Root Canal Therapy Millersville, MD | Emergency Dentist

Why Choose Transcendent Smiles for Root Canal Therapy?

In-House Sedation Dentistry Available
Highly Trained Dentist That Cares About Patient Relationships
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Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Severe dental discomfort is the most notable indicator that you need a root canal. However, there are other symptoms to be aware of as well. These include:

Sensitivity to Heat & Cold – When a tooth starts to ache from hot or cold stimuli, chances are that its blood vessels and nerves are infected.
Change in Tooth Color – If your tooth changes color (typically dark yellow, brown, or black), it’s likely dead or dying.
A Chip or Crack in the Tooth – A chipped or cracked tooth is more susceptible to harmful oral bacteria.
Tooth Mobility – An infected tooth may feel looser due to nerve death.

Should you notice several of the signs above, go ahead and book a visit with Dr. Tran. She can then perform an oral exam and see whether root canal therapy suits you.

A woman rubbing her aching cheek at a dental appointment

The Root Canal Process

You can expect a smooth, effective procedure when you receive a root canal. It may not even take an hour to finish.

The therapy itself is straightforward. It starts with Dr. Tran numbing your mouth, ensuring you won’t feel pain from treatment. Next, she’ll make a small access hole in your tooth’s crown, allowing her to reach the inner tissue at the center – the pulp. Once she clears the diseased tissue and irrigates the new space, she’ll place a temporary filling that prevents reinfection. You can then expect our team to cover your tooth with a crown.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

While root canal therapy has a daunting reputation, it actually has a great many benefits. Among them, the most common ones are:

A Preserved Natural Tooth – In most cases, a root canal saves the treated tooth and prevents the need for an extraction. As such, it keeps you from suffering the effects of tooth loss.
Increased Protection – So long as you care for the crown placed after your root canal, your tooth won’t suffer further damage.
Pain Relief – By removing your tooth’s infected nerves, a root canal eliminates your original toothache.
Natural-Looking Results – Placed discretely, the post-root-canal crown won’t highlight your tooth’s prior damage.

A smiling woman who just received root canal therapy

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

A root canal treatment might not be as bad as the rumors make it sound, but what about the cost? At Transcendent Smiles, we accept most major dental insurance plans and offer other options that can help you save money, so fitting a root canal into your budget doesn’t have to be a nightmare!

While treatment costs for this service vary from smile to smile, our team is here to assist you with the financial process. Keep reading to learn more about root canal expenses, and feel free to contact us at any time if you have questions.

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Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Costs

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The precise cost of your root canal will depend on the details of your case. For example:

Treating a molar is typically more expensive than treating a front tooth because the anatomy is a bit more complex, requiring more care.
Most patients need a crown after their treatment, which will add to your overall expenses.
Severe cases sometimes require the expertise of a root canal specialist. Their skill makes the cost of their service worth it, but keep in mind it will affect your bill.

Fortunately, Dr. Tran has advanced training in performing root canals, meaning the vast majority of our patients can save money by receiving quality treatment under one roof.

Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

Three extracted teeth sitting on a napkin next to dental instruments

In terms of upfront costs, it is cheaper to extract a troubled tooth. However, you may end up paying more money in the long term. We recommend saving your tooth with a root canal treatment when possible because it allows you to preserve your dental structure. You’ll still be able to chew, talk, and smile as normal, in other words.

If you opt for a tooth extraction instead, you’ll still need to fit a speedy dental replacement into your budget, otherwise your new gap could lead to shifting teeth or accelerated jawbone loss. Basically, you’ll likely spend more money on follow-up appointments with a tooth extraction than you would with a root canal!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?

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You’ll probably be glad to know that many dental insurance plans cover between 50% to 80% of root canal costs. That said, each policy is different, so it’s important to double-check the finer details of your plan. If you need help understanding your dental insurance benefits, our team would be happy to assist you!

Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable

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We recognize that not everyone has the same access to dental insurance, and don’t want money to prevent you from receiving the care you need. If you’re having trouble fitting a root canal into your budget, please let us know. We have options for making your treatment more affordable. Our in-house membership plans, for example, function like a yearly subscription. That contribution can cover expenses such as:

2 Exams And Cleanings
1 Emergency Exam, Including An X-Ray
10% Off All Restorative Treatments

Give our office a call, and we’ll be happy to go into more detail about your options!

Root Canal FAQs

How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Root Canal?

It depends on your unique biology, but many patients feel well enough to return to their regular work or school routines the day after their treatment. Though if your job requires physical labor, it might be best to rest for two to three days. Strenuous activity can slow the healing process.

Since your mouth will likely be sore during this period, we recommend eating soft foods and applying a gentle touch when you brush and floss. The discomfort should fade, but if it doesn’t, or if your pain becomes severe, call us as soon as possible. You could be experiencing a complication, in which case it’s best to receive prompt treatment.

How Much Pain is Normal After a Root Canal?

If you’re wondering what counts as “severe pain,” we don’t blame you. Pain is somewhat subjective, and it can be difficult to gauge what’s “normal.” A good rule of thumb is that if you find your discomfort distracting, it’s not relieved by over-the-counter medication, you develop a fever, or it lasts longer than expected, it’s worth investigating.

We want to reassure you that most root canals are successful. However, it’s good to be aware of potentially concerning symptoms, just in case!

Can I Eat Before a Root Canal?’

Other than anything alcoholic, we actually recommend eating a hearty meal before coming to the office for your appointment. We’ll numb your mouth to secure your comfort during treatment, which means it will likely be more difficult to chew until the anesthetic wears off!

What Should I Do Before a Root Canal?

It can be hard to get a good night’s rest when you have a dental appointment the next day, but if you can manage it, sleeping well before your root canal will help your immune system work efficiently. Plus, there’s plenty of research that shows how good sleep can help reduce anxiety.

You may also want to consider taking ibuprofen or similar pain relievers right before your root canal. This will give the medicine enough time to take effect and work to reduce your discomfort once the anesthetic wears off. Even if you feel that your pain is mild, you should take a second dose as directed. Sometimes discomfort doesn’t seem bad because the medicine is still working, but once it fades, pain can feel worse. Basically, staying on top of your dosages helps keep the comfort going!

Root Canal Therapy – Millersville, MD

Doing Everything Possible to Save Damaged Teeth