Root Canal Therapy – Tappan, NY
Effective Care for Aching Teeth
Do you have a terrible toothache that is preventing you from going about your day? It sounds like it may have an infection in the dental pulp, which is the delicate internal nerve of a tooth. It can become exposed to bacteria due to a longstanding cavity or crack in the enamel, but either way, a lot of dental pain is usually the result. Fortunately, Smile More Dentistry knows just how to help: root canal therapy! Despite what you may have seen in the media, this procedure is safe, effective, and virtually painless. If you’re ready to make that awful toothache disappear, it might be exactly what you need to get fast relief.
Why Choose Smile More Dentistry for Root Canal Therapy?
- Root Canal Specialist On-Staff: Dr. Marsheh
- Same-Day Appointments Available for Patients in Pain
- Sedation Dentistry Guarantees a Comfortable Experience
Who Needs a Root Canal?
Root canals are designed to help individuals who have a serious infection inside the inner tooth (the pulp). The early signs of infection may not be prominent; however, there are certain symptoms that can point to the possibility of needing a root canal, such as:
- Intense pain
- Swelling
- Fever
- Tooth sensitivity (hot or cold)
Should you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms, make sure to call your emergency dentist in Tappan as soon as possible.
The Root Canal Procedure
Dr. Marsheh will begin by administering local anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable and fully relaxed before your procedure. Once he is ready to move forward, he will place a dental dam around the tooth to isolate it. Then, he will enter through the top of the tooth to gain access to the infected area. He will then clean and remove all of the decayed pulp, making sure to thoroughly clean the canals and eliminate any debris from inside the tooth.
Once your tooth is cleaned, he will fill it with gutta-percha to create a proper seal, preventing reinfection or additional damage to the weakened tooth. It will be necessary to have a dental crown placed over your tooth, so he will prep it to ensure a proper fit once the finalized restoration is ready for placement.
After taking an impression of your tooth and sending it off for technicians to create your customized crown, you will receive a temporary to wear in the meantime. Once the prosthetic arrives in our office, you will return to have the temporary removed and the finalized crown put into place.
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
Apart from the removal of infection and pain, there are many additional benefits to having root canal therapy, including:
- Saving your natural tooth from extraction
- Protecting your weakened tooth with a custom dental crown that blends in with your smile
- Maintaining the tooth’s structural integrity
- Restoring your normal chewing functionality
Why You Shouldn’t Fear a Root Canal
The reason that root canal therapy has such a bad reputation is that the pain it’s intended to fix often gets wrongly attributed to the procedure itself. In truth, every root canal starts with thoroughly numbing the patient with local anesthesia. By the time we actually remove the infected tissue and repair the tooth, a patient basically can’t feel anything. Most compare the experience to getting a small filling, and in many cases, their only regret is not coming to see us sooner!
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
The price of root canal treatment is one of the most important things patients wonder about, especially since many believe the procedure to also be uncomfortable. Fortunately, our team will do everything we can to ensure you’re completely pain-free during the process, and we’ll also walk you through your financial situation so that you can stay within your budget. Here are some of the things you should know about the cost of root canal treatment.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
There are several things to consider that can influence how much you’ll have to pay for a root canal, which can include the location of your tooth, the severity or complexity of your situation, and the number of teeth that require treatment. Even the kind of restoration that you’ll need after the procedure can impact the price. The good news is that our team will discuss all the details during your initial consultation so that you know everything there is to expect. Once we’ve thoroughly examined your oral health and taken X-rays of your mouth, we can develop a specific plan tailored to your needs as well as discuss the price of treatment.
Is it Cheaper to Extract My Tooth?
Why undergo a root canal if you can simply remove the damaged or infected tooth altogether? While this might make sense to many, there is nothing simple with the consequences of losing even a single tooth. Not only will this negatively impact your ability to chew properly or speak clearly, but a lack of a tooth root in the jawbone can also lead to complications with retaining a strong facial structure. Over time, the nearby natural teeth may begin to shift out of place, which can ruin your bite and increase the risk of further tooth loss.
Removing the tooth will likely also require you to obtain a tooth replacement, such as a dental bridge or denture, which can come with additional costs. You’ll have to maintain your new teeth while also expecting to need replacements in the future that’ll add up the price in the long run. To avoid all of this, it’s best to preserve your natural tooth for as long as possible with a root canal. A tooth extraction should mainly be reserved as a last resort.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?
Dental insurance companies will typically help cover a portion of the cost of root canal treatment due to it being a tooth-saving procedure. In many cases, you might expect to only have to pay half of the overall price. Of course, every policy is different, so you’ll have to consult your provider or our front desk team to understand the details of your plan. Feel free to give us a call so that we can review your benefits and help you make the most of your coverage so that the process is as smooth as possible.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
If you aren’t currently covered by dental insurance, it doesn’t mean you won’t have an opportunity to save while getting a root canal. Our team offers plans through our Smile Savings Club so that patients can enjoy discounts on numerous treatments. You can also sign up for CareCredit, which can help split up the cost of your procedure into monthly payments with little to zero interest involved.
Root Canal Treatment FAQs
Is root canal treatment painful?
This is one of the most persistent MYTHS in all of dentistry. Root canal treatment is actually a fairly comfortable process, but the pain caused by the severe toothaches it’s meant to stop is often falsely connected to the procedure.
Every patient is thoroughly numbed before we do anything else so they don’t experience any uncomfortable physical sensations. Root canals are designed to STOP dental pain, not cause it! When performed by our team, patients are consistently surprised by how easy everything is—most say it feels similar to having a small dental filling placed, which is to say not a big deal.
How long does it take to recover after root canal treatment?
It’s expected that a patient will experience some slight oral soreness and swelling following root canal treatment, and the area might be a little sensitive after a crown is placed over the tooth at a follow-up appointment. Fortunately, these symptoms are expected, minor, and brief in most cases, resolving after three to four days. To make recovery even easier, OTC or prescribed pain medication can be used.
Can I get sedation for root canal treatment?
Yes, our team offers multiple forms of sedation to help particularly nervous patients. Nitrous oxide is ideal for those who just need a little assistance to overcome their dental anxiety, while IV sedation can make even the most tense patient become calm in a matter of minutes.
Once we recommend root canal treatment for you, we’ll go over the procedure and ask whether or not you’d like to use sedation. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have so you can decide what is best for you and expect a smooth procedure right from the beginning.
Is root canal treatment covered by dental insurance?
While the coverage can vary from provider to provider and plan to plan, many dental insurance policies can be used to help pay for root canal treatment, usually in the neighborhood of 50-80%. This amount will depend on the details of your individual plan and whether or not you’ve met your deductible for the year.
Before your procedure, our team will look at your insurance and give you an estimate of your coverage and out-of-pocket cost so you have the full picture of your financial commitment. From there, we’ll make it straightforward to get the care you need while staying well within your budget.
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