Root Canal Therapy – 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 therapy 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 Therapy
- 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 therapy 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 therapy can be completed in a single appointment, but this can vary depending on how many teeth need to receive treatment. 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 therapy takes one to two hours to complete.
Following your therapy, 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 therapy include:
- Which tooth we are treating. Root canal therapy 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 therapy. 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 therapy 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 Therapy Affordable
In addition to helping you with insurance, we can also help you afford your root canal therapy via financing. We are partnered with CareCredit and Lending Club, both of which offer 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 therapy? 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!