The Definitive Guide To Root Canals
Finding out you need dental treatment can make for a stressful situation. Your head starts spinning with unanswered questions regarding pain, recovery, and—of course—costs. A root canal is one procedure that causes many patients to become anxious. The thought of removing an infection from your tooth is enough to make you cringe in pain—but the fact is, root canals shouldn’t intimidate you. With 15 million root canals performed each year, they are standard procedures that most people complete at least once in their life. With a little knowledge of the procedure, you can approach your root canal with total confidence.
What is a root canal?
A root canal is essentially a procedure used to treat an infection that has spread to the center of a tooth. The procedure gives patients a chance to save their natural teeth before resorting to a more permanent method of having a tooth extracted. What exactly does a root canal do? Inside each one of your teeth is a soft tissue called “pulp.” The pulp is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and tissues that are protected by the hard white enamel on the tooth’s exterior. While the pulp is essential for a tooth’s growth, once the tooth has matured it can survive without it. In the case of an interior infection, the best approach is to remove the pulp from the tooth to prevent any further decay. Doing so allows you to be rid of the infection without removing your natural teeth entirely.
Reasons You May Need a Root Canal
There are several reasons why you may need a root canal: frequent dental procedures or cracks in the tooth can lead to a decaying pulp. Additionally, seemingly unrelated tooth injuries can damage the pulp even without visible signs. If these issues are left untreated, they could lead to a painful abscess that you’ll have no choice but to remove. Patients who need root canals often display a few common symptoms, including:
- Extreme pain when biting or chewing
- Visible chips or cracks in teeth
- Tender or swollen gums
- Pimples on gums
- Visible decay or darkening of gums
- Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
If you’re displaying any of these conditions, it may mean it’s time to make an appointment for a root canal.
The Process
The root canal procedure usually takes two appointments to complete. A quick x-ray will determine the severity of the damage, and then your tooth will be covered with a rubber dam to protect it from moisture during the procedure. A small access hole is then drilled into the top of your tooth to gain access to the inside pulp. Using root canal files, the pulp, bacteria, and debris are removed and flushed away while your tooth’s interior is scrubbed clean. Once your tooth is free from infection it must be sealed, which your dentist may choose to do right away or at your next session. After the access point is sealed, your tooth may require additional restoration (such as a crown) to restore it to proper working order and prevent breakage.
Does a root canal require anesthesia?
Yes, root canals require anesthesia. Typically, local anesthesia is used to numb the area immediately surrounding your tooth. This way, you won’t feel anything while the procedure is taking place. Because the nerve of an infected tooth is often dead, anesthesia is not necessarily required. However, to avoid any discomfort, patients generally opt to have the area numbed as it makes for a more comfortable procedure. Is a root canal painful? Despite what common myths might say, root canals do not necessarily cause patients any pain. In fact, the sensation is exceedingly similar to simply having a cavity filled. While root canals may have been painful in decades past, advancements in treatment have largely removed any discomfort for today’s patients. With the use of local anesthesia, the area of the procedure is completely numbed. This way, you won’t feel a thing while the infection is removed from your tooth.
How much does it cost?
The cost of your root canal will vary based on a couple of factors, including:
- Type and location of the tooth
- Post-procedure add-ons
Depending on the type and location of the infected tooth, you can expect a higher or lower cost for your root canal. To conduct the procedure on a front tooth, you can expect a cost ranging from $200 to $1,100. For a bicuspid (mid-mouth) or molar, costs range from $200-$1,200 and $300-$1,500 respectively. Once your tooth has been extracted, you may incur additional costs, such as a crown, that are necessary to bring your tooth up to working order. The true cost of your root canal can be determined by speaking with a doctor, as well as your insurance company.
Are they covered by insurance?
It’s common for people to turn to their insurance company to help cover the cost of their root canal. Depending on your insurance policy, the cost of your root canal may be partly or wholly covered. Be sure to read through your policy completely to avoid any unexpected fees. Most dental plans require you to meet a deductible before any costs are covered. Regardless, the cost of your root canal will likely help you meet your yearly deductible, in the event any additional procedures are needed. As with any medical procedure, coverage will vary depending on your personal insurance policy. Checking your policy before the procedure is essential for determining the out-of-pocket cost of your root canal.
Recovery Period
Since you’ve likely been experiencing pain caused by your infected tooth, a root canal will provide you with relief. Immediately following the procedure, you’ll likely experience a few days of soreness and sensitivity due to natural tissue inflammation. Any discomfort you feel will likely be minimal enough to treat with over-the-counter pain medication. Eating soft food and minimizing chewing with the affected area can also ease soreness. In terms of oral health after a root canal, you should brush and floss as you normally would, and see your dentist at regular intervals as usual.
Can I go to school or work after a root canal?
Contrary to what you might believe, root canals are not terribly invasive procedures. Like having a cavity filled, a root canal will not prevent you from living and working as usual. For those with particularly bad infections, you may experience some soreness in the days following your root canal, but nothing so serious as to confine you to resting in bed. Most patients can easily manage to attend classes or work the day after their root canal, and the few that experience soreness can do so with the help of any common OTC pain medication. Overall, the root canal recovery process is a simple one. Most patients have little trouble getting back to their routines; especially now that their infected tooth is no longer causing them any pain.
Pros and Cons
If you’re still hesitant to follow through with your root canal, it may be helpful to compare the pros and cons of the procedure, which are outlined below.
Root Canal Pros
- Patients can keep their natural tooth
- The pain caused by the infected tooth will be eliminated
- Patients can avoid gaps in the teeth that often form after teeth are extracted
- Less painful than a tooth extraction (and less costly)
- Prevents the spread of infection
- More cosmetically appealing than an implant
- The procedure is relatively quick and the recovery time is minimal
Root Canal Cons
- The tooth may be weakened after the procedure due to the drilling process
- Multiple appointments may be needed in the case of a severe infection
- Your insurance may not cover the entirety of the cost
- You may need to have a crown put on after your procedure
If you’re suffering from signs of an infected tooth, a root canal is likely the best course of action for you. Not only is it a simple and painless procedure, but it also allows you to save your natural tooth from extraction. For more information about root canals, contact Dr. Stelianos Bredologos and Dr. Maria Mendrinos: Family and Cosmetic Dentistry and make an appointment today.
