Root Canal Treatment – Tucson, AZ
Preserving Your Tooth From Decay & Infection
A tooth infection can become incredibly problematic if left untreated. Not only can it cause great discomfort, but it can also spread to the rest of your mouth and body, increasing the risk of more serious complications. Fortunately, if you have a severely decayed or infected tooth, Dr. Jay Lopez can provide root canal treatment to effectively remove the diseased tissue and prevent you from needing tooth extractions. This procedure is designed to preserve your pearly whites while also protecting them from future pain, and our team will do everything we can to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible throughout the process. Keep reading to learn more about root canal treatment or call our office today to schedule your consultation.
Why Choose Dr. Jay Lopez for Root Canal Treatment?
- Multiple Sedation Options for Greater Comfort
- Various Financing Solutions to Save Money
- Talented Dentist with Decades of Experience
Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?
Do you feel discomfort or pain whenever you chew or bite down? Does your tooth feel incredibly sensitive? If you’re experiencing pain or sensitivity in your smile, it can often be an indication that a tooth is severely damaged or decayed. Since you won’t be able to know the underlying issue on your own, you’ll need to visit your dentist for an oral examination to determine if a root canal is the appropriate treatment for you. If your tooth is infected, Dr. Jay Lopez will likely recommend this restorative procedure to both save your smile as well as your overall health, otherwise, the harmful bacteria can end up traveling through your bloodstream and spreading to the rest of your body.
The Root Canal Process
Root canal treatment often gets a bad rap for being a painful procedure, but this couldn’t be further from reality. This procedure is designed to remove harmful bacteria while also significantly reducing discomfort in the process. To begin with, Dr. Lopez will administer a local anesthetic to your mouth so that you’re completely pain-free before starting your treatment. Our team might even provide you with sedation dentistry to help you remain relaxed while creating an even more pleasant experience for you.
Once you’re comfortable, Dr. Lopez will create a small hole in your tooth enamel to reach the tooth roots and remove the decayed, damaged, and infected particles. Afterward, we’ll thoroughly disinfect the area to minimize future infection before filling the canal with a rubbery substance. Finally, we’ll place a dental crown atop the tooth to protect it from further damage and decay before sending you home to recover.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
One of the biggest benefits of undergoing root canal treatment is that you can save your tooth from needing to be removed. Keeping your natural teeth instead of needing tooth replacements can save you money in the long run, making this restorative method a cost-effective option for protecting your smile. This procedure is also painless and effective, and the dental crown will be perfectly matched to the rest of your pearly whites.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
Even when you really need a root canal, you’ll want to learn its price first. Committing to a dental treatment you can’t afford won’t do much good. That said, the cost of root canals varies by patient; you should consult Dr. Lopez for an exact estimate. Our dental team will also make your care as affordable as possible, guiding you through its price factors and more. Learn the other details by reading below or calling our office.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
Our office can’t confirm your root canal’s cost until we assess the affected tooth. When we do, we can check the factors that affect your treatment price. These include:
- Tooth’s Type or Location – A tooth’s type or location will affect the root canal expense, as some teeth have more roots than others.
- Complexity of Root Canal – Simple root canals don’t cost that much, but a complex one may get expensive.
- Need for Extra Services – Many patients also get a dental crown or filling after a root canal treatment. If you get this extra service, your treatment price will rise.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
A tooth extraction costs less upfront than a root canal, so you may think it’s cheaper. However, root canal treatment is still a better long-term investment.
You see, tooth loss – even from an extraction – has harsh effects. It creates smile gaps that can alter your bite and tilt your other teeth until they fall out. These spaces are also breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, raising your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Add in that filling the gaps is expensive, and removal would likely strain your budget.
The good news is that root canals lack the above effects. If you get one, you’d just save your tooth and (by extension) a lot of your money! That means you should opt for treatment before you need an extraction.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?
In many cases, dental insurance will cover a root canal. Most plans will even meet 50 to 80% of this particular treatment’s cost. Still, you should confirm your policy’s benefits before you commit to anything. Feel free to reach out to our team for help; we’ll work to ensure you maximize your benefits!
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
Even without dental insurance, a root canal can still be affordable. Just look into Dr. Lopez’ helpful payment options – the right one will make your treatment budget-friendly! In particular, we provide options like:
- Dental Membership Plan – By paying an annual fee, you can join our office’s in-house membership plan. It would give you a major discount on root canal treatment.
- Flexible Financing – Our practice takes pride in working with reputable 3rd party financiers. Through them, you could pay for your root canal in monthly installments.
An infected tooth is a serious issue, so treating it shouldn’t “break the bank.” Learn to finance your root canal by consulting us soon!
Root Canal FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Root Canal?
Recovery from a root canal usually takes a few days to a week, depending on the individual and the complexity of the procedure. Most people experience some mild discomfort or soreness in the treated area for the first 24 to 48 hours, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. Swelling or sensitivity may also occur, but these symptoms typically subside within a few days.
You can usually return to normal activities the day after the procedure, although it’s recommended to avoid chewing with the treated tooth until the final crown or filling is placed. Complete healing of the underlying tissues may take a bit longer, but discomfort is generally short-lived.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take?
A root canal procedure typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes to complete, depending on the complexity of the case and the tooth being treated. For straightforward cases involving a single canal, the procedure may be completed in just one appointment lasting about an hour. However, teeth with multiple canals, like molars, may take longer and sometimes require a second visit.
During the procedure, the dentist cleans and removes the infected pulp, disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it to prevent future infection. If necessary, a temporary filling is placed, with a follow-up visit to place a permanent crown or filling.
Do I Need Antibiotics Before or After My Root Canal?
In most cases, antibiotics are not needed before or after a root canal. The procedure itself is designed to remove the source of the infection—the damaged or infected pulp inside the tooth—so antibiotics aren't typically required. However, if the infection is severe or has spread beyond the tooth, we might prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection before the procedure.
After the root canal, antibiotics are rarely prescribed unless there's concern about lingering infection or complications. We’ll talk to you more about whether they are necessary for you and will determine if antibiotics are necessary based on your individual situation.
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
No, antibiotics cannot replace a root canal. While antibiotics can help reduce or manage an infection temporarily, they do not address the core cause, which is the infected or damaged pulp inside the tooth. A root canal removes this infected tissue and seals the tooth to prevent further issues. Without this procedure, the infection will likely persist or worsen, potentially leading to abscesses, bone loss, or even the need for tooth extraction.
Antibiotics are sometimes used in conjunction with a root canal to manage severe infections, but they are not a substitute for the procedure itself.