At Bridgeworks Family Dental Center, we offer comprehensive dental care, including root canal treatment. Most people know what to expect when it comes to dental cleanings or fillings, but if they’ve never had a root canal before, they have a lot of questions about the procedure. Below, we’ll demystify root canals and answer some of the most common concerns our patients have about the treatment.
How much does a root canal cost in Groton, CT?
The cost of a root canal in Groton, CT ranges from $500 to $1000 for an incisor or $800 to $1500 for a molar, depending on the anatomy of your tooth and the complexity involved. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of a restoration to repair your tooth after the root canal. This is often a dental crown, but it may also be an inlay, onlay, or filling.
Is a root canal painful?
Root canals have a reputation for being unpleasant and painful, so many patients have a great deal of anxiety leading up to the procedure. The reality is that root canals are no more painful than getting a cavity filled, so there’s no reason to fear your treatment. We use local anesthetic injections to numb your tooth and the tissue surrounding it, so you won’t feel any pain while we work. In the hours after the treatment, as the anesthetic wears off, you may feel some soreness, but this is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses.
What happens during a root canal?
The purpose of a root canal is to remove the infected pulp and nerve in the root of your tooth. In order to do this, we open up the affected tooth, take out the infected tissue, and sanitize the chamber. A filling is used to replace the pulp, then a dental restoration seals your tooth and protects it from reinfection.
How long does a root canal take?
The time needed for your root canal depends on the complexity of your case, but they typically take 60 to 90 minutes.
Can you drive home after a root canal?
Yes, root canals are performed under local anesthesia, which means you can drive yourself home afterwards.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Crowns are typically used to restore strength, appearance, and function to a tooth after a root canal, but in some cases, other types of restorations can be used, including inlays, onlays, or fillings.
Is there an alternative to root canals?
It’s important that an infected tooth receive some type of treatment; not only is it painful to leave an infected tooth untreated, it can also lead to the infection spreading throughout your mouth and to other parts of your body. It’s always best to save your natural tooth, which is why root canals are recommended, but the other option is to extract your tooth and replace it with a bridge or dental implant.
Learn More About Root Canals in Groton, CT
If you need a root canal or have questions about the procedure that we didn’t answer here, contact us at 860-446-8744 to schedule an appointment.