Saving Your Natural Teeth?
A root canal involves removing the living tissue inside the tooth, known as the pulp, and filling the space with special materials to restore its function. This procedure helps preserve your natural tooth, prolong its lifespan, and protect the health of the jawbone and surrounding tissues, preventing future pain and costs.
Signs that root canal therapy may be needed include:
- Increased sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe toothache pain.
- Redness or swelling in the gums near the tooth.
- Tooth discoloration.
- Presence of an abscess or pimple on the gums.
The Treatment Plan For Your Tooth
A root canal typically requires one or two visits and is performed by either a dentist or an endodontist. Here’s how the process works:
Diagnosis and Finding Treatment
An x-ray of the tooth and surrounding bone helps diagnose the issue. In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed to control infection and reduce inflammation. Reducing swelling caused by an abscess helps minimize pain during the procedure.
Setting Up The Tooth
Before starting, we ensure the area is fully numbed for your comfort. Once you’re relaxed, we create an access hole to remove the pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and debris.
Sealing The Tooth To Finish
Depending on the severity of the abscess, we may place medication to eliminate the infection. If multiple visits are required, a temporary filling will be used. Once the tooth is fully cleaned and healthy, it will be permanently sealed, and you’ll begin to feel relief.
The Cost Of A Root Canal In Wellesley
Root canal procedures are generally more affordable in the long run. With insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically range from $200 to $500 or more. After an examination, we can give you a precise estimate based on your coverage. Without insurance, the cost is usually between $600 and $1200.
What accounts for such a wide range in cost estimates? Costs depend on factors like:
- The extent and location of the infection.
- The health of nearby teeth and gums.
- Potential complications that require extra care or expertise.
Since every case is different, we cannot provide a precise quote over the phone. A consultation allows us to assess your situation and offer appropriate treatment options.
Are there alternatives to root canal treatment?
An infection or abscess in the tooth needs prompt treatment. While root canals may seem undesirable, they’re essential for eliminating infections that could spread and cause serious health risks. Without treatment, more invasive procedures might be needed. We are committed to explaining the process and offering alternatives to effectively manage your infection.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Damage can occur due to factors such as deep decay, trauma, a dead nerve, a loose filling or crown, or a cracked or chipped tooth.
With modern techniques, advanced technology, and a caring approach, our skilled team can often perform root canal treatments with minimal or no pain.
Antibiotics cannot fully resolve the infection within your tooth pulp, as it is already damaged and susceptible to reinfection. The only effective treatment is to remove the infected pulp through a root canal.
A typical root canal requires one or two visits. For straightforward cases, the procedure usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, while more complex cases may take around 90 minutes.
Coverage varies depending on your insurance plan. After a consultation, we can provide an estimate to share with your insurer. We recommend scheduling the root canal as soon as possible. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to discuss them with us.
Crowns are generally recommended after a root canal for back teeth, like molars and premolars, but may not be necessary for front teeth such as canines and incisors.
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