Root Canal Treatment – Covington, GA
A Chance to Save Teeth, Not Extract Them
Over time, teeth can become significantly damaged by decay and wear and tear. In fact, they can become so damaged that you might think that there’s no other option other than having it extracted. However, Dr. Stephen Dean takes all the necessary steps to confirm if your natural tooth can be saved via root canal treatment in Covington, GA. After all, no tooth replacement is better than your original tooth. To learn how the process works or get your aching tooth the care it needs, give our dental office a call and we’ll help you get started!
Why Choose Dean Dental Care for Root Canal Treatment
- Multiple Sedation Options Available
- Same-Day Restorations Provided Through CEREC
- Highly-Trained and Experienced Dentist
Why is a Root Canal Needed?
If your tooth is experiencing severe discomfort, whether you’re chewing food or doing absolutely nothing at all, it’s a good sign that root canal treatment is needed. Additionally, if you notice symptoms tied to infection, such as high fever or facial swelling, it’s far more likely that bacteria have accessed the vulnerable inner area of your tooth where the pulp lies. From there, we’ll need to reach the pulp through a small hole created in the crown portion of your tooth. Then, we’ll remove any diseased or dead tissue, irrigate the canal, fill the tooth with gutta percha to reduce the risk of future infection, and finally cover the tooth with a custom-made dental crown.
How Long Does Treatment/Recovery Time Take?
Overall, root canal treatment can be completed in a single appointment, but this can vary depending on how many teeth need to receive it. Keep in mind that infections can spread very quickly if left untreated, which is why all oral infections should be treated as a dental emergency. In most cases, root canal treatment takes one to two hours to complete.
Following your treatment, you can expect to be in recovery for at most a few days. Just like with any oral surgery, you’ll likely experience some discomfort over this period. As long as you practice daily oral care and follow all of Dr. Dean’s aftercare instructions, you should heal properly.
What Can Be Done to Treat an Unsuccessful Root Canal?
If you had a root canal completed by a previous dentist and it did not heal properly or complications arose, we can perform retreatment of the tooth and remove any remaining infected tissue that was not properly irrigated before. Surgery at the apex of the tooth (known as an apicoectomy) can also be performed. In the worst case scenario, the tooth will need to be extracted outright to prevent infection of neighboring teeth. The last thing you should do is put off your treatment as doing so can actually put you at great risk of future infection of neighboring teeth.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
If you had a root canal completed by a previous dentist and it did not heal properly or complications arose, we can perform retreatment of the tooth and remove any remaining infected tissue that was not properly irrigated before. Surgery at the apex of the tooth (known as an apicoectomy) can also be performed. In the worst case scenario, the tooth will need to be extracted outright to prevent infection of neighboring teeth. The last thing you should do is put off your treatment as doing so can actually put you at great risk of future infection of neighboring teeth.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
Some factors that are likely to influence that cost of your root canal treatment include:
- Which tooth we are treating. Root canal treatment for front teeth has an average price range of $300 to $1,000, while treatment for molars has an average range of $500 to $2,000. Of course, there is no guarantee that your treatment will fall within either of those ranges.
- Whether you require a crown. In many cases, it is necessary to place a crown following root canal therapy. This protects the treated tooth and optimizes its functionality. A crown may add $1,500 or more to the total cost of your treatment.
- Whether we need to refer you to a specialist. Complex cases might require us to send you to a trustworthy local specialist, whose pricing structure may be quite different from ours.
Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
Generally speaking, an extraction has a lower price than root canal treatment. However, it is important to consider long-term value as well as upfront cost. After an extraction, failure to replace the tooth may allow your remaining teeth to drift out of place, resulting in a misaligned bite and an increased risk of future tooth loss. If you do choose to replace the tooth, which we strongly recommend, you should factor the cost of a bridge or dental implant into the overall price of your treatment. Often, root canal treatment and a crown have a lower total price than an extraction and tooth replacement.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?
Most dental insurance policies cover about half of root canal cost. However, it is important to keep in mind that every plan is different. You will have to look at your policy to see how it applies. Our team will be happy to help you understand your coverage and file your claims. We are even in-network with some major insurance companies, which can help you get the best deal possible on your treatment.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
In addition to helping you with insurance, we can also help you afford your root canal treatment via financing. We are partnered with CareCredit, which offers low-interest payment plans for medical and dental services. Most patients qualify for credit, and you might be able to choose from a variety of plans according to what best fits your monthly budget. If you have any questions about the application process, our team will be pleased to help.
Do you suspect that you need root canal treatment? Our team is ready to help you navigate every aspect of your care, including the financial details. Reach out to us today to learn how we can serve you!
Root Canal FAQs
Are Root Canals Painful?
There is a lot of misinformation out there about root canals, including that the procedure hurts. Thanks to powerful numbing agents and advancements in the field of dentistry, that’s not the case at all! In fact, most patients say it’s no worse than getting a standard filling. If you find yourself struggling with considerable nerves and anxiety about this treatment, then talk to us about sedation dentistry. That way, we can provide the necessary restorative care without causing you to feel stressed.
Do I Still Need a Root Canal if My Toothache Went Away?
Remember, considerable decay and severe infections cannot heal on their own. If your symptoms seem to have gone away, then it’s likely due to the fact that the nerve of your tooth has died. Not only is that a sign of how severe the damage is, but it also means that your surrounding teeth and gums are at risk. For that reason, we recommend talking to us if you have any questions at all about why root canal treatment is necessary. We’d be more than happy to share what we found during your exam, explain why we recommended this tooth-saving service, and answer any follow-up questions you have.
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
No, you cannot take antibiotics instead of getting a root canal. The reason why is that the medication cannot reach the pulp of your tooth (which is where the infection is). In most cases, the only option is to intervene with a root canal or have the tooth extracted.
How Much Pain is Normal After a Root Canal?
In the hours following your appointment, the numbing solution will begin to wear off. At this point, you may begin to feel some soreness arise. We recommend taking a few steps to keep you comfortable, including taking OTC pain medication as directed, avoiding crunchy foods entirely, and rinsing periodically with warm saltwater. If you don’t feel better by the three-day mark or your symptoms seem to be getting worse, then get in touch with our Covington dental team.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
The large majority of the time, the answer is yes! To reduce the chances of you needing this procedure, we recommend committing to a solid at-home oral hygiene regimen, including flossing daily. You should also adopt other habits that will keep your teeth and gums healthy, like coming in for a checkup and cleaning twice a year, wearing a mouthguard when playing sports, and not over-indulging on foods and drinks with added sugar.