THE FIELD OF endodontics has gotten better and better at saving teeth over the last several decades, and will continue to do so with advancements in technology and medical research, but why do we fight so hard to save teeth when we could just replace them? Many reasons!
1. Natural teeth are better at healing.
A body part needs a strong blood supply to heal effectively, but dental implant surgery can weaken the blood supply in the area, slowing tissue generation and increasing the risk of scarring. When a tooth is saved through root canal treatment, the original blood supply remains intact!
2. An implant can fail.
Our immune systems are sometimes too good at their jobs, which is where food allergies come from and why organ transplants can fail. In rare cases, a dental implant can also fail if the body mistakes it for a harmful foreign object. The supporting structures around it can break down as a result.
3. A different form of gum disease.
Any gum tissue can develop gum disease, but it’s different around an implant. Implants lack the physical barrier against bacteria that real teeth have, so the gums around them can develop peri-implant mucositis, which can be harder to manage than gingivitis. If left unchecked, it can become peri-implantitis, which usually requires surgery.
