Root Canal Therapy – Lorain, OH

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

That’s a question that only a trained professional can give a definite answer to. That said, if your tooth is infected, there may be a few symptoms that indicate something is wrong, such as:

• Experiencing significant pain whenever you try to bite or chew.
• Persistent cold or hot sensitivity in a tooth or a general area
• A pimple in the gums by the tooth indicating drainage due to infection.
• A tooth that has become chipped or cracked 
• Gum tissue that is swollen or tender.
• A toothache that wakes you up at night

Please give us a call if you notice any of the warning signs listed above.

The Root Canal Process

Root canal therapy involves the following steps:

• The tooth and the surrounding gums are numbed with a local anesthetic in a gentle way.
• A rubber dam is placed to keep the mouth clean from any debris.
• A bite block is provided as an option to help you keep your mouth open comfortably without putting too much strain on your jaw.
• An opening is created in the top of the tooth so that we can get to the canals.
• The infected tissues inside the tooth are cleaned out, and the pulp chambers and root canals are disinfected and reshaped as needed.
• Gutta-percha is used to fill the canals before the tooth is resealed.
• Then, a temporary filling is placed in the tooth and will be replaced with a permanent filling by your general dentist.
• Most patients will need to have a crown placed after the final restoration by their general dentists in order to protect the tooth structure while also ensuring that their bite can still function normally.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

With root canal therapy, we can put a stop to your toothache by getting rid of the bacteria causing your pain. Furthermore, a successful root canal treatment means that you can keep the natural tooth instead of having it extracted and replaced. And while many people are afraid of having a root canal done because they believe it will hurt, the fact of the matter is that the procedure is virtually painless, and multiple steps will be taken to ensure your comfort throughout your visit.

Cracked Tooth Treatment

Some tooth cracks are more severe than others. While some are so minor that they’re simply regarded as a cosmetic issue, in other cases, the damage might extend all the way to the pulp. Not only can this lead to infection, but the tooth will be significantly weakened. In cases where the crack has reached the pulp, bacteria has likely contaminated the tooth. Root canal treatment will clean the bacteria, and a dental crown will be placed afterward to increase the likelihood of keeping the tooth long term.

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

However much your tooth needs it, you may fear a root canal is too pricey. What’ll you do if the treatment exceeds your budget?  To be honest, though, the cost of root canal therapy varies by patient. You’ll need to consult our endodontists for a more precise estimate. From there, our team will work to make the root canal affordable. We’ll even guide you through the procedure’s pricing factors and possible financing options. If you’d like further details, keep reading or call us soon.

Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

At your initial visit, our endodontists will assess your smile. This brief exam will settle the factors that affect your root canal cost. Among the latter, the most common ones include:

• The Tooth’s Type/Location – A tooth’s type or location can greatly affect the related root canal’s price. Different teeth have varying numbers of roots. (For example, molars have more roots than any other tooth and cost much to treat.)
• The Root Canal’s Difficulty – When the root canal is complex, it’ll cost more to perform. After all, the treatment may require help from an outside specialist.
• Additional Services – Once your root canal is done, you may get a crown or filling. Such “add-on” services would increase your expense.

Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

On the surface, pulling a tooth does seem cheaper than a root canal. An extraction’s upfront price is quite lower than the therapy. Even so, the truth remains that root canal therapy is more cost-effective.

As it turns out, losing a natural tooth – even through an extraction – has long-term effects. The loss could quickly alter your bite and shift your other teeth out of place. Similarly, your new smile gap would put you at risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and worse. Combined with the likely tooth replacement, such things would make your extraction pricey.

Luckily, a root canal saves your tooth and your funds. It preserves the pearly white to avoid nasty side-effects. So, try to get the procedure soon; waiting will make an extraction likelier.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?

Often enough, dental insurance will cover root canal therapy. Most plans view the latter as a major and necessary procedure. As a result, they’ll usually meet 50-80% of its total cost. (All that said, this coverage assumes you’ve paid your deductible.)

Still, there are the occasional exceptions. Perhaps your dental plan doesn’t cover root canals at all. Alternatively, it may only offer very limited coverage. You should thus confirm your benefits before committing to anything. If you’d like, our team will even help you do so.

Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable

Even without insurance, other methods can make a root canal affordable. Some of the most relevant are a practice’s payment options. Given the right kind, a root canal can become budget-friendly.

For instance, just look at our own office’s options. We offer flexible financing through CareCredit – a reputable, third-party financier. With their help, you could pay for a root canal with low-interest monthly installments.

By now, you see that our root canals shouldn’t “break the bank.” Learn about financing one by attending a consultation at our office!

Root Canal Treatment FAQs