probably better to spread it out as much as possible. Plus if you get one done you will know if that's the way you want to go for any others that come along whenever.

 

They had to graft bone onto an area that was lacking bone on my jawbone. That graft needs to be done so that it grafts properly where it is needed to be and if not the post won't set correctly and they have to start all over again and that's not fun.

 

Well cosmic, you seem to be an exception here. But I would still check the dental college. I'm pretty sure they would refer you if they couldn't handle it, and if they could handle it. It would save you a bundle. If you don't need to save a bundle then by all means go to the best reputation you can find. Also, I know what you mean when bone surgery is involved. That's got to be the most painful surgery you can have.