Saving Your Natural Tooth
Sparta Dental Associates - What is a Root Canal?
Sparta Dental Associates - How Long Does a Root Canal Take?
Sparta Dental Associates - How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?
Saving your natural tooth
In a root canal procedure, the pulp of the tooth (the living tissue inside) is removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated dental materials that restore the tooth to full function. Using root canal therapy not only preserves your natural tooth, extending its lifetime, it also protects and preserves the jaw bone and other supporting tissues around the tooth. Wherever possible, saving your natural tooth will also save you from more pain and expense down the road.
There are a number of signs that suggest root canal therapy may be necessary:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe toothache pain.
- Red or swollen gums near the tooth.
- Discoloration of the tooth.
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
The Root Canal Treatment Plan
Typically, a root canal procedure necessitates one or two visits to the dental office and can be administered by either a dentist or an endodontist. Here’s our approach to conducting your root canal:
Diagnosis and Treatment
In the initial phase, an x-ray of the affected tooth and the adjacent bone is taken to pinpoint the source of your symptoms. Your specialist might recommend antibiotics to manage infection and reduce inflammation. Abscesses can be particularly painful due to the pressure from infected swelling, which is a common source of discomfort in root canal cases. By preemptively reducing this inflammation, we eliminate this issue during the procedure.
Prepping The Tooth
Before commencing the root canal procedure, we will take the time to ensure your comfort by carefully numbing the area, including your gums, teeth, and surrounding tissues. Your well-being and peace of mind are of utmost importance to us. Once you’re at ease, we proceed by creating an access hole in the tooth. Subsequently, we remove the pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and any associated debris.
Sealing The Tooth
The extent of the abscess will determine whether we need to introduce medication into the tooth to fully eradicate any infection. If the treatment spans multiple visits, we will apply a temporary filling. By this stage, you should already experience some relief. It’s only after your tooth is meticulously cleansed and restored to health that we can permanently seal it.
The Cost Of A Root Canal In Sparta
The cost of dental treatment can vary significantly, but choosing a root canal procedure often proves to be a more cost-effective long-term solution. Typically, with a standard insurance plan, the out-of-pocket expenses for root canal therapy range from approximately $200 to $500 or more. Following an oral examination, we are happy to provide you with an accurate quote tailored to your insurance coverage to determine your specific out-of-pocket costs. In cases without insurance, treatment expenses can range from $600 to $1200 or higher.
You might wonder why there is such a broad estimate for the cost of root canal therapy. This is because when generating a quote for this procedure, we take several factors into account, including:
1. The severity of the infection.
2. The location of the infection in your mouth.
3. The overall health of the surrounding teeth and gums.
4. The potential for complications that may necessitate more time or a delicate, experienced approach.
It’s important to note that no dental practice can provide an accurate quote over the phone. Each case is unique, so it’s crucial to consult with a dentist who can assess your situation and present all available treatment options for your consideration.
Regarding alternatives to root canals, it’s essential to understand that an abscess or infection in your tooth poses a severe health risk and requires urgent attention. While some individuals may view root canals as a less desirable option to alleviate dental pain, it’s crucial to emphasize that root canals effectively remove infections that can potentially spread and become life-threatening. In such cases, more urgent and invasive care would be necessary.
Our commitment is to dispel any misconceptions surrounding root canal therapy and prioritize your comfort and peace of mind. If you suspect you have an infection but are hesitant about a root canal, we strongly encourage you to contact us. We will never proceed with any procedure without your full understanding and consent, and we may have alternative solutions available with the primary goal of resolving your infection safely and effectively.
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 can occur due to deep decay, trauma, dead nerve, a loose filling or crown or a crack or chip in the tooth.
Thanks to modern techniques and technology and a compassionate dental philosophy our highly trained team of dentists and hygienists can provide root canal treatments with minimal to no pain at all.
By the time you realize you need a root canal, your tooth pulp and nerve have already begun to decay. This infected tissue will never fully heal and would only become infected again. Removing the pulp is the only safe option.
A root canal treatment usually requires one or two office visits. Simple or minor root canal cases usually take about 30 to 60 minutes of treatment, while a more complex case take longer– around 90 minutes.
That depends on what sort of insurance coverage you have. After a consultation, we can provide you with an estimate to send to your provider. We strongly encourage you to make a root canal a high priority. Please speak to us if you feel any hesitation.
You typically need a dental crown after a root canal on your back grinding teeth, molars and premolars. Front teeth, canines, and incisors may not require a dental crown.
Google Verified Patient Reviews
