Root Canal Therapy – Nashville, TN
Save Your Damaged Tooth from Extraction and Keep Your Oral Health in Check
If Dr. Kirby recommends root canal therapy in Green Hills to help ease your pain, there’s no need to worry. This procedure has a bad wrap for causing pain when it really relieves it. Our team of gentle and experienced professionals will help treat your damaged tooth to save it from extraction and future oral health problems. Not only does this treatment help restore the function and health of your tooth, but it can also save you from needing costly restorations and additional treatments down the road. At Green Hills Dental Center, you can feel safe in our hands while getting the reliable and trustworthy treatment you need.
Why Would I Need a Root Canal?
If you’ve ever cracked, chipped or fractured a tooth, or have an untreated cavity, the damage could leave it vulnerable to harmful oral bacteria. Typically, patients will visit us whenever they experience extreme sensitivity or a severe toothache. Some other symptoms that may indicate you could need a root canal include:
- Pain while chewing or biting
- Swollen or tender gums
- Dental decay or darkening gums
- Pimples on gums
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, immediately contact us so Dr. Kirby can treat the issue before it results in consequences such as tooth loss.
What Can I Expect During the Procedure?
People are often scared of root canal therapy because people associate it with pain. Don’t let this myth discourage you from getting necessary dental care to help preserve your oral health. In fact, you’ll notice that after our team performs the root canal, you’ll feel a million times better than you did before. The procedure itself is designed to restore the health and function of your damaged tooth and prevent further decay.
Using specially crafted dental tools, Dr. Kirby will create a small opening into the tooth to access the infected pulp chamber. He’ll remove the damaged pulp that’s causing your pain and flush out any remaining debris to clean and disinfect your tooth. After that, he’ll fill and reseal it. To restore your tooth’s strength and protect it from oral bacteria, we will place a dental crown on top.
How Do I Care For My Tooth After the Procedure?
While your tooth is adjusting to its new restoration and healing from the procedure, you may experience slight discomfort for the first few days following the procedure. This is completely normal and can be remedied with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen. Don’t forget to keep up with your regular oral hygiene routine by brushing twice each day and flossing. If you still feel discomfort after about a week, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Are Root Canals Covered By My Insurance?
If you have questions or concerns about the cost of the procedure, we would be happy helping you navigate your dental benefits and figuring out if it’s covered. Typically, preventive treatments such as root canal therapy are either entirely or mostly covered by insurance. However, this can vary from provider to provider, so it’s best to double-check.
Getting a root canal with your dentist in Green Hills may sound daunting, but it will provide you with the relief you need and can save your tooth. Our team has the skills and expertise to restore your smile all while helping you feel relaxed and well cared-for. If you’re experiencing any severe oral discomfort, contact us or schedule an appointment online!
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
Have you recently been informed that you might need a root canal? While this procedure may be tooth-saving and necessary, you probably also want to know exactly what you should expect from the overall cost. Since there isn’t a set fee for the treatment, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with our team. Dr. Kirby will be able to examine your situation and provide you with an estimate for your procedure. To help you feel more confident about your decision, here’s what to know about the cost of root canal therapy in Green Hills!
Factors That Affect Root Canal Cost
Several factors can influence the exact price of a root canal, including:
- Type and location of your tooth: Due to having more roots, getting root canals for your molars will typically cost more than those for your front teeth.
- Overall severity of the treatment: If a specialist is required to come in for your treatment, then you might expect your procedure to be more expensive.
- Additional treatments that are necessary: Should you need additional services such as custom-crafted dental crowns after your surgery, this can increase the overall expenses of your treatment.
Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
Some people might be tempted to simply opt for an extraction to avoid undergoing root canal therapy. Although getting your tooth pulled may be more convenient and cost less at first, you’ll need to consider the overall consequences of having a missing tooth. Not only can this allow any remaining pearly whites to move out of place, but it can also cause general discomfort or difficulty eating.
To prevent more serious issues like facial collapse or further tooth loss, you’ll likely need to replace your missing tooth with a restoration like a dental crown, bridge, or implant. This can become more costly in the future, as you’ll need to eventually get these replaced. With a root canal, you can avoid the need to pay for additional treatments later on!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
This treatment is considered an essential procedure, so it’s common for many dental insurance policies to offer anywhere from 50-80% coverage of the cost after meeting your deductible. Since every plan varies from person to person, it’s a good idea to double-check the details with your provider before committing to anything. You can also reach out to our knowledgeable team if you need help with this process!
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, you may be able to still afford your treatment through alternative options. Our team works with third-party financiers like CareCredit and Lending Club that can help split the cost into monthly payments. Many of these plans also come with little-to-no interest, providing a more budget-friendly experience for your root canal therapy.
Root Canal Therapy FAQs
If you’re feeling apprehensive about your upcoming root canal therapy, the team at Green Hills Dental Center wants to let you know that’s okay. Not only is it our goal to help you get comfortable and prepared for your future care, but answer any and all of your questions along the way, no matter what. Below, you can see a handful of the most common questions we hear as well as our detailed responses. If you have an upcoming root canal treatment or you feel you may need one, don’t be afraid to call us directly for additional guidance.
Can I put off a root canal?
Root canals are generally needed when an oral infection is present. This is considered to be a dental emergency and should not be put off at any costs. Without treatment, the bacteria causing the infection can spread to other areas of the gums and jaw, creating a dental abscess. Not only could you risk losing your tooth entirely, but you put your overall health at risk due to an infection being in such close proximity to the brain. As soon as you’re told a root canal is necessary, you should get it completed.
What if I feel too anxious to receive treatment?
We understand if you still feel uncomfortable receiving root canal therapy, especially if you have never undergone dental treatments like it before. While we can assure you that it’s a relatively simple and straightforward procedure, we’re also happy to provide sedation dentistry for those struggling with dental anxiety or nervousness. Green Hills Dental Center offers nitrous oxide, a mild sedative that is gently inhaled throughout treatment and provides mental and physical relief for patients.
What does a root canal feel like?
Contrary to popular belief, root canal therapies do not actually cause more pain or discomfort than the infection present in your mouth. In fact, most root canal therapy feels more akin to receiving a dental filling according to most patients. This is because our office always takes the time to administer local anesthetic carefully and effectively to your tooth and surrounding gum tissue, ensuring you feel comfortable during every phase of your treatment.
How long does root canal therapy take?
On average, you can expect root canal therapy to take between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the condition of your tooth. However, more complex cases may take 90 minutes before completion. With that said, every root canal will require a second appointment so a permanent dental crown can be placed on top of the affected tooth. This will also act as a follow-up visit to confirm no problems are present with the root canal.
How long will my root canal stay healthy?
Most root canal treatments ensure a healthy tooth for 8 to 10 years. Following the completion of your treatment, the tooth should be saved and the infection should be completely cleared up. Getting a permanent crown placed is essential for ensuring longevity. At-home oral care also plays a big role, so make sure to brush twice a day and floss daily as well as maintain routine checkups at our office.