Root Canal Treatment – San Antonio, TX
A Painless Solution to a Painful Toothache
There’s nothing worse than a seriously infected tooth. It can make it nearly impossible to live a normal life—even sleeping can be a challenge when you’re dealing with an uncomfortable toothache. While root canal treatment doesn’t have the best reputation, it’s actually a painless solution to what is sometime a very painful toothache.
If you live near San Antonio, make an appointment with the team here at HIC Dental Implant & Family Dentistry. We’ll show you that root canals aren’t just effective—they’re also an incredibly comfortable procedure!
Why Choose HIC Dental-Implant & Family Dentistry for Root Canal Treatment?
- Convenient Hours That Fit Your Schedule
- Dental Team Who Will Be Attentive to Your Needs
- Multiple Sedation Options Available for Nervous Patients
Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is generally done to ameliorate significant infections that are affecting the root pulp. Such afflictions are typically associated with serious discomfort and swelling around the tooth, as well as discoloration of the enamel or a foul taste in the mouth.
By removing the affected root pulp within the tooth we can mitigate these symptoms and prevent the spread of bacteria to other teeth.
The Root Canal Process
In order to remove the infection that has taken over the interior of the tooth, it will be necessary to create an opening and use specialized tools to deal with the root pulp. The first step will be to use local anesthesia to completely numb the afflicted tooth, ensuring your complete comfort throughout the duration of the procedure. We will then use small instruments to create a small hole in the enamel, remove any decay, and take out the root pulp from the tooth’s interior.
Once this has been completed, we will fill the tooth with gutta percha to provide it enough support to remain in place. All that’s left is to cap off the procedure with a dental crown, protecting the area where the procedure was completed.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
Many patients are intimidated by root canals, but this is far from warranted. Usually root canals are the only alternative to tooth extraction, and compared to that procedure there are several advantages.
Root canals allow you to preserve your natural tooth, eliminating the need for expensive tooth replacement. Dental crowns are also designed to blend in perfectly with the rest of your enamel, meaning that most people will have a hard time telling you have dental work. And given how easy your root canaled tooth is to maintain, it’s possible to keep it around for the rest of your life.
Root canals are an easy and effective method of dealing with a substantially damaged tooth. If you think you might need one, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation today!
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
If Dr. Patel has prescribed a root canal to treat your tooth, you may be curious about how much this treatment will cost. Because each patient’s individual situation is unique, there is no way to provide an accurate estimate until you come in for an exam. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office. In the meantime, here is a closer look at how we’ll determine the cost of your root canal treatment once you’ve been seen.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
While it is difficult to determine the exact cost of a root canal treatment until Dr. Patel has had the opportunity to examine the tooth or teeth in question, there are several important factors that can influence the price. These include:
- The type and location of the tooth or teeth.
- The overall difficulty of the root canal, and whether a specialist may be needed to assist with treatment.
- If you will need any additional services such as a dental crown.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
In an effort to save money, some patients are tempted to skip the root canal and just have their tooth extracted instead. Unfortunately, however, while tooth extractions are typically less expensive up front, it’s important to consider the long-term consequences of losing a natural tooth. Your bite can be negatively impacted as your remaining teeth begin to shift out of place, resulting in difficulty eating and general discomfort.
To prevent these negative side-effects, Dr. Patel recommends replacing extracted teeth with a dental implant or bridge, which do incur separate costs. Ultimately, it can be more cost effective to simply preserve the natural tooth with a root canal rather than pay to replace it later.
No matter which treatment you choose, be sure to do so quickly; the longer you wait to treat an infected tooth, the more likely you will need to have it extracted either way.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?
Because root canals are considered a major procedure, most dental insurance plans will typically cover between 50% and 80% of the cost after your deductible has been met. However, please be aware that every plan is different, which is why it’s so important to confirm your coverage with your insurance company before treatment. At HIC Dental, we would be happy to help with this process, too!
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
In addition to accepting a variety of dental insurance plans, Dr. Patel is proud to accept the following options to make paying for your root canal easier on your budget:
- CareCredit – This third-party financier can help by breaking the cost of your treatment into multiple, low-to-no-interest monthly payments that are better suited to your budget.
- We proudly offer an emergency care special that includes an emergency limited exam and X-ray for just $79. Please contact our office for more information.
At HIC Dental, we’re ready to assist you with your root canal treatment, including helping you navigate the cost. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call us.