Root Canal vs Implant
For a tooth that can be saved, a root canal is faster, cheaper, and preserves more long-term function than an implant. Both have similar 10-year success rates (90–95% for endodontic treatment, 95%+ for implants), but the natural tooth keeps its periodontal ligament and the surrounding bone behaves differently. Implants are the right choice when the tooth is genuinely unsavable.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Hope Feldman · Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics
Last reviewed May 5, 2026 · NPI 1275089088
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Root Canal Therapy | Single-Tooth Implant |
|---|---|---|
| Saves your natural tooth | Yes | No |
| Total time end-to-end | 2–4 weeks | 6–9 months |
| Number of visits | 2 (RCT + crown) | 3–4 (extraction, implant, healing, crown) |
| Typical cost (tooth + crown) | $1,500–$2,800 | $4,000–$6,000 |
| Bone grafting often required? | No | Yes if extraction is recent or older |
| Surrounding bone preservation | Yes (natural periodontal ligament) | Acceptable (osseointegration) |
| Affects neighboring teeth | No | No |
| Long-term success rate (10 years) | 90–95% | 95%+ |
| Recovery time off normal activity | 24–48 hours | 5–7 days post-extraction; less per implant stage |
| Procedure type | Non-surgical | Surgical |
| Reversibility / re-treatability | Retreatment + apicoectomy possible | Implant removal is rare and complex |
Estimates only. Actual fees vary by tooth, insurance, and any restoration work. Written estimates provided before treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a root canal or an implant better long-term?
- For a tooth that can be saved, a root canal is the better long-term choice. The natural tooth has a periodontal ligament that distributes chewing force naturally and protects the surrounding bone. Implants are excellent replacements when extraction is unavoidable, but they cost more, take longer, and the surrounding bone behaves differently.
- How much does each cost in Phoenix?
- Root canal + crown: typically $1,500–$2,800 total. Single-tooth implant + crown: typically $4,000–$6,000 total. Bone grafting (often needed before an implant) adds $400–$1,200. The longer it has been since extraction, the more grafting is usually required.
- How long does each take?
- A root canal is usually one visit; the crown follows 2–4 weeks later — full function restored in about a month. An implant requires extraction, healing (2–3 months), implant placement, integration (3–6 months), then the crown — usually 6–9 months end-to-end.
- Which lasts longer?
- Both can last decades. Modern endodontic treatment has a 90–95% success rate at 10 years for molars; implants have a similar 95%+ survival rate at 10 years. The natural tooth has the small advantage of preserving the original periodontal ligament and surrounding bone density.
- Why do dentists sometimes recommend an implant over a root canal?
- When the tooth is genuinely unsavable: a vertical root fracture, severe bone loss, or too little remaining tooth structure. In those cases the implant is the right call. But for a borderline case, a specialist second opinion with CBCT 3D imaging often reveals that the tooth can be saved.