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Considering a root canal treatment or dental implant in Kansas City, Overland Park, or Leawood? Here’s what you need to know to make the best decision for your long-term health, function, and investment.
Save the Tooth or Replace It? Understanding Your Options
At Gordon Dental Implants & Cosmetics, we believe in saving natural teeth whenever possible. But when a tooth is badly decayed, fractured, or infected — and especially when previous root canal has failed — a dental implant may be the more durable, cost-effective option.
Dr. Philip Gordon, a board-certified dental implant specialist who has placed over 10,000 implants, evaluates each case based on one key factor: “Is the tooth truly restorable for the long term?”
A root canal may be ideal when:
It’s a first-time root canal with a favorable prognosis. But even a successful root canal removes the tooth’s blood supply, making it brittle and more prone to cracking over time. Most root canal-treated teeth require a crown to prevent breakage — adding cost and complexity.
A tooth that’s already been through a root canal — and now has issues again — typically has:
Retreatment is sometimes attempted, but the 10-year success rate drops to 40–50%, especially
if the crown, post, or surrounding bone is compromised.
When a tooth’s prognosis is poor, a dental implant may be the smarter, more reliable option —
both medically and financially. Dental implants:
In many cases, the cost of a failing root canal + crown + future retreatment exceeds the cost of a single dental implant — with less predictability.
This patient presented with pain and chronic inflammation around a previously treated molar. The X-ray revealed a failing root canal with signs of a vertical root fracture—highlighted by the dark radiolucency and the red arrow pointing to the compromised root tip. Unfortunately, once a root canal-treated tooth develops a vertical fracture, it is no longer restorable.
After discussing treatment options and prognosis with the patient, it was determined that extracting the fractured tooth and replacing it with a dental implant would provide the most predictable and long-lasting result:
Left: X-ray showing root canal failure and vertical root fracture (arrow)
Right: Post-op X-ray showing successful implant placement and final crown
Rather than investing further into a compromised root canal-treated tooth with little chance of success, the patient opted for a permanent solution with a dental implant. The result is a healthy, functional, and aesthetic tooth replacement that will last for decades with proper care. This case clearly illustrates that when a root canal tooth fractures, replacement with a dental implant can be the most cost-effective and reliable solution, eliminating chronic pain and the risk of repeated failure.
This patient presented with a failing dental bridge supported by a tooth that had extensive decay. One of the supporting teeth had deteriorated beyond repair, making root canal treatment and restoration nonviable. Additionally, the adjacent site had a missing tooth, compounding the challenge of function and stability.
After evaluating the restorability of the decayed tooth and discussing options with the patient, we determined that a root canal would offer limited benefit and poor long-term value. Instead, we recommended a more predictable and durable solution:
Top Left: Pre-op X-ray showing bridge with underlying decay
Top Right: Post-op X-ray with two successfully placed implants
Bottom Left: Healing abutments after implant placement
Bottom Right: Final screw-retained zirconia crowns restoring function and smile
This case highlights the limitations of attempting to salvage a severely compromised tooth with root canal therapy. Instead of investing in a procedure with low long-term success, the patient chose dental implants—resulting in a stronger, more aesthetic, and permanent solution.
The result: a healthy bite, confident smile, and a solution that won’t need to be redone in 5–10 years.
Case Study #3: Failing Root Canal Molar Under Bridge – Replaced with 2 Dental Implants When Bridgework Fails Due to Decay and Root Canal Breakdown
This patient presented with an old dental bridge supported by a root canal-treated molar that had developed recurrent decay beneath the crown. The molar was no longer restorable, and the adjacent tooth had already been missing for some time. The bridge had served its time—but now it was failing structurally and esthetically.
Given the failing root canal and the limitations of redoing bridgework on compromised teeth, we opted for a more modern and long-lasting solution: dental implants.
Top Left: Clinical photo showing the failing bridge and recurrent decay
Top Right: Final result with two implant-supported crowns replacing both the molar and premolar
Bottom Left: X-ray showing decay and failing root canal under bridge
Bottom Right: Final X-ray showing stable, integrated implants with custom abutments and crowns
This case highlights a common situation—patients often inherit bridges from years past that eventually fail due to underlying tooth decay or breakdown of old root canals. Rather than rebuild on compromised foundations, this patient chose a durable solution with individual implant-supported teeth. This approach avoids compromising neighboring teeth and restores function, esthetics, and long-term oral health.
Serving Kansas City, Overland Park, Leawood and Surrounding Areas Dr. Philip Gordon is one of the most experienced dental implant specialists in the Kansas City Metro. He and his team provide expert care for:
We use CBCT 3D imaging, guided surgery, and zirconia crowns and bridges to restore strength, function, and beauty — for life.
If you’ve been told you need a root canal retreatment — or you’re unsure if your tooth can be saved — schedule a free consultation today. Let us help you determine whether a root canal or a dental implant is the best long-term solution for your smile.
The answer depends on the condition of your tooth. If your tooth is restorable and the damage is limited, a root canal may be a great option. However, if the tooth has a poor long-term prognosis—such as a crack, infection, or repeat failure—a dental implant may be the better investment. Implants don’t get cavities, can’t need a root canal again, and offer a 98% success rate when placed by a specialist.
Root canal-treated teeth often last 5–15 years depending on the tooth’s structure, crown, and surrounding bone. Retreated root canals typically have a 40–50% success rate at 10 years. Dental implants, on the other hand, can last 25+ years and often a lifetime with proper care—especially when placed by an experienced implant dentist like Dr. Philip Gordon in Kansas City.
Common signs of a failing root canal include pain, swelling, tenderness to biting, gum abscesses, or a dark spot on an X-ray. If a root canal has already been done and the tooth is still infected or has developed a crack, it may no longer be restorable. In those cases, removing the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant may provide the most predictable long-term result.
While a root canal may have a lower upfront cost, the total investment can add up—especially when you include the crown, post, and the potential for retreatment or replacement. A dental implant may seem more expensive at first, but it often provides better long-term value because it avoids future procedures and complications. At Gordon Dental Implants & Cosmetics, we help you weigh both cost and longevity when choosing the right solution.
Most patients say the implant procedure was easier than expected—and often easier than their root canal! With advanced 3D imaging, sedation options, and minimally invasive techniques, dental implants placed by Dr. Gordon in Leawood are designed to be as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Post-op recovery is usually mild and easily managed with over-the-counter medication.
