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 soft tissue 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 not only stops this type of pain but also saves the tooth from extraction as well. If you believe you may need this treatment, contact the team at Infinity Dental Care in Hillsboro. After we assess the situation, we may connect you with a trustworthy local specialist who can get your oral health back on track.
Why Choose Infinity Dentistry for Toothache Relief?
Partnered with Trustworthy Endodontic Specialists
Same-Day Appointments for Emergency Patients
Compassionate & Caring Dental Team
Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
The main way to know for sure if you require root canal therapy is to visit a qualified professional for a dental examination. That said, you may be able to notice a few common signs that indicate the 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
Root canal therapy can be a delicate process, which is why we refer patients to local specialists for this treatment. Endodontists are dentists who have years of additional training in how to care for the innermost layer of teeth (known as the pulp). You can trust that you are in good hands!
Contrary to what many people believe, root canal therapy is not extremely painful. In fact, it’s specifically designed to alleviate discomfort quickly and efficiently! To begin this treatment, your treatment team will first completely numb the area of your mouth they’ll be working on. This way you won’t feel anything other than occasional pressure during your procedure. Thanks to local anesthetics, many patients remark that their root canal process was no worse than getting a large filling.
Once your mouth is numb, your specialist will make a tiny hole in your tooth. Next, they will remove any damaged, decayed, or infected particles before sanitizing the area to eliminate all remaining bacteria. Afterward, they will 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 it 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 could 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 eliminate the need for tooth extraction and other costly restorative treatments.
No more discomfort: You’ll be able to enjoy eating, talking, and living life without tooth pain.
Improve your dental health: With a 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 Canal Therapy
Even if you want a root canal, you might hesitate due to concerns about price. After all, a treatment that “breaks the bank” likely wouldn’t do you much good. However, you might be surprised by how easy it is to afford your care. Your specialist’s team can provide a personalized cost estimate, and they may have provisions in place that keep your out-of-pocket costs to a minimum.
Factors that Can Affect Root Canal Cost
How much a root canal costs 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 a tooth has unusual anatomical features or is being retreated (after an initial root canal), fees may be higher.
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 to pay for an extraction.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
Since root canal therapy has direct oral health benefits, most dental insurance plans cover it. Depending on your plan, it may be classified as a minor or major procedure, meaning that coverage can range from around 50% to around 80%.
That said, every plan (and provider) is different. For that reason, it’s important to confirm with your insurance company first. Ask your specialist’s team to 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.
Ask your specialist’s team if either of the following provisions are available:
In-house financing or financing from a third-party company, such as CareCredit. These can allow you to pay for your treatment in monthly installments.
Discounts and specialists. Some practices have pricing specialists or in-house membership plans.
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. Look them over to see how this therapy could improve your smile. If you have additional questions, 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 specialist 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 will not be sedated. 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, your specialist may prescribe you antibiotics before a root canal. That way, you’re less likely to have complications from the therapy.
Given these facts, your care team 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 that 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 during sporting events. You might also need to use a nightguard while sleeping to avoid tooth grinding. These appliances can keep your teeth from chipping, which can reduce the risk of infections in your tooth pulp.
