Root Canal

Having your dentist tell you that you may require a root canal may seem both alarming and unexpected. However, it is essential to understand that the purpose of the procedure is to treat your infected teeth. Various circumstances may lead to this treatment, including tooth decay, damage such as a chip or fracture, gum disease, and even repeated dental procedures on your tooth. A root canal procedure is necessary to preserve your natural tooth and restore it to its original condition.

If you are interested in learning more about the cost of root canal therapy, continue reading this blog post.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

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Most root canal therapy is done in one to two dental appointments. Follow-up appointments will depend on the condition of your teeth.

In a root canal treatment (also known as an endodontic treatment), the damaged or diseased pulp inside your tooth is removed, and the tooth is sealed properly to avoid reinfection. If the pulp inside your tooth gets infected or destroyed, germs may migrate from the site of the infection to your gums and jaw bone. Untreated teeth will die, and you might end up with cavities or even more significant damage to the adjacent teeth.

Most of the time, a root canal will stop these negative consequences since it will remove the infected pulp while preserving your original tooth. Your dentist will also clean the remaining cavity and seal the tooth temporarily until a permanent crown or filling can be placed to complete the procedure and save the tooth.

Root Canal Treatment Cost

Root canal therapy is the dental procedure with the most significant potential to save your original teeth. Some people believe that root canal therapy is the most intimidating of all dental procedures. This procedure does not only sounds painful but may also be quite expensive, depending on where the affected tooth is located.

Root canal cost has several factors that affect the price of your root canal, including what kind of tooth it is, where it is located, additional canals, and how complicated the procedure is. Usually, if the procedure is more complicated, it will cost more expensive.

Here is the estimated average cost of root canal therapy:

  • Root Canal (1 Canal) With Filling $646 – $990
  • Root Canal (2 Canal) With Crown $2565 – $3590
  • Root Canal (3 Canal) With Filling $1225 – $1990
  • Root Canal (4 Canal) With Crown $3144 – $4590

The costs of root canal may be expensive in your opinion. However, you must take note that the benefits of root canal can surely help you in treating the infected tissue in your teeth. Any dental intervention might cost you a lot, but it can help you in the long run.

Why Is Root Canal Therapy Expensive

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The cost of a root canal procedure includes the payment for initial assessment, dental X-ray, local anaesthetic, and the actual dental procedure. Here are the reasons why root canal therapy is expensive:

Initial Treatment/ Diagnostic Assessment

In the initial treatment, your dentist will determine the location and condition of the tooth decay. An examination and X-rays may be required.

Actual Procedure

On the day of treatment, your dentist will administer local anesthesia before removing the diseased pulp and sealing it with dental fillings. The price will include the anesthesia, doctor’s fee, and all the materials used in the procedure.

Additional Procedures

In some instances, other dental procedures are required depending on the severity of your condition. Also, there may be additional charges if the patient has to be seen in an emergency or after-hours.

Aftercare

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications are usually prescribed after the procedure. Over-the-counter pain medications can help you to relieve any pain and discomfort.

If you have questions regarding dental insurance or payment plan, don’t hesitate to contact our clinic at 03 7003 2004. You may also ask us regarding what type of dental plan you are looking for and if you want more information about our detailed treatment plan. We can check if root canal therapy is part of your dental insurance coverage.

Reasons Why You Would Need Root Canal Therapy

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A deep decay in your tooth can damage the pulp. If pulp inflammation or infection is not treated, it may cause mild pain or severe pain. To relieve your toothache, you need root canal therapy. In addition to relieving pain and infection, endodontic treatment helps you maintain your natural smile, relieve tooth sensitivity, and reduce the need for further treatment.

Also if you don’t get root canal therapy, the damaged pulp or nerve tissue inside your tooth begins to break down, allowing germs to develop inside the pulp chamber. Bacteria and decaying debris often cause an infection or tooth abscess. The infection may spread beyond the ends of a tooth’s roots if it is allowed to grow. An infection may also cause the following symptoms in the root canal:

  • Facial swelling
  • Bone loss near the ends of the roots
  • Drainage problems that radiate outward from the root system
Lastly, if you don’t get root canal therapy to treat your tooth infection, there is a chance that you will damage the tooth structure and end up with tooth loss. Losing a permanent tooth is a severe dental issue that requires immediate attention. Depending on how many teeth you’ve lost and where they’ve fallen out, you may find it difficult to bite or chew hard foods. If you are missing teeth for a long time, your jawbone may shrink which may cause premature aging or a sunken look. Through root canal therapy, you may be able to control the infection and avoid losing your natural teeth.

Who Performs Root Canal Therapy

General dentists can perform root canal treatments and other procedures to alleviate discomfort. A general dentist is a dental expert who repairs soft tissues inside the tooth using various complex methods. Patients with complicated causes of tooth pain, such as tooth abscesses, can be diagnosed and treated by your dentist.

