Root Canals – Denton, TX
Save Your Tooth with Root Canal Therapy!
It’s no secret that decay happens. Whether you have a higher predisposition or you just haven’t been brushing as much as you need to, it can really wreak havoc on your teeth. However, your tooth can also get damaged due to trauma from a bad accident or sports injury. In both circumstances, you may need a root canal to save your tooth.
With Dr. Todd Balington and his team by your side, you have nothing to fear. Contact his office today to get your treatment or examination scheduled. It could mean the difference between you saving your tooth and needing an implant or bridge.
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a restorative procedure designed to shape and clean the interior areas of teeth known as the pulp. It’s one of the most common dental treatments and is performed by both dentists and endodontists alike. Many people believe the misconception that root canals are inherently painful, but in reality the opposite is true. Root canals are designed to remove the pain caused by infections in teeth.
Do I Need a Root Canal?
As dental plaque sits on teeth, it breaks down the many layers of enamel and dentin. During these stages, you may not notice that your teeth are in danger, but you may notice increased sensitivity. However, sensitivity could also be caused by receding gums that expose more of the tooth’s root. The best way to confirm if you need a root canal is to visit our office for a thorough examination. However, the most common symptoms of an infected inner tooth include:
- Severe tooth pain
- Prolonged sensitivity that does not go away
- Discoloration or darkening of the tooth (typically brown or grey discoloration)
- Pain when biting down
- Small, pimple-like bumps on the gums near the affected area
What Does Treatment Entail?
After examining your tooth and taking necessary X-rays, Dr. Balington will numb the area around the tooth to prevent as much discomfort as possible. A rubber dam will also be placed to keep the area isolated during treatment. In order to reach the inner tooth, a small hole is created through the top of the crown. Using specialized dental tools, he can remove infected tissue and pulp as well as shape the inner tooth. This shaping is meant to create room for the replacement material, known as gutta percha.
Gutta percha is a rubber-like material designed to seal the tooth and reduce the risk of future infections later. Once filled, you’ll either have a filling placed to seal the crown the same day or have a temporary crown placed while a permanent crown is fabricated at a later date. Once you’ve received all permanent restorations, your tooth will be restored and ready for daily use once again!
Aftercare for root canals should only last a few days to a week. During this time, you should get plenty of rest, stick to a soft diet and practice your regular at-home oral hygiene. If you notice pain several days after treatment, contact our office as soon as possible for retreatment.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
Even if you want a root canal, perhaps you’re worried about the price. That’s only natural – a treatment that “breaks the bank” wouldn’t make sense. Still, the cost of root canal therapy actually varies by patient. You’d thus need to consult Dr. Balington for an exact treatment estimate. Fortunately, though, we at Denton Dental Center will help you navigate the financial details. To find out how that works, just keep reading or book a visit to our office!
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
Before your root canal takes place, our team will give you an oral exam. This assessment (among other things) helps us gauge your treatment’s cost. In particular, it lets us review factors like:
- Tooth Type & Location – Different teeth have varying numbers of root canals, so the therapy’s price partly depends on the tooth’s type and location. Front teeth, for example, have fewer roots than molars and therefore cost less to treat.
- Difficulty of Treatment –A more complex treatment will be more expensive than a simple one.
- Need for Extra Services – While it can be done without them, a root canal is often followed by filling and crown procedures. Should you need these, the price of treatment will rise.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
In terms of upfront costs, tooth extraction is cheaper than a root canal. You may be tempted, then, to choose the former over the latter. That said, you’d have to deal with the resulting long-term problems.
You see, losing a natural tooth has enduring consequences. It could damage your bite by shifting your other teeth, leading to discomfort and eating difficulties. In that case, a dentist could only fix things by suggesting pricey restorations like implants or bridges.
Given such effects, root canal therapy is usually the cost-effective option. It’ll almost certainly save you more money than paying for a tooth replacement. You shouldn’t delay the treatment, either, as a longer wait makes extraction more likely.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
Since root canal therapy is a major procedure, it’s pretty standard for dental plans to cover it. In fact, many will have coverage that extends from 50% to 80% of the procedure’s cost.
Keep in mind, however, that there are exceptions. After all, not every dental policy is the same. Therefore, it’s crucial that you confirm your plan’s benefits before treatment. If necessary, our team can even help you do so.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
Even if you don’t have dental insurance, there are other ways to make a root canal affordable. It’s just a matter of finding the right option with the right practice.
Take us at Denton Dental Center, for instance. Our office offers flexible financing through CareCredit. As such, you can cover a root canal’s cost with a monthly, low-interest payment plan. You’d then be able to pay over time instead of all at once.
In the end, Denton Dental Center is ready to give you effective, budget-friendly root canal therapy. That being the case, book a visit with us today!
Root Canal FAQs
Do you have a few questions before moving forward with a root canal? You’re not alone. If you have a specific question on your mind, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our knowledgeable team here at Denton Dental Center. However, if you would like a bit more information before giving us a call, we have listed a few frequently asked questions below about getting a root canal in Denton.
How Painful Is a Root Canal?
Not surprisingly, one of the first questions patients ask when they hear they need a root canal is, “Will it hurt?” If you’ve wondered something similar, then you’ll be happy to know that while root canals have a bad rep, they are a straightforward and relatively pain-free procedure. In fact, many patients find them to be no worse than a filling! That’s because Dr. Balington, a dentist in Denton, and our entire team go above and beyond to ensure you are comfortable throughout the entire process – from the moment you sit in our treatment chair to the last step of your recovery.
What Should I Expect After a Root Canal?
Once your root canal therapy is complete, our team will provide you with aftercare instructions to ensure you heal properly. Priority number one is preventing the area from becoming infected. Fortunately, you can do so by simply rinsing with salt and warm water. You will also be able to brush and floss your teeth, but make sure to do so gently to not irritate the area. Lastly, make sure to avoid crunchy, sticky, or hard foods that can tug or break your crown.
What Will Happen If I Don’t Get a Root Canal?
Since many patients are fearful of root canals, it’s not surprising that they try to go as long as possible without seeking treatment. However, neglecting a decayed tooth can have serious consequences on your oral and overall health. Not only will the pain persist, but the bacteria can enter your bloodstream and spread to the rest of your body. In some cases, the consequences can be life-threatening, so it is important to get root canal therapy as soon as possible.
Is There an Alternative to a Root Canal?
In short, the answer is yes. Severely decayed teeth can be extracted, which will remove the entire tooth. But, doing so can lead to unintended consequences, like shifting teeth, bone loss, and the inability to chew properly. While tooth replacement solutions are also an option, like dentures and dental implants, it is best to save your natural tooth whenever possible.
Should I Get a Root Canal Even If I Don’t Have Tooth Pain?
One of the biggest indicators of a decayed tooth the necessitates a root canal is pain. However, if the decay has penetrated the inner layers of the tooth and attacked the nerves, then the tooth can become asymptomatic. If this occurs, it is important to know that just because it doesn’t hurt does not mean that you should leave it untreated. As mentioned above, the bacteria can continue to spread and wreak havoc on your overall health. So, get a root canal even if your tooth pain has subsided!