Root Canal Therapy – Cary, NC
Give Your Tooth a Second Chance
Despite what you might have heard, root canal therapy isn’t especially painful compared to any other treatment Dr. Singh might recommend. In fact, root canal therapy in Cary, NC is actually used to STOP your discomfort! By locating and removing the underlying source of an infection in your tooth, a root canal can stop your toothache and prevent the need for a tooth extraction later. If your tooth hurts and never seems to improve, get in touch with Cary Dental Rejuvenation.
Why Choose Cary Dental Rejuvenation for Root Canal Therapy?
- Decades of Experience and Expertise
- Spa-Like Amenities and a Comfortable Dental Environment
- A Dentist and Team That Care
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!
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.
Root Canal FAQs
Were you informed that you may require root canal therapy? While this treatment is essential for preserving the health of a tooth, an abundance of misconceptions about the procedure might make you anxious or hesitate to schedule your appointment. Fortunately, the process is not as intense as you might imagine! To help you feel more comfortable and confident about the treatment, our team will gladly share and answer some of the most commonly asked questions we get about a root canal in Cary. Read along or give us a call today to learn more!
How Much Discomfort Is Normal After a Root Canal?
Our team will make sure that your mouth is completely numb before starting any work on your tooth. Although you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure itself, you may experience some discomfort, soreness, or sensitivity over the following several days. The good news is that these symptoms are typically short-lived and can easily be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and a cold compress. Be sure to avoid biting into hard foods during your recovery, as this can exacerbate any discomfort.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Root Canal?
Every dental situation is different, so the healing period will vary from person to person. Generally speaking, most patients will likely be able to go back to their normal routine the day after receiving their treatment. However, if your occupation demands intense physical labor, then you’ll want to take off at least the next two to three days. Exercise or strenuous activity can impede your recovery process by diverting blood from your surgical site. Stick closely to your specific aftercare instructions so that you can encourage more efficient healing. If you experience any persistent discomfort or it worsens over time, give us a call right away for help.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
One of the most crucial ways for you to avoid the need for a root canal is by maintaining proper oral hygiene. Brushing twice daily, flossing once a day, rinsing with ADA-approved mouthwash frequently, and visiting our dental team routinely are important for minimizing the risk of germs entering a tooth’s pulp. Other ways to prevent infection and preserve your oral health include keeping a well-balanced diet, wearing a mouthguard or nightguard, and avoiding bad oral dental habits (like smoking, biting your nails, or using your teeth as tools).
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
Antibiotics are typically used for addressing bacterial infections in nearly all parts of the body. That said, they’re not very effective when it comes to dental disease. This is because antibiotics only travel through the bloodstream to treat infected areas, and they will not reach the pulp of your tooth. That means they won’t be capable of eliminating infection in your smile. The only way to access and remove a diseased area in the tooth is through root canal therapy. The more severe the infection is, the higher the chance that you might need to extract the tooth.
What Should I Do Before a Root Canal? Patients often think preparation starts the morning of their procedure. The truth is that it should start a few weeks prior. In addition to not smoking or drinking alcohol, we recommend stocking up on everything you need to recover comfortably at home – from OTC pain medication to cold compresses. Then, the morning of, eat a healthy, well-balanced meal (unless instructed otherwise) and choose something comfortable to wear. Can I Eat Before a Root Canal? When patients hear that they need a root canal, their first question is almost always the same: Will it hurt? Don’t worry – while the procedure has a reputation for being painful, that’s not the case. Not only is your mouth numbed thoroughly beforehand, but we will provide you with aftercare instructions to help you heal comfortably as well. In other words, you shouldn’t let the fear of discomfort stop you from getting the restorative dental care you need. What Happens if You Wait Too Long for a Root Canal? If your dentist recommends a root canal, that means your tooth can still be saved. If you wait months or years to get the restorative care you need, then there’s a good chance that will no longer be the case. In fact, it’s very likely that the tooth will need to be extracted and that your surrounding teeth and gums will need to be treated as well. To put it simply, the best thing for your oral health and your wallet is NOT to take the “wait and see” approach. Do Root Canals Make You Sick? Have you heard that root canals make you sick? The misconception that it does stems from poorly designed research conducted back in the 1920s. Not only have the original findings been disproven time and time again, but there also isn’t any scientific evidence supporting that claim currently. In other words, the answer is “no.” Why Do I Need a Root Canal if My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt? Another common misconception about root canals is that they are only needed if you have a really bad toothache. The truth is that there are several other indications that the tooth is badly damaged or decayed, including noticeable discoloration, a pimple-like bump on your gums, and persistent sensitivity. Ultimately, if you have any questions about your treatment options, talk to our dentist in Cary! That way, they can provide you with the answers you’re looking for, explain their recommendations, and help you feel completely confident moving forward with your treatment plan. Are Root Canals Covered by Insurance? In addition to covering essential preventive care, many dental insurance providers cover a portion of the cost of restorative treatments, including root canal therapy. With that said, it’s important to look at the fine print on your plan, particularly for waiting periods, annual maximums, and other red tape. If you need assistance, let us know! We’re proud to be in-network with most major PPO dental insurance plans, and we’d be happy to help with the process of understanding and utilizing your benefits.