Saving Your Natural Tooth
Cazes Family Dentistry - What is a Root Canal?
Cazes Family Dentistry - How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?
Cazes Family Dentistry - Does a Root Canal Hurt?
A root canal involves removing the tooth’s pulp (the living tissue inside) and filling the space with special, medicated materials to restore its full function. This treatment not only preserves your natural tooth but also helps maintain the health of your jawbone and surrounding tissues. Saving your tooth can prevent more pain and costly treatments in the future.
If you experience any of these signs, it may indicate the need for a root canal:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Severe toothache pain
- Red or swollen gums near the affected tooth
- Tooth discoloration
- An abscess or pimple on the gums
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an appointment to discuss treatment options.
The Root Canal Process
A root canal typically requires one or two visits to the dental office and can be performed by either a dentist or an endodontist. Here’s an overview of the step-by-step process:
Treatment and Diagnosis
The first step involves taking an X-ray of the tooth and surrounding bone to identify the cause of your symptoms. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to reduce infection and inflammation. This helps alleviate the pain caused by pressure from infected swelling, which is common with root canal issues.
Prepping The Tooth
Once your tooth is ready for treatment, anesthesia is administered to numb the area, ensuring your comfort. After you’re fully numb, the dentist will drill a small access hole into the tooth to remove the infected pulp, bacteria, and decayed nerve tissue.
Sealing The Tooth
If there’s an abscess, medication may be placed inside the tooth to clear up any remaining infection. If multiple visits are needed, a temporary filling will be placed until the next appointment. By now, you should start feeling relief. The final step involves thoroughly cleaning the tooth and sealing it permanently to restore its health and function. This process is designed to relieve pain, preserve your natural tooth, and help you return to normal function with long-lasting results.
Cost of a Root Canal in Long Valley
The cost of a root canal can vary depending on several factors, but in the long run, it’s a more cost-efficient solution compared to tooth extraction. With insurance, the typical out-of-pocket cost for root canal therapy is between $200 and $500+. Without insurance, treatment can range from $800 to $1,400+. After an oral exam, we’ll be happy to provide you with an accurate quote based on your insurance plan to help you understand your exact out-of-pocket costs.
Why the wide range in cost? Several factors influence the cost of root canal therapy, including:
- Severity of the infection
- Location of the infection in your mouth
- Health of surrounding teeth and gums
- Potential complications that may require more time or expertise
Since every case is unique, we recommend scheduling a consultation for an accurate assessment and to explore all your treatment options. No dental office can give a precise quote over the phone without seeing you in person.
Is there an alternative treatment to root canals?
An infection or abscess in your tooth is a serious health concern that requires immediate attention. While root canals may seem like an undesirable option, they are a vital procedure to eliminate infection and prevent it from spreading. Ignoring the infection can lead to severe complications, requiring much more invasive treatments later on.
If you’re hesitant about getting a root canal, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us. We’ll ensure that you fully understand the procedure and may offer alternative treatments to resolve the infection while keeping your comfort a priority.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Damage to the tooth can happen from deep decay, trauma, a dead nerve, a loose filling or crown, or even a crack or chip in the tooth.
Thanks to modern techniques and technology, as well as our compassionate approach, our highly trained team can perform root canal treatments with minimal to no pain. We focus on your comfort throughout the process.
While antibiotics can help manage infection temporarily, they can’t fix the underlying issue. By the time you need a root canal, the tooth pulp and nerve are decaying, and antibiotics won’t fully heal the tissue. Removing the pulp is the only safe and effective way to resolve the problem.
A root canal treatment typically takes one or two visits. Minor cases usually take about 30 to 60 minutes, while more complex cases may take around 90 minutes.
Root canal coverage depends on your insurance plan. After your consultation, we can provide an estimate for you to submit to your provider. We encourage you to prioritize the treatment for your oral health, and if you have any concerns, we’re here to help guide you through the process.
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