Root Canal Treatment – Arlington, TX
Relieve Pain & Bring Dental Health Back
Are you suffering with a painful toothache in Arlington? If so, you could benefit from a root canal. Although this procedure has a negative reputation in general, it actually is meant to relieve pain. Not only that, but our team at Encore Dentistry knows that this emergency dental treatment requires greater compassion, which is why Dr. Nancy Cabansag performs them with a gentle, caring touch. If you are interested in learning more, simply read on or give us a call to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Encore Dentistry for Root Canal Treatment?
- Caring and Comforting Dentist and Team
- Get Your Permanent Restoration the Same Day
- Dental Insurance Welcome
Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?
Remember, your pain receptors are there to let you know when something is wrong. So, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Encore Dentistry if you notice these or any other abnormal symptoms arise:
- A dull, persistent ache
- A sharp, stabbing pain when biting down
- Persistent sensitivity
- Dark discoloration on the tooth in question
- A pimple-like bump on your gums
The Root Canal Process
The nerve of your tooth, referred to as the pulp, can become inflamed if decay reaches through the enamel and dentin layers. When this happens, a root canal is needed to restore the look, health, and function of your tooth.
The first step of the process is numbing your mouth thoroughly so you don’t feel any discomfort. Once you’re ready to begin, Dr. Cabansag will remove the nerve and flush the nerve chamber. Then, the canal is filled, which stops the progression of decay that caused the problem to begin with. The final step is to secure a custom dental crown over the tooth to restore its appearance and strength.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
We mentioned above that root canals have a negative reputation in general. The reality is that needing this treatment is good news because:
- The Procedure Is Virtually Painless – Whether we’re treating one tooth or several teeth, the first step is always the same: to numb your mouth. That way, you can relax comfortably in the treatment chair while we work to eliminate the infection and restore your healthy smile.
- Our Office Is Outfitted with CEREC® Technology – Since we offer CEREC® same-day restorations, you don’t have to worry about multiple visits or temporary restorations. Instead, the entire process can often be completed in just one visit!
- It Saves Your Tooth – Oftentimes, the only way to eliminate an infection is with a root canal or a tooth extraction. Root canals preserve more of your natural smile. Not only that, but they prevent you from having to pay for a dental bridge or implant.
If you are interested in learning more about root canals, including if you’d benefit from getting one, then take the next step: schedule an appointment at our Arlington dental office.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
Like many other patients, you might have two concerns about root canals: pain and price. That’s why our team goes the extra mile to make the entire treatment process as smooth as possible – from numbing your mouth before the procedure to discussing the different financial solutions that are available upfront. If you are interested in learning more on the topic of cost in the meantime, read on!
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
The reason that we can’t provide you with a price estimate online is that there are several factors that influence the answer, including:
- The location and type of the tooth. Since molars have a more complex anatomy, the cost is usually a bit higher.
- The complexity of the case. If your case is so complex that an outside specialist is needed, then you will likely pay more for your root canal.
- Additional services. Sometimes, additional services are needed to alleviate the pain you’re experiencing and restore the health of your smile, like a deep cleaning.
Rest assured, our team at Encore Dentistry will discuss all of this and more with you during your visit so you aren’t left in the dark when it comes to something as important as the cost of your care.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
Oftentimes, patients assume that the cost of a tooth extraction is cheaper than the cost of root canal treatment. While the upfront price may seem comparable, there are long-term financial consequences with the former. After all, you need to pay for a dental bridge, denture, or dental implant to fill the newly open space in your mouth. Otherwise, everything from the appearance of your smile to the strength of your bite will suffer.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?
In addition to covering 100% of the cost of preventive care, many dental insurance providers cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of restorative treatments, like root canals. So, it’s worth reading through the fine print on your plan to familiarize yourself with your benefits! If you need any help, you’re more than welcome to provide us with your membership information. We’re proud to work with Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, and several others, and we will do our part to make utilizing any available benefits that you have easy.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? Don’t worry – you can also make the cost of root canal treatment more affordable by:
- Joining Our In-Office Membership Plan – Doing so comes with several perks, including discounts on most of our services.
- Signing Up for CareCredit – CareCredit offers convenient, flexible payment plans so you can break up the cost of your care into smaller, more budget-friendly chunks.
Root Canal FAQs
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
Oftentimes, patients who are scared of getting a root canal want to find an alternative, like taking antibiotics. The reason this doesn’t work is that the medication travels through your bloodstream, and your bloodstream cannot reach the pulp of a tooth. To truly eliminate the infection, we need to perform a root canal or, in more dire cases, complete an extraction.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
Root canals in Arlington are largely preventable, yes. The best way to protect your smile from harm is by breaking bad habits, like biting your nails, chewing on ice cubes, or smoking. At the same time, focus on incorporating healthy ones into your daily routine and prioritizing your biannual dental visits. This will help prevent plaque from building up and ensure that any issues that do arise throughout the years are caught (and treated!) right away.
Are Root Canals Painful?
Although root canals have a scary reputation, the procedure is virtually painless. There are a few reasons we can say this with confidence, starting with the fact that the first step is always to numb the patient’s mouth. Plus, we provide detailed aftercare instructions to keep soreness and sensitivity to a minimum in the days following (i.e., rinsing with warm saltwater periodically, avoiding spicy foods, taking OTC pain medication as directed).
Why Do I Need a Root Canal if My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
Another misconception about root canals is that they are only necessary if you’re struggling with an excruciating toothache. That’s not the case. In fact, there are several other warning signs of a severely decayed or damaged tooth, including persistent sensitivity, a pimple-like bump on the gums, and discoloration. All that to say, even though the situation may not feel urgent, it very well may be.
Do Root Canals Make You Sick?
No, there isn’t any scientific evidence linking root canals to illness. However, the myth that one leads to the other continues to persist. This is largely due to research that was conducted back in the 1920s by a dentist named Dr. Weston Price. At the time, he advocated for extracting the tooth because root canal treatment didn’t remove all of the bacteria. Not only was this before medicine understood the causes of many diseases, but his research was poorly designed, and his findings have been disproven on several occasions.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?
Fortunately, many dental insurance providers cover 50% or more of the cost of essential restorative treatments, including root canals. So, if you are insured, you should read through the fine print on your plan to familiarize yourself with your benefits! You can also provide us with your membership information since we welcome several popular providers, including Delta Dental, Cigna, and MetLife.
Important reminder: Dental insurance isn’t the only way to make the cost more affordable. So, don’t let being uninsured stop you from getting the care you need! During your initial appointment, we can create your custom treatment plan and discuss the other financial solutions that are available, like CareCredit.