Dental Surgeon Implant or Root Canal?

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are long-lasting tooth replacements that involve placing a titanium post in your jawbone, upon which a new tooth is secured, for a natural appearance and a perfectly functioning restored tooth. Unlike dentures, dental implants do not slip or shift. They are anchored in place and look, feel, and function like the rest of your natural teeth.

Click Here to Learn More About Dental Implants >>

How Do Dental Implants Work?

Dental implants are one of the most exciting and successful dental procedures developed in modern dentistry, and the technology of implant placement continues to advance.

Dr. Han is one of San Diego’s top dental implant specialists, recognized as being among the finest implant dentists in the area. He employs the most modern and effective techniques to achieve excellent results in tooth restoration with implants. A tooth implant can restore a lost tooth, a superior way to restore your smile. Once in place, you treat your new tooth exactly like your other teeth – it is there, secure, for the long term.

What is the Implant Procedure?

Placing dental implants involves a three-part procedure:

• Titanium-grade anchor is fused with the jaw bone
• A specially designed and fitted crown is created
• Crown is placed securely above the titanium post

What is the Recovery of a Dental Implant Like?

Some minor discomfort is common at the dental implant site, and it is generally treated with over-the-counter pain medications. Besides discomfort, the following should be taken into consideration during the first 24 hours of your recovery:

• Blood will ooze from the surgical site for a short period
• Soft foods are recommended within the first couple of hours to protect the new implant
• Resume regular hygienic practices (brushing teeth, flossing), but avoid sutures and implant

Am I a Candidate for a Dental Implant?

Anyone who has lost a tooth is a viable candidate for a dental implant. After all, we all want radiant smiles, and a missing tooth can be embarrassing and troublesome. Some patients may require a more extensive procedure to build up jawbone structure prior to undergoing the implant procedure. A personal evaluation can determine whether a dental implant will be successful for you.

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is the extraction of the inflamed or infected pulp inside a decaying tooth. To better understand the process of a root canal, let’s illustrate the anatomy of a tooth in three parts:

• Enamel is the outermost layer of your tooth and it forms the crown of your tooth
• Dentin is the second protective layer beneath the enamel, which rests directly on top of the pulp
• Pulp is the innermost layer of your tooth, and it contains blood vessels and veins that could become inflamed or infected

How do Root Canals Work?

Root canals begin with access to the inner structure achieved by drilling into the crown of the affected tooth. From there, the canals (the several root structures of the tooth within the jaw) are cleared of debris and bacteria and pulp. After the pulp is removed, the canals are cleaned and filled.

What is the Recovery of a Root Canal Like?

After your root canal procedure, Dr. Han will schedule an appointment where he fits you with a composite filling on the tooth structure, or a crown. This ensures the protection of your new root canal that matches your tooth color, appearing natural. You will feel discomfort at the root canal site, but this discomfort fades in about three days from the procedure.

Am I a Candidate for a Root Canal?

Not all tooth pain is associated with the inflammation or infection of a tooth’s pulp, but the following could be signs that you are in need of a root canal:

• • Lingering sensitivity after eating cool or hot foods
  • Toothache
  • Feeling pain after placing pressure on the tooth
  • Swelling or pustules on the gums near the tooth