An endodontic treatment saves a severely injured, cracked, or decayed tooth when its pulp (the soft inner tissue inside a tooth's root canal) becomes inflamed or infected. If it is not treated promptly, pain or a tooth abscess (infection) results. Endodontic treatment is also known as a "root canal." Root canal treatment is completed in one or two office visits, depending on the presence of infection and the required treatment plan. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth. With good oral hygiene, the restored tooth has the potential to last a lifetime.
See our dentist in Loveland, CO if you experience any of these symptoms:
* Tooth or gum pain, discoloration, or prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold
* A tooth that is tender when it is touched
* A tooth abscess (pus enclosed in the tissues of the jawbone at the tip of an infected tooth)
* Pus drainage in your mouth
* Swelling or tenderness in the lymph nodes under your jaw
Sometimes an endodontic problem can exist without warning signs. In these cases, a digital X-ray taken during a routine dental checkup will reveal the tooth damage. After reviewing a digital X-ray of your tooth, your 80538 endodontist will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums and supporting bone structure, recommend a treatment plan, discuss it with you, and answer your questions.
If a root canal is needed:
* A local anesthetic is applied to the affected tooth and surrounding area
* A small, protective sheet called a "dental dam" is used to isolate the tooth to keep it clean and free of saliva during your procedure
* An opening is made in the top of the tooth and your endodontist will remove the soft pulp and nerve and then shape the interior for filling
* The root canal is cleaned, medicated, and filled with a rubber-like biocompatible material (gutta percha)
* A temporary filling is placed pending your return to your general dentist
* Your general dentist will then place a permanent restoration, such as a crown, to protect the tooth
To better understand root canal therapy, you need to delve a little bit further into the make up of the tooth itself. You have the crown, which is the external part of the tooth and the part that you can see. Then you have the root of the tooth, which is hidden within the crown and is usually not visible, and is there to hold the actual tooth in place. Enamel is the hard outer coating of the tooth, the dentine which supports the enamel and also ensures that the tooth is formed. Cementum is the armor of the root itself, and this encases itself around the dental pulp which is right at very center of the tooth. When you consider that teeth can have more than one root canal, and the system of the root canal itself contains all of this dental pulp from the top to the bottom, you can appreciate how sensitive the tooth would be, should a root canal therapy be necessary but not performed.
Some people are scared to go and have a needed root canal done because they fear a lengthy procedure that will keep them away from work, family, or whatever obligations they may have. The amount of time required depends on the tooth. Some teeth only have one canal, but the molars have three and sometimes four. Regardless of which tooth needs the procedure, however, most every root canal will only take one visit. Plan on up to 90 minutes. Most people dread having root canal therapy, and associate it with discomfort, often resulting in a very unpleasant experience. Our dentist are experienced in root canal therapy in the Loveland, CO area and are experts in making sure that you are relaxed and pain-free throughout the procedure. If you are experiencing extreme discomfort and pain, it is likely that you require root canal therapy. Don't wait any longer! There is no reason to live with the discomfort and tooth pain of an abscessed or infected tooth.
The actual amount your dentist charges for a root canal may vary greatly. Why the big discrepancy in price? According to the American Association of Endodontists, one of the main factors is actually the location of the tooth that needs to be repaired. If your cavity is on one of your front teeth, it will cost less. That's because front teeth only have one root. Molars can have up to three. More than one root means more work for your dentist and ultimately, a higher cost. The national average costs for root canals are $762 for a front tooth, $879 for a premolar, and $1,111 for a molar.
Another factor in the cost of root canals is how severe the cavity is and what needs to be done to repair the infected tooth. If you visited the dentist as soon as you noticed sensitivity, the infection probably won't be as extensive and it's easier for the dentist to drill, access and fill the cavity. If, however, you dragged your feet and waited before making an appointment, the infection may become more severe. What may have been easily fixed with a filling might actually need a crown, which can tack on more dollars to your final bill. If your tooth is so severe that it requires extraction, it's the highest cost of all; not only will you pay for the extraction, but the repair and an implant or bridge as well.
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