Root Canal Treatment – Spring Hill, TN
Eliminate the Infection. Alleviate Your Pain. Save Your Tooth!
A tooth can become so decayed or damaged that the innermost layer, the dental pulp, can become infected or even die. Often, this can lead to extreme swelling and pain in the gums and teeth. In these situations, the only way to save the tooth is with root canal treatment. Don’t let that freak you out, though – the procedure is virtually painless because we numb your mouth thoroughly beforehand. If you are interested in learning more, read on or give us a call to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Family Dental Associates of Spring Hill for Root Canal Treatment?
- Dental Insurance Welcome
- Team with Advanced Training in General Dentistry
- Dental Crowns That Look and Feel Natural
Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?
During your biannual checkups, Dr. Brandon Jewell will look for common dental problems, like cavities, so that any that do arise are detected and treated in the early stages. Between visits, it’s important to keep an eye out for warning signs of trouble, including:
- Dark discoloration on your teeth
- A pimple-like bump on your gums
- Pain when biting down
- Red, swollen, or inflamed gums
- Persistent sensitivity
The Root Canal Process
This restorative treatment always begins with the same step: numbing the mouth. Once you’re comfortable and ready to begin, Dr. Jewell will seal off the tooth and access the inner chambers to eliminate the infection. Then, he will sanitize the area and rebuild the tooth. This usually takes two appointments since it takes about two weeks for the artisans at the lab to create a custom dental crown. To ensure you stay comfortable in the meantime, we’ll provide you with a temporary one.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
Here are a few of the many reasons why root canal treatment is actually good news:
- This restorative treatment allows us to relieve severe dental pain and save teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted.
- We use modern tools and anesthesia. That way, the treatment process is smooth and stress-free.
- The procedure is comfortable, and most patients find relief from their toothaches shortly after.
- Once your tooth has been treated and topped with a custom crown, it has the potential to last you a lifetime.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
Getting a root canal can be an effective way to alleviate a troublesome toothache while preventing decay and disease from spreading, which preserves your dental health. However, you might hesitate to schedule your procedure if you’re worried about the cost.
It’s natural to want to know in advance what you might expect to pay to treat your damaged or infected tooth, but the pricing can depend significantly on your unique circumstances. Continue reading to learn more about how the rate is determined and how our office in Spring Hill helps make this procedure more affordable!
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
Our team won’t be able to provide an accurate estimate until we’ve examined your tooth and have a better understanding of what’s needed to treat it. Several factors unique to your circumstances can potentially affect the final invoice, including:
- The location of the tooth. Molars towards the back of your mouth are harder to access and contain additional roots, which increases the rate.
- The severity of your condition. If a specialist is required, you’ll be responsible for paying for their services, too.
- Additional services. You’ll also need to account for other treatments as necessary, such as placing a dental crown to protect your tooth following your procedure.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
An extraction procedure might seem like it costs less initially than a root canal and dental crown, but the truth is that there are additional risks that accompany tooth loss that you might not have considered already.
For instance, your remaining teeth are likely to shift out of alignment to fill in the space left behind, increasing the risk of tooth decay, injuries, and TMJ aches. Furthermore, once a tooth is lost, your jawbone begins to thin and can eventually become too fragile to support your remaining teeth. In many cases, repairing and restoring your natural tooth is a better way to preserve your smile while avoiding potential problems that can incur additional expenses.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal is considered a major dental procedure, and many insurance policies include up to 50% coverage once your deductible has been met. However, every plan is different, and there are no guarantees, so it’s worth verifying your information before proceeding.
If you require assistance with insurance claims or paperwork, please don’t hesitate to let us know! Our staff is familiar with different policies and can help you maximize your available benefits.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
Dr. Jewell and the rest of our team understand that not all patients carry dental insurance, and we don’t want your current financial situation to prevent you from undergoing a potentially smile-saving procedure.
If you’re concerned about affording this service, you might benefit from a flexible payment plan through CareCredit. If your application is approved, you can divide the total cost of your procedure into more manageable installments, paid over a designated period that’s easier on your wallet.
Root Canal FAQs
Why Do I Need a Root Canal if My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
Since excruciating tooth pain is common with a severely decayed or damaged tooth, patients are often confused as to why they need a root canal if they aren’t experiencing any unusual symptoms. There are a few reasons for this, starting with the fact that we look for dark discoloration, considerable inflammation, and other warning signs of trouble during the exam.
It’s also worth noting that an infection can actually “kill” the nerve of your tooth if it’s left untreated, rendering it unable to register any pain. So, even if the situation doesn’t feel urgent, it very well may be. That’s why we advise against taking the “wait and see” approach.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
Oftentimes, yes. The best place to start is by prioritizing healthy habits, like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently. Then, remove anything from your routine that has the potential to negatively impact your oral health, like smoking.
Note: If you are struggling with a toothache in Spring Hill, even if it’s relatively minor, don’t wait – call us ASAP to schedule an appointment. That way, we can complete an exam, pinpoint the root of the problem, and provide the necessary restorative care before it gets any worse.
Are Root Canals Painful?
If this is a question that’s been circulating in your mind, we have good news: the first step of the procedure is to numb your mouth thoroughly. That way, you don’t feel any pain as we work to eliminate the infection. We also offer multiple forms of dental sedation, including nitrous oxide, so patients who struggle with anxiety, a fear of needles, or a sensitive gag reflex can get the emergency dental care they need without the stress.
Do Root Canals Make You Sick?
In addition to being painful, many patients think that root canals can lead to illness. This myth stems from research conducted back in the 1920s. Not only was it poorly designed, but the findings have been disproven on several occasions. Now, there isn’t any scientific evidence to support the claim that root canals can make you sick.
Are Root Canals Covered by Insurance?
Dental insurance providers often cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of essential restorative care. So, if you are insured and need a root canal in Spring Hill, don’t hesitate to provide us with your membership information. We’re proud to be in-network with several popular providers, including BCBS of Tennessee, and we’d be happy to help you understand and utilize your benefits.
Important reminder: Dental insurance isn’t the only way to make your treatment more affordable. At our office, we welcome several other financial solutions, including CareCredit flexible financing and periodic special offers.