How Root Canal Therapy Saves Your Natural Tooth
During a root canal procedure, the pulp of the tooth, meaning the living tissue inside, is removed, and the resulting space is filled with special medicated dental materials to restore the tooth to full function. Root canal therapy not only helps preserve your natural tooth and extend its lifespan, it also protects the surrounding jawbone and supporting tissues. Wherever possible, saving your natural tooth can also help you avoid additional pain and expense down the road.
There are a number of signs that may suggest root canal therapy is needed:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe toothache pain.
- Red or swollen gums near the affected tooth.
- Discolouration of the tooth.
- An abscess, or pimple like bump, on the gums.
Your Root Canal Treatment Plan, Step by Step
A root canal usually requires one or two office visits and can be performed by either a dentist or an endodontist. Here’s how the procedure typically works:
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
The first step involves taking an X-ray of the tooth and surrounding bone to determine what’s causing your symptoms. In some cases, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help control infection and inflammation beforehand. The pressure caused by an infected abscess is often what makes it so painful, and reducing that inflammation ahead of time can help make the procedure itself more comfortable.
Prepping the Tooth
When we’re ready to begin the root canal, we’ll take the time to properly numb and freeze the area, including your gums, teeth, and surrounding tissue. Your comfort and peace of mind matter to us throughout the entire process. Once you’re comfortable, a small access hole is made in the tooth, and the infected pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and related debris are carefully removed.
Sealing the Tooth
Depending on the severity of the infection, we may place medication inside the tooth to help clear things up completely. If your treatment requires more than one visit, a temporary filling will be placed in the meantime, and you’ll likely already start to feel some relief. Once your tooth is fully cleaned and healthy, it can then be permanently sealed.
What is the Cost of A Root Canal in Stouffville?
The cost of dental treatment can vary quite a bit, but saving your natural tooth with a root canal is generally more cost effective in the long run than the alternative. With a typical insurance plan, root canal therapy usually averages between $200 and $500 or more out of pocket. After an oral exam, we’re happy to provide an accurate quote for your insurance company so you can find out your actual out of pocket costs. Without insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1,200 or more for treatment.
So why is there such a wide range when it comes to cost? When we put together a quote for root canal therapy, we take a number of factors into account, including:
- The severity of the infection.
- The location of the infection in your mouth.
- The health of the surrounding teeth and gums.
- Any complications that may require additional time or a more delicate, experienced approach.
Keep in mind that no dental practice can provide an accurate quote over the phone. Every case is different, which is why it’s so important to speak with a dentist who can properly evaluate your situation and walk you through all of your treatment options.
Is There an Alternative Treatment to Root Canals?
An abscess or infection in the tooth is a serious issue and should be treated as an urgent dental matter. Many people think of root canals as a bit of a last resort to relieve severe dental pain, but more importantly, root canal therapy removes an infection that could otherwise spread and become dangerous, requiring far more invasive and urgent treatment down the line. This is exactly why we work hard to change the reputation root canals have earned over the years, and why your comfort and peace of mind matter so much to us throughout the process.
If you suspect you may have an infection but feel hesitant about getting a root canal, we still encourage you to reach out to us. We’ll never perform a procedure without your full understanding and consent, and we may be able to walk you through alternative options with the shared goal of resolving your infection safely.
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
Thanks to modern techniques, advanced technology, and a compassionate approach to care, our highly trained team of dentists and hygienists can perform root canal treatments with little to no pain at all.
By the time it’s clear a root canal is needed, the pulp and nerve inside the tooth have usually already begun to break down. This infected tissue can’t fully heal on its own and would likely become reinfected over time. Removing the pulp is the only safe way to fully resolve the issue.
A root canal typically requires one or two office visits. Simple or minor cases usually take about 30 to 60 minutes to complete, while more complex cases can take a bit longer, often around 90 minutes.
That depends on the specifics of your insurance coverage. After a consultation, we can provide an estimate to send to your provider so you know what to expect. We strongly encourage treating a root canal as a high priority, so please don’t hesitate to speak with us if you have any concerns along the way.
Following a root canal, a dental crown is typically needed for back teeth used for grinding and chewing, such as molars and premolars. Front teeth, including canines and incisors, may not always require a crown afterward.
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