Root Canal Treatment – Broken Arrow, OK

Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?

Don’t forget: a root canal treatment gets rid of a tooth’s infected pulp. To that extent, you’d need the procedure if you show the relevant signs of a tooth infection. The common symptoms of this condition are:

• Persistent Tooth Pain – While everyone gets tooth pain once in a while, things change when the ache is persistent. Enduring discomfort suggests the tooth is infected.
• Tooth Discoloration – When a tooth suffers an infection, its surface will often turn darker.
• Sensitive Tooth – Infected teeth often have exposed dentin, so they tend to be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
• Tooth Looseness – When tooth pulp gets infected, it can produce pus that softens the bone beneath it. The result is that the infected tooth may feel looser.
• Swollen Gums – Pus from an infected tooth can collect in the gums, making these tissues feel swollen or tender.

The Root Canal Process

While root canals can get invasive, they usually don’t take too long. Most dentists can perform one in only thirty minutes to an hour, and only severe cases demand ninety minutes or more.

Our team follows several key steps in the root canal process. Firstly, we numb your mouth with local anesthesia so your treatment won’t hurt; you’ll only feel slight pressure as we work. We’ll then use dental tools to reach your tooth’s inner chamber and remove its pulp. Once that’s done, we’ll sanitize this interior area and refill it with gutta-percha (i.e., filling material). Our dentists conclude the initial treatment by sealing the tooth and giving it a temporary crown.

In most cases, patients attend a follow-up visit a few weeks later. Our dentists place a permanent dental crown at that session to replace the temporary one. From there, the placed cap can protect your tooth for years to come.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

When done well, a root canal treatment will provide you with many perks. These include:

• Tooth Protection – A root canal keeps your tooth from suffering further harm, ensuring it won’t decay even more.
• Tooth Preservation – Since it removes your infected pulp, a root canal saves your tooth. That means you won’t have to pay for a costly extraction or restoration later.
• Toothache Relief – When a tooth’s pulp is infected, it tends to cause a lot of pain. A root canal removes this tissue to get rid of your discomfort.
• Pretty & Long-Lasting Results – Many patients enjoy their treated tooth for a lifetime, especially since root canal results blend seamlessly with one’s smile.

Cost of Root Canal Treatment

If your tooth is infected or broken, saving it with root canal treatment may be possible. However, many patients worry about the cost of this treatment. During your appointment with us, we can discuss the cost of your treatment and your financial options in detail so that you know what to expect. In the meantime, here are some things to take into account.

Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

We won’t be able to determine the exact cost of your root canal treatment until we can examine your tooth in person. This is because multiple factors contribute. Here are the most prominent ones:

• Location of Tooth: Depending on where the affected tooth is located in the mouth, the cost will vary. Molars have more roots than the teeth in the front of the mouth, so they take longer to treat.
• Difficulty: The more complicated the procedure, the longer it will take. This will contribute to the cost.
• Additional Treatments: In a lot of cases, patients need a dental crown in addition to their root canal treatment. This cost should be considered as well.

Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

Many people are tempted to skip the entire root canal process and just have their troublesome tooth extracted. However, this isn’t always the best solution. The cost of tooth extractions is usually lower upfront, but you should also consider all of the long-term consequences of losing one of your natural teeth. After an extraction, your bite can become negatively impacted as the surrounding teeth move towards the gap. This can result in difficulty chewing and general discomfort. To prevent this, you need to replace your missing tooth with a dental bridge or dental implant. The cost of these tooth replacement options can add up quickly. Ultimately, a root canal is the most cost-effective way to address an infected tooth long-term. Don’t put off your root canal either! If you wait too long, your tooth may no longer be salvageable.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is usually considered by dental insurance providers to be a major restorative procedure. This means that it can receive up to 50% coverage after your deductible has been met and before you have reached your annual maximum. At Berkshire Dental Group of Broken Arrow, we are proud to be in-network with several major PPO dental insurance plans, and we are also happy to welcome out-of-network patients. We will file claims on your behalf and are happy to answer any questions you have.

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. We are proud to offer an in-house saving plan through Vantage One. For just $79 a year, you can receive discounts on services completed at our practice, including root canal treatment. Currently, we also have a $99 special for a limited emergency exam and X-rays. Lastly, we are 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.