Root Canal Treatment – Ellicott City, MD
Stopping Tooth Pain
Without Fear
Being told that you need a root canal shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing. After all, this emergency dental service is the answer to stopping constant dental pain and preventing an extraction. Plus, modern techniques have made the process more comfortable than ever before! Simply put, our Ellicott City dental team will make sure you stay relaxed and comfortable throughout your visit, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have a toothache that needs to be treated.
Why Choose My Ellicott City Dentist for Root Canal Treatment?
- Same-Day Appointments for Emergencies
- Treatments That Prioritize Your Comfort
- Highly Skilled Dentists and Friendly Team
Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?
Your tooth is surrounded by a hard enamel layer, but at its center, there is a bundle of soft tissue, nerves, and blood tissue. This is the dental pulp, and if it becomes infected due to exposure to bacteria (which might happen if the tooth decays or is broken), you’ll begin experiencing some very serious pain. Other common symptoms include dark discoloration on your tooth, red, inflamed, or bleeding gums, and persistent dental sensitivity. So, if you are experiencing these symptoms or any other warning signs of dental damage, contact us ASAP to schedule an appointment.
The Root Canal Process
Our talented, compassionate, and experienced dentist, Dr. Andrew Aziz, will begin the procedure by numbing your mouth thoroughly. That way, you can relax comfortably while he works to restore the look, health, and function of your tooth. This requires him to access the inner chambers, remove the diseased tissue, and sanitize the area before filling it with a synthetic gutta-percha material to restore the structure. The final step is to place a crown over your tooth to protect it from harm both now and years from now.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
All too often, patients have heard bad things about root canal treatment. However, this emergency dental service offers several benefits. Starting with the fact that, despite what television and other media might have led you to believe, the procedure causes little to no pain; you can walk in for your appointment without fear. Furthermore, this procedure removes the damaged pulp and disinfects the inside of your tooth, which stops your pain and saves your tooth from extraction. Finally, the restorations used to cover the treated tooth moving forward are custom-made, are crafted from high-quality dental materials, and are extremely lifelike.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
Root canals are an incredibly common treatment that can alleviate your pain and restore your smile’s appearance and functionality. Despite this, many patients feel anxious when they learn they need one because they worry whether they can afford it. Our team is here to help you better understand what’s involved so that you can set your mind at ease.
Continue reading to learn more about how the cost of your root canal is determined, and feel free to contact us for additional information.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
It’s difficult to share an estimate in advance because we must first assess your aching tooth to determine what’s needed to fix it. The final amount due depends on your unique situation and is influenced by several factors, including:
- The type and location of the tooth in question. Back teeth are harder to access and have additional roots, which can increase the price.
- The severity of your condition. If your tooth is overly damaged, a specialist may be required to assist with your procedure.
- Whether other services are needed. You’ll be responsible for additional restorative work like fillings or dental crowns to preserve your tooth.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
If you’re worried about paying for your root canal, you might start to wonder whether it’s better to remove the problematic tooth rather than treat it. Although extractions may seem cheaper initially, it’s important to remember that tooth loss can negatively impact your oral health in the long run.
For instance, if you don’t replace it right away, your other teeth may shift out of alignment to fill in the space left behind. This can wear down your enamel unevenly and prematurely, leaving your grin vulnerable to decay, disease, or injury. Furthermore, without a root to stimulate new bone growth, your jaw gradually thins which can cause additional tooth loss down the road.
Typically, it’s better for your dental health to restore your natural teeth than to remove them, if possible.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?
Many insurance policies include anywhere from 50% to 80% coverage for major procedures like root canals and dental crowns. However, all plans are different and there’s no guarantee, so it’s worth checking your details. If you cannot find the information or need help with paperwork or applications, please don’t hesitate to let us know! Our dedicated office staff are familiar with many providers and can help you maximize your benefits.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
We understand that everyone doesn’t carry dental insurance, but we don’t want you to miss out on smile-saving treatments because of your budget. If you’re concerned about how to afford your root canal procedure, you might benefit from one of the following programs:
- Flexible Financing. We’ve partnered with a third-party financer, CareCredit, to offer a more convenient payment option. If your application is approved, this allows you to break down your total invoice into more manageable monthly installments.
- In-House Memberships. For a low monthly rate, you can access free and discounted services without the hassle of deductibles or waiting periods.
Root Canal FAQs
Do Root Canals Hurt?
Hands down, one of the most-asked questions about root canal treatment is, “Does it hurt?” If you’ve been wondering the same thing, we have good news for you: it doesn’t! In fact, the reason this emergency dental service has a bad reputation is because of the pain that stems from a badly infected tooth, not the process of eliminating it. Plus, we thoroughly numb your mouth beforehand to ensure you don’t feel any pain in the treatment chair, and we provide detailed aftercare instructions so you can heal comfortably at home too.
My Toothache Went Away. Do I Still Need a Root Canal?
Many patients assume that if their toothache went away, the infection went away. That’s not the case. Quite the opposite, in fact, it means that the infection has progressed to the point where it “killed” the nerve of your tooth. While any sensitivity, discomfort, or soreness you’ve been experiencing may be gone, the root of the problem is still present, and it’s only a matter of time until it spreads to the surrounding teeth and gums. So, don’t cancel or postpone your appointment!
What Happens If I Don’t Get a Root Canal?
As we mentioned above, the infection can progress to the point where it “kills” the nerve of your tooth. Not only that, but it can wreak havoc on your oral health, it can spread throughout your body, and it can lead to so much damage that we have no choice but to pull the tooth. For all of those reasons, we don’t recommend putting off an appointment. Instead, bring any questions you have to us so we can address them before intervening with the necessary restorative care.
Is There Anything I Can Do to Prevent a Root Canal?
Actually, yes! Habits like brushing twice a day, flossing each night before bed, and wearing a mouthguard during sports will go a long way in protecting your teeth from harm. It’s also important that you come to our Ellicott City dental office twice a year so we can check for small cavities and, if we find any, treat them before a root canal is necessary.
Is There Anything I Should Do Prior to Getting a Root Canal?
Leading up to your appointment, it’s important that you avoid using tobacco products or drinking alcohol. Instead, get everything you need so you can heal comfortably at home, like OTC pain medication, get a good night’s rest the night before, and eat a healthy, well-balanced meal the morning of.
Will I Need to Take Time Off of Work After a Root Canal?
Most of the time, patients return to work the following day. Of course, there are exceptions. For example, if we treated multiple teeth, then we may recommend taking a day or two off of work so you can focus solely on resting and recovering.
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