Root Canal
Giving your teeth the treatment they need not only protects your smile, but it gives your overall health a boost. Root canals are no exception, and they are actually often a vital treatment to keeping your tooth alive and healthy. A modern root canal in Riverside at Tropic Dental Care is a comfortable routine procedure that will see you leaving our office with improved symptom relief and a healthier smile overall. Our goal is to provide you with fast, painless treatment that gives your smile lasting benefits and a brighter look. Contact us today to learn more about our dental procedures and how we can keep your smile looking and feeling its best.
What Is a Root Canal?
What Is the Procedure Like?
Your average root canal is fast, comfortable, and effective. Once we determine that a root canal is your best option, we can begin by providing a local anesthetic to keep the treatment area numb. Our goal is for you to have a low-stress experience from start to finish with virtually no discomfort at all. We start with the procedure only once we are fully sure you are comfortable, ready, and relaxed.
The procedure itself is quite similar to getting a dental filling. The main difference is that a root canal goes a bit deeper into the tooth to clear out the affected parts. We make sure to get all the infected or damaged pulp out of the tooth so it won’t be a problem anymore. Only once it is all cleared out will we seal off the tooth, preventing any bacteria or other material from getting into that inner area
For most patients, their root canal treatment should take under an hour, with many patients needing only half an hour per treated tooth. You can even drive yourself back to work (or home!) after your procedure. Having some soreness and stiffness around the treated tooth is normal once the numbing wears off. However, you should be in less pain than before, and even the soreness should wear off within a day or two.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
- Swelling or discoloration of your gums
- Bleeding from your gums
- Teeth that are loose
- Tooth discoloration
- Sudden cessation of pain (this can mean the infection has killed your tooth’s nerves)
If you notice any of these signs, then it is high time to give Tropic Dental Care a call right away. We can get you in for an appointment as soon as possible, with the goal being to save your tooth and get rid of your symptoms. The longer you wait, the more you put your tooth and health at risk. As a last resort, we may need to remove an infected or damaged tooth! All the more reason to get care as soon as you start noticing the signs, so you can keep your smile healthy and whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a root canal painful?
Root canal therapy is always performed under local anesthesia. Modern anesthetics are highly effective at completely numbing the surgical site, so a patient feels no pain. In fact, root canal therapy typically provides immediate pain relief compared to the pre-procedure pain caused by infection. You are likely to experience soreness at the procedure site after a root canal, but it will subside within a couple of days.
How much does a root canal cost?
A root canal therapy typically costs between $650 and $1500 depending on the complexity of the case, the tooth’s location, and the number of canals. For example, treating molars is more expensive than treating front teeth. The cost usually includes the exam and X-ray, but a dental crown requires a separate payment.
Can a root canal save my tooth?
Yes, root canal therapy can save your tooth. In fact, the main objective of this procedure is to treat severely infected teeth and prevent extraction. However, root canal therapy may not be possible when the tooth’s structure is severely damaged by infection. That is why we recommend addressing tooth infection as early as possible.
What is the success rate of root canal treatment?
Root canal therapy has a high success rate, up to 98%. However, the success and longevity of root canal therapy depend on whether a dental crown is placed after the procedure, as it reinforces the tooth and protects it from further damage.
What is the recovery time after a root canal?
Root canal procedure recovery typically takes 5 to 7 days. Most patients can return to their daily activities immediately after the procedure, excluding strenuous physical activity.
In the first 24 to 72 hours, you are likely to experience soreness at the procedure site, mild swelling, temperature sensitivity, and pressure sensitivity. We recommend switching to a soft diet and avoiding chewing on the side of your mouth where the procedure was performed for the first 2 to 3 days. By day 5, the discomfort should decrease significantly. Most patients can resume their normal eating habits by days 5 to 7.
Are there alternatives to a root canal?
The most common alternatives to root canal therapy include:
- Tooth extraction is performed when the tooth’s structure is severely damaged by infection
- Pulpotomy (partial root canal) is used when the infection is not extensive. During this procedure, your dentist removes only the diseased pulp in the crown, leaving the healthy nerve in the root intact.
- The GentleWave procedure uses fluid dynamics and sound waves to remove infected pulp from the root canal system, often preserving more natural tooth structure.
Is a root canal covered by insurance?
Most dental insurance plans cover some cost of root canal therapy, as it is considered a medical necessity. Typically, your insurance company will cover 50% to 80% of the total procedure cost after you have met your deductible. We recommend confirming with your insurance company that the procedure is covered beforehand.
Do you offer same-day or emergency root canal treatment?
Yes, we do offer same-day and emergency root canal treatment. If you experience an acute toothache and swelling, do not hesitate to contact our office and schedule a same-day emergency exam and treatment. Remember that delaying treatment can cause the infection to spread to surrounding tissues and lead to tooth extraction.
If you think you need a root canal, we strongly recommend you call our office or use our online form to set up your appointment today. In a case where the infection might be considered an emergency, we even offer patients the option for same-day emergency dentist appointments. In any case, the sooner you come in for treatment, the better your results can be. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and give your smile the premium care and treatment it deserves.
