Root canal treatment, also called root canal therapy, is a very common procedure that several million Americans undergo every year. Countless patients have trusted Dr. Chew to perform root canal therapy at his office in Fremont, CA for the last 25 years.
Here's how the process works.
What is Root Canal Treatment/Therapy?
Root canal treatment is a one-to-two-visit procedure performed when the tooth pulp, consisting of connective tissue, is infected.
The pulp of a tooth can, unfortunately, not heal itself. As a result, when infected, it, along with the nerves, must be removed.
The Process:
Examination - As with all procedures, a thorough dental exam is required to verify any underlying issues that might cause problems during the process.
Tooth Isolation - To avoid contaminating the area, a “dental dam” is placed around the infected tooth. This isolates it from the healthy ones and protects it from saliva.
Drilling - Then, the crown is drilled to access the infected area inside the root canal.
Cleaning - Small tools are then used to remove all tissue and nerves from within.
Tooth Preparation - When everything is removed from within the canal, it is shaped to better accept the filling.
Filling - A rubber-like filling is inserted to prevent contaminants from entering the root canal and causing infection
Crown - Typically during a future visit, the filling is removed and replaced with a permanent crown to give the patient full functionality of the once infected tooth
Signs You Might Need Root Canal Treatment
Symptoms are not always present or apparent, so regular checkups are vital to ensure any problems are addressed before they get worse.
Does Root Canal Treatment Hurt?
The short answer is, typically, no.
It’s common practice to use a local anesthetic when performing root canal treatment. This numbs the tooth and provides a comfortable experience for the patient during the procedure. Extreme sensitivity often accompanies a tooth in need of root canal treatment, so patients are generally in less pain during the procedure than before it.
As for after the treatment, the patient may experience some slight discomfort or sensitivity, but after a few days, this should subside, and nothing of the sort should arise again.
How Much Does Root Canal Treatment Cost?
The cost of root canal treatment can vary quite a bit. Some of the key cost factors include where the tooth is in the mouth, who is doing the procedure, and how much a patient’s insurance will cover. That said, the typical price range of root canal treatment is about $500-$2000 per tooth.
If this seems high, consider this: if root canal treatment is not performed, the tooth will generally require extraction. Unless the patient chooses to live with a space in their mouth, which carries some health risks, they will have to get a partial denture, dental bridge, or dental implant. All of these options can end up costing more than the cost of root canal treatment and involve a much longer, more involved, process.
Root Canal Treatment in Fremont, CA
If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms of infected tooth pulp, schedule an appointment or give us a call for a consultation and let Dr. Chew take your pain away.