Root Canal Treatment Plano

Do I Need Root Canal Treatment? 

The most common indication of the need for a root canal is a severe, persistent toothache. However, that is certainly not the only symptom to look for. Other signs you might need a root canal include:

• Extreme, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages 
• Sharp pain when biting down
• Dark discoloration of a tooth
• Swelling or redness of the gums surrounding a tooth
• A pimple-like bump on the gums near a tooth

As soon as you notice any of these symptoms, contact our team. We’ll get you in for an appointment ASAP.

The Root Canal Process

The term “root canal” gets a bad rap, but this procedure is actually painless. In fact, by removing the infected nerve of the tooth, a root canal is designed to relieve pain. Plus, your restorative dentist in Plano will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic beforehand so that you will remain comfortable throughout the process. If needed, we also have multiple sedation options available to help you relax.

We will begin by using special instruments to access the inner chambers of the tooth and remove the pulp that’s triggering your pain. After sanitizing the area, we’ll refill it with a synthetic gutta-percha material to retain the tooth’s shape. The next step is to seal and protect the tooth by placing a temporary dental crown. As your mouth heals, the area around the tooth might feel a bit sore and tender.

A few weeks later, we will see you at our dental office. Then, we’ll switch out your temporary crown for a permanent one. At that point, the underlying tooth should be fully protected. You’ll be able to use it as you normally would!

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

While replacement options like dental implants have their benefits for your smile, preserving your natural tooth should always be the primary goal. If you hesitate to get a root canal when you need one, the infection might progress to the point of no return and your tooth will have to be extracted entirely. Removing and replacing a tooth is a much more complex, time-consuming, and wallet-draining venture than root canal treatment.

In addition to saving your natural tooth, root canal treatment has other benefits:

• Virtually pain-free procedure – Thanks to the advanced dental technology we use, getting a root canal is about as comfortable as the process for an ordinary filling.
• High success rate – The vast majority of root canal patients retain their treated tooth for decades, if not the rest of their lives.
• Aesthetically pleasing results – After your root canal, your tooth will be restored with a custom-made dental crown that seamlessly blends in with the rest of your smile.

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

Not everyone will pay the same amount for root canal treatment; the overall cost will vary based on several factors. When we recommend a root canal to save your infected tooth, we’ll give you a personalized price estimate so that you have a good idea of what you can expect to pay. Our team can go over your financial options with you to make sure you get the care you need at a price you can afford.

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Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

Some of the most important factors that affect how much you pay for root canal treatment include:

• The Type and Location of the Tooth: Root canal treatment for molars is more complex due to there being more canals to clean; it therefore typically has a higher price than a treatment involving the front teeth.
• Complexity of the Case: When possible, we’ll perform root canal treatment in-house. However, complex cases may require us to refer you to a specialist, who will charge their own price for the procedure.
• Additional Services: If you receive a crown after your root canal treatment, it will add to the overall cost of the root canal process.

Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

On the surface, having a tooth extracted might seem cheaper than root canal treatment. However, this doesn’t account for any oral health issues that you might suffer as a result of a missing tooth, and it also doesn’t include the cost of replacing the tooth with a bridge, partial denture, or dental implant. With root canal treatment, you can save your tooth and avoid the need for follow-up procedures, making it the more affordable choice in the long run.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?

Most of the time, root canal treatment is covered by dental insurance. You can usually expect your insurance company to pay anywhere between 50% and 80% of the overall cost; it largely depends on whether your particular plan considers a root canal to be a minor or major procedure. Note that this is before taking your annual maximum into account. Our team can help you verify your coverage and file the necessary claims for you so that you don’t have to worry about the paperwork.

Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable 

If you don’t have insurance, we can help you apply for flexible, low-to-no-interest financing with CareCredit. Thanks to CareCredit, you can break up the cost of your treatment into smaller monthly installments that fit more comfortably into your budget.

Additionally, if you have a crown placed after root canal treatment, you can take advantage of our in-office discount plan. You’ll be able to enjoy a special price for a variety of services, including crowns.

Root Canal FAQs