The teeth consist of three layers: the enamel, the dentin, and the dental pulp. The pulp contains various blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves; it’s usually protected by the enamel and the dentin, but if the tooth suffers from extensive damage or decay, it could become infected. The pain of infected dental pulp can make it extremely difficult to focus on anything else, and the longer it goes on, the greater the danger is of the infection spreading. Dr. Chandy can save your tooth with root canal therapy in Carrollton. Despite its reputation, this procedure does not dental pain; instead, it stops it.
Root canal therapy is a procedure meant to remove inflamed or infected pulp inside of your tooth. It may be necessary if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
If you’re showing any of the warning signs of an infected tooth, we’ll take X-rays to narrow down the true source of the problem. We can then determine whether or not root canal therapy is really the right choice for your situation.
Root canal treatment can potentially take multiple visits. It usually consists of the following steps:
Getting root canal therapy is often the only way to save an infected tooth from extraction; left alone, the damage may spread past the root of the tooth, but a root canal will stop the problem before any irreparable harm is done. Despite what you may have heard, a modern root canal treatment is a pain-free procedure; indeed, the main thing you’ll notice afterwards is relief from the chronic toothache that you were previously suffering from. Once the treated tooth has been restored with a crown (which will be personalized so that it resembles your natural teeth as closely as possible), it will be able to function normally again.
Naturally, when planning a root canal procedure, you’ll want to figure out the cost of the treatment as soon as possible. That way you won’t have to worry about your financial situation and can focus on putting a stop to your dental pain. Our team will make sure you’re aware of the factors that go into the cost of root canal therapy and will explain what options are available so that you can pay for your treatment while staying within your budget.
Not all root canal treatments have the same cost, but exactly how much you’ll pay is something that depends on several factors. For example, the type and location of the tooth make a difference; treatments involving the front teeth tend to be slightly cheaper because they have fewer roots that need to be cleaned. The overall difficulty of the treatment also matters, as more complex treatments naturally have a higher cost.
Remember that after your root canal, you will likely need a crown to protect the treated tooth. The cost of the crown, as well as any other kind of restoration you might need, will be factored into the overall cost of your treatment.
On paper, having a tooth extracted costs less than root canal therapy. But in the long run, having a tooth treated instead of removing it altogether is usually the more cost-effective choice. A missing tooth can lead to all kinds of oral health issues, such as a shifting bite that makes it hard to eat properly. You can replace the extracted tooth with an implant or bridge, but that only adds to the overall cost. As such, saving the natural tooth with root canal therapy may be the less expensive option.
Root canal therapy is typically considered a major procedure that’s necessary for maintaining your oral health. As such, it’s covered under most dental plans. Most insurance companies will cover anywhere from 50% to 80% of the procedure once you’ve met your deductible. Every plan is different, though, so the first thing you need to do is confirm the details with your insurance company.
Insurance is not your only option for saving money on dental care. At our office, you can also apply for CareCredit financing, which lets you pick from one of several low-to-no-interest payment plans. Each plan allows you to pay for your care in a series of monthly installments instead of all at once. This lets you pay for your treatment while staying within your monthly budget. If you’d like more information about CareCredit and how it works at our office, feel free to give our office a call.
At Aegis Dental, Dr. Chandy understands the idea of a root canal in Carrollton can be unnerving, but with all the information provide above, we hope you feel more comfortable and confident knowing this is a beneficial procedure to have when it comes to saving your tooth. But we know you probably still have many questions about the process, which is why we’ve compiled a list of root canal FAQs for you to review. Take a few moments to look over these questions and feel free to contact us with any additional ones you may have. As always, we want you to have everything you need to make the right decision for your dental treatment.
Every patient is different, so the recovery time is likely to vary. However, it is possible to return to work or school the next day. You should remember, however, that if your job is physically taxing, you’ll need to take additional time off (2-3 days) to recover. The reason is that too much exertion immediately following your procedure can delay the healing process.
It’s normal to experience some soreness after a root canal, but prescribed or over-the-counter medication can help to alleviate the discomfort. It is also recommended that you only eat soft foods during the healing process and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
You can continue to brush and floss like normal, but you’ll also need to be gentle when cleaning around the surgical site. Should you experience intense pain after three days, you’ll need to call our office right away.
If you are preparing to receive sedation before your root canal, your dentist in Carrollton will remind you to avoid eating anything for at least a few hours before your appointment. This minimizes the potential risk of nausea.
If you choose to forgo sedation, though, you should plan to eat a healthy meal a few hours before your procedure as well as brush your teeth. You cannot expect to eat anything afterward because your mouth will still be numb from the local anesthesia.
You should also make sure you do not consume any alcohol for at least 24 hours before your surgery, as it can have a negative effect on your local anesthesia.
The success rate of root canals is remarkably high. Once these procedures are completed, patients can expect to regain greater chewing function that can last for years or even a lifetime. Determining how long you can expect your root canal to last, however, is often determined by you and your commitment to a healthy smile.
Various factors can determine the longevity of your root canal, such as if there is any damage to the tooth and how much time it takes to replace the temporary crown with a permanent one. If there is a prolonged period during this phase of treatment, it puts you at a greater risk for reinfection.
Bacterial infections are treatable with antibiotics; however, because a root canal tends to deal with tooth infections, antibiotics will be of no use. These medications enter the bloodstream and target problem areas. Because the pulp of a tooth is not located in the bloodstream, antibiotics cannot reach the pulp and thus, cannot address the underlying infection.