Nowadays, dentists use modern dental procedures to treat diseased tooth pulp and connective tissue. Their goal is to relieve your pain while preserving as much of your original tooth as possible.

Are There Risks To Root Canal Therapy

Our dental clinic understands that it is essential to carefully consider the possible complications, side effects, and risks before proceeding with any medical or dental procedure. The highly trained members of our team have been performing these kinds of operations for years, and we know how to limit risks with proper planning.

The following are some risks associated with root canals:

Tooth Discoloration

A root canal procedure eliminates the diseased tissue and stops the infection from spreading. Therefore, it implies that live tissue will be removed from your tooth. There is a possibility that some individuals may develop some discolouration in the treated tooth if the pulp is removed. Once the pulp has been removed, the tooth is considered functionally dead because the blood vessels are also gone.

Sinus Congestion

Your teeth and nasal cavity are located near each other. Therefore, if there is an instance that your root canal got infected, your sinus cavity may also be affected once the infection spreads to its nearby organs. Inflammation of the sinus canals may be associated with headaches and congestion.

One method to tell whether your root canal surgery is causing your sinus issues is if you have a persistently salty taste in your mouth after the operation. Most of the time, this condition resolves itself within a few weeks. If the problem continues, schedule an appointment with your dentist at Burwood Dental Care or consult with your doctor regarding antibiotics or nasal saline treatments.

Reinfection

Most root canal patients experience this concern before their endodontic therapy. The risk of reinfection connected with root canal treatment is possible. If any step of the root canal treatment is performed poorly, reinfection may occur. Fortunately, our dentists at Burwood Dental Care use various techniques to prevent this from occurring. Before placing fillers in the empty root canals, our dentist will thoroughly clean and disinfect them to avoid infection.

Weak Tooth Enamel

Teeth treated with root canal therapy will never be as strong as your natural teeth. Because the dental pulp is killed during the treatment, your teeth may be prone to cracks. The dental pulp is the one responsible for the blood supply of your teeth to make them strong and healthy.

However, you don’t need to worry! After your root canal therapy, our dentists in Burwood Dental Care will recommend dental crowns for you. Dental crowns are often recommended to reinforce the tooth’s outer surface and make it stronger.

Alternatives To Root Canal Therapy

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If you’re hesitant if root canal therapy is the best option for you, here are some possible alternatives:

Direct Pulp Capping:

This is a dental procedure that can be used to treat individuals whose teeth have been damaged severely or decayed to the point where the pulp has been exposed. A mineral barrier is formed by depositing certain inert chemicals immediately above the exposed pulp to shield it while encouraging tissue regeneration.

Indirect Pulp Capping:

Using an indirect pulp cap, you can protect a tooth without exposing the tooth pulp. A root canal or tooth extraction may be avoided by using this treatment. It maintains the tooth’s roots and avoids tooth extraction.

Pulpotomy:

This procedure is performed when the pulp has been exposed and severely degraded. Pulpotomy is fundamentally different from other tooth extraction methods because the tooth nerve and roots are preserved with this procedure.

In Pulpotomy, the diseased or dead pulp is removed from the tooth, and inert material is placed into it to promote quicker healing and prevent bacterial infection. Then, the tooth is filled, and a crown is placed on top to repair and protect it from further damage. A pulpotomy is typically performed on young children, but it may also be performed on adults as a temporary replacement for root canal therapy.

Extraction:

If there is significant decay or damage to the teeth, a dentist may recommend extractions. Most of the time, extractions are performed when root canals fail. Extractions may be straightforward, and we can perform them in a dentist’s office. If a tooth is extracted, there are many options for filling the gap left by the extraction, including dental implants, dental bridges, and partial dentures.

Final Thoughts

The cost of your root canal will depend on several factors, including the type and location of the tooth, the difficulty of a root canal procedure, the cost of additional services, and the location of the dental clinic. If you are looking for dentists who can take care of your dental health, visit Burwood Dental Care.

At Burwood Dental Care, root canal treatment is a dental procedure performed by our highly trained and experienced dentists. When performed by a highly competent dentist, root canal therapy has a high success rate. With Burwood Dental Care, we are confident that we can provide you with excellent service and results that will exceed your expectations. We will help you in taking care of your oral health by providing you with the best treatment plan. Our dental team will also educate you on how you can take care of your oral hygiene. Your dental health is our number one priority.

If you are looking for dental treatments with modern techniques, book an appointment with us by calling 03 7003 2004 or visit our clinic at 9/2-8 Burwood Highway, Burwood East, Melbourne, VIC 3151. Our dental team can treat loose teeth, tooth sensitivity, bad teeth, dry mouth, broken teeth, gum swelling and other cosmetic procedures. We also provide dental cleanings, treat root canal infection, and other complicated invasive procedures.

Disclaimer – Use At Your Own Risk :- The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as advice for any individual case or situation. Any action you take upon the information on these blogs are strictly at your own risk. We will not be liable for any losses or damages in connection with the use of the information from these blogs.