Root canal treatment is a common dental procedure many people will undergo in their life. Despite how common it is, you may not know what a root canal is or how to treat it. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding root canal treatment.
Root canal treatment involves a procedure that is used by dentists if a tooth is badly decayed or fractured. The procedure is needed because if the tooth is left untreated, the pain will get worse and the gum disease will spread to other teeth, leading to more decay.
The answer to this question depends on the severity of your case. If your tooth is not too badly decayed, your dentist will remove the decayed part and leave the remaining part of the tooth in your mouth, then cover it up with dental filling or a dental crown.
If the damage or decay is extensive, your dentist will recommend extracting the tooth and replacing it with an artificial tooth through the use of a dental implant.
There is a misconception that root canals are painful, but the truth is they are not. Thanks to technological advances, root canals are about as painful as getting a dental filling, which is not painful at all.
Root canals typically can be done in one visit to the dentist and usually do not take more than two hours. If your problem is severe, you will likely need at least two visits to the dentist to complete the procedure.
If your tooth is decayed and you leave it untreated, you will make matters worse because the decay will spread to other teeth. If you wait until you are in a significant amount of pain, your dentist might have to perform a root canal on more than one tooth. This will cost you more money than if you had taken care of it much earlier.
Extracting the infected tooth is an alternative to undergoing a root canal, but that option should not be on the table unless there is nothing that can be done to salvage the damaged tooth. Extracting the tooth also will not save you any money because you will be charged for the extraction and will also have to pay for the implant to replace the removed tooth, which will be more expensive than the root canal itself.
Having your teeth pulled can lead to the loss of bone density in your jaw, especially if the missing tooth is not replaced soon after it was extracted. The loss of bone density can affect your facial structure and make you appear older than you are.
Yes, most dental insurance will cover root canal treatment because the procedure is done for the benefit of your oral health and is not considered a cosmetic dentistry procedure.
Root canal treatment is done to help salvage badly damaged tooth. If you have a fractured or decayed tooth, talk to your dentist to find out if a root canal can help fix the problem.
Request an appointment here: https://smilesdental.com or call Smiles Dental Care at (650) 563-1180 for an appointment in our Mountain View office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment.
Dentures can restore normalcy to the functions of chewing and eating, but for first-time wearers, there is a period spent adjusting to new dentures. By asking a dentist about this transitionary period, it is possible to minimize the discomfort and awkward mishaps that often accompany getting used to a new dental appliance. In addition, dealing…
A smile makeover provides a way for people to improve their confidence level and the appearance of their smile through a personalized treatment plan that consists of multiple cosmetic dental procedures. However, maintaining the results of a smile makeover involves keeping a consistent oral hygiene regimen. Read on to find out more.You can protect your…
Having a smile makeover is something that many people want from the dentist. Because a smile is often the first thing someone will notice about you, it should be high on your priority list to fix dental blemishes. There are multiple problems that affect a smile. Fortunately, your dentist can treat these concerns and restore…
One of the most common orthodontic treatments that a general dentist offers is Invisalign®. This popular way to straighten crooked or crowded teeth offers individuals flexibility and ease while undergoing a discreet method of treatment. With Invisalign®, there are a lot of things to know, as it is a newer orthodontic treatment with a totally different technology…
Dentures can restore normalcy to the functions of chewing and eating, but for first-time wearers, there is a period spent adjusting to new dentures. By asking a dentist about this transitionary period, it is possible to minimize the discomfort and awkward mishaps that often accompany getting used to a new dental appliance. In addition, dealing…
A smile makeover provides a way for people to improve their confidence level and the appearance of their smile through a personalized treatment plan that consists of multiple cosmetic dental procedures. However, maintaining the results of a smile makeover involves keeping a consistent oral hygiene regimen. Read on to find out more.You can protect your…