Root Canal Treatment – Vero Beach, FL

Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?

One of the most common reasons for this treatment is to address an ongoing toothache that won’t subside. However, it’s possible to need a root canal even if you’re not hurting. You might also be a good candidate for this procedure if you experience the following symptoms:

• Extreme or prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks.
• Sharp pain when biting down.
• The tooth appears darker than its neighbors.
• The gums surrounding it are swollen or red.
• There’s a small bump on the connective tissues near the affected tooth.

The Root Canal Process

Many patients worry that this procedure will inevitably be long and agonizing, but that’s fortunately not the case. First, we’ll administer a local anesthetic to block the nerves in your mouth from sending pain signals to your brain. Then, one of our doctors will create a small opening in your troublesome tooth to remove the infected materials causing your discomfort.

Then, we’ll sanitize the tooth to remove any remaining bacteria before sealing it closed with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Typically, we protect and preserve your tooth by fitting your with a customized dental crown after your procedure. It can take a few weeks for the dental lab to deliver the finished product, so we’ll place a temporary crown to protect your grin until it arrives.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

You might worry that getting a root canal is more trouble than it’s worth, but usually, the opposite is true! There are many advantages to this procedure, including:

• Preserving your dental health. This treatment allows our team to protect your natural tooth and retain its functionality in circumstances that might otherwise require extraction and replacement, which comes with additional risk of infection.
• Naturalized appearance. Dental crowns are made from resilient materials, like resin or porcelain, that can be customized to match the shade, shape, and size of your teeth for seamless results.
• Alleviates pain. This procedure is often the best way to provide some much-needed relief from a long-standing toothache.
• Long-lasting. Your restoration can last 15+ years with the right care.
• Cost-effective. You can avoid more complex and expensive treatments, like extracting and rebuilding a tooth, by undergoing a root canal to repair the damage.

Understanding the Cost of Root Canal Treatment

Many people put off much-needed root canal treatment due to fear of cost. Everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, so the cost can vary depending on your needs. During your appointment with us, we will discuss the expected cost of your procedure in detail, including your payment options. 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 a procedure is, the higher the cost.
• Additional Treatments: Sometimes patients need another service, like a dental crown, in addition to their root canal. This cost should be considered as well.

Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

Many people are tempted to skip the root canal process and just have their troublesome tooth extracted. However, this isn’t the best 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 become negatively impacted as the surrounding teeth shift out of place to fill the gap. This results in difficulty 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 these options adds up quickly. Ultimately, a root canal is a more cost-effective way to address an infected tooth long term. Remember that you shouldn’t put off a root canal either. If you wait too long, it may no longer be an option.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is considered a “major restorative treatment,” so it is usually covered at about 50% after your deductible has been met and before you reach your yearly maximum. At Cromer & Cairns Dental, we proudly accept all PPO insurance plans and are happy to file any necessary paperwork and claims on your behalf.

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 in-house membership plan, you can save 10% on services 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 monthly installments with little to no interest. If you have any questions or need help applying, give us a call!