Root canal or implant , which one is better?- By Dr Amir Mostofi DDS, Dip. MSc

Many people some times come to a point when they should choose between an option of root canal treatment or perhaps option of extraction of a tooth and later replacing the missing tooth by an implant. The question is which one is a better, more long lasting, less trouble some and cheaper option? Like many times in life there is no straight forward and easy answer to this, however, I try to out line the main differences in here.

First point that a lot patients ask me, is how long each one lost? The life span of an implant depends on many different factors but the most important factor is place in the mouth where an implant is inserted. Usually implants at upper or lower front part of a mouth last longest and implants at upper molar region last less. There are several studies that shows 85% - 95% of implants survive up to 15 years. The survival rate for root canals is also dependent on a tooth position in mouth. Front teeth as they have less number of roots are more successful than molar teeth. On average 90% of root canal treatments are successful in a 15 year period.

From a cost point of view a root canal with a restoration at the top , cost less in comparative to an extraction plus implant and a crown at the top of implant.

Time wise a root canal with restoration is completed in much shorter time compare to extraction , waiting for healing period, implant insertion, waiting for implant integration with bone and later fitting a crown at the top of implant.

As a general rule my first recommendation to our patients is a root canal. However, there are cases where performing a root canal is not a good option and considering for an implant becomes a better choice.

Making Dentistry Affordable - Payment Plans

Want high quality dental treatment but are worried about the costs?

If so then look no further because we have payment plans to help suit you! We have interest free finance for those one offs either over 6 or 10 months. We also have a denplan payment plan which is a monthly payment plan for longer term planning.

Our plans are easy to sign up for and our higly trained nurses/recepton can tell you more information and guide you through the application process.

No more NHS dental treatment. You can finally afford that high quality private treatment you've always wanted. We can finance all of our treatments such as the following.

• Implants
• Dentures
• Fillings
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Teeth Whitening
• Home Visits
• Extractions
• Root Canal Treatments

Invisalign - Clear braces

What is Invisalign/clear aligners?

Aligners are thin clear flexible plastic ‘mouthguards’ which fit closely over the teeth. A series of aligners are used to move the teeth incrementally according to a treatment plan developed by the orthodontist. Aligner appliances are ideally suited to adult patients whose life-style or work commitments make it difficult for them to wear more visible conventional fixed appliances.

When can Invisalign/aligners be used?

Aligners are most commonly used in cases needing alignment of teeth without extractions. Routine aligner treatments include:

• Mild-moderate dental irregularity
• Crowding which can be corrected with mild-moderate expansion of the dental arch
• Crowding which can be corrected with reductions in tooth width (Inter-proximal reduction or slenderising)
• Mild spacing

Do I need aligners for both top and bottom teeth if I only want one straightened?

Changes in teeth crowding and spacing affect your bite, so to make sure your bite isn’t affected, our dentist likes to assess both arches and more often than not treat both arches at the same time to achieve the perfect results for your perfect smile.

How long does the treatment take?

The typical treatment length for aligners is around 5 months. The typical person will receive a series of 5 invisible aligners that need to be changed every 3 weeks or so. Some patients will receive slightly more or less aligners. This depends on the degree of teeth straightening required.

Payment Plans

We do have interest free payment plans avaliable in order to spread the cost.

In order to get urther information please visit our page for Invsalign here.

Dementia Awareness - Dementia Friendly Dental Practice

Dementia awareness among dentistry is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, we as a surgery have decided to take the necessary steps to work towards being a dementia friendly practice.

We are doing this by:

• Joining the Alzheimers Societies Dementia Awareness programme - Meaning we are Dementia Friends
• We have conducted an audit to look for any shortcomings in the way we run our practice
• We have an action plan to move foward
• We are looking into joining Worthings Dementia Action Alliance
• We have had recent training in how dementia affects people
• We will continue to update on how we have improved our practice to aid people with dementia and their carers/family members feel more comfortable while they are with us.

Implant Procedure - Final Step - Fitting the Crown

This is the final step of the procedure.

A few weeks after the impressions usually about 2 weeks you will be asked to come back to have the final fit of the crown. During this appointment the clinician will try in the crown or bridge that has been sent back from the laboratory. They will initially just try it in and ensure it doesn't need any major changes. If they are happy with that then they will proceed to either cement retain the crown or to screw it in to permenantly place it.

The clinician will then check the bite and ensure that you are fully happy with it. Once everyone is satisfied you will be then finished.

GDPR

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Thank you for you co-operation.

Implant Procedure - Step 3 - Taking Impressions

This is the stage that will begin the procedure for making the crown to finish the implant.

