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Root Canal Therapy – Landrum, SC
Relieve Your Severe Toothache
Are you currently suffering through the mother of all toothaches? When you’re dealing with tooth pain that terrible, there’s a high chance that a cavity deep within the tooth is the culprit. At Parkside Dental, we offer an effective treatment for these kinds of toothaches – root canal therapy. Although this treatment has a scary reputation, there’s nothing to be worried about if you call your emergency dentist in Landrum and learn that you need a root canal. Keep reading below to learn more about this procedure and why there’s nothing to be scared of. In fact, getting a root canal saves your natural tooth from having to be extracted!
Why Choose Parkside Dental for Root Canal Therapy?
- Friendly, Skilled, and Highly Experienced Team
- Digital Technology to Deliver Precise Results
- Relieve Your Painful Toothache
When Is a Root Canal Needed?
More often than not, it’s difficult to ignore the signs that you need a root canal. In some cases, though, the nerve inside the tooth may be so damaged that you might not feel anything at all. Look out for any of the following signs that you might need root canal therapy in Landrum:
- Persistent, throbbing toothache
- Dark gray discoloration of a tooth
- Pimple-like bump on the gums below a tooth
- A foul odor coming from the tooth
- Red, inflamed gums surrounding the tooth
- An aching jaw
- Swelling around the tooth
How Is a Root Canal Performed?
You don’t need to worry about a root canal bring painful. In fact, many of our patients report that a root canal is about as comfortable as getting a simple filling. Before the procedure begins, we’ll ensure you are numbed up with local anesthetic.
Dr. Moneyhun will start by creating a small access hole in the tooth to reach the center. Then, he’ll remove the infected tissue. Once the inside of the tooth is all cleared out, we’ll fill it back up with a synthetic material called gutta-percha. After the tooth is sealed back up, we’ll place either a filling or a dental crown on top to make your tooth look and feel back to normal once more.
What Is the Recovery Process Like?
After your root canal is finished, we’ll send you home with instructions for a safe and speedy recovery. Some of these tips might include:
- Plan on getting plenty of rest and relaxation for the remainder of the day.
- Apply an ice pack to your cheek in 10-minute intervals to cut down on swelling and soreness.
- When you lay down, prop your head up on a pillow.
- Stick to a soft food diet for a few days until you feel comfortable chewing with the affected tooth again.
- Take all medication as directed on the bottle.
Follow all of these instructions to a T, and you should be fine. If you experience pain that does not subside after a few days, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
Because every patient’s situation is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all cost of a root canal in Landrum. There are several different factors that may influence the final cost of your restorative treatment. Our team will be able to provide you with an accurate cost estimate at your initial consultation with Dr. Moneyhun. In the meantime, you can discover more about the cost of root canals by reading the information below.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
It is difficult to determine the exact cost of a root canal until Dr. Moneyhun, an experienced emergency dentist in Landrum, has had the opportunity to assess the tooth or teeth in question. There are several factors that can influence how much you end up paying to preserve a tooth, including:
- Tooth Location – A back molar can cost between $500 to $2,000 to treat, while front teeth run about $300 to $1,000 each. The difference in price is related to the fact that back molars have more root canals than front teeth.
- Complexity – Some root canals are more complex than others. Roots canals that require a visit to a specialist usually cost more than an average root canal.
- Additional Services – You may need a crown to protect your root canaled tooth from further damage, which will add to your overall costs.
Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
You may be tempted to remove a bothersome tooth instead of undergoing a root canal in order to save money. It’s true that extracting a tooth typically costs less upfront than root canal therapy. However, removing a tooth now could lead to higher dental care costs later on. To prevent bite problems, oral hygiene trouble, and other issues that often occur due to missing teeth, you may need to invest in a dental bridge or implant. Of course, any dental restoration will come with an additional cost. For this reason, it may be more cost-effective to save your natural tooth with a root canal rather than remove and replace it.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is usually considered a major procedure, which means you can likely expect your insurance to cover 50% to 80% of the cost. However, no two insurance plans are exactly the same. Before scheduling a root canal, be sure to contact your insurance company and confirm your coverage. Our knowledgeable team will be happy to help you understand the details of your insurance plan and help maximize your benefits. We welcome and accept all PPO dental insurance plans and we’ll even file insurance claim paperwork for you.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
At Parkside Dental, we are committed to making quality restorative care affordable for all our patients who need it. That is why we partner with CareCredit, a trusted flexible financing organization. CareCredit allows eligible patients to break down the cost of a root canal in Landrum into convenient monthly payments. Many CareCredit plans have little or no interest attached, making them ideal for almost any budget. Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have questions about CareCredit, the cost of root canal therapy in general, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Moneyhun.
