Have you been experiencing intense pain in one of your teeth? It might be a sign that you have infected dental pulp,
a serious dental emergency that
will only grow worse the longer it goes untreated. If you want to stop your discomfort and keep your tooth, your
best option is to call Julington Creek Family
Dentistry right away. Dr. Cohen can help you find the relief you deserve with a gentle root canal treatment.
Why Choose Julington Creek Family Dentistry for Root Canal Therapy?
Same-Day Emergency Appointments
Relaxing Dental Sedation Available
State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
When your tooth is damaged or has an untreated cavity, bacteria may be able to slip inside and attack your dental
pulp. Infected pulp can be very painful, and in many cases, the only way to treat it is to remove it altogether
via root canal therapy.
Not every toothache requires a root canal, but the treatment may be necessary if you’ve experienced any of
these symptoms:
The pain in your tooth is severe or has lasted more than 24 hours.
The tooth in question is sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.
You’re experiencing discomfort whenever you use the affected tooth to bite down.
The tissue around the tooth has become red, swollen, and/or tender.
You’ve noticed a pimple-like bump on the gums near the tooth.
The Root Canal Process
Once we’ve confirmed that root canal therapy is the best option for restoring and protecting your oral
health, we’ll start planning the procedure. Your comfort is our top priority, so at the beginning of the
treatment we’ll use a local anesthetic to numb your mouth; we may also administer dental sedation to
soothe any anxieties you might have.
The actual root canal treatment involves creating a small hole in your tooth so that we can take out all of the
infected or damaged pulp tissues. Afterward, we’ll thoroughly clean your mouth to make sure that there are
no bacteria left behind, and we’ll fill the space with a biocompatible material. Typically, a crown will
be placed on the treated tooth to protect it.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
Many people have reservations about undergoing root canal therapy, but the procedure has proven to be a safe and
reliable way to protect smiles from serious oral health issues. There are several reasons why we might recommend
having root canal therapy performed:
It Lets You Preserve Your Tooth: If the infected pulp is left untreated, you might lose
your tooth entirely. A missing tooth can lead to a number of oral health complications, and getting a
replacement can be costly. It’s generally better for your oral health (and budget) to save your tooth
with root canal therapy.
It Stops Your Pain for Good: Once the infected tissue in your tooth has been removed along
with the harmful bacteria that caused the problem, you can once again enjoy a pain-free smile.
It is a Virtually Painless Procedure: Root canal therapy is nowhere near as uncomfortable
as many people believe it to be. Some patients have compared it to what they might experience when getting a
standard filling.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
If you’ve been recommended to undergo root canal therapy by Dr. Cohen, then it’s likely
necessary to preserve your natural tooth. However, it’s also important that you understand as much as possible
about the overall cost of the procedure before committing to anything. You wouldn’t want to find any surprises
when it comes time to pay the bill. Since every treatment is customized for each patient, we can’t provide an
exact estimate without an initial consultation. Until you can see us, here are several factors to consider about the
cost of root canal therapy in Fruit Cove.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
The only way to determine the precise cost of your treatment is through a thorough examination of your oral health.
After we’ve been able to assess your mouth and teeth, our team can walk you through the root canal process and
provide a more accurate estimate. Several factors that can impact the cost may involve:
The type of tooth damaged and its location
The complexity of your root canal case (and if we’ll need to bring in a specialist for your appointment)
Other necessary services for a successful treatment, such as a dental crown
Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
It might seem practical to simply pull out the compromised tooth to avoid a root canal altogether. However, there
isn’t anything simple about it, as you’ll need to consider the aftermath of extracting one of your
teeth. Not only will this affect your bite, but it can also lead your other nearby teeth to shift out of place to
fill the gap. This can make daily habits like eating more difficult, and your smile may be susceptible to further
tooth loss.
To avoid these complications and needing to rebuild your teeth with costly restorative treatment, it’s best to
opt for a root canal from the get-go. This procedure will keep you from needing to pay for restorations like
bridges, dentures, or dental implants, meaning you’ll save more money in the long run. That said, the longer
you wait to get the infection treated, the more likely you’ll require an extraction anyway.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is considered a major dental procedure, so it’s common for most dental insurance providers
to offer some level of coverage for your treatment. Generally, this may include anywhere between 50-80% of the
overall cost once you’ve met your deductible. Since every policy is different from patient to patient, you
should confirm the details of your plan with your insurance company before paying for any services. Our
knowledgeable team will also be more than happy to help you navigate your benefits to make the most of them!
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
Don’t have insurance? Not a problem! We understand the importance of being able to afford the necessary dental
care to preserve a beautiful and healthy smile. That’s why we’ve partnered with a third-party financier
known as CareCredit. This company offers plans that can turn the overall cost of your treatment into small,
manageable installments that can help you pay on a monthly budget instead. They also come with little to no
interest, meaning you won’t have to break the bank to save a tooth.
Root Canal FAQs
Do root canals hurt?
This is hands-down one of the most-asked questions about root canals. Since the procedure has a scary reputation, you might assume that the answer is “yes.” However, thanks to powerful numbing agents, state-of-the-art dental technology, and helpful aftercare instructions, it’s the complete opposite! All that to say, if you’re struggling with a painful toothache in Fruit Cove, you don’t have to worry – our team will go the extra mile to make the process of eliminating the infection as pain-free and stress-free as possible.
I am scared of getting a root canal. What should I do?
To this day, root canals are one of the most feared procedures. So, if you’re struggling with nerves, stress, or anxiety, you’re not alone. The good news is that there is also a solution: sedation dentistry. At our office, we offer nitrous oxide (which is commonly known as “laughing gas”) and oral conscious sedation. That way, our patients can genuinely relax in the treatment chair while we provide the necessary restorative care.
Do root canals make you sick?
No, getting a root canal will not make you sick. The reason this myth persists is due to research that was conducted back in the 1920s. However, the study was poorly designed, and there isn’t scientific evidence today that supports the original findings.
Why do I need a root canal if my tooth doesn’t hurt?
While dull, persistent discomfort and a sharp, stabbing pain when biting down are common warning signs of trouble, they aren’t the only ones. In fact, if the infection has killed the nerve, there’s a good chance that you won’t feel anything at all! That’s why it’s so important for us to conduct periodic exams. In the process, we will look for dark discoloration on the enamel, a pimple-like bump on the gums, and other abnormal symptoms that point to serious decay or infection.
Can root canals be prevented?
Oftentimes, yes! That’s why our Fruit Cove dental team is always reminding our patients to adopt healthy habits, like brushing their teeth for two full minutes and flossing every night before they go to bed. It’s also important to schedule a dental checkup and cleaning at our office every six months. This ensures that common oral health problems, like tooth decay, are detected in the early stages and that plaque is removed before it wreaks havoc on your teeth and gums.
How much pain is normal after a root canal?
It usually takes a few hours for the numbing agent to wear off. Once that happens, it’s normal to experience some soreness and sensitivity. To help, we will provide you with a list of aftercare instructions, like rinsing periodically with warm saltwater, avoiding spicy foods, using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time, and taking OTC pain medication as directed.
