Root Canal Therapy – Big Pine Key, FL

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Although tooth pain is a common symptom of a problem requiring a root canal, you do not have to experience pain in order to need root canal therapy. If you have had advanced tooth decay or damage that has penetrated to the pulp or center of the tooth, you may benefit from root canal therapy. This procedure involves removing the pulp to prevent future infection and save the healthy tooth structure. After the inner chamber has been thoroughly cleaned and sealed, a dental crown is placed on top to protect the tooth and restore its strength, function, and beauty.

The Root Canal Process 

The root canal treatment process is broken down into several steps. The first is your initial appointment, which is when we will assess the severity of the dental damage and determine if root canal therapy is the best way to restore your oral health. If it is, then we will create a custom treatment plan designed to restore the look and function of your tooth!

Before we begin the process of treating your tooth, we will thoroughly numb the area. If you’re especially nervous or you’ve struggled with dental-related anxiety in the past, then sedation dentistry is also available. Once you’re comfortable and at ease in the treatment chair, our emergency dentist in Big Pine Key will carefully access the inner chambers of your tooth. From there, they will remove the compromised pulp (which is the source of your discomfort). Then, they will sanitize the area, fill the open space with a synthetic gutta-percha material, and place a temporary crown over the tooth to protect it.

Over the next few days, it’s normal to feel some soreness. Once your permanent dental crown is ready, you’ll return to our office so we can secure it in place. At this point, the entire root canal process is complete, and your tooth is restored!

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

Since the reputation surrounding root canal therapy largely centers on outdated, incorrect misconceptions, it’s not surprising that many patients aren’t aware of all the benefits of this treatment. With this in mind, read on to learn three noteworthy ones:

• Root canal therapy is virtually pain-free – Not only will the area around your tooth be thoroughly numbed, but you can opt for sedation dentistry to minimize any nerves or stress while you’re in the treatment chair.
• Root canal therapy has a high success rate – Fortunately, the large majority of patients who undergo this treatment retain their treated tooth for several decades and, in many cases, the rest of their lives!
• Root canal therapy delivers lifelike results – After the tooth is treated, it’s protected with a natural-looking restoration that doesn’t call any unwanted attention to your smile – it will blend in seamlessly!

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

While a root canal may be the best way to end your toothache and help your tooth last for as long as possible, it’s understandable that you’d like to know how much you’ll have to pay before committing to the treatment. There are several factors that can contribute to the price of a root canal, but it will usually be covered at least partially by insurance and can be far less expensive than tooth extraction. Here’s a brief guide to the cost of root canals at Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry of the Keys, but please contact our staff if you have any questions.

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Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

While it’s exceedingly difficult for us to give you a proper cost estimate for a root canal before we’ve evaluated your situation at our office, there are several factors that largely contribute to the price. These are:

• The type and location of the tooth. Since molars are bigger and have more roots than the teeth in the front of the mouth, it’s usually more expensive to treat them.
• The complexity of the procedure.
• The price of additional services that may be necessary such as dental crowns.

Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

While some patients may think that it would be easier to have a troubled tooth extracted than to receive a root canal, this is not usually a good idea. While tooth extractions seem less expensive than root canals at first glance, the loss of a tooth can lead to a range of oral health issues such as dental misalignments or jawbone erosion. Because of this, it’s important to replace the extracted tooth with a restoration like an implant, bridge, or denture as soon as possible. After you factor in the cost of the tooth replacement, root canals are usually the less expensive option by far, and it’s always best to preserve a natural tooth if possible.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?

Most dental insurance plans consider root canals to be major restorative procedures, so they typically cover them at about 50% to 80% after the deductible has been met. However, it’s important to understand what your policy will pay for since each plan is different. We’ll be happy to help you navigate the details of your insurance policy so you can get the most out of your coverage.

Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable

Since we know that you can still need a root canal even if you’re uninsured or underinsured, we offer several ways to help make your treatment affordable. These include:

• Our membership plan: For a flat annual fee of $456, you can have access to two professional cleanings, two regular exams, two fluoride treatments, routine x-rays, one emergency exam, a 10% discount on all other procedures, and a 5% discount on subscriptions for family members.
• Flexible financing options: We partner with CareCredit and Cherry, trusted third-party financiers that offer flexible financing plans that can break your bill into small monthly payments with little to no interest.

We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about the root canal process and your overall bill. If you need any help navigating your insurance policy or your payment or financing options, don’t hesitate to ask us for assistance.

Root Canal FAQs