Infinity Dental Care
Root Canal Therapy – Hillsboro, OR
Reliable Pain Relief for Aching Teeth
Do you have the kind of toothache that is preventing you from going about your day normally? If so, then it may have an infection in the dental pulp, which is the delicate nerve that lies at the center of every tooth. This can be the result of a longstanding cavity or crack in the enamel. Thankfully, root canal therapy in Hillsboro not only stops this type of pain but also saves the tooth from extraction as well. And, with the tools and techniques used at Infinity Dental Care, our patients are guaranteed to have a painless experience from beginning to end. If you’re ready to fix your troublesome tooth and get back to your life, give us a call today!
Why Choose Infinity Dental Care for Root Canal Therapy?
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Stay Relaxed Thanks To Sedation Dentistry
- In-Network With Most PPO Dental Insurance Plans
Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
The main way to know for sure if you require root canal therapy is to visit our team for a dental examination. That said, you may be able to notice a few common signs that indicate a need for this treatment, including:
- Sharp, piercing pain when biting down
- Persistent tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Red, swollen gums or a small blister-like bump
- Discoloration or darkening of the affected tooth
- Intense toothache that worsens over time
The Root Canal Process
Contrary to what many people believe, root canal therapy isn’t painful. In fact, it’s specifically designed to alleviate discomfort quickly and efficiently! To begin this treatment, our team will first completely numb the area of your mouth we’ll be working on. This way you won’t feel anything other than occasional pressure during your procedure. By using local anesthetics, many patients remark that their root canal process was no worse than getting a large filling.
Once your mouth is numbed, we’ll make a tiny hole in your tooth. Our team will remove any damaged, decayed, or infected particles before sanitizing the area to eliminate all remaining bacteria. Afterward, we’ll fill your tooth with a warm, rubbery substance to seal off the access hole. You’ll then receive a dental crown to cover the restored tooth, strengthening and protecting it from infections later on.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
With this comfortable and straightforward treatment, you’ll be able to improve both your dental health and overall quality of life. Here are several important benefits you can enjoy from root canal therapy:
- Avoid severe health issues: If a dental infection is left untreated, it can spread throughout your body, increasing the risk of more serious systemic health problems like heart disease.
- Keep your natural smile: Root canal therapy can help avoid the need for tooth extraction as well as more costly restoration treatments.
- No more discomfort: You’ll be able to enjoy eating, talking, and living life without tooth pain.
- Improve your dental health: With the natural-looking dental crown, your restored tooth will have the full look, function, and strength of the rest of your pearly whites for many years to come!
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
Even if you want a root canal, you might hesitate due to the possible price. After all, a treatment that “breaks the bank” likely wouldn’t do you much good. However, the cost of a root canal in Hillsboro varies by patient; it isn’t something Dr. Kalluri can know in advance. As such, you’ll need to book a dental consultation to get an exact estimate. Still, you can count on Infinity Dental Care to guide you through the cost and make care affordable. If you’d like to know more, keep reading or give our office a call today!
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
How much a root canal costs depends on the affected tooth. Therefore, its overall price is influenced by factors like:
- Tooth Type & Location: Some teeth have more roots than others, so tooth type can affect your expense. For example, a molar’s root canal is usually pricier than one for bicuspids or front teeth.
- Treatment Difficulty: If the tooth in question is highly infected or severely damaged, it may require a specialist’s help. In that case, the treatment’s price will then rise.
- Additional Services: A patient may need to have a custom-made dental crown placed after treatment.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
Compared to a root canal, a tooth extraction does have a lower upfront cost. Even so, the former service is usually better than the latter.
Unlike a root canal, tooth extraction has long-term effects related to missing teeth. Namely, it can harm your bite as it causes your other teeth to shift out of place. This process also tends to result in difficulty eating and general discomfort.
True, you can prevent such issues with a dental implant or bridge. The fact, though, is that these tooth-replacement solutions cost money. It’s thus more cost-effective to save your natural tooth with a root canal than pay for an extraction.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
Since root canal therapy is a major procedure, most dental insurance plans cover it. In fact, coverage is often 50% to 80% of the cost after the deductible is met.
That said, every plan (and provider) is different. For that reason, it’s important to confirm with your insurance company first. Our team can even help you with that process!
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
Whether you do or don’t have insurance, there are other ways to make a root canal affordable. It’s just a matter of finding the right option and practice.
For instance, we at Infinity Dental Care offer flexible financing through CareCredit. This third-party service lets patients pay for care with monthly, low-interest installments. Doing so would help you cover the cost bit by bit instead of all at once.
In the end, Infinity Dental Care will help you get a root canal that fits your budget. So, don’t hesitate to book a visit to our office soon!
Root Canal FAQs
Maybe you’d like to try a root canal in Hillsboro. The procedure, after all, has great potential – it could even save your tooth! Still, you’d likely feel better if you knew more about it. Having the correct facts lets you go into treatment confidently. With that said, we at Infinity Dental Care want to help: below are the answers to some popular root canal questions. If possible, read them to see how our therapy can improve your smile. Otherwise, feel free to call our office for details.
Can I Eat Before a Root Canal?
Whether a patient can eat before a root canal varies. The matter, ultimately, depends on sedation’s role in the treatment.
If you’re being sedated for the root canal, you shouldn’t eat prior to it. In fact, your dentist will likely ask you to fast for a few hours beforehand. Doing so will reduce your risk of nausea caused by the sedative.
In contrast, you should have a healthy meal first if you won’t undergo sedation. Your mouth will stay numb for a while post-therapy, making eating difficult. Going without a pre-treatment meal, then, will leave you hungry afterward.
Do I Need Antibiotics Before or After My Root Canal?
Typically, no – you likely won’t need antibiotics before or after your root canal. The medicine often doesn’t help with the treatment process.
There are, of course, some exceptions. If you have a health issue that raises your infection risk, a dentist may prescribe you antibiotics before a root canal. That way, you’re less likely to have complications from the therapy.
Given these facts, a dentist will assess your need for antibiotics during the consultation. In particular, they’ll review your medical history to see if the medicine might help.
How Long Do Root Canals Last?
Generally, a root canal is highly successful in the long run. Research shows a tooth should last at least ten years after receiving one. Given proper care, in fact, treated teeth can provide full chewing ability for a lifetime.
Still, the longevity of a root canal’s results depends on various factors. For example, treatment effects can be short or long-lived based on the tooth's level of damage. Similarly, the time elapsed between placing the temporary crown and the permanent one plays a role. If too much has passed, your tooth could suffer reinfection.
To help your root canal last a long while, follow your dentist’s post-op instructions and practice excellent oral hygiene.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
Root canals can indeed be prevented. Doing so, really, is just a matter of caring for your oral health. To that end, consider the following tips:
- Make a Habit of Good Oral Care – A clean mouth is less likely to suffer a tooth infection. So, remember to brush twice daily, floss once daily, and rinse with mouthwash often. Also, see your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.
- Eat a Mouth-Healthy Diet – Instead of eating a bunch of sugary stuff, fill up with nutritious foods and drink plenty of water. The latter approach prevents tooth decay and strengthens your enamel.
- Wear an Oral Appliance – Wear a mouthguard to protect yourself from injury for sporting events. Meanwhile, use a nightguard while sleeping to avoid tooth grinding. Either appliance would keep your teeth from chipping, which can expose the pulp to infection.