Low Cost Dental Root Canal Treatment

If one of your teeth has become infected, then you likely need a root canal. The very thought of this procedure scares many people, both physically and financially, due to common root canal myths

Understanding all you can about the procedure and how to find an affordable root canal treatment is vital for helping you overcome these fears.

1. Rubber dam placement

After your dentist numbs your affected tooth, he or she will stretch a sheet of rubber around it called a “rubber dam.” The primary purpose of a root canal is to clean bacteria out of your tooth. Since saliva contains bacteria, the rubber dam keeps your tooth saliva-free so as not to re-contaminate it while the procedure is being performed. Keep in mind though that some dental insurance plans may pay for part of the procedure, like any needed tooth extractions or crowns for the implants.

2. Accessing the nerve area

Your dentist must next access the infected area where your tooth's nerve tissue resides. Your dentist will use a drill to reach down to your tooth's pulp chamber. For a molar, this hole will be drilled through the chewing surface; for a front tooth, the access hole will be created on the back of the tooth.

3. Cleaning your tooth out

Next your dentist will clean out the pulp chamber and root canals in the tooth's interior. This is primarily accomplished by using “root canal files,” and by irrigating the tooth. The dentist will move the file up and down the tooth's interior in a twisting motion. This action scrapes and scrubs the sides of your tooth’s root chambers, thus cleaning out any bacteria, toxins, nerve tissue and related debris inside. With an irrigation process, your dentist will wash your tooth out periodically to flush out any excess debris.

4. Follow up procedures

After this procedure is complete, the dentist may either cap the hole with a crown, or seal it with a rubber compound called gutta percha and a sealer, which will work together to fill the area that has been cleaned out. If you need these follow-up procedures, you may need to visit your dentist on more than one occasion, depending on your tooth's complexity. This is typically an additional cost to the price of the root canal, however a discount plan or insurance plan can help cover this additional charge.

Additional Costs

There may also be additional costs for things like dental x-rays or anesthesia.

Paying these additional root canal costs out-of-pocket can be tough, as they can add up to a lot of money if you have no dental coverage. However, discount plans such as the Careington Care 500 Series can help save you from 15-60% on procedures like root canals.

Check out our dental plan savings guide to see how much a root canal and crown can cost you, with the additional costs often associated with the treatment.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

The most common causes of root canal infections are:

• Cracked or chipped tooth
• Deep or widespread decay
• Repeated or large fillings
• Multiple procedures on the tooth
• Repeated irritation of the area

Does a Root Canal Weaken the Tooth?

A root canal strengthens a weakened tooth. Throughout a root canal procedure, the tooth's pulp chamber is cleaned out and the tooth is reinforced with a metal post.

Can My Dentist Perform a Root Canal?

All dentists are trained to perform root canal treatment in dental school. Despite this fact, not all general dentists offer the procedure at their practice. Those that do, however, typically have cheaper prices for the procedure than seeing a specialist. Even if your general dentist does perform endodontic therapy, he may refer you to a specialist called an endodontist if he does not feel comfortable performing the treatment. Endodontists are also better trained for the trickier procedures.

While seeing a specialist is typically more expensive,endodontists have received extra training in performing root canals by receiving additional education after completing dental school. If you are more comfortable with a more experienced dentist, you may find that an endodontist is worth the extra money.

A root canal treatment can seem frightening at first, but once you are familiar with the procedure, it will seem a lot less intimidating. Because the bacteria can spread to the rest of your mouth, be sure to talk to your dentist about your options if you think you might need a root canal. Doing so will greatly improve your oral health as well as your overall wellness.