When it comes to replacing teeth, the general consensus is that it's better to keep your natural teeth. However, there are certain circumstances where getting a dental implant may be the better option. Endodontic treatments, such as root canals, can be used to save a tooth, but if they fail, then an implant may be the best solution. It's important to consider the long-term economic impact of both options, as well as the success rates of each treatment. The success rate of dental implants is known to be over 95%, but there is still a small chance that the implant will not heal in the jaw.
If the problematic tooth has already been treated with endodontics, then it may be worth considering an implant instead of attempting another endodontic treatment. Tooth extraction is irreversible, but implants can last for decades and have their own advantages and disadvantages. When deciding between saving natural teeth or extracting and placing implants, it's important to consider the long-term economic impact on the patient, as well as the long-term success rates of treatment. Both implants and periodontal therapy to save natural teeth have high initial success rates, and implants often incur initial costs. However, if we consider long-term retention rates, natural teeth tend to have fewer complications and have a lower economic impact when they need to be corrected. It's also important to remember that getting a dental implant requires careful consideration and should only be done if restorative dental treatment would leave teeth so damaged that they would become unusable.
Additionally, if you do decide to get an implant, you must take good care of it in order for it to last.
