Root Canal Therapy – Mt. Pleasant, WI
Curing Toothaches & Preserving Infected Teeth
If you’re experiencing a sharp and severe toothache that is waking you up at night, it may be caused by an infection that’s hidden deep beneath the surface of your tooth. As the infection is left to progress, it can spread to other surrounding teeth, eventually causing permanent damage to your mouth. At Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry, we’re able to save your natural tooth while curing your pain with root canal therapy in Mt. Pleasant, WI. Even though this treatment has a notorious reputation for being painful, that’s actually not the case. We make sure that our patients can’t feel an ounce of discomfort during their procedure. If you have a toothache and would like to save your tooth from extraction, be sure to contact our dental office today so we can schedule a same-day emergency visit to address the issue.
Why Choose Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry For Root Canal Therapy?
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Sedation Dentistry
- Convenient Appointment Hours
Why Do You Need a Root Canal?
Root canals are typically performed when an oral infection is present and damaged tissue needs to be removed from the inside of a tooth. This type of infection usually develops as a result of longstanding decay that has breached the enamel and reached the nerves and soft tissues in the center of a tooth. If you notice severe dental pain, discoloring of your tooth, or experience fever symptoms, call our dental office right away.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Besides a severe toothache, there are several additional signs that could point towards you needing root canal therapy. Some of these include:
- A pimple-like bump on your gums near your affected tooth.
- Dental sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
- Swollen or red gums near your affected tooth.
- Pain when you bite down.
The Root Canal Procedure
The entire root canal therapy procedure can be broken down into two parts; the removal of the infected portion of your tooth and the placement of a customized crown to restore the shape and strength of your tooth. During the procedure, our team will make a small incision into your tooth to gain access to the infected pulp. We’ll remove it and sanitize the area. To restore its size, we’ll fill it with a filling-like substance.
After your procedure is over, we’ll take impressions of your treated tooth and send them off to our dental laboratory to have your customized crown crafted. Once your permanent one arrives at our dental office, we’ll call you in for your final appointment to cement it to your tooth. This will provide it with added protection and allow you to use it as you normally would.
We Offer Fast Emergency Care If You’re in Pain
For our patients experiencing severe pain, we offer fast emergency treatment so you won’t have to sit in discomfort for days at a time. If your toothache is keeping you from being able to enjoy your day-to-day lifestyle, then don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as possible so we can schedule an appointment for you.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canal Therapy
The cost of root canal therapy can be a daunting detail that some patients can’t bring themselves to overlook in order to get the urgent dental care they need to preserve their smile. If this is the case for you, know that the most cost-effective solution is to treat problems before they have an opportunity to become worse! Our team is happy to accommodate you in whatever way we can, and we not only accept most major PPO dental insurance plans, but we also offer an in-office discount plan as well as take Medicaid.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Root Canals
There are a few different details that can impact the cost of your treatment, including:
- The Type of Tooth: Molars can be more complex to treat and take longer, causing them to typically cost more.
- The Complexity of the Treatment: In most cases, our team is able to complete root canal therapy right in our office. However, in more complex situations, we may need to refer to an outside specialist who could have higher fees.
- Additional Required Services: If you require any follow-up care, like a dental restoration, this will be a separate additional cost.
Is it Cheaper to Have a Tooth Extracted?
While extracting a tooth may have a lower up-front cost than restoring it with root canal therapy, it’s just not that simple of a decision to make. Once a tooth has been extracted, it’s important that you replace it to prevent jawbone deterioration and orthodontic issues.
Not only can a tooth replacement incur a separate, additional fee, but if you decide to not restore the extracted tooth, it could result in the need for more invasive procedures down the road. Ultimately, while it may seem less costly to extract the tooth, going the route of restoration can not only help you preserve your smile, but also save money in the long run.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
Most dental insurance plans will cover at least a portion of the cost of root canal therapy. They usually consider it either a minor or major procedure, which means they may provide benefits to cover anywhere between 40% to 80% of the cost. However, the exact amount will depend on your individual plan.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
At Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry, we’re proud to not only accept and maximize dental insurance, but we also welcome Medicaid. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to benefit from our in-house discount plan, which includes a completely covered emergency exam each year as well as a 15% discount on the cost of treatment. If you’d rather finance your root canal, we also partner with CareCredit to offer patients little-to-no interest monthly payment plans.
Root Canal FAQs
Are Root Canals Painful?
Root canals get a bad reputation from pop culture where they are depicted as horrible and painful. However, in reality, they are often no more uncomfortable than getting a filling would be. Many times, the pain you experience comes from the infection. The procedure will relieve the pain and preserve your tooth at the same time. At Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry, Dr. Muddana uses modern anesthetic to completely numb the area before attempting your procedure. She’ll make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way. After your procedure, you may feel sensitivity or soreness around the tooth, but it can be lessened using generic pain medications like ibuprofen.
Do I Still Need a Root Canal if My Toothache Went Away?
If your tooth pain suddenly disappears, we encourage you to go through with your appointment anyway. Teeth are complex structures that can’t heal themselves on their own, so the relief of pain without intervention could mean the infection has killed the nerves. Though the pain has ended, the infection remains and will slowly spread to adjacent teeth, gums, and possibly into the jawbone. When this happens, it can cause many dental issues including abscesses, tooth loss, and damage to the jawbone and gums. So, if Dr. Muddana suggests a root canal for a tooth, it’s best to have the procedure done.
How Long Does a Root Canal Take?
There are several factors that contribute to the time it takes to complete a root canal. Most treatments can be done in a single visit. However, on rare occasions where the infection is severe, two appointments may be required to ensure your tooth is treated properly. Once the procedure has begun, it usually takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on the size and location of the tooth. Molars near the back of the mouth are harder to reach and have more roots to treat, so they take the longest.
How Long Do Root Canals Last?
Root canals are one of the most successful treatments in dentistry. Most teeth treated with a root canal will remain functional and pain-free for many years. Patients who take exceptionally good care of their teeth may even benefit from their root canal for a lifetime! However, on very rare occasions, bacteria may enter the tooth and cause a reinfection. This usually happens due to a crack in the crown covering the treated tooth or a lack of oral hygiene. Not to worry! A root canal can be retreated and has a high chance of staying healthy and clean with proper care and maintenance.