Root Canal Therapy – Westborough, MA
Relieve Your Pain and Preserve Your Tooth
Although root canal therapy in Westborough has a bad reputation, it is actually a remarkable treatment that has the potential to relieve severe dental pain and save an infected or damaged tooth from extraction. When we perform this procedure, we do all we can to ensure our patients are comfortable and that they experience satisfactory results. This page explains more about what root canal therapy is and what you can expect from it.
Why Choose All Dental for Root Canal Therapy?
- Sedation Available
- Advanced Technology Contributes to Outstanding Results
- Compassionate and Skilled Team
Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy becomes necessary when the pulp, the innermost layer of a tooth, incurs damage or infection. This may occur due to physical trauma or decay.
Here are some signs and symptoms that often indicate the need for root canal treatment:
- You have a severe, throbbing toothache
- A tooth is extremely sensitive to pressure, hot, and cold
- A tooth is darker than the ones around it
- There is a pimple-like bump on the gums
Keep in mind that in some cases, root canal therapy is necessary even when a patient is not experiencing any obvious symptoms. It is wise to listen to treatment recommendations from your dentist in Westborough.
The Root Canal Process
At the beginning of your appointment, we will strive to make you comfortable. We will numb the portion of your mouth where we will be working. We may also administer sedation.
During root canal therapy, we access the inner portion of a tooth, the pulp. Using special tools, we clean out the damaged or infected area and remove the tooth’s nerve, which may have been sending pain signals to the brain. Then, we fill in the tooth with a special material called gutta-percha.
Most patients require a crown following a root canal. At first, your crown will be a temporary restoration. We will replace it later with a permanent one.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
Following root canal treatment, you may experience the following benefits:
- The ability to keep your tooth for a lifetime. Most root canal treatments are successful. They often allow patients to avoid an extraction and enjoy reliable function from their treated tooth for a lifetime.
- Save money. Root canal therapy and a crown typically cost less than a tooth extraction followed by tooth replacement. (Replacing a lost tooth is important for preventing a range of oral health problems.)
- A beautiful smile. Your crown can be made out of lifelike materials. If you care well for it, you can expect it to last for many years.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
The cost of a root canal depends on a few factors. When you visit us for your emergency consultation in our Westborough office, we will be able to provide a personalized price estimate. We will also help you learn about your payment options, including insurance and financing. Our goal is to help patients afford this tooth-saving treatment with as little stress as possible.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
Some factors that have a bearing on the cost of root canals include:
- The specific tooth that requires treatment. Teeth toward the front of the mouth are often less challenging to treat than molars. Therefore, they may incur lower fees.
- The overall complexity of the case. We are usually able to perform root canal therapy right here in our office. In some instances, though, we must refer patients to a specialist whose pricing structure is different from our own.
- Additional services. Most patients require a crown after their root canal, which naturally adds to the total cost of their care.
Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
Upfront, the cost of a tooth extraction is less than that of root canal therapy. However, there are additional financial considerations that should be taken into account. For example, if you remove a tooth, it is important that you get it replaced. Otherwise, you could end up suffering from issues like dental drift and future tooth loss.
The cost of an extraction, plus that of a dental implant, can amount to several thousand dollars. Root canal therapy is typically more affordable in the long run. Plus, since it allows you to keep your natural tooth, its value is difficult to overstate.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?
In most cases, yes, dental insurance does cover root canal therapy. It may be classed as a minor or major service, so your policy could cover anywhere from 50% to 80% of its cost, up to the amount of your annual maximum. Our team welcomes many kinds of insurance, and we will do all we can to assist you as you seek to verify your coverage. We will also be happy to help you file claims.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
Besides insurance, a few provisions that might make your root canal therapy more affordable include:
- The Essential Dental Plan. This discount plan, which is designed for patients without insurance, offers reduced fees on virtually all the services available in our practice.
- We accept CareCredit, a third-party company that helps patients afford dental treatments via low-interest payment plans. The application process is fast, and most patients are approved for credit.
You should not let worries about cost prevent you from undergoing the treatment you need. Contact us today to learn more about root canal therapy and how you may be able to fit it into your budget. Our team looks forward to speaking with you.
Root Canal FAQs
The team at All Dental is ready to help you benefit from a root canal in Westborough whenever the need arises. In the meantime, you may want to learn more about this restorative treatment and how it works. To help you out, we have put together the following list of FAQs about root canal therapy, along with succinct answers. If you do not see the information you were hoping to find, reach out to us directly — we will be pleased to speak with you.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Root Canal?
People heal at different rates, so there is no real way to predict how long your recovery might take. In general, patients are able to go back to work or school the day after their procedure. However, if your job requires a lot of physical activity, it would be wise to take additional time off because exercise can divert blood from your treatment site and slow down healing.
You can expect your mouth to be sore for at least a few days. Taking pain medication, getting plenty of rest, and eating soft foods can facilitate a smooth recovery. If you experience any severe pain or unusual side effects while you are healing, you should call your dentist in Westborough right away.
What Should I Do Before a Root Canal?
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your procedure:
- Eat a nutritious, filling meal.
- Do not use tobacco products or drink any alcohol.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen. This can help to minimize your discomfort as the numbness wears off following your treatment.
- Try to get a full night of rest. Adequate sleep can relieve anxiety and help your immune system to function its best.
How Long Do Root Canals Last?
The results of your root canal therapy are likely to last a lifetime. The crown on your treated tooth may endure for 10 – 15 years or longer before it needs to be replaced. Of course, it is important to keep in mind that while root canal treatment is usually successful, there are rare instances when it fails. This can occur shortly after the original procedure or even years later. A failed root canal may be the result of a new infection or complicating factors during the initial appointment. You can protect your treated tooth by sticking to a good oral hygiene routine and regularly visiting your dentist for preventive care.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long for a Root Canal?
Teeth are unable to heal themselves. Therefore, without treatment, a tooth infection will only get worse over time. Without timely root canal therapy, the problem could easily progress to the point where it becomes necessary to remove the afflicted tooth altogether. Also, the infection can spread well beyond the tooth, leading to systemic illness. In some cases, an infected tooth can even cause life-threatening complications.