Root Canal Therapy – Beverly, MA
Goodbye Toothache, Hello Healthy, Strong Smile
Have you been ignoring a toothache? Unfortunately, teeth can’t heal themselves like the rest of your body can, so it won’t just go away on its own. Leaving it untreated could lead to a serious infection that causes your tooth to fall out and negatively impact your overall health, so it’s important that you seek treatment right away. If you’re ready to say goodbye to your toothache and hello to a healthy, strong smile, root canal therapy in Beverly may be able to help. Virtually painless, faster than ever, and incredibly successful, this tooth-saving treatment has far worse a reputation it deserves. To schedule your appointment and get the pain relief you deserve,
give us a call today!
Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
The only way to know for certain if you need root canal therapy is to come in and see us for an evaluation. However, a few of the most common signs that you need a root canal include:
- Toothache that is severe or worsening
- Sharp, stabbing pain when biting down
- Lingering tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Darkening or discoloration of the painful tooth
- Swollen, red gums or a small, pimple-like bump on them
What’s It Like to Get Root Canal Therapy?
Many people are afraid of root canals, but know very little about them. Understanding the process and therefore knowing what to expect during your treatment can go a tremendously long way in alleviating anxiety about your appointment! Contrary to common rumors, root canal therapy isn’t painful, but instead is designed to relieve pain quickly and effectively.
First, your mouth will be completely numbed so you shouldn’t feel anything besides some occasional pressure in your mouth during the process. This numbing is so effective that many patients are happy to report that their root canal was no worse than getting a large filling! Once you’ve been numbed, a small access hole will be made in the tooth. Special instruments are used to remove all the infected or decayed tissue and then the tooth is sanitized to completely eliminate any remaining bacteria. Then, the tooth is filled with a warm, rubbery material called guta-percha and the access hole is sealed. A crown is usually placed over the repaired tooth to keep it strong and protect it from future infections.
How A Root Canal Can Make Your Life Better
Not only is root canal therapy nothing to be afraid of, but it can make your life better! Here’s how:
- No more pain: Go back to eating, speaking, and living your life without dental pain!
- Enjoy a beautiful, strong, and healthy tooth: The durable and lifelike crown atop your repaired tooth ensures that it continues to look, feel, and perform its best for a long time.
- Avoid serious health issues: Untreated dental infections can spread throughout your body, and have been linked to systemic health issues like heart disease.
- Keep all your natural teeth: Root canal therapy can help you avoid needing a tooth extraction, which takes far more time, money, and long-term care.
If you have more questions or concerns about root canal therapy, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our knowledgeable team is here to put your fears to rest! Give us a call today to see if root canal therapy is the solution you’ve been looking for.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
The cost of a root canal in Beverly is based on different factors that our dentists will determine once we meet with you for your appointment. It’s necessary to establish the condition of your tooth and the status of your oral health before giving any kind of estimate regarding how much you can expect to pay for treatment. But don’t worry, as our team will be happy to help maximize any available benefits you have as well as discuss alternative ways to pay.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
Our dentists at Beverly Farms Dental will need to look at the following factors before delivering a cost estimate:
- The type of tooth that needs to be removed and its location: Teeth located toward the back of the mouth (molars) are often harder and costlier to treat.
- The complexity of your case.
- Additional services, such as a custom restoration (i.e., dental crown) will be needed after your root canal is complete.
Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
It might seem like a cost-saving solution to just remove the affected tooth instead of undergoing a root canal; however, it’s important to think about the longer-term investment that is required. Removing a tooth (unless it’s a wisdom tooth) means that it must be replaced. The reason is that bone loss can occur over time if there is no root left to stimulate the bone.
The cost of tooth replacement can vary, but it is an investment – one that frequently requires replacements in the future as well as paying for additional products to help keep your artificial teeth clean and in place.
Root canals, though, have a high success rate and usually only need to be completed once.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?
Depending on your dental insurance plan, there is a chance that your insurer will agree to cover anywhere from 50-80% of the total cost of your bill. This is dependent on whether you’ve met your deductible and how much of your annual maximum remains. You can expect our team of qualified professionals to go over your available benefits and help you get the most out of your plan so that your out-of-pocket expenses remain low.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
If you do not have dental insurance, there is another option to keep treatment affordable. By applying for Wisetack, you can pay any out-of-pocket costs over time instead of all at once. By signing up for a low-to-no-interest payment plan, you determine how much you’ll be expected to pay each month – a solution that makes it easy to stay within budget.
Root Canal FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Root Canal?
Recovery time from a root canal will differ from person to person, but many patients are able to return to work or school the day after their procedure.
If your job requires physical labor, you should try to take at least the next two or three days off following your root canal. Vigorous exercise can make the healing process take longer by diverting blood from the site.
After your treatment, you can expect your mouth to be sore for the next few days. You can take over the counter or prescription pain medication as directed to help alleviate this discomfort.
Be sure to eat only soft foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the treated tooth for the next few days.
You may brush and floss as normal but be very careful around the treated tooth.
Should you experience pain that worsens instead of fading after the three-day mark, or if you exhibit any signs of infection such as fever or swelling, call Beverly Farms Dental immediately.
How Long Do Root Canals Last?
Today’s root canals have an extremely high success rate. In fact, most teeth that have been treated with a root canal go on to provide full chewing functionality for many years, or even a lifetime.
The longevity of your root canal depends on a variety of factors, including the extent of the damage to the tooth and how much time elapsed between placing your temporary and permanent crown or filling. If too much time has passed, your tooth could be vulnerable to reinfection.
To ensure that your root canal lasts as long as possible, be sure to follow your dentist’s post-operative instructions and practice excellent oral hygiene.
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
While antibiotics can treat bacterial infections in nearly every part of the body, they will not work on tooth infections. This is because in order for them to work, they must travel through the bloodstream to target the infected area. Unfortunately, the bloodstream does not reach the pulp of the tooth, and thus antibiotics cannot eliminate infections there.
If your tooth’s pulp becomes infected, the only option for treatment besides extraction is a root canal procedure.
Are Root Canals Covered by Insurance?
Dental insurance typically only covers routine care, such as checkups and cleanings that could have prevented the need for a root canal in the first place. However, most dental insurance plans will cover at least a portion of the cost of your root canal after you have paid your deductible and before you’ve reached your annual maximum.
Dental insurance providers typically consider root canal treatment a major restorative procedure, meaning that the cost is often covered at about 50 percent.