Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Nasir Hanif
Did you know that according to Vital Record, over 15 million people in the United States receive a root canal per year? This makes root canals one of the most common dental procedures.
So, what is a root canal? Some people refer to root canals as endodontic therapy. Their purpose is to remove nerves from the pulp of an infected or inflamed tooth which will lessen overall tooth pain. However, if you are experiencing pains in your gums, you should consider gum surgery by the family dentist in ballwin instead.
If you have a first-time root canal coming up, you’ll want to know what happens during root canal procedures.
This quick guide will help you know what to expect. Keep reading to learn more.
Table of Contents
1) Anesthetic
Root canals have a notorious reputation for being painful procedures. In reality, you may feel some discomfort, but you are unlikely to feel any pain during the procedure.
That’s because your dental surgeon will first numb your tooth with an anesthetic. This is done by injecting a needle into the tooth and surrounding areas. This initial injection of the anesthetic may hurt momentarily, but soon after your mouth will feel numb.
For those who have anxiety about the procedure, your dental surgeon may provide you with an administration of nitrous oxide, which can induce calmness.
2) Cleaning the Pulp
Once the anesthetic is in full effect, the dental surgeon will then make an incision in the crown of the tooth. From here, they will clean the inflamed or infected pulp of the tooth using small dental instruments.
3) Filling the Tooth
After the pulp of the tooth is clean, your dental surgeon will need to temporarily fill the tooth. This is done by using rubber material topped with adhesive cement.
This filling will be kept on until the tooth is fully healed.
4) Restoration for Tooth
After 1-2 weeks, your root canal should be ready for its final treatment, however, this varies case by case. The final treatment involves adding a crown or other type of filling to the area.
This filling will be permanent and will aid in the health of your tooth long-term.
How Much Is a Root Canal?
You may be wondering, how much does a root canal cost? Root canal costs vary depending on the area of the procedure and dental surgeon.
With insurance, the cost of a root canal is around $600 to $900 for a front tooth. For a bicuspid tooth, the cost ranges from around $700 to $1,000. Molar tooth procedures are typically the most pricy, ranging from around $1,000 to $1,400.
Dental Arts of Bedford offers many different dental services, including root canal therapies. Check out their website to see the services this dentist offers.
Learning About Root Canal Procedures
This guide taught you everything you need to know about root canal procedures. If it’s your first time getting a root canal, this guide should ease your anxiety and help you be fully prepared.
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