Root Canal Treatment Simpsonville
Relieve Toothaches & Save Your Smile
At Tylan Creek Family Dentistry, we work hard to help patients from Simpsonville change the way they think about visiting the dentist. While our kind, knowledgeable dentistry team makes even the most anxious patients feel at home, there’s still one treatment the bravest patients dread – root canal therapy in Simpsonville, SC. We’ve got great news for you. Root canals actually relieve toothache pain and save teeth that would otherwise be extracted. If you want to learn more about root canal therapy or any of our other treatments, call our dental team to find out more or schedule a consultation. We almost always see patients who need a root canal on an emergency basis, so please don’t hesitate to call our team as soon as you notice any of the warning signs of root canal infection.
Why Choose Tylan Creek Family Dentistry for Root Canal Treatment?
- Detailed Digital Imaging for Accurate Treatment Planning
- Dentists with Advanced Training & Years of Dedicated Experience
- Natural-Looking, Metal-Free Restorations Available
When is a Root Canal Necessary?
Root canal therapy is also called endodontic treatment. Endodontics is one of the nine specialty areas within the field of dentistry. The word is a compound of “endo,” meaning inside, and “odont,” meaning tooth. The field of endodontics treats oral health concerns that affect the inside of the tooth. A root canal is a specific treatment that is recommended when patients have damage, decay, or infection that accesses the very innermost layer of the tooth called the pulp. Within the pulp, the tooth’s nerve system is housed. When damage or decay accesses this dental nerve, the result is the painful toothache and dental sensitivity that often precede the need for root canal therapy.
What are the Warning Signs of Root Canal Infection?
The only way to know for sure that you need a root canal is to visit a skilled dentist or endodontist for an examination. However, most patients needing root canal therapy are treated on an emergency basis because they notice one or more of the following warning signs:
- Severe toothache that can be dull and constant and/or sharp pain when biting down
- Dental sensitivity that begins when the tooth is exposed to heat or cold and lingers for several seconds after exposure
- Dark coloring, especially around the gumline, of one tooth
- Swelling, inflammation, discoloration, or infection in the gums around a single tooth
How is a Root Canal Completed?
Root canal therapy is completed throughout several appointments. In most cases, the first visit is an emergency appointment. Whenever possible, we’ll complete the first phase of treatment during this initial appointment to prevent any further pain. We begin by numbing the area around the tooth. Then, we drill a hole from the top of the tooth to the innermost layer, and we extract the pulp and nerve system through that access hole. If the tooth or surrounding tissue is infected, we may need to use oral or topical antibiotics to treat the tooth before continuing treatment. Once the infection is removed, we reseal the access hole. Then, a dental crown is placed to protect and strengthen the treated tooth.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
Even when a root canal can save your tooth, you should learn its price before you commit. How else would you know whether you could even afford the treatment? With that said, the cost of root canals varies; you must consult our dentists for a precise estimate. Our team will also strive to make your care more affordable, walking you through its price factors, dental insurance, etc. To learn more, please keep reading or call us today!
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
We must assess your tooth (or teeth) to confirm your root canal’s cost. Our team can check factors that impact treatment price that way, including:
- Tooth Type/Location – Often enough, a root canal’s price partly depends on which tooth needs it. Some teeth have more roots than others, so treating these pearly whites is more costly.
- Treatment’s Complexity – The more complex a root canal, the more expensive it becomes. A dentist must work hard to perform tricky ones, while simpler root canals are less intense and pricey.
- “Extra” Services – After a root canal, some patients need a dental crown or filling. Your treatment cost will rise if you get such services.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
A tooth extraction may have a low upfront price, but it isn’t the “cheaper” option in the long run. The removal work costs more overall than a root canal would.
Don’t forget that tooth loss (regardless of cause) has harsh side effects. Leaving it unchecked leads to “smile gaps” that alter your bite, tilt your other teeth, and worse. Harmful bacteria can also use those spaces as breeding grounds, putting you at high risk of tooth decay and gum disease. These points indicate that a tooth extraction has long-term expenses that can strain finances.
Unlike an extraction, a root canal has no severe side effects. It would just save your tooth and help you avoid costly complications. As such, you should opt for this treatment before an extraction becomes necessary.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?
Dental insurance often does cover root canal treatment, as most plans see the procedure as a major one. That means your policy may cover up to 50-80% of its final cost, depending on its details. Just make sure you confirm your benefits before you commit; they may differ from the norm. If you want, our team will even help you contact your plan provider.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
Even without insurance, a root canal treatment can be affordable. You’d just need to rely on our practice’s helpful payment options. After all, the right one would let you save your tooth in a budget-friendly way.
At Tylan Creek Family Dentistry, we offer payment options like:
- Dental Savings Plan – You can join our dental savings plan by paying an annual fee. Among other things, this plan would give you a 20% discount on root canals.
- Flexible Financing – We proudly work with CareCredit, which lets patients pay for root canals (and other treatments) in monthly installments.
Rather than “break the bank,” let us help you navigate your root canal’s cost. All you need to do is visit our office!
Root Canal FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Root Canal?
Since every case is unique, the recovery time for root canal therapy will vary from person to person. However, most patients can expect to return to their day-to-day activities following their root canal. Keep in mind that you’ll experience mild soreness and discomfort for the first few days after your procedure. Luckily, you manage those symptoms by taking your medications as directed and using cold compresses. While you heal, be sure to eat only soft foods and chew on the side of your mouth away from the root canal. If your job requires physical labor, you should request two to three days off as vigorous exercise can hinder the healing process.
How Much Pain Is Normal After a Root Canal?
Although the root canal procedure itself shouldn’t hurt, you’ll likely experience some discomfort and soreness over the next few days – especially after the anesthesia wears off. Fortunately, taking over-the-counter pain medication (like acetaminophen and ibuprofen) should be enough to manage it for most people. During your recovery period, you should avoid chewing hard foods as well, as it can worsen your discomfort. If your pain doesn’t fade after three days, you should contact your dentist for help.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long for a Root Canal?
Choosing not to seek treatment for a root canal will only cause your infection to get worse. So, if your dentist tells you that you need one, you should schedule your appointment right away. In some cases, the tooth pain will disappear after some time, making patients think that they no longer need treatment. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. A toothache that’s mysteriously gone away often indicates that the infection has destroyed the tooth’s nerves. If you wait too long to get a root canal, your condition may get so bad that you’ll need an extraction.
Do Root Canals Ever Have to Be Redone?
Even though root canal therapy has an impressively high success rate, there’s still a small chance that your procedure will need to be redone at some point. Endodontic retreatment may be necessary for several reasons, such as saliva contaminating the tooth during the procedure or a delay between completing the root canal and having the restoration placed. Additionally, if your tooth had more root canals than expected, your dentist may not have disinfected all of them.