Sillim Dental Clinic: If You’re Curious About How the Decision Between Root Canal Treatment and Implants Is Made <Click>

Hello,

I’m Dr. Park Jeong-gi, Director of Seoul Remember, Sillim Dental Clinic.

When patients come to the hospital for a routine checkup or because of sudden tooth pain, I think many of them are curious about the diagnosis and treatment plan they hear from the medical staff.

In particular, when they hear,

"You need root canal treatment"

or

"You need an implant after extraction"

it is natural to wonder why that decision was made and whether there are other options.

At Sillim Dental Clinic, one of the questions patients often ask in the treatment room is,

"Do we really have to do it this way?"

I think this is not just simple curiosity, but a reasonable question about their dental health and the treatment process ahead.^^

So if you have any questions, please ask in advance, and make sure you fully understand the treatment before proceeding.

Today, at Sillim Dental Clinic, I’d like to explain the criteria used to decide between root canal treatment and implants.

2022.06.10 / 2023.09.29

Key Criteria for Deciding Between Root Canal Treatment and Implants

1. Evaluation of the tooth’s structural condition

From the perspective of Sillim Dental Clinic, the first thing considered is how much of the tooth’s remaining structure is left.

If decay has destroyed a significant part of the tooth, we need to evaluate whether it can still function properly even after root canal treatment.

If more than 50% of the healthy tooth tissue has been damaged, even placing a crown after root canal treatment leaves the long-term prognosis uncertain.

Also, if the decay has progressed all the way to the root apex, or if the tooth has fractured below the gumline, extraction followed by an implant is considered.

This is because overly aggressive efforts to preserve the tooth can actually cause bigger problems.

2022.06.10

And of course, if there was no natural tooth there in the first place, that goes without saying.

2. The health of the periodontal tissues

Even if the tooth itself is healthy, if the bone supporting it is severely damaged, there is no point in trying to preserve it.

If a large amount of alveolar bone has been lost due to periodontitis, even after root canal treatment, looseness may persist and extraction may eventually become necessary.

On the other hand, if the periodontal tissues are healthy and the root length is sufficient, then even if the crown is badly damaged, function can often be restored adequately with a prosthetic restoration.

3. The patient’s age and overall health condition

At Sillim Dental Clinic, if the patient is young, we try to preserve the natural tooth as much as possible.

For patients in their 20s or 30s, even if the success rate is expected to be around 60–70%, it may still be worth trying.

However, for older patients or those with systemic diseases, implants, which are a more definitive solution, are often recommended.

4. Relationship with adjacent teeth

At Sillim Dental Clinic, the condition of the surrounding oral structures is also considered an important decision-making factor.

If the teeth on both sides also need crowns, it may be more efficient to extract the middle tooth and place a three-unit bridge.

Conversely, if the adjacent teeth are all healthy, it is better to consider root canal treatment or an implant rather than removing healthy teeth to make a bridge.

2022.06.10

Today at Sillim Dental Clinic as well, there was a case involving a missing molar, multiple caries, and secondary decay under a prosthesis, which required multiple treatments.

In the end, we established criteria based on the doctor’s treatment philosophy and completed the appropriate solution for each area.

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2023.09.29

As the empty spaces were filled, both sides became evenly balanced and harmonious.

The esthetic concerns caused by wear near the cervical area and multiple areas of decay, which had looked unsightly before, were also resolved.

From the perspective of Seoul Remember in Sillim,

the most difficult part of dental treatment is that, in most cases, there is not just one "correct answer."

Even for teeth in the same condition, a different treatment plan may be established depending on the doctor’s treatment philosophy and experience.

A doctor who prefers a conservative approach may suggest trying root canal treatment even if the chances of success are low, while a doctor who prioritizes a more definitive outcome may recommend an implant.

So if multiple teeth have problems and a comprehensive plan is needed, it is important to choose a place that has a consistent treatment philosophy and takes a systematic approach.

If the plan changes frequently during treatment, or if only temporary measures are repeated, it can end up costing more time and money in the long run.

Above all, it is important to explain transparently how the plan was determined and to find the best plan while fully considering the patient’s situation and needs.

Rather than simply choosing a place that is cheap or only promises fast treatment,

please choose a clinic that can be responsible for your oral health from a long-term perspective.

Thank you for reading. I was Park Jeong-gi, Chief Director of Seoul Remember Dental Clinic in Sillim.

2022.06.10 ~ 2023.09.29