Saving Your Natural Tooth
Root canal therapy is a highly effective procedure designed to save your natural tooth. During the process, the pulp (living tissue inside the tooth) is removed, and the resulting space is filled with special medicated dental materials to restore the tooth to full function.
By preserving your natural tooth, root canal therapy extends its lifespan, supports the surrounding jawbone, and maintains the integrity of the tissues around the tooth. Wherever possible, saving your natural tooth also spares you the pain and expense of more invasive treatments in the future.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Severe toothache pain
- Red or swollen gums near the affected tooth
- Tooth discoloration
- An abscess (pimple-like swelling) on the gums
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your dentist to determine if root canal therapy is the right solution for you.
The Root Canal Treatment Plan
A root canal typically requires one or two visits to the dentist or endodontist. Here’s how the procedure is performed to ensure your tooth is saved and your pain is relieved:
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
The process begins with an X-ray of the tooth and surrounding bone to identify the cause of your symptoms. If necessary, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to control infection and inflammation, which often cause the pain associated with an abscess. Reducing inflammation beforehand helps minimize discomfort during the procedure.
Prepping the Tooth
On the day of the root canal, we prioritize your comfort. The area is patiently numbed before freezing your gums, teeth, and surrounding tissues. Once you’re at ease, we create an access hole in the tooth to reach the inner pulp. The infected pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and debris are carefully removed to clean the root canals thoroughly.
Sealing the Tooth
If there’s severe infection, medication may be placed inside the tooth to ensure it’s fully cleared. For multi-visit treatments, a temporary filling is applied to protect the tooth between appointments. Relief from pain is often noticeable at this stage. Once the tooth is completely cleaned and healthy, it will be permanently sealed with a filling or crown to restore its function and appearance.
Cost of a Root Canal in Mississauga
The cost of a root canal can vary significantly, but preserving a tooth with root canal therapy is often more cost-effective in the long run compared to extraction and replacement options.
With Insurance, the average out-of-pocket cost for root canal therapy is approximately $200 to $500+ depending on your coverage. After an oral exam, we can provide an accurate quote for your insurance company so you can determine your exact out-of-pocket expense. Without Insurance,
if you don’t have dental insurance, the cost of root canal therapy typically ranges from $600 to $1,200+.
- Severity of the Infection: More severe infections may require additional treatment steps.
- Location of the Tooth: Front teeth (incisors) are usually less expensive to treat than molars, which have more complex root structures.
- Health of Surrounding Teeth and Gums: Pre-existing conditions may require additional care.
- Complications: More intricate cases may demand additional time and expertise.
Several factors influence the cost of root canal therapy, including:
No dental practice can provide an exact quote over the phone, as every case is unique. A consultation with a dentist is necessary to evaluate your specific needs and present all treatment options.
Is There an Alternative Treatment to Root Canals?
An abscess or infection in your tooth is a serious health concern and requires immediate attention. While many people view root canals as a “lesser evil” for treating intense dental pain, the real value of this procedure is in addressing and removing an infection that could otherwise spread and become life-threatening. Left untreated, such infections can lead to far more invasive and urgent medical procedures.
At our practice, we aim to change the perception of root canal therapy and prioritize your comfort and peace of mind. If you’re concerned about needing a root canal but are hesitant, we encourage you to contact us. We will ensure you fully understand the procedure and your options, and we may be able to offer alternative treatments to address your infection effectively.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Damage that leads to the need for a root canal can occur due to several factors, such as deep decay, trauma to the tooth, a dead nerve, a loose filling or crown, or a crack or chip in the tooth. Each of these conditions can compromise the tooth’s health, making a root canal necessary to save the tooth and prevent further damage.
Thanks to modern dental techniques and technology, along with a compassionate approach to patient care, root canal procedures are now much more comfortable. Our experienced team ensures that root canal treatments are performed with minimal to no pain, prioritizing your comfort throughout the process.
Once a root canal is required, the tooth pulp and nerve are already decayed. While antibiotics may help manage the infection temporarily, they cannot fully resolve the issue. The infected tissue will continue to deteriorate and become reinfected without removal. Root canal therapy is the only effective treatment to eliminate the infection and save the tooth.
Root canal treatments usually require one or two office visits. Simple or minor cases typically take 30 to 60 minutes, while more complex cases may take around 90 minutes.
Coverage depends on your insurance plan. After a consultation, we can provide an estimate for you to submit to your provider. We encourage you to prioritize a root canal if needed. Contact us if you have any concerns or hesitations.
A dental crown is typically needed after a root canal on back teeth, such as molars and premolars, to restore strength and functionality. Front teeth, like canines and incisors, may not require a crown.
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