While good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist for checkups and cleanings can prevent a host of dental issues, sometimes more extensive dental care is required. In the case of an injured tooth or a tooth with a deep cavity, a root canal may be needed. Root canals are typically required when there is a bacterial infection deep within the tooth root. If you need a root canal, there are a few things that you should know.
How The Procedure Works
If a root canal is recommended, knowing how the procedure works is a must. Root canals typically require two visits to the dentist and are done in four steps. First, the area is numbed, and kept clean and dry. Next, the dentist removes the damaged and diseased pulp from the inside of the tooth using specialized equipment. The area where the pulp used to be is then filled and a temporary filling is added on top. Later on, a permanent crown is added. Typically the crown is put in place a few weeks later. While root canals have a reputation for being painful, most patients feel great relief once they are finished.
The Cost
Of course, when it comes to any dental procedure, costs are something that you will want to consider carefully. The cost of your root canal procedure will vary depending on whether or not you have dental insurance, the location of the infected tooth, and your dentist. On average you can expect to pay between $900 and $1,100 for a root canal on a front tooth. A root canal on a mid-mouth tooth typically ranges between $400 and $1,800. For a molar, a root canal will typically range between $500 and $2,000. Dental insurance will typically cover between 40 and 80 percent of the costs.
Recovery Time
When it comes to your root canal procedure, the recovery time will vary depending on a few different factors. The extent of the decay and your overall health will have an impact on how long recovery takes. Most people have sensitivity for a few days after the procedure and you'll need to be careful until the permanent crown is put into place. The good news is that root canals have a 95 percent success rate.
If you need a root canal, there are a few things to consider. First, it's important to know how the procedure works so you know what to expect. Costs can vary ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Recovery time can also vary, but most recover within a few days.
Share19 August 2019
