Toothaches can strike at the least opportune times for seemingly no reason at all. However, severe, throbbing dental pain is typically the result of an untreated infection reaching the pulp at the core of the tooth. Thankfully, your dentist is trained and equipped to address this horrible inconvenience with painless and effective root canal treatment. Here’s a brief guide to how this procedure works and the factors that determine how much it costs.
What Causes a Toothache?
Toothaches can happen for a wide variety of reasons such as advanced enamel decay, grinding, dental injuries, and large objects stuck between teeth. If your dental pain does not go away on its own after a few hours or a thorough brushing and flossing session, it may be due to infection of the pulp tissue. Toothaches caused in this way are usually incredibly painful, and they will not go away on their own without help from a qualified dental professional.
How Are Root Canals Performed?
Your dentist will always begin the root canal process by administering an anesthetic to ensure that the patient feels no pain. Once the patient is appropriately numb, the dentist will open the tooth, remove the infected tissue, sanitize, fill and seal the inner chamber, and place an appropriate restoration to restore the tooth’s shape, structure, and appearance. This procedure can bring an immediate end to a nasty toothache and help keep the tooth functional and infection-free for many years.
How Expensive Are Root Canals?
One patient’s root canal procedure can differ significantly in price from another person’s treatment, and there are a few key factors that will determine most of the overall cost. These include:
- The type and location of the tooth: Molars, which are located in the back of the mouth, are harder to reach and more anatomically complex, which makes treating them more expensive.
- The severity of the case: Severe decay may take more time and money to treat.
- The restoration placed: The cost of the dental crown used to restore the tooth after the root canal will be represented on the bill.
- Insurance coverage: Insurance policies may cover restorative treatments like root canals by 50% to 80%. However, the actual rate depends entirely on the details of the individual plan.
Root canals have allowed countless patients to keep their teeth healthy and comfortable after severe tooth decay. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to restore your smile.
About the Practice
Clear Coast Dental offers astounding oral healthcare to the community of New Bedford. Led by Drs. Akbar, Herr, and Luccio, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys compassion, courtesy, and exemplary customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry such as root canals. If you are concerned about a toothache, dial (508) 997-1030. To learn more about the root canal process, contact the office online.
