Facebook logo
Request Request Appointment Like Us Like us on Facebook Reviews Read Our Reviews Call Give us a Call Map View our Map

Root Canal Treatment – 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 treatment 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 Treatment

Why is a Root Canal Needed?

representation of a root in side a tooth

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 treatment 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?

woman talking to dentist in pain

Overall, root canal treatment can be completed in a single appointment, but this can vary depending on how many teeth need to receive it. 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 treatment takes one to two hours to complete.

Following your treatment, 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?

woman holding cheek and wincing in pain

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

Man calculating the cost of root canal therapy

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

Patient and dental team member discussing cost of root canal therapy

Some factors that are likely to influence that cost of your root canal treatment include:

Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

Illustration of empty socket in mouth after tooth extraction

Generally speaking, an extraction has a lower price than root canal treatment. 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 treatment and a crown have a lower total price than an extraction and tooth replacement.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?

Patient using phone to learn about dental insurance coverage

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 Treatment Affordable

Happy patient talking with dental receptionist about payment options

In addition to helping you with insurance, we can also help you afford your root canal treatment 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 treatment? 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!

More to Explore

Preventive Dentistry Periodontal Therapy Dental Implants Cosmetic Dentistry Sedation Dentistry Advanced Technology View Our Services