Root Canal Therapy – St. Johns, FL
Say Goodbye to Your Toothache
Have you been experiencing intense pain in one of your teeth? It might be a sign that you have infected dental pulp, a serious dental emergency that will only grow worse the longer it goes untreated. If you want to stop your discomfort and keep your tooth, your best option is to call Julington Creek Family Dentistry right away. Dr. Cohen can help you find the relief you deserve with a gentle root canal treatment.
Why Choose Julington Creek Family Dentistry for Root Canal Therapy?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Relaxing Dental Sedation Available
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
When your tooth is damaged or has an untreated cavity, bacteria may be able to slip inside and attack your dental pulp. Infected pulp can be very painful, and in many cases, the only way to treat it is to remove it altogether via root canal therapy.
Not every toothache requires a root canal, but the treatment may be necessary if you’ve experienced any of these symptoms:
- The pain in your tooth is severe or has lasted more than 24 hours.
- The tooth in question is sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.
- You’re experiencing discomfort whenever you use the affected tooth to bite down.
- The tissue around the tooth has become red, swollen, and/or tender.
- You’ve noticed a pimple-like bump on the gums near the tooth.
The Root Canal Process
Once we’ve confirmed that root canal therapy is the best option for restoring and protecting your oral health, we’ll start planning the procedure. Your comfort is our top priority, so at the beginning of the treatment we’ll use a local anesthetic to numb your mouth; we may also administer dental sedation to soothe any anxieties you might have.
The actual root canal treatment involves creating a small hole in your tooth so that we can take out all of the infected or damaged pulp tissues. Afterward, we’ll thoroughly clean your mouth to make sure that there are no bacteria left behind, and we’ll fill the space with a biocompatible material. Typically, a crown will be placed on the treated tooth to protect it.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
Many people have reservations about undergoing root canal therapy, but the procedure has proven to be a safe and reliable way to protect smiles from serious oral health issues. There are several reasons why we might recommend having root canal therapy performed:
- It Lets You Preserve Your Tooth: If the infected pulp is left untreated, you might lose your tooth entirely. A missing tooth can lead to a number of oral health complications, and getting a replacement can be costly. It’s generally better for your oral health (and budget) to save your tooth with root canal therapy.
- It Stops Your Pain for Good: Once the infected tissue in your tooth has been removed along with the harmful bacteria that caused the problem, you can once again enjoy a pain-free smile.
- It is a Virtually Painless Procedure: Root canal therapy is nowhere near as uncomfortable as many people believe it to be. Some patients have compared it to what they might experience when getting a standard filling.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
If you’ve been recommended to undergo root canal therapy by Dr. Cohen, then it’s likely necessary to preserve your natural tooth. However, it’s also important that you understand as much as possible about the overall cost of the procedure before committing to anything. You wouldn’t want to find any surprises when it comes time to pay the bill. Since every treatment is customized for each patient, we can’t provide an exact estimate without an initial consultation. Until you can see us, here are several factors to consider about the cost of root canal therapy in St. Johns.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
The only way to determine the precise cost of your treatment is through a thorough examination of your oral health. After we’ve been able to assess your mouth and teeth, our team can walk you through the root canal process and provide a more accurate estimate. Several factors that can impact the cost may involve:
- The type of tooth damaged and its location
- The complexity of your root canal case (and if we’ll need to bring in a specialist for your appointment)
- Other necessary services for a successful treatment, such as a dental crown
Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
It might seem practical to simply pull out the compromised tooth to avoid a root canal altogether. However, there isn’t anything simple about it, as you’ll need to consider the aftermath of extracting one of your teeth. Not only will this affect your bite, but it can also lead your other nearby teeth to shift out of place to fill the gap. This can make daily habits like eating more difficult, and your smile may be susceptible to further tooth loss.
To avoid these complications and needing to rebuild your teeth with costly restorative treatment, it’s best to opt for a root canal from the get-go. This procedure will keep you from needing to pay for restorations like bridges, dentures, or dental implants, meaning you’ll save more money in the long run. That said, the longer you wait to get the infection treated, the more likely you’ll require an extraction anyway.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is considered a major dental procedure, so it’s common for most dental insurance providers to offer some level of coverage for your treatment. Generally, this may include anywhere between 50-80% of the overall cost once you’ve met your deductible. Since every policy is different from patient to patient, you should confirm the details of your plan with your insurance company before paying for any services. Our knowledgeable team will also be more than happy to help you navigate your benefits to make the most of them!
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
Don’t have insurance? Not a problem! We understand the importance of being able to afford the necessary dental care to preserve a beautiful and healthy smile. That’s why we’ve partnered with a third-party financier known as CareCredit. This company offers plans that can turn the overall cost of your treatment into small, manageable installments that can help you pay on a monthly budget instead. They also come with little to no interest, meaning you won’t have to break the bank to save a tooth.