Tampa, FL 33626
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Root Canal Therapy – Westchase, FL
Don’t Lose Your Tooth
to an Infection
An infected tooth is no laughing matter. Not only is it painful, but there’s no chance of the issue going away on its own. If enough of the tooth is damaged, an extraction might eventually be the only recourse. But with root canal therapy in our Westchase, FL dental office, Dr. Ponnaganti can remove the infection and stop the destruction of the tooth before irreparable damage is done. Do you have toothache? Call us immediately for an emergency examination so that we can decide whether root canal therapy is necessary.
Why Choose Happy Smiles for Root Canal Therapy?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Sedation Dentistry Options for Comfort
- Convenient Evening Appointment Hours
The Root Canal Procedure
Your mouth will be numbed to keep your discomfort to a minimum. Also, a rubber dam will be placed to keep the tooth dry while we work on it. The root canal procedure involves removing the infected dental pulp before thoroughly cleaning the inside of the tooth. The goal is to make sure there is no bacteria remaining inside the tooth before we fill it with biocompatible material and reseal the area with a crown.
Reasons for a Root Canal
Root canal treatment is performed when the soft tissue inside your tooth becomes infected. This generally happens when the enamel suffers from extensive decay or damage that isn’t repaired, inviting bacteria into the root canals. You might also be at risk if you have a faulty crown or filling. There are even cases where the pulp is damaged in an accident even when the tooth itself has no visible chips or cracks. The sooner the treatment is performed, the more likely you are to save your natural tooth.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
The cost of root canals cannot be configured until you meet with our dental team to discuss your treatment plan. We want to make sure that you understand the details associated with your upcoming procedure as well as what is required as part of your root canal. This means breaking down the components of your cost estimate so that you don’t experience any surprises along the way. Feel free to keep reading to learn more about the expected price tag and how we can help you avoid high out-of-pocket expenses.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
Your root canal will likely be very different than another patient’s procedure. Although the same steps must occur to complete a successful root canal, different factors are involved when it comes to building the treatment plan and cost estimate. These include:
- The location of the tooth, as this can determine the level of complexity that is expected when treating the affected area.
- The severity of your infected or damaged tooth, as it may be necessary to employ another specialist to perform more invasive treatment.
- The crown you will receive after undergoing a root canal, as the tooth will need proper protection going forward.
Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
One of the most common questions we receive when discussing the notion of root canals is, “Wouldn’t it be easier (and cheaper) to just pull the tooth?” It might seem as if this is the best course of action; however, you’re likely to spend more money in the long run. Not to mention, keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible is always the goal of any good dentist.
Because many infections can be treated successfully with root canals, it is in the patient’s best interest to undergo this type of treatment instead of having the tooth pulled. Removing one or more teeth will only result in tooth replacement procedures that are essential if worsening oral health problems are to be avoided. With a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant comes more appointments, the fabrication of the prosthetic, and maintenance – all of which can add up over time.
With a root canal, the procedure is completed, and you can worry less about the state of your oral health because of the added protection of a customized crown.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?
If you review your dental policy, you’ll likely find that most dental insurance companies offer some form of partial coverage for root canals. Typically, it falls between 50-80% coverage, so you’ll need to look over your dental benefits or have a member of our team do it for you. We’ll be happy to review your plan and determine how much you can expect to save when preparing for your root canal treatment.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
If private dental insurance is not something you have, there are two additional ways to cover the cost apart from paying for it all upfront: flexible and in-house financing. With CareCredit, you can enroll in their low or no-interest payment plans to avoid paying the entire amount upfront. With no surprise fees and timeframes that align with your budget, you can stress less about the financial side of root canal treatment.
The other option is in-house financing, which our team will be happy to go over with you during your appointment.
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