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How long a root canal / crown will last differs from person to person. Which tooth, the condition it's in, the state of your gum and bone health, genetic issues - everyone is different. The skill and technique of your dentist also matters greatly.
The general guideline is that it should last you about 10 years.
I'm having a number of implants done to replace old root canals / crowns right now and let me fill you in on the stuff they don't tell you.
1. In almost every case, there will be a delay between extraction and implant being done. That delay can be anywhere from 6-12 months. There are "same day" solutions out there but they are the most expensive option, are extremely new and no one knows how well they will hold up vs. the conservative approach. We'll know in another 10 years or so how well they hold up and what the down side is from complications, infection, etc.
2. Do not delay or put off dealing w/ an infected tooth that needs a root canal. That infection will remove bone under the infected tooth which can make treatment options much more expensive or limited in which options can use.
3. There are less expensive options vs. tooth for tooth implant replacement. You can replace all your teeth with permanent dentures and "mini implants" for less than 5k w/ no insurance as an example. There are also more and more options for patients who have lost bone and do not have enough left to support "traditional" implants.
While we'd all prefer to have the 50k implant option the ultimate determination will be made by what you can afford. The good news is there are lots of options so going around with missing teeth is not a necessity. It just sucks that for people in the US there really is no such thing as "dental insurance". They'll pay for a million dollars worth of healthcare but when it comes to your teeth your pretty much paying out of pocket no matter what.
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-= Software / Systems Architect and Server Geek =-
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