Root Canal Therapy – Crown Point, IN
Fast Relief for Hurting Teeth
Root Canal Therapy
Do you have a painful toothache that just seems to be getting worse? Unfortunately, your teeth can’t heal themselves, so unlike a bruise or cold, your toothache isn’t likely to go away on its own. In fact, if your dental pain is being caused by an infection inside your tooth, you could eventually lose your tooth, infect the surrounding teeth, and experience a higher risk of serious health conditions! At Ornelas Family Dental of Crown Point, we offer fast relief for hurting teeth in the form of quick and gentle root canal therapy. Read on to learn more about this virtually painless toothache treatment and give us a call to schedule your next appointment.
Why Choose Ornelas Family Dental of Crown Point For Root Canal Therapy?
- #1 Advanced Dental Technology for Fast, Precise Treatment
- #2 Highly Experienced Dentist Focused on Your Comfort
- #3 Same-Day Emergency Appointment for Hurting Smiles
Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
Not every toothache needs to be treated with root canal therapy. However, you may need this tooth-saving service if you’re experiencing:
- Severe, long-lasting, or worsening tooth pain
- A sharp, stabbing pain when biting down
- Tooth sensitivity that lingers for 30 seconds or more
- Darkening, discoloration, looseness, or numbness in one tooth
- A small, pimple-like bump on the gums
However, the only way to know for sure if you need root canal therapy is to come see us for an evaluation. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more likely it is that the issue will get worse, so don’t delay contacting us if you notice any of the above symptoms.
The Root Canal Process
It’s no secret that root canal therapy has a bad reputation for being painful. We’re here to put your mind at ease and let you know that root canals are nothing to be afraid of. Thanks to modern dental equipment and reliable numbing medication, most patients find that the experience is no worse than getting a large filling. What’s more, root canal therapy offers quick and effective pain relief for horrible toothaches.
When the time comes for your appointment, we’ll settle you into the examination chair and Dr. Ornelas will administer medication that will thoroughly numb your mouth. From there, he will create a small hole in the painful tooth and use specialized tools to remove all the decayed and infected tissue. Next, he’ll sanitize the inside of your tooth and refill it with a biocompatible material. Lastly, to strengthen the tooth and protect it from infections in the future, we’ll likely cap the repaired tooth with a custom-made dental crown.
How Root Canal Therapy Can Make Your Life Better
Root canals are designed to stop dental infections in their tracks, quickly relieving pain and protecting your tooth from extraction. When you get root canal therapy, you’ll enjoy benefits like:
- No more pain! You’ll be able to go back to eating, speaking, sleeping, and going about your daily life without dental pain.
- Your tooth will look and feel its best once again. Not only will the repaired tooth be free of infection, but the custom-made dental crown will renew its strength and appearance as well.
- Avoid serious complications in the future. Untreated dental infections can cause tooth loss and systemic health issues. Treating your tooth with a root canal will help you avoid these problems and prevent the complications that accompany tooth extractions.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
As much as you need a root canal, you may worry it's too pricey. Why trade a dental problem for a financial one? In fact, though, the cost of root canal therapy varies by patient. You’ll need to visit with Dr. Ornelas to get a precise estimate. Once you have, we’ll strive to make the root canal process affordable. Our team will even walk you through its pricing factors and financing options. For more details, continue reading or call our office.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
When you first visit us, Dr. Ornelas will look at your mouth. This cursory exam will assess the factors that affect root canal cost. Of them, the standard ones are the following:
- Tooth Type/Location – A root canal’s price partly depends on a tooth’s type or location. As it turns out, different teeth vary in their number of roots. (Molars, for instance, have more roots than other teeth and are the priciest to treat.)
- Root Canal Difficulty – The more complex a root canal is, the pricier it is to perform. If the work is hard enough, you may even require a specialist.
- Additional Services – Following a root canal, you may get a crown or filling. Either of these “add-ons” would increase your treatment price.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
At first glance, an extraction can seem cheaper than a root canal. The former’s upfront price is notably lower than the latter’s. Still, the truth is that root canal therapy is more cost-effective.
Should you get a natural tooth pulled, your smile will face lasting consequences. The removal could alter your bite, making your other teeth shift out of place. A new gap in your grin may lead to oral health issues as well. Given these and similar changes, follow-up care for your extraction will be expensive.
In contrast, a root canal saves you more cash. It preserves your tooth and avoids the effects above. So, try get this option soon; waiting will make an extraction likelier.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
A root canal is a major procedure, so dental insurance usually covers it. Many plans even meet 50-80% of its total cost. That said, this coverage assumes you’ve fully paid your deductible.
Of course, there are exceptions to these rules. Your own plan may not cover root canals at all. On the other hand, it’s coverage could be greatly limited. As such, confirm your benefits before pursuing treatment. Our team can even help you do so.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
Insurance or not, other ways exist to make a root canal affordable. Key among them are a practice’s payment options. With the right one, your root canal won’t exceed your budget.
As an example, consider our own office. We have:
- In-Office Savings Plans – For an annual fee, we’ll give you (among other things) a 15% discount on root canal treatment.
- Flexible Financing – Our practice offers flexible financing through CareCredit. By relying on them, you could pay for a root canal in monthly installments.
Hopefully, you can see that our root canals don’t have to “break the ban.” Learn more about financing one by attending a consultation with us!
Root Canal FAQs
What Should I Do Before a Root Canal?
We suggest that you eat a well-balanced and hearty meal before arriving at your appointment. You’ll also want to avoid alcohol beforehand as well as refrain from using tobacco products. Our team highly recommends that you take over-the-counter pain medication as directed, such as ibuprofen, just before your procedure to minimize discomfort. Be sure to also get a good night’s rest the night before and after your treatment, as this will help reduce any uncomfortable sensations in your nerves and keep your immune system in tip-top shape.
Why Do I Need a Root Canal If My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
While severe tooth discomfort is a typical indication that something is wrong with your smile or that you need a root canal, it isn’t the only sign. Even if you aren’t experiencing any pain, this doesn’t mean your pearly whites have recovered. If signs of discomfort suddenly vanish, this might be due to the tooth’s nerve being damaged or infected. Though this might not feel like an urgent situation, you’ll want to visit your dentist and schedule a root canal as soon as possible to prevent further harm to your smile.
How Much Pain Is Normal After a Root Canal?
Your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic before your root canal procedure, so you shouldn’t feel any discomfort during your appointment. However, you might experience some mild soreness for the following few days. Once the numbness fades off, there may be some additional sensitivity, but the sensation will only be temporary. You can easily manage this by taking over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed. Make sure to refrain from chewing hard foods right after your procedure, as this can exacerbate any discomfort. While the pain should go away on its own after three days, give our team a call if it doesn’t.
Do I Need Antibiotics Before or After My Root Canal?
Many patients don’t require antibiotics before or after undergoing root canal therapy. It may only be necessary to be prescribed before your procedure if you are struggling with a health condition that could increase your chances of developing an infection afterward. For this reason, our team will thoroughly review your medical history to confirm whether you’ll need antibiotics to keep you safe throughout your treatment and recovery period.
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