Root Canal Treatment – Fresno, CA
Finding Relief from
Tooth Pain
Most people approach the idea of a root canal with fear or dread. However, this emergency dental treatment with our Fresno dentist can actually save your tooth and relieve pain. When your tooth experiences severe trauma or deep decay, the nerve, or pulp, can die. An infection builds up inside, and this can cause pressure and discomfort. That’s why Dr. Reintjes needs to intervene ASAP. To learn more about this procedure, you can read on or give our friendly dental team a call.
Why Choose The Fresno Family Dental Office of Byron L. Reintjes, DDS For Root Canal Treatment?
- State of the Art Techniques and Technology
- Dental Sedation Offered for Your Comfort
- Highly Experienced Dentist and Caring Team
Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal needs to be performed if the pulp inside the tooth (which contains numerous blood vessels and nerves) has become infected. The pulp won’t get better on its own, and it needs to be removed if you want to preserve the tooth itself. Possible symptoms that can indicate that you need a root canal include persistent pain, increased sensitivity when biting or eating something hot or cold, swelling, fever, and small sores on the gum tissue.
The Root Canal Process
The root canal procedure is nowhere near as painful as television might have you believe. The area around the tooth receiving treatment will be numbed in order to keep you as comfortable as possible. Other forms of sedation dentistry are also available if you need some additional help staying calm. During the treatment, we’ll open the tooth and remove the pulp along with any harmful bacteria that might be hiding in the canals. Then we’ll simply refill and reseal the tooth. In most cases, we’ll also place a crown to protect it afterward.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
Although its reputation would make you believe that it’s all bad, the opposite is true: there are several perks to getting a root canal when you need one! Here are a few:
- Root canal treatment can save your tooth, preventing it from needing to be pulled.
- The restoration used to protect your tooth moving forward is crafted from lifelike materials.
- The success rate is high, which means the results can last for 10+ years.
- The root canal procedure is painless.
If you are interested in learning more about root canals – from how much it costs to if you need this emergency dental treatment – the next step is simple: give our Fresno dental team a call! From there, we can answer any questions you have or schedule your next appointment.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
When you need a root canal, the last thing you want to worry about is your finances! We believe in making dentistry as simple and as transparent as possible, and have put together some information to help you get a sense of what to expect. After examining your mouth during a consultation, we can provide a more precise estimate, but in the meantime, you’ll be glad to know that we offer multiple options for making treatment more affordable. If you have any questions about understanding the cost of your root canal, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
One reason it’s difficult to pin down a precise cost is that there are several factors that can influence root canal expenses. For example:
- The type of tooth – molars are more complex, so incisors and other front-facing teeth tend to be less expensive to treat.
- Whether your situation requires a specialist – most of the time we can perform root canals right here in our office, but some cases require the expertise of an endodontist.
- Restoration services – you’ll likely need a crown after your root canal, which will add to your total costs.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
Upfront, it is cheaper to get a tooth extraction instead of a root canal treatment. However, extractions are only recommended as a last resort. In the vast majority of situations, it’s better to salvage your tooth and preserve its natural structure if at all possible. Plus, if you get an extraction, you’ll need a tooth replacement, not just a restoration, which tends to be more expensive. In the long run, it’s usually less costly to get a root canal!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?
Most plans cover anywhere between 40% to 80% of root canals costs, depending on the details of the policy. We accept many types of dental insurance plans and handle it on a regular basis, so if you need help navigating your benefits, just let us know, and we’ll gladly review your policy!
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
We understand that not everyone has access to dental insurance, and offer alternative options for those who aren’t covered. Here are the ways we help make root canal treatment in Fresno more affordable:
- CareCredit – this trusted third-party financier offers flexible payment plans with little-to-no interest.
- In-House Membership Plan – we have our own savings plan that can reduce the cost of several of our services.
- Specials – right now, we’re offering $99 Limited Emergency Exam and X-Rays.
Root Canal FAQs
Do I Still Need a Root Canal if My Toothache Went Away?
Yes. After all, even though your symptoms may be gone, the root of the problem is very much still present. So, don’t cancel or postpone your appointment! Doing so will only increase the chances of the infection worsening as well as there eventually coming a time when your tooth can no longer be saved.
Can I Eat Before a Root Canal?
If sedation dentistry is a part of your treatment plan, then we usually ask you to fast in the hours leading up to your appointment. If you aren’t being sedated, however, then you can eat before your procedure. Just make sure it’s a healthy, well-balanced meal and that you brush your teeth thoroughly afterward.
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
Although antibiotics have proven to be effective at targeting bacterial infections in almost every other part of the body, they don’t work on tooth infections. Why? In short, the medication travels through your bloodstream, which doesn’t reach the pulp of your tooth (that’s where the infection lies). Ultimately, the only way to eliminate the infection and restore the look, health, and function of your smile is with root canal treatment or a tooth extraction.
What Happens if You Wait Too Long for a Root Canal?
Patients are often tempted to take the “wait and see” approach when they struggle with dental-related anxiety, money is a bit tight, or they think that their tooth will heal on its own with enough time. We strongly recommend against that because the infection will continue to develop and spread as time passes. Eventually, there will come a point where it “kills” the nerve of your tooth, and then it’s only a matter of time until we need to extract it. In short, the best thing for your smile and your wallet is to get the restorative care you need when we first recommend it.
Do Root Canals Make You Sick?
Back in the 1920s, a man named Dr. Weston Price claimed that root canal treatment didn’t remove all of the bacteria and, therefore, it was better to have the tooth removed. However, his research was poorly designed, and his findings have been debunked several times over the years. Despite the fact that there isn’t any scientific evidence supporting this belief, many patients hold tightly to it, forgoing the essential care they need in the process.
If you have heard something about root canal treatment, like that it hurts or that it’s not safe, the best thing to do is talk to us! Our Fresno dental team would be happy to answer any questions you have pertaining to your oral health.
Do Root Canals Hurt?
Although you’ve probably heard that root canal treatment is painful, that’s not the case. In fact, this restorative dental service is designed to alleviate pain stemming from an infection! Plus, your mouth will be thoroughly numbed beforehand and, if you are feeling a bit nervous, you can inquire about sedation dentistry to help.
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