Root Canal FAQs
Are you wondering if root canals are painful? Are you interested in learning why you need one if your toothache has subsided? Are you curious if root canals can ever be prevented? Good news: we’re answering all of these questions right here! Of course, if you have another question for our Landrum dental team, don’t hesitate to ask – we’re here to help.
Are Root Canals Painful?
No, root canals are not painful! The pain associated with this restorative treatment is often due to the root of the problem instead of the treatment. After all, your mouth will be thoroughly numbed beforehand. Furthermore, our team at Parkside Dental only uses the latest techniques and technology to make the entire process as smooth and pain-free as possible. In fact, we will even provide you with a list of aftercare instructions to help keep any soreness or discomfort to a minimum while you heal.
How Much Pain is Normal After a Root Canal?
A few hours after your procedure, the numbing agent will begin to wear off. At this point, you might feel some soreness begin to arise, which is why we recommend following the aftercare instructions we give you to a tee. Oftentimes, this includes sticking to soft foods, keeping your head elevated while you sleep, and taking OTC pain medication.
Do I Still Need a Root Canal if My Toothache Went Away?
If the infection is left alone for too long, it will “kill” the nerve of your tooth. At this point, it may feel like your toothache has gone away. Make no mistake – that doesn’t mean the root of the problem has gone away. Quite the opposite! Of course, if you want to learn more about your treatment options, you’re always welcome to talk to our Landrum dental team. We can share why we recommend root canal therapy, share if there are any other treatments that can restore your oral health, and answer any other questions you may have.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
Fortunately, root canals can be prevented in many cases. That’s one of the many reasons we encourage our patients to implement a solid oral hygiene regimen, starting with brushing twice a day and extending to visiting us every six months for a checkup and cleaning. It’s also important that you protect your teeth from harm in other ways, like wearing a mouthguard during sports, not consuming sugar in excess, and avoiding tobacco products.
What Happens if You Wait Too Long for a Root Canal?
In short, if you wait too long to get a root canal, the infection will continue to worsen. In fact, it may even progress to the point where it can spread to your surrounding teeth and gums as well as the rest of your body. For that reason, you shouldn’t try to “wait out” a toothache.
What Should I Do Before a Root Canal?
In the weeks leading up to your root canal treatment, we recommend doing what you can to make the entire process as smooth and stress-free as possible, like filling your pantry with soft foods, making sure you have cold compresses and OTC pain medication, and arranging for someone you know and trust to drive you home from your appointment if you’re being sedated. There are also a few things we don’t recommend, like smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating a bunch of sugary foods. As always, if you have any questions about what you should and shouldn’t do leading up to your appointment, don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’re here to help!
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
Patients often assume that – since antibiotics can treat infections in other parts of the body – antibiotics are a suitable alternative to root canal treatment. However, that’s not the case. After all, the medication travels through the bloodstream, and the bloodstream doesn’t reach the pulp of the tooth. That’s why the only alternative is typically having the tooth extracted. Rest assured, we will review all of your treatment options at your appointment so you can move forward with complete confidence.
Do Root Canals Make You Sick?
One of the many prevalent myths surrounding root canals is that they make you sick. This largely stems from poorly designed research from the 1920s, which claimed that it was better to have the tooth extracted since root canals didn’t remove all of the bacteria. Not only have these claims been debunked several times over the years, but there isn’t any scientific evidence that shows that root canals can make you sick.
Are Root Canals Covered by Insurance?
In addition to covering essential preventive care, many dental insurance providers cover a portion of the cost of essential restorative treatments, including root canals. That said, the fine print on your plan needs to be considered, including waiting periods, annual maximums, and yearly deductibles. If you’re not familiar with your benefits, don’t hesitate to ask our Landrum dental team for help! We welcome all PPO dental insurance plans, and we’re here to help our patients understand and utilize their benefits.
Do Root Canals Cost More Than Tooth Extractions?
At first glance, it may look like root canals are more expensive. That’s why it’s so important to consider all of the factors that impact the cost, not just the upfront number. After all, the price of a tooth extraction doesn’t include the cost of the dental bridge or implant needed to fill the gap in your smile moving forward.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat After a Root Canal?
First, it’s important that we mention that you should not eat anything until the numbing agent has completely worn off. At that point, you can eat something soft, like plain yogurt, oatmeal, or vegetable soup. Just do your best not to chew on that side of your mouth, and check the temperature beforehand since the area around your tooth will be sensitive. Do NOT eat anything that has a crunchy or sticky consistency, like caramel-filled candies or tortilla chips.
