Root Canal Therapy – State College, PA
Relieve Your Pain and Save Your Tooth
Thanks to TV shows and old movies, root canal therapy got the reputation of being painful and something to be afraid of. Fortunately, despite what you may have seen on the big screen, root canal therapy is a virtually painful procedure that is used to repair damaged teeth and save them from being extracted. If you are eager to put an end to your tooth pain, we’re happy to help. Give us a call to schedule a visit so we can determine if root canal therapy is right for you.
Why Choose Chris J. Devlin for Root Canal Therapy?
- Dentist with Many Decades of Experience
- Gentle and Judgment-Free Team
- Flexible Financing Available
Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?
Having a toothache doesn’t always mean that you need to get a root canal. However, it is one of the most common signs. This service is reserved for teeth that have become damaged, decayed, or infected to the point where they can’t be treated with just a filling or dental crown. Here are some common symptoms that could indicate that you need a root canal:
- Severe dental paint that has lasted for more than 24 hours.
- New or worsening tooth sensitivity to hot and/or cold temperatures.
- Pain in one or more teeth when you bite down.
- Swollen, red, or tender gums.
- Pimple-like bump on the gums near the painful tooth.
If you have one or more of the symptoms listed above, give us a call so we can help!
The Root Canal Process
Root canal therapy saves teeth that are damaged and eliminates discomfort. First, you are given a local anesthetic to ensure that you remain comfortable throughout the duration of your procedure. The area will be numbed completely, so you won’t feel any pain.
After the area has been numbed, Dr. Devlin will make a small hole in your enamel and remove all of the damaged and infected tissue from the inside of your tooth. After this, he will clean and sanitize the tooth to ensure that it is completely free from bacteria.
Lastly, the tooth is filled with a biocompatible filling material. A lot of the time, a dental crown is placed over the tooth to keep it safe from additional damage.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
Root canal therapy is a safe way to prevent further dental issues from arising later on. Some of these benefits can include:
- Preserves Damaged Teeth: When compared to extractions, saving a tooth with root canal therapy can save you a lot of time, money, and future complications.
- Stop Harmful Bacteria: Root canal therapy cleans away harmful particles that are causing you pain and discomfort.
- Painless Treatment: Root canal therapy is virtually painless! It’s about as comfortable as getting a standard filling and requires much less healing time than a tooth extraction.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
Even if you don’t fear the root canal itself, you might worry about its price. After all, a treatment can only help if it fits within your budget. However, the cost of root canal therapy actually varies by patient. That means you’ll need to consult Dr. Devlin for an exact estimate. Once you have, our team will guide you on a root canal’s pricing factors and our office’s financing options. Keep reading to learn more about these latter elements, or call us for the details.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
At your consultation visit, Dr. Devlin will perform an oral exam. This step lets him review things that’ll impact your root canal’s cost. The most common of these factors include the following:
- The Tooth Type & Location – In all honesty, a tooth’s type and location will influence treatment price. The reason is that different teeth have varying numbers of roots. (For example, molars have more roots than other teeth and are the most expensive to treat.)
- The Difficulty of Treatment – As you might expect, a highly complex root canal will cost more than a simple one. The former may even require you to see a specialist.
- Your Need for Preliminary Work – Sometimes, you may need a crown or filling after a root canal. In those cases, treatment will cost more.
Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
Technically, pulling a tooth has a lower upfront price than a root canal. The former option is thus a very tempting one. That being said, root canal therapy is actually the cheaper choice overall.
You see, losing (or pulling) a natural tooth has several long-term consequences. One such effect is a negative change in your bite, as your remaining teeth may shift out of place. Another downside is the presence of smile gaps, which raise your risk of oral health problems. Taken together, these and similar changes (eating difficulty, general discomfort, etc.) can lead to pricey dental work down the line.
In the end, saving a tooth is more cost-effective than pulling it. Don’t delay the root canal, either – the longer you put it off, the more likely your tooth will need an extraction.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a major procedure, so dental insurance normally covers it. Assuming you’ve met your deductible, most policies will meet 50-80% of the therapy’s total cost.
Of course, there are exceptions. Every plan is different and has its own approach to coverage. That being the case, you’ll want to confirm your benefits before pursuing treatment. If you’d like, our team can even help out.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable
Even without insurance, there are ways to make a root canal more affordable. The best of these alternatives is a suitable payment option. Given the right one from a local dental practice, your root canal can be quite budget-friendly.
For example, consider our team at Dr. Devlin’s office. We actually offer flexible financing via CareCredit – a reputable third-party financier. Through them, you could pay for a root canal with monthly, low-interest installments. This approach would let you cover care’s cost gradually instead of all at once.
Ultimately, a potential root canal doesn’t have to break the bank. With that said, learn more about financing treatment by contacting us today!