ROOT CANAL

At Voss Dental our experienced endodontists are committed to provide the highest quality of care to our patients. We will walk you through every step of the process, keep you informed, and make sure that you are comfortable and relaxed during your time in our office.

ABOUT ROOT CANAL

WHAT ARE ROOT CANAL?

A root canal is a dental procedure used to treat and repair infected teeth. During a root canal, the gums surrounding the infected tooth are treated with a numbing agent so that the infected pulp of the tooth can be painlessly extracted using a drill. Once the infection has been treated and the area cleaned, the tooth is filled with an inert material such as gutta-percha, a nonconductive, thermoplastic latex, and bound with a zinc-oxide based cement. With a root canal, the structure of the tooth remains the same, but it is no longer sensitive to temperature extremes. A root canal procedure is used when the existing tooth can be saved, avoiding the need for complete tooth replacement.

WHEN DO YOU NEED A ROOT CANAL?

Your dentist may recommend a root canal when the pulp within your tooth is infected or extensive tooth decay is present. Often if you are in severe pain, this is because your root canal pulp is inflamed and needs to be treated directly. A cracked tooth often has deep decay, also requiring a root canal to relieve pain. The only other way to relieve a painful tooth is to remove the tooth completely.

WHAT IS THE COST OF A ROOT CANAL?

The cost of a root canal varies depending on the type of tooth being treated, but generally ranges from $300 to $1,800. However, root canals are usually covered in full or in part by your dental insurance plan or extended dental coverage. Check with your insurance provider for specific root canal coverage costs for your plan. Our treatment coordinators are also available to help find affordable solutions for your oral health services. For more savings please visit our specials page, sign up for our newsletter, and like us on Facebook.

DOES INSURANCE COVER ROOT CANAL?

Dental insurance plans often help cover the cost of braces, particularly if the patient is a child. If you have a medical need that requires braces, your insurance provider is more likely to cover the cost. If you are an adult, or if the issue is cosmetic, insurance likely won’t cover the cost of braces.

BEFORE ROOT CANAL

WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL RETREATMENT?

A Root canal retreatment is performed when the original root canal does not heal completely or the tooth becomes infected again. This could be caused by bacteria that was not extracted in the first root canal and settled into the inert filling material. When this occurs, a second root canal is required to clean out the compromised inert material, clean the tooth again, and refill with clean material. If the new infection remains unaddressed and spreads to the surrounding area, the only option is to remove the infected teeth and the patient will require partial or full dentures.

WHEN DO I NEED A ROOT CANAL RETREATMENT?

After the original root canal, a dentist will monitor the patient’s recovery and ask the patient to identify any pain or discomfort in the treated area. If the dentist has determined that the infection has reoccurred or the pulp area has not healed correctly, they will recommend a root canal retreatment. The procedure will be performed by the dentist or a licensed dental surgeon, depending on the required expertise of the treated area. While no one wants to have the same procedure twice, retreatment is advised to prevent further tooth decay. Left untreated, extreme bacterial infections can even cause bone-decay and permanently damage the jaw bone.

WHAT IS THE COST OF A ROOT CANAL RETREATMENT?

Retreatment procedure costs vary depending on the complexity required for each case. The cost will usually be higher than the first root canal procedure, because the filling material will need to be removed in the process. Extensive searching of the surrounding canals may also be required to find the source of reinfection. Many dental insurance plans will cover the cost of root canal retreatment in full or in part, but some plans limit the procedures on a certain tooth within a coverage period. Check with your provider to determine your out-of-pocket costs, and our treatment coordinators to determine the most affordable way to cover those costs.

HOW TO PAY FOR YOUR DENTAL TREATMENT?

Those who lack the ability to pay the remainder of the costs of their root canals out of pocket can utilize third-party financing options. Your dentist may be able to suggest further possibilities.

DURING ROOT CANAL

WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL SURGERY?

After an initial root canal that was not successful, it is possible that your dentist will recommend root canal surgery, or endodontic surgery. Surgery can be used to find small fractures or hidden canals not seen in X-rays from your original root canal. Root canal surgery also allows treatment of damaged apical root ends near the bone. The endodontist can clean the reoccurring tooth infection by accessing the apex through a small incision in the gum tissue.

WHEN DO I NEED A ROOT CANAL SURGERY?

Patients require root canal surgery when the interior of the tooth becomes badly infected or inflamed. This can happen when patients delay seeking treatment until the tooth is very painful. Inflammation or infection severe enough to require root canal surgery can be caused by faulty crowns or other subpar dental work, a deep cavity, or a chipped or cracked tooth. Root canal surgery sounds scary, but advanced microscopes and modern anesthetics make root canal surgeries fast, pain-free, and effective with minimal recovery time required. If you have questions regarding any component of root canal procedures do not hesitate to consult your dental professional.

WHAT IS THE COST OF A ROOT CANAL SURGERY?

The cost of a root canal surgery varies based on the position of the tooth to be treated and the specialization of the doctor performing the surgery. The price without insurance can range from $900 to $1,500, but expect to pay more for follow-up x-rays and exams. If you have insurance, many insurance plans require partial out-of-pocket costs in the range of a few hundred dollars. Remember to check with our treatment coordinators to determine the most affordable way to cover your root canal surgery.

HOW TO PAY FOR YOUR DENTAL TREATMENT?

If you don’t have dental insurance or have already reached the maximum coverage allotted for your plan, don’t panic. Other options are available such as third-party lenders including CareCredit,Health Advantage, and LendingClub. We also work hard to offer other types of credit programs for our patients.

WHY CHOOSE US?

01. Comfortable Dentistry

We use the latest technologies to make your visit enjoyable, such as using the most advanced nitrous oxide and sedation techniques along with comfortable dental chairs that makes you feel at ease.

02. We Offer Affordable Treatments

At Voss Dental we provide simple, clear, and convenient payment options. We work directly with your insurance provider to always maximize the benefits you receive from your insurance

03. Open Monday Through Saturday

We are committed to treating you with the best service you deserve. Voss will work with your busy schedule and accommodate to your availability times. We are offering more days of service and extended hours to make it easy for you to fit your oral health in your schedule.