Root Canal Therapy – Houston, TX

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is often necessary when the innermost layer of a tooth, known as the pulp, becomes infected or damaged. This can occur due to deep spots of decay or physical trauma to a tooth.

Here are some signs that you might benefit from root canal treatment:

• You have a severe, throbbing toothache.
• A tooth is extremely sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
• A tooth is a darker color than the ones around it.
• You have a pimple-like bump on the gums near a tooth.
• There is visible damage to a tooth.

The Root Canal Process

A root canal treatment removes all infected tissue (the pulp) from the inside of the tooth. The root canals are then thoroughly cleaned and reshaped, and refilled with a material known as gutta-percha. Once healed, the tooth is restored with a dental crown or filling.

While most root canals are successful, some are not. The inside of your tooth contains many nerves, some of which are nearly impossible to detect. If infection remains in the tooth, a persistent ache may indicate the need for additional treatment. A second root canal may be performed after an initially unsuccessful treatment. If not, the endodontist can remove the tip of the infected root with a procedure known as an apicoectomy.

During an apicoectomy, the root of the tooth is exposed with an incision in the gum, and your doctor uses precision tools to remove all inflamed tissue. A filling completes the procedure, and sutures are placed to close the wound.

Both root canal treatment and apicoectomies are performed with the use of plenty of local anesthetic. Many patients also elect to be sedated during their procedure. We want you to be comfortable!

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

Root canal therapy can provide numerous benefits, the most noteworthy if which is that it can prevent the need for a tooth extraction. Not only does this preserve your smile’s natural beauty, but it can also save you money on tooth replacement! Avoiding extractions can also decrease your risk of oral health complications, such as dental drift and further tooth loss.

Additional benefits of root canal therapy include:

• It has a high success rate.
• It is more comfortable than most people believe.
• The results can last for a lifetime with proper care. (Thorough oral hygiene and regular dental visits are both important.)

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

Our team at Sunrise Dental Center can perform a root canal to protect and preserve your natural tooth in circumstances that might otherwise require extraction. Despite this, many patients hesitate to move forward because they’re worried about whether they can afford their smile-saving procedure.

After your initial consultation, we can provide a detailed estimate and await your approval before proceeding. You might not pay the same amount as someone else for your root canal because the pricing varies based on your unique circumstances. Continue reading to learn more about how the total is determined, and feel free to contact us for additional information.

Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

It’s difficult to give you a realistic idea of what you can expect to pay for your root canal until we’ve examined your troublesome tooth. Several factors can influence your final invoice, such as:

• Additional services. You must pay for any other necessary associated procedures, like being fitted with a dental crown.
• The type of tooth. Molars are further back in your mouth and, therefore, require more work to access. They also have more roots than your front teeth, making them more costly to treat.
• The severity of your condition. You may need to pay for a specialist to be brought in to address overly damaged teeth because the process becomes more complex.

Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

It’s normal to wonder if there are less expensive ways to address your dental problem, like removing the injured tooth. Although this process may seem cheaper initially, losing a natural tooth has long-term consequences.

For example, you could develop an infection at the extraction site that spreads to your jawbone to weaken it. Also, if you don’t replace it quickly enough, your remaining teeth could drift out of alignment to fill in the gap. This can wear them down prematurely, increasing the likelihood of cavities or other damage. It can even cause a bite misalignment, which requires orthodontics to adjust.

To prevent this, you can replace an extracted tooth with a dental implant, but this is a complex surgery with its own associated risks and fees. Repairing your natural tooth restores its functionality while preserving your overall oral health.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?

Many dental insurance policies contribute anywhere from 50% to 80% of major procedures like root canals once your deductible has been met. However, every plan is different, and there’s no guarantee, so we recommend that you confirm the details of your coverage if you have any questions.

Please let us know if you’re unsure how to find the information or would like assistance with claims or paperwork! Our friendly office staff knows the ins and outs and can help you maximize your benefits.

Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance and are concerned about how to pay for your procedure, you’re in luck! We know many patients don’t carry policies, but we don’t want your budget to keep you from getting the care you need to protect your grin. We’ve partnered with CareCredit, a third-party financer, so that you can break up your final total into more manageable monthly installments if your application is approved.

Root Canal FAQs