Root Canal Treatment – Cottonwood Heights, UT
Fast Relief for Painful Toothaches
Are you experiencing a severe toothache that won’t seem to go away? This type of severe oral pain can keep you up at night and prevent you from being able to focus on work. It’s often caused by an infection that can be found deep within your tooth, within the inner chamber. Fortunately, our team at White Peak Dental offers root canal treatment in Cottonwood Heights as well as same-day emergency appointments to help get your oral health back on the right track.
Why Choose White Peak Dental for Root Canal Treatment?
- We Accept & Maximize Dental Insurance
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Multiple Dental Sedation Methods Available
Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?
One of the many reasons your biannual visits with Dr. Hansen are so important is because they give him a chance to examine the condition of your teeth, your gums, and any existing dental work. If there is a problem – whether it’s a small cavity or a severe infection – he can bring it to your attention and treat it ASAP (hopefully before a root canal is necessary). Throughout the year, it’s important that you keep an eye out for abnormal symptoms as well, including pain when biting down, a pimple-like bump on your gums, and significant sensitivity.
The Root Canal Process
Root canals have a reputation for being painful. However, many patients are surprised to learn that they feel much better after the procedure, as it erased their toothache! The treatment typically takes place over two appointments. The first will be the cleaning of the inside of the tooth, removing the infected pulp, and securing a temporary restoration over top. The second visit will consist of securing your custom dental crown atop the treated tooth to protect and preserve it, ideally for the rest of your lifetime!
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
One of the biggest benefits of root canal treatment is that it has an incredibly high success rate. As a result, the pain you’ve been experiencing will be erased both now and years from now. Of course, there are other perks of this restorative dental service, including the fact that you won’t feel any discomfort in the treatment chair, the restoration used to cover the tooth moving forward won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile, and, if needed, you can add sedation dentistry to your treatment plan to make the entire process anxiety-free.
Ultimately, if you are struggling with a painful toothache or any other abnormal dental symptoms, there’s only one thing left to do: schedule an appointment with us. The sooner you do, the sooner we can eliminate the infection and restore your healthy smile.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canal Treatment
Many patients put off their much-needed root canal treatment because they are worried about the cost of their treatment. Everyone’s treatment looks slightly different, so the cost can vary depending on your needs. During your appointment, we will discuss the expected cost of your appointment in detail. Until then, here are some things to take into consideration.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
We won’t be able to determine the exact cost of your root canal treatment until we see you in person. This is because there are multiple factors that are considered. Here are some of the most prominent.
- Location: Depending on where the affected tooth is located, the cost will vary. Molars have more roots than teeth in the front of the mouth, so they take longer to treat.
- Difficulty: The more complicated the procedure, the higher the cost is.
- Additional Treatments: Sometimes, patients need another service, like a dental crown, in addition to their root canal. This cost should also be considered.
Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
Many people are tempted to skip the root canal process and just have their troublesome tooth removed. However, this isn’t an ideal solution. The cost for a tooth extraction is lower upfront, but you also need to consider the long-term consequences of losing one of your natural teeth. After an extraction, your bite can be negatively impacted as the surrounding teeth shift out of place to fill the space. This results in challenges chewing and general discomfort. To prevent this, you would need to replace your missing tooth with a dental bridge or dental implant. The cost of the options adds up quickly. In the long run, a root canal is a more cost-effective way to address an infected tooth. You shouldn’t put your treatment off either! If you wait too long, root canal treatment may no longer be an option.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is considered to be a “major restorative treatment,” so it is usually covered at about 50% after you have met your deductible and before you have reached your maximum. At White Peak Dental, we are proud to accept a long list of popular insurance providers. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your plan, one of our friendly team members would be happy to help.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you are completely out of luck. With our dental membership plan, you can save 30% on treatments completed at our practice. We are also happy to accept payments through CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable month installments with little to no interest. If you have any questions or need help applying, give us a call!
Root Canal FAQs
How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Root Canal?
Root canal treatments generally have quick recovery times, but every patient is different. Depending on your unique biology, you could heal faster than average, or need more rest to alleviate soreness. We recommend listening to your body and sticking to soft foods until you’re sure your mouth is no longer sensitive.
Now, if discomfort worsens instead of fading after about three days, call our office right away. You could be experiencing a complication, and we’ll check on your oral health to make sure!
How Much Pain is Normal After a Root Canal?
As implied, it is normal to feel sore or sensitive after your root canal. Fortunately, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and Tylenol should be able to manage your aches, and eating soft foods can help prevent discomfort.
Severe, prolonged pain that is distracting or makes it difficult to maintain your daily routine is not normal. Please call us right away if you experience this kind of discomfort so we can provide prompt treatment!
Can I Eat Before a Root Canal?
It depends. We’ll be sure to let you know what your situation calls for before your root canal, but in general, here’s what we recommend:
- If dental sedation is part of your treatment plan, eating in the hours leading up to your appointment can increase your risk of nausea. It’s often better to wait to eat until the effects of your sedative wear off.
- Otherwise, it can be a good idea to eat a hearty meal before your root canal! Your mouth could be numb for some time after your appointment, so you might want to get some sustenance in your system while eating is still a simple task.
- Do not drink alcohol within 24 hours of your root canal. It can cause negative interactions with the local anesthetic used to numb your mouth.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
Yes; since bacteria in a tooth’s dental pulp is the most common reason for needing a root canal, mitigating bacteria growth with good oral hygiene can significantly reduce your risk. That means brushing your teeth twice per day, flossing once daily, and scheduling biannual checkups and cleanings.
It’s also a good idea to take care of any chips or cracks in your teeth promptly, as this type of damage can make it easier for bacteria to get to your dental pulp.