Saving Your Natural Tooth
During a root canal procedure, the pulp of the tooth (the living tissue inside) is removed, and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated dental materials to restore the tooth to full function. Root canal therapy not only preserves your natural tooth, extending its lifetime, but also protects and maintains the jawbone and other supporting tissues around the tooth. Saving your natural tooth, whenever possible, can prevent more pain and expense in the future.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Severe toothache pain
- Red or swollen gums near the tooth
- Discoloration of the tooth
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
There are several signs that suggest root canal therapy may be necessary:
The Root Canal Treatment Plan
A root canal treatment usually requires one or two office visits and is performed by either a dentist or an endodontist. Here is how we perform your root canal:
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
The first step involves taking an x-ray of the tooth and the surrounding bone to identify the cause of your symptoms. Your specialist may prescribe antibiotics to help control infection and inflammation. The pressure from infected swelling is what makes an abscess so painful and is often the cause of pain during a root canal. Reducing this inflammation in advance alleviates this factor during the procedure.
Prepping the Tooth
When we’re ready to perform the root canal, we will patiently numb the area before freezing your gums, teeth, and tissues. Your comfort and peace of mind are important to us. Once you’re comfortable, an access hole is drilled into the tooth, and the pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and related debris are removed.
Sealing the Tooth
Depending on the severity of the abscess, we may place some medicine inside the tooth to completely clear up any infection. If the procedure requires multiple visits, a temporary filling will be applied. At this point, you will already feel some relief. Only when your tooth is thoroughly cleaned and healthy can it be permanently sealed.
Cost of a Root Canal in Kanata
The cost of dental treatment varies widely, but saving the tooth with a root canal is more cost-efficient in the long run. With a typical insurance plan, root canal therapy has an average out-of-pocket cost of around $200 to $500+. After an oral exam, we would be happy to provide you with an accurate quote for your insurance company so you can find out your actual out-of-pocket costs. Without insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1200+ for treatment.
- The severity of the infection
- The location of the infection in your mouth
- The health of the surrounding teeth and gums
- Complications which may require more time or a delicate and experienced touch
Why is there such a wide ballpark estimate of the cost? When we generate a quote for root canal therapy, we consider factors such as:
No dental practice can provide an accurate quote over the phone. Every case is different, so it’s important to speak with a dentist who can evaluate your unique situation and provide you with all your treatment options for consideration.
Is there an alternative treatment to root canals?
An abscess or infection in your tooth is extremely dangerous and considered an urgent health matter. Many people think of root canals as a ‘lesser evil’ to end excruciating dental pain. More importantly, root canals remove an infection that can spread and become life-threatening, requiring much more urgent and invasive care. This is why we work tirelessly to fight the negative reputation that root canal therapy has gained and why your comfort and peace of mind are so important to us.
If you think you may have an infection but really don’t want a root canal, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us anyway. We will not perform any procedure without your full understanding and consent and may have alternative options for you with the ultimate goal of resolving your infection.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Symptoms indicating a potential need for a root canal include severe tooth pain, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling or tenderness in the gums, and discoloration of the tooth. A dentist can confirm the need for a root canal through an examination and X-rays.
Delaying a root canal can lead to the spread of infection, increased pain, and potentially the loss of the affected tooth. The infection can also spread to other parts of the body, causing more serious health issues.
The main alternative to a root canal is tooth extraction, which involves removing the infected tooth. However, preserving the natural tooth with a root canal is often the preferred option because it maintains the structure and function of your mouth.
After a root canal, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. Avoid chewing on hard foods with the treated tooth until a permanent crown is placed. Follow your dentist’s instructions for any additional care and attend follow-up appointments as recommended.
While root canals have a high success rate, they can occasionally fail due to persistent infection, an undetected crack in the tooth, or complications during the procedure. If a root canal fails, further treatment such as retreatment or extraction may be necessary.
Most patients can return to normal activities the day after a root canal. It’s common to experience some mild discomfort and sensitivity, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Avoid eating hard or chewy foods on the treated side until the final restoration is completed.
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