Root Canal Therapy – Edison, NJ
Stop Your Tooth Pain with Effective Treatment
While many people might thing that root canal therapy is a difficult treatment to complete, the fact is root canals are actually no more uncomfortable than what you’d experience when getting a dental filling. Furthermore, root canals are designed to stop pain, not cause it. If you’re experiencing severe tooth pain and aren’t sure what to do, call our dental office and Dr. Shah will do everything possible to get your root canal therapy in Edison, NJ completed the same day!
Why Choose Signature Smiles at Edison for Root Canal Therapy?
- Same-Day Emergency Treatment Provided for Root Canals
- Multiple Levels of Sedation Dentistry Available
- Patient Comfort Menu Offered
Why Do I Need a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy is generally needed when an oral infection is currently developing inside the inner area of the tooth where the vulnerable pulp lies. This infection can occur as a result of bacteria and decay breaking down the tooth or physical trauma exposing the inner tooth to bacteria. If you experience severe tooth pain, notice dark discoloration of the tooth, or have facial swelling, get to our dental office right away to handle your dental emergency.
What Does the Root Canal Process Entail?
During a root canal, we administer local anesthetic to the tooth and surrounding gum tissue in order to prevent any discomfort during your treatment. Then, we create a small access hole in the top portion of your tooth so we can access the infected portions of your pulp. Next, we’ll remove any infected areas, clear out bacteria, then irrigate the canal before placing gutta percha inside the tooth. This rubber-like material works to lower the risk of an infection redeveloping later. Finally, a permanent dental crown is placed on top to cover the access hole.
The Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
Although the rumors would make you think otherwise, there are more “pros” than “cons” when it comes to root canal treatment. Here are a few of the most noteworthy benefits of this emergency dental service:
- It’s virtually painless – With powerful numbing agents and the latest techniques, Dr. Shah can remove decay and infected tissue without discomfort.
- It can save your tooth – If your tooth goes untreated for too long, the only option will be to remove it before putting a dental bridge or implant in its place.
- The final results are extremely lifelike – Since we use durable materials and the shade is matched to your surrounding teeth, no unwanted attention will be drawn to your smile.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
When you have a root canal coming up, the last thing that you’re likely to want to worry about is the cost of the treatment. For that reason, we endeavor to be completely transparent about the cost of the care that you receive from us, giving you all the information that you could need to budget effectively for your upcoming procedure.
We’ll be sure to give you an estimate of the cost of care when we meet you in person, and here’s some information you may find useful in the meantime.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
The reason why we can’t just tell you straight away what your root canal is likely to cost is because there are several factors that can affect what your root canal will cost, many of which have to do with the particulars of your unique situation.
First of all, root canal therapy is done by removing root pulp, and some teeth have more of it than others. Molars have three root canals, bicuspids have two, and incisors have only one, which makes molars the most complicated (and expensive) to treat.
In the case of very complicated root canals, we may also need to send you to a specialist who can help you. They’ll have their own rates that you’ll have to consult with them about.
Finally, most people will need a dental crown after their root canal, which will incur its own cost. This needs to be considered as a part of the price of treatment as well.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
If you’re only looking at the upfront cost of care, you might think that pulling your tooth is the most cost-effective option for you. However, no dentist would recommend removing a tooth without then putting something in its place; you’re likely to see your teeth shift out of place, find it harder to eat, and drastically affect your appearance.
When you factor in the price of a dental bridge, dental implant, or dentures, root canals are by far the more cost-effective option.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?
Root canal treatment is really only done when it’s medically necessary, and in these situations, dental insurance is usually more than happy to cover the cost of care. Dental insurance will often pay anywhere from 50-80% of the cost of a dental crown, though this varies from plan to plan so it’s hard to guarantee that this will shake out one way or another.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
Even if you don’t have insurance, we have options available to you that can make root canal treatment considerably more budget-friendly. For one, we offer an in-house membership plan that functions a little bit like insurance—for a flat monthly fee, you can enjoy complimentary cleanings and a 20% discount on all other services you receive from us. And unlike insurance, there’s no deductible or yearly maximum.
We also accept financing from CareCredit, which can be used like a healthcare credit care to pay for care. This can split the cost of dental care into manageable monthly payments, often with little-to-no interest.
With these things in mind, there are a myriad of options available to you to put necessary dental care in your reach.
Root Canal FAQs
If you have a few lingering questions about root canals, this next section is for you! Below, we’ve responded to some FAQs on the topic – from if you can take antibiotics instead to if they can be prevented. As always, if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for below or would simply prefer to speak directly with a member of our Edison dental team, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Why Do I Need a Root Canal if My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
Although dental pain is a common symptom of extensive decay or a significant infection, it isn’t the only one. Discomfort when biting down, a pimple-like bump on your gums, and dental sensitivity are all warning signs that a root canal is needed as well. For that reason, we recommend scheduling an appointment with us the moment these (or any other abnormal symptoms) arise.
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
The short answer is “no.” The reason why is that antibiotics work by traveling through the bloodstream, targeting the infection in the process. However, your bloodstream doesn’t reach the pulp of your tooth. To eliminate the infection and restore the look, health, and function of your smile, we need to intervene with the necessary restorative care.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
Generally speaking, root canals can be prevented with consistent preventive dental care. That starts with a solid at-home oral hygiene regimen (i.e. brushing twice a day, flossing daily, rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash each evening). You should also adopt other habits that benefit your smile, like visiting us twice a year for a checkup and cleaning, not consuming added sugar in excess, and wearing a mouthguard while playing sports. Of course, if you want to learn more about how you can protect your teeth and gums from decay and infections, you can always call our Edison dental office too!