Root Canal Treatment – Northampton, MA • East Longmeadow, MA

Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?

When a patient is experiencing constant pain and increased dental sensitivity, it is likely the tooth has sustained an irreversible pulpitis. An irreversible pulpitis is inflamed dental pulp or nerve tissue within a tooth that often leads to an abscess or a painful infection that occurs at the apex of the root. A consultation, a radiograph, and a conversation with your doctor will determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure, so make sure you schedule an appointment if you are experiencing any of the following abnormal dental symptoms:

• Persistent sensitivity
• Pain when chewing
• A pimple-like bump on your gums
• Dark discoloration on the tooth
• Red, inflamed, or bleeding gums

The Root Canal Process 

The procedure will start with anesthetic to ensure a comfortable visit. Your doctor will work with an assistant to isolate your tooth using a dental dam to prevent contamination of the internal portion of the tooth. A high-speed drill will be used for a moment to open the biting surface of the tooth so the doctor can gain access to the internal area, or pulp chamber.

A series of small dental files will be used to remove the damaged, necrotic pulp tissue from within the tooth. Once the pulp has been completely removed, the root canals will be thoroughly irrigated with a sterile cleansing agent and filled with a permanent material called gutta percha. Gutta percha is a rubber-based filling material that will occupy the space where the pulp was. A soft, temporary material will be placed on the biting surface of the tooth, and you will be required to return to see your dentist for the next step; preparing the tooth for a crown.

Typically, root canal therapy can be completed in one visit, however, every circumstance is different, and some may require multiple visits. It varies from person to person and depends on the level of pain, infection, and how many roots are needing therapy. The good news is that there isn’t any recovery time following this procedure. We just ask you not to attempt any heavy-duty chewing until your anesthetic has completely worn off as there may be an opportunity for tongue or tissue injury.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

Often, the only other option, once a tooth has developed irreversible pulpitis or a periapical abscess, is to extract or pull the tooth. Not only does this require a more extensive procedure and a longer recovery, but it also requires you to pay for a dental bridge, denture, or dental implant so the look, health, and function of your smile aren’t compromised moving forward. Fortunately, root canals allow you to keep your own natural tooth for years to come. Plus, they eliminate the infection, they alleviate any pain you’ve been experiencing, and they have an incredibly high success rate!

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

Before you commit to root canal therapy, you should make sure that you understand how much you can expect to pay for the procedure. The final price will be different for each patient based on a variety of factors, which we can explain in more detail for you during your initial consultation. Rest assured that our team will always be transparent and honest about the cost of root canal therapy, and we’ll help you explore the financial options that can reduce the stress of paying for your care.

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Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

We’ll need to examine the tooth (or teeth) in question before we can give you an estimate of the overall cost of your root canal treatment. The factors that influence the amount you pay include:

• Location of Tooth or Teeth: The teeth near the back of your mouth have more canals to clean. As such, root canal therapy for back teeth tends to carry a higher cost.
• Complexity of Procedure: Some root canal treatments are more difficult than others, and in certain cases we may have to bring in an endodontist, which can affect the final price.
• Additional Services: Oftentimes, a tooth that has received root canal therapy will need to be restored with a crown afterward. Crown placement – and any other treatments that might be required – will carry a separate cost.

Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

As far as the initial cost goes, tooth extractions do tend to cost less than root canal therapy. However, you need to take the long-term consequences of losing a natural tooth into account. With one tooth missing, the remaining teeth will start to shift out of place, leading to an unbalanced bite and other oral health issues. As such, it’s usually recommended to replace an extracted tooth as soon as possible, which means paying extra for a dental implant or bridge.

With root canal therapy, you can keep all of your natural teeth and avoid the potentially costly consequences of tooth extraction. Just remember that you may not have a choice if you wait too long; if the infection in your tooth becomes too advanced, an extraction may be the only option left.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?

Most dental insurance plans will help pay for root canal therapy. Different plans may classify it as either a minor or major procedure, so coverage can be anywhere from 50% to 80%. You should reach out to your insurance company to confirm the details of your plan before you begin the root canal process. If you’re having a hard time understanding your coverage, our team will be happy to review your policy with you.

Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable 

If you don’t have dental insurance, we can help you explore other options for managing the cost of your care. We can help you apply for financing through CareCredit, allowing you to divide the cost of your root canal therapy into smaller monthly payments that won’t break the bank. Reach out to us today to learn more about how financing works at our office.