Root Canal Therapy – Pepper Pike, OH

Rescue Natural Teeth & Renew Smiles

Although root canal therapy has a bad reputation and is a highly feared dental treatment, it’s actually virtually pain-free and can save your natural tooth! At Dental & Cosmetic Solutions, we typically recommend this tooth-saving treatment if a patient has a tooth that’s heavily infected and/or injured to the point that harmful bacteria have penetrated the inner pulp. As always, we will go the extra mile to make your entire experience positive – we even offer sedation dentistry for patients who are feeling particularly nervous. Want to learn more? Then schedule an appointment with our team or keep reading.

Why Choose Dental and Cosmetic Solutions for Root Canal Therapy?

  • Talented, Highly Trained, and Committed Dentist
  • Top-Rated Dental Team in Cleveland
  • Sedation Dentistry Available

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Woman with toothache looking at emergency dentist

There are numerous reasons our team may recommend root canal therapy. Typically, it’s the best way to restore a severely decayed or damaged tooth, which comes with symptoms like:

  • A sharp pain when biting down
  • Severe dental sensitivity
  • Dark discoloration on your tooth
  • Swollen, irritated, or red gums
  • A pimple-like bump on your gums near the tooth

If you’re experiencing these, or any other abnormal dental symptoms, we strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment with our Pepper Pike emergency dentist, Dr. Andrea Csok . That way, she can conduct an oral exam and take X-rays to determine if root canal therapy is the best decision for your oral health.

The Root Canal Process 

Illustration of the anatomy of a tooth

On the day of your treatment, we will thoroughly numb your mouth before beginning the root canal process. Once you’re ready to begin, Dr. Csok will use special tools to access the inner chambers of the tooth and remove the infected pulp. Then, a safe, biocompatible substitute will be inserted into the tooth before the entire surface is sealed and covered with a customized restoration. Following your treatment, you may feel some slight soreness. However, we will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to make the recovery as smooth and pain-free as possible.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

Woman smiling while sitting in dentist's treatment chair

Fortunately, root canal therapy from our Pepper Pike, OH dentist is a highly successful procedure, and many treated teeth go on to serve patients well for the rest of their lives. Of course, that isn’t the only benefit of this tooth-saving treatment. It’s virtually pain-free, preserves your natural tooth, and delivers results that are both functional and lifelike.

If you have a tooth that’s severely pained or sensitive, please contact our dental office in Pepper Pike, OH for assistance.

Cost of Root Canal Therapy

Senior man with glasses sitting in dental chair

While there’s no “one-size-fits-all” price for root canal therapy since every patient has specific needs to take into account, we will be able to give you an idea of how much you’ll likely need to pay for the treatment during your initial consultation. Having a root canal performed could mean the difference between keeping your tooth and losing it, so we want to make sure that you’re able to pay for the treatment when it’s truly necessary.

Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

Illustration of root canal therapy in Pepper Pike, OH

After we’ve determined that a root canal is necessary for protecting your oral health, we’ll need to consider a number of factors while planning your treatment. Many of these factors can play a significant role in determining the final price of your treatment. For example:

  • Performing root canal therapy on the teeth near the back of your mouth tends to be more complex – and therefore more costly.
  • It may be necessary to refer you to a specialist in certain situations. A specialist may charge more for the procedure.
  • If a crown is placed after root canal therapy, it will incur a separate cost based on variables like the kind of material it’s made of.

Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

Tooth being extracted from bottom arch with forceps

It might seem that tooth extraction is the cheaper option at first, but it’s important to look beyond the initial costs of the treatments themselves. With tooth extraction, you also have to consider any complications that might arise as a result of having an incomplete smile or the cost of replacing the tooth with a crown, bridge, or dental implant. Root canal therapy can help you avoid these issues by allowing you to keep the natural tooth.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?

Filling out a dental insurance form on a laptop

You should always confirm your benefits with your dental insurance company before moving forward with any form of treatment. Many plans will at least partially cover root canal therapy, but remember that your deductible and annual maximum could affect the amount that you pay out of pocket. One of our team members can review your plan with you and help verify the level of coverage offered. Also, you won’t have to worry about filing the necessary claims; we’re more than happy to handle it for you.

Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable

Young woman sitting at desk and smiling

If you don’t have dental insurance, we’ll be happy to discuss other ways you can make your root canal therapy affordable, such as:

  • Our Private Dental Savings Plan:Thanks to our savings plan, you can get discounts on many of our services without worrying about drawbacks related to insurance, like waiting periods.
  • Financing: The cost of root canal therapy can be much easier to manage once you’ve signed up for a CareCredit financing plan that lets you pay for your care over the course of several months.

Root Canal FAQs

dental implant and crown next to actual tooth

Do you want to know more about root canal therapy? Our knowledgeable team has collected some of the most common questions about root canals and answered them below. There is a lot of misinformation about root canals on the internet, so we hope you find this FAQ section helpful! If you do not see your specific question or concern addressed below, do not hesitate to give our dental office a call.

Are Root Canals Extremely Painful?

We’ve all heard jokes that compare unpleasant tasks to root canals. However, the truth is that undergoing root canal therapy is typically just as easy and painless as getting a routine dental filling! The root canal procedure is designed to relieve the pain that is caused by an infected or damaged tooth. Before beginning, your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area around the affected tooth. If you suffer from dental anxiety, ask your dentist about sedation options to ensure your root canal experience is a breeze.

Is Extraction Better Than Getting a Root Canal?

Some people consider removing an infected or damaged tooth instead of getting a root canal in Pepper Pike. However, saving your natural tooth, if possible, is usually the best option. While bridges, dentures, and dental implants can all replace a missing tooth, they cannot fully match the form and function of natural teeth. Root canal therapy, meanwhile, relieves dental pain and saves as much natural tooth structure as possible.

How Long Will My Tooth Last After a Root Canal?

While every case is different, teeth restored through root canal therapy can often last for many years or even a lifetime. In some cases, protective crowns must be placed on top of rescued teeth to extend their lifespan. You can also help preserve your root-canaled tooth by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning.

How Much Do Root Canals Cost?

The cost of root canal therapy can vary depending on a number of factors. For example, front teeth have fewer roots than molars, which means they typically cost less to repair with a root canal. If you have an infected tooth, the severity of the infection can also influence the cost of a root canal procedure. Because every case is unique, the best way to learn about the cost of a root canal is to schedule an initial consultation at our dental office. Our experienced emergency dentist in Pepper Pike will evaluate your tooth and provide you with an accurate cost estimate.

Does My Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?

Most dental insurance plans cover 50-80% of the cost of root canal therapy. However, every insurance plan is slightly different. Be sure to confirm your coverage with your insurance provider before moving ahead with a root canal. If you need help understanding your insurance coverage, just ask! Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you in understanding your plan and maximizing your insurance benefits.