Root Canal Therapy

“I’d rather have a root canal…” While there is definitely a negative conation behind getting a root canal, the reality is that root canal therapy is one of the most common and simple dental procedures and not nearly as bad as you may think. It can also be the difference between keeping your natural tooth and having to get it extracted.

What Happens in a Root Canal?

The inside of your tooth contains a collection of blood vessels and nerves called pulp. This tissue helps to build and maintain the outer tooth. If the tooth experiences any kind of trauma from prolonged decay, cracks or repeated dental procedures, the pulp can become damaged. Some telltale signs of pulpitis or infection include sensitivity to hot and cold, pain or swelling around the tooth.

In this case, we would likely recommend root canal therapy. This procedure involves a local anesthesia to numb the area (in other words, you won’t feel any pain!) as we remove diseased pulp, thoroughly clean the root canal system and seal the tooth. Unless there is a complication, the procedure can be completed within one or two visits and has a better than 90% success rate.

If a tooth is too compromised and a root canal is not going to fix the problem, we will find out either during your initial consultation or if a complication arises after a treatment. This, however, is very rare. If you do experience any kind of problem, we’re readily available to help.

Once the treatment ends, much like a dental filling, you will be able to drive home and return to your daily routine.

What is the Cost of a Root Canal?

Root canal therapy is a standard and common procedure. Most dental insurance plans will at least partially cover the treatment. The cost will depend on the severity of the damage and the location of the tooth. We can always provide you with an estimate once we see what your needs are. Just remember that endodontic treatment is considerably less expensive than tooth removal and replacements like bridges or dental implants. And if you leave a damaged tooth for too long, it can lead to an array of other health issues, including the loss of its neighbors as well.