Do you have a toothache that just won’t go away or is continuing to get worse? Most dental patients shudder a bit when they hear the words “root canal,” but the truth of the matter is that this procedure is one of the best tools we have when it comes to relieving extreme dental pain and saving damaged teeth from extraction. Call Dr. Wang today to learn more and bring back your tooth’s function!
Why Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
When a patient requires a root canal, it means that the inner nerve of their tooth, called the pulp, has developed an infection or damage. This can happen due to a longstanding cavity, an injury, or a crack in the enamel that left the pulp exposed. In all cases, the result is usually a very severe toothache!
How Does Root Canal Therapy Work?
To perform a root canal, Dr. Wang will first numb a patient’s tooth, then create a small access hole to reach the damaged tissue. She’ll remove it, clean and sanitize the tooth, and then fill it with a biologically-inert material.
From there, she’ll place a filling on the tooth to restore its lost structure, and she may choose to rebuild it further with a crown at a later date. The end result is a renewed tooth that can be trusted to look and function normally for many years to come.
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
When you have a dental infection, root canal therapy can be exactly what you need to get out of pain. Infected teeth that need root canal therapy are generally very painful, and this procedure is specifically designed to bring relief as effectively as possible.
Additionally, when a dentist tells you that your tooth needs root canal therapy, it means that there’s still a chance to save the tooth, rather than have it extracted! That’s always a more ideal outcome than getting a tooth removed. It also means you won’t need to worry about having the tooth replaced. No matter how advanced some tooth replacement solutions are, it’s always better to have the real thing if you can!
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
When agreeing to undergo a root canal, your initial thoughts may be that you simply want to be rid of the pain that has been plaguing you. It isn’t until you learn more about the process that you begin to wonder about the cost of root canals in Rolling Meadows and if it’s something you can afford. The good news is that at Plum Grove Family Dental, our team will work with you to not only maximize your dental insurance benefits but also provide alternative payment options if you are uninsured.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
No two root canals will cost the same. Although it might sound impossible, it’s true. When meeting with your emergency dentist in Rolling Meadows, there will be various factors that we will consider before formulating a complete cost estimate. Some of these include:
The type of tooth that needs to be treated
The location of the tooth inside the mouth
The complexity of the procedure
If you require a dental crown afterward and the material used to create it
Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
One of the most common questions we receive from patients is if it is cheaper to just remove the tooth instead of performing a root canal. This seems like a logical alternative; however, it will not save you money in the long run. In fact, it will actually cost you much more. The reason is that once a tooth is extracted, it must be replaced (unless it is a wisdom tooth).
Because your jawbone can begin to deteriorate over time, replacing the tooth is essential to avoid continued bone and tooth loss. Whether you opt for a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant, the cost to create these as well as maintain them will likely result in greater expenses in the future.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?
You will be pleased to learn that most dental insurance companies do include root canals as part of their available benefits. This means that as long as you have met your deductible and have remaining funds available as part of your annual maximum, they will likely agree to pay up to 50% of the total cost. When filing a claim with your insurance company, you can count on our team to handle that burden on your behalf. This will ensure that you not only get to focus more on improving your oral health, but we will be able to work with your dental insurance company in a way that maximizes your benefits.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
If you are uninsured, do not put off a root canal just because you think you cannot afford it. Instead, we are pleased to offer two different solutions: in-house payment plans or flexible financing through CareCredit. Our team can go over the details if you choose to formulate a plan with our office, or we can help you enroll in a low or no-interest financing plan with CareCredit. With no surprise fees, this option allows you to stay within your budget while paying back the cost of your treatment over time.
Root Canal FAQs
If you have never had root canal therapy completed before, we understand if you have questions ahead of your appointment. Below, you can find a few of the most common questions we hear regarding treatment for your convenience. If yours is not mentioned, please call us directly or feel free to ask at your next appointment.
Are root canals safe?
Not only are root canals completely safe when performed by a professional, but they also work to improve both your oral and overall health. When a root canal is needed, it’s because an infection is present, and that puts both your oral and overall health at risk.
How long will my tooth last after treatment?
Root canal-treated teeth are designed to last for a very long time. In fact, these teeth can last for a lifetime if they are properly taken care of. However, you’ll need to make sure that you are practicing proper at-home oral care and maintaining consistent dental checkups every six months.
Root Canal FAQs
At this point, perhaps you truly want to get a root canal for your tooth. You may even trust that the treatment could save your pearly white! Still, you likely have some lingering concerns about it. If so. Chances are you want to address them first. Well, we at Plum Grove Family Dental are here for you: listed below are answers to some oft-asked questions about root canals. By reading them over, you’ll better understand the therapy in question. If you need additional details, please call our office for help.
Can I Eat Before a Root Canal?
Patients can sometimes eat before a root canal. Whether you’re allowed, though, will depend on your situation.
If you’ll be sedated for treatment, you should fast for a few hours beforehand. Doing so will reduce the risk of nausea caused by the sedative.
Should you forego sedation, you can eat a couple of hours before your appointment. Your mouth will feel numb after the procedure, making a meal difficult. Therefore, it’s best to have something shortly before your treatment. That way, you won’t have to endure hunger for too long.
Whether you get sedated or not, don’t drink alcohol for 24 hours before the root canal. The liquid could interact poorly with the anesthetic used to numb your mouth.
What Should I Do Before a Root Canal?
Besides tailoring your meals, you should do a few other things before a root canal. These include:
Avoid Smoking – Tobacco can interfere with local anesthetics. Therefore, try not to smoke or use any in the day leading up to treatment.
Take a Painkiller – Right before your procedure, take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Brands of ibuprofen, like Tylenol or Advil, are good examples. These would reduce your discomfort as the anesthetic wears off following care.
Sleep Well – It’s best to get a good night’s rest before (and after) a root canal. Not only will sleep make you less nervous, but it’ll ensure your immune system isn’t impaired during the procedure.
Do I Need Antibiotics Before or After My Root Canal?
In most cases, no – you won’t need to take antibiotics before or after your root canal. That medicine usually doesn’t help with treatment success or effectiveness.
There are exceptions, of course. You may be prescribed antibiotics before treatment if you have a pertinent health condition. These would reduce your risk of getting an infection after the procedure.
Ultimately, your dentist will know whether to prescribe antibiotics or not. By reviewing your medical history with you, they can determine whether the medicine would help with care.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
Generally, root canals can most definitely be prevented. You only need to take good care of your oral health. In particular, follow the tips below:
Practice Good Oral Hygiene – Root canals treat infected teeth, which arise from an excess of harmful bacteria. So, brush your teeth twice daily, floss them once daily, and rinse them with mouthwash.
See Your Dentist Often – Regular checkups let a dentist keep germs away from a tooth’s pulp. So, make sure to see them every six months or so.
Eat a Mouth-Healthy Diet – Try to reduce your intake of cavity-causing sugar. At the same time, add nutritious foods like leafy greens and lean proteins to your diet.
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