Firstly, the implantologist will select an impression tray that matches your personal mouth size so it is the most comfortable.

Following this, the implantologist will place a special abutment into the implant which the impression will go round and show the laboratory exactly how the implant has been placed and give them a good idea on how to make the crown.

Then, they will have their nurse mix the impression material and place it into the tray. The nurse will then pass that to the implantologist and place it into your mouth. This is uncomfortable for many patients but the best thing to do is just breathe through your nose and focus on your breathing and not whats going on.

After this, they will unscrew the abutment so that the impression comes out. They will then send this to a laboratory where they will make the crown to fit on your implant.

Implant Procedure Step 2 - Placing the implant - Part 2

Once the pilot hole has been made then the implantologist will use drill pieces of increasing sizes to slowly made the hole bigger. This allows the implantologist to slowly increase the length and width until they are happy with the size.

During the increasing sizes a thread will be made in the bone so that the implant will be able to be screwed in easily. Some implants can be self-tapping which means that they create there own space to fit.

Once the implantologist is happy they will often place a direction indicator in the pre-made hole this is just to assess what direction that the implant will be. They may also take x-rays with drill pieces in the hole as they are going along this is to make sure that everything is going as best it can and so that they can measure accurately.

Once they are happy with the size they will then screw in the implant. The implantologist here prefers to use a little wrench a do it by hand as he feels he gets the best results that way. However, some implantologists will use a machine that measures everthing for them.

Implant Procedure Step 2 - Placing the Implant Part 1

This is the stage that the actual implant placement will take place. This can be from a week after the investigation to a few months (if there has been an extraction).

This is quite a lenghty appointment. Usually, we will book an implant for 3 hours and it takes 30 minutes to set up for the procedure. However, don't be put off by the length of time that the appointment is sometimes it can take a much shorter time it is just given to ensure there is no rush. The procedure is a very stop start procedure. This means that the implantologist will work a little then stop for a bit; possibly to take x-rays or prepare for the next stage, and then continue to work.

During the placement the Implantologist will start off by creating a space for the implant to be placed into. This means that the implantologist will begin with a pilot drill to give a starting point as to where the implant will be placed. If a surgical guide was made then this would be used to accurately place the pilot hole.

Implant Procedure Step 1 - Investigation

The initial stage for having an implant done is the investigation. This stage is where the implantologist will go through options with you, take x-rays and photographs and start to plan exactly where the implants will be placed.

During this stage sometimes the implantologist will request that you have a 'surgical guide' made. This is like a denture that is clear and has holes drilled into it. This assists the implantologist when placing the implants to improve accuracy.

They may also request that you have a CBCT scan done. This allows them to use special programs on their computers to plan and place implants. This means that they have an even better idea of the best place to insert the implant to ensure the highest success rate.

Fixed Retainers

These consist of a thin stainless-steel wire, which is permanently bonded behind the front teeth.

We usually fit your fixed retainers as soon as your braces are removed.

When you have this type of retainer you must try to be careful when brushing it and ensure you clean it thoroughly.

Like the other two types of retainers these serve the same purpose to help keep the teeth in the same position that they have been moved to.

An example of a fixed retainer before fitting 

Essix Retainers

These have the same function as the Hawley retainer to ensure the treatment of braces in not reversed after they are removed.

However, these are usually favoured due to them being made of a clear plastic and are more aesthetically pleasing.

They also cover the entire arch of the teeth not just portions like other retainers.

An example of an Essix retainer

Hawley Retainers

The first that I would like to have a look at is the Hawley retainer.

This retainer is the most well-known retainer. They are usually made of an acrylic base with a bendable wire that will surround the front teeth to correct them.

It was named after its inventor Dr Charles A. Hawley.

It is used to ‘tweak your teeth and keep them in place so the procedure is not reversed after braces have been removed.

An example of a Hawley retainer

Orthodontic Retainers

We provide three different types of retainers. They are the Hawley, essix and fixed retainers. Over the next four posts I will explain each retainer individually. First, I would like to just explain a little in general.

What are retainers?

A retainer is a custom-made, removable or fixed appliance that helps teeth maintain their new position after braces have been removed. Retainers can also be used to treat minor orthodontic problems

What do we do here and why?

Here at Provident Dental we do all sorts of orthodontic cases from minor ones that can be fixed using a retainer to full comprehensive brackets. We do this with the overall aim to improve a patient’s wellbeing. The aim of orthodontics is to not only better the patients bite and teeth but to also improve their general self-confidence and make them feel better about themselves.

Come in and Dr Mostofi will examine your bite and see which suits you best.

Also remember if you loose or break your retainer you will need a new one as soon as possible to ensure the treatment isn't reversed.

Dental crowns