Root Canal Therapy – Cary, NC

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Sometimes it can be difficult to confirm if you need to have root canal therapy performed to address tooth pain. Unfortunately, you can’t truly know for sure what dental treatment is necessary until you get examined by our team. The most common symptoms of a dental infection that requires root canal therapy include:

• Severe discomfort in the tooth
• Facial swelling
• High fever (common symptoms of an infection)
• Pimple-like bumps on the gum tissue

Keep in mind that root canal therapy is designed to address your discomfort, something that no other service can do if you have an infection (with the exception of a tooth extraction). However, we want to do everything possible to save your natural tooth if we can.

The Root Canal Process

The nerve of your tooth is housed in the innermost layer called the pulp. If the nerve is infected or dies as a result of decay or trauma, it needs to be removed. Prior to treatment, we’ll make sure to administer a local anesthetic so you do not feel anything during the procedure. This makes it feel more akin to receiving a dental filling, something many patients note after undergoing root canal therapy.

During the root canal process, we’ll open the tooth so that we can take out the pulp along with any other infected tissue; after that, we’ll thoroughly clean, fill, and reseal the tooth. You’ll need to get a crown afterward in order to protect the tooth in most cases. If this is the case, you’ll receive a temporary crown that covers your treated tooth, then come back to our office for your permanent crown later.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

Many people assume that root canal therapy may harm them further or damage their tooth worse. The reality is they can give you the much-needed pain relief you’re looking for, save your natural tooth, and are completely safe when performed by a trained professional like Dr. Singh.

If you were considering a tooth removal rather than root canal therapy, remember that extracting a tooth means you’ll need to consider tooth replacement solutions later to protect your long-term oral health. As a result, you’ll likely end up having to pay more for your oral healthcare later anyway.

With that said, most people who receive root canal therapy reap the benefits of a healthy and functional tooth that lasts for many years after. Some people even keep their treated tooth for the rest of their life!

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

At your last routine checkup, did your dentist say that you need a root canal? While the entire process may sound daunting, it’s not as bad as you think! Before scheduling your appointment, you probably want to know how much your treatment will cost. Rest assured – our team will thoroughly explain the pricing information to ensure you know exactly what to expect every step of the way. The last thing we want you to experience is unnecessary surprises on your bill!    

Learn More

Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

Until we’ve had a chance to perform an oral examination, it’s impossible to determine the exact cost of a root canal in Cary. There are several factors that can influence the overall price. Some of those include:

• The type and location of the tooth
• How difficult the root canal will be to complete (i.e., whether or not a specialist needs to be brought in)
• If additional services are necessary (i.e., a new dental crown to protect the treated tooth)

Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

Some patients are under the assumption that a tooth extraction is cheaper than getting a root canal. While having your tooth removed is certainly more affordable on the surface, you must think about the long-term consequences and costs that come with it. For example, losing your natural tooth can negatively affect your bite and cause your remaining teeth to shift out of place. As a result, you may have difficulty eating and experience general discomfort.

The only way to avoid these problems would be to replace the tooth with a dental implant or bridge – and those solutions cost money. At the end of the day, it may be more cost-effective to save a natural tooth with a root canal than it is to remove and replace it. Make sure you schedule your treatment shortly after your dentist has recommended it, as waiting will only increase your chances of needing an extraction anyway.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?

Since root canal therapy is considered a major procedure, it’s incredibly common for most dental insurance plans to cover anywhere from 50-80% of the cost after the deductible has been met. Of course, every policy is unique, which is why you should confirm the details of your coverage with your insurance provider before committing to anything. Our team can help with this process if needed.

Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable

If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t worry – we offer additional financing options to help make your treatment as affordable as possible. Some of those include:

• Smile Savings Program – For a reasonable annual fee, you can get the care you need without having to break the bank. This plan gives you access to sizeable discounts on services we offer.
• Third-Party Financing – We work with CareCredit, Lending Club, and Lending Point to help reduce unnecessary strain and stress on your budget. These options allow you to split up the total cost of your root canal into smaller monthly installments.