Root Canal Treatment Deerfield
Saving Teeth & Stopping Pain
By the time a patient comes to see us, their dental infection and tooth pain have progressed to a very advanced stage, but our endodontic expertise makes it possible to stop severe dental pain and save teeth even at this point. With MeTa Endodontics, you don’t need to worry about your problem tooth or oral health anymore because you’re guaranteed to be treated by someone who is specially trained to handle your situation. If you’re in need of root canal treatment in Deerfield, schedule your appointment with us today.
Why Choose MeTa Endodontics for Root Canal Treatment?
- Led by Two Experienced Endodontists
- State-of-the-Art Endodontic Office
- Dental Sedation Available for Nervous Patients
What Is Root Canal Treatment?
A tooth typically requires a root canal once an infection has progressed past the enamel and reached the inner chamber of a tooth. This houses a collection of nerves and blood vessels that are collectively known as the pulp. Root canal treatment involves removing this pulp and cleaning the interior of a tooth, including the individual root canals that go into the jawbone.
Signs You Might Need a Root Canal
Your dentist probably recommended you get a root canal due to one or more of the following symptoms:
- Severe, lingering pain in a single tooth
- Reoccurring dental sensitivity that lasts for 20-30 seconds
- Sharp pain when biting down
- Red or discolored gums near a tooth
-
A noticeable bump at the base of a tooth
Root Canal Treatment Step-by-Step
Endodontic treatment is typically completed in one or two visits and includes the following steps:
- The endodontist examines the tooth, takes X-rays, and administers local anesthesia. Once numb, a dental dam is placed to isolate the tooth, keeping it clean and saliva-free during treatment.
- An opening is made in the tooth’s crown. Using small instruments, the endodontist removes the pulp, cleans the root canals, and shapes them for filling.
- The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material, usually gutta-percha, and sealed with adhesive cement. A temporary filling is placed to close the opening, which your dentist will remove before final restoration.
- After treatment, you must visit your dentist for a crown or restoration to protect and restore function. If the tooth lacks structure for support, a post may be placed.
Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?
This is one of the most pervasive myths in all of dentistry. Fortunately for patients, a root canal is no more “painful” than having a small filling placed, which is to say not at all! This is thanks to our team’s skills, technology, and light touch.
The reason why many people think that root canal treatment hurts is because of A. Depictions in movies, TV, and other media, and B. The pain due to the initial infection is falsely connected to the procedure that (ironically) removes it!
Why Root Canal Treatment Is Recommended
The reason that so many local general dentists send their patients to us for root canal treatment is that it is better for someone’s health and wallet if we’re able to save their natural tooth from extraction. Nothing is stronger than the teeth you were born with, and root canal treatment will always be more affordable compared to removing a tooth and then replacing it. This approach also saves a patient from having to replace their prosthetic tooth throughout their lifetime, meaning it can literally save them thousands of dollars.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
When planning your root canal treatment, our team will give you a customized estimate of what the cost will look like. The procedure isn’t exactly the same for every patient, so the amount you end up paying can vary depending on a number of factors. Rest assured, though, that we’ll do everything we can to help you get the care you need to save your tooth without breaking the bank.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
Some of the variables that can influence the final price tag of your root canal treatment include:
- Which Tooth Requires Treatment: The teeth near the back of your mouth tend to be more difficult to clean due to having more complex anatomies. A root canal treatment involving these teeth will therefore generally carry a higher cost than one that involves the front teeth.
- The Possible Use of Sedation: If you’re nervous about having a root canal treatment performed, you may want to have some form of sedation administered during the procedure. Needless to say, this can add to the overall cost.
- The Final Crown: Oftentimes, the last step of root canal treatment is to place a crown on the tooth in question in order to strengthen and protect it. The crown will come with its own separate price tag.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
While having your tooth removed may seem like the less expensive option at first, you need to remember that an incomplete smile can ultimately lead to additional oral health issues that could potentially require costly forms of treatment. And if you choose to have the tooth replaced, you’ll need to fit the cost of a dental prosthesis into your budget. Having a root canal treatment performed can help you avoid these financial headaches while also getting your oral health back on track.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?
Yes, you can typically expect your dental insurance company to be willing to pay at least part of the cost of a root canal treatment. That said, you should review your plan to make sure that you fully understand your benefits; coverage could range anywhere from 50% to 80% depending on whether your insurance company considers root canal treatment to be a major or minor procedure. Our team can answer any insurance-related questions you might have and help you take full advantage of your benefits.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
To make it easier for our patients to pay for their care, our office is partnered with CareCredit and Cherry, two third-party financing companies that are trusted by dental practices across the country. The advantage of financing is that you can break up the cost of your root canal treatment into smaller monthly installments that don’t put as much strain on your budget. Call our team if you’re interested in learning more about financing and how you can qualify.
Root Canal FAQs
What Happens if You Wait Too Long for a Root Canal?
Since your teeth cannot heal on their own, the infection will progress and spread. With enough time, it can even “kill” the tooth and spread throughout your body. That’s why – even if the situation doesn’t seem urgent – you should schedule an appointment with our talented endodontists in Deerfield right away. The sooner you do, the sooner they can provide the care needed to restore your healthy, beautiful, and pain-free smile.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
Oftentimes, yes! The best way to reduce your risk of needing a root canal is by incorporating healthy habits into your daily routine, starting with brushing every morning and extending to cutting back on added sugar. Scheduling a dental checkup and cleaning every six months is also important because these routine visits help catch and prevent several common oral health problems, including large cavities.
Do Root Canals Make You Sick?
There are lots of misconceptions about root canals, including that they lead to illness. If you’ve heard this myth, it’s important to look into where this claim started. Back in the 1920s, a dentist named Dr. Weston Price claimed that it was best to extract the tooth since root canals didn’t remove all of the bacteria. However, his research was poorly designed, and his findings have been disproven on several occasions. As a result, there isn’t any scientific evidence to support this claim today.
Can I Eat Before a Root Canal?
There are a few cases when we ask patients to fast prior to their visit, like if they are being sedated for the procedure. That said, most are given the green light to eat a healthy, well-balanced meal beforehand. If that’s the case for you, then make sure to brush and floss afterward!
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
No, antibiotics are not a suitable replacement for a root canal. The reason for this is simple: the medication travels through the bloodstream, and your bloodstream cannot reach the pulp of the tooth, which is where the infection lies. As a result, the only way to eliminate it is with a root canal (or a tooth extraction).
Why Do I Need a Root Canal if My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
This is a very common question, and, since considerable discomfort is one of the biggest warning signs of dental damage, it makes sense! The short answer is that there are other indicators that a root canal is needed, including a pimple-like bump on the gums, dark discoloration on the tooth, and considerable sensitivity. So, even if your tooth doesn’t hurt, it may be severely decayed or infected.
Ultimately, if you have any questions for us about your care, including why it’s necessary, don’t hesitate to ask! Our Deerfield team would be more than happy to address any questions or concerns you have so you feel completely confident moving forward with your treatment plan.