How painful is root canal?

A root canal treatment is a widely used dental procedure meant to treat an infected tooth. It involves removal of infected pulp followed by sealing the space to prevent further infection and pain. The Root canal treatment is done to save the damaged tooth instead of removing it. This process could be painful, but as a thumb rule patients are given anesthesia to diminish the discomfort and pain resulting from the procedure. Although, the root canal gets sore or numb after administration of anesthesia, but it could be still painful for some people. The patient’s treatment experience is greatly determined by choice of the professional and his experience. Getting this process done by a good endodontist is very important, so I have noted down everything you need to know about a root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment procedure

The entire process of a root canal takes up to 2 to 3 sessions. Each session may last up to 30-90 minutes. Mostly, the duration and number of sessions required depends on the condition of the infected area or pulp. The general process takes place as follows:
•    Firstly, local anesthesia is administered around the infected tooth to induce numbness and reduce pain sensation.
•    Following that, a small hole is created on the crown of the infected to reach the pulp for treatment.
•    Now, the Dead tissues including nerves, blood vessels and other tissues are removed from the pulp chamber.
•    Once the chamber is clean, the root canal it is disinfected and shaped.
•    Now the empty canal is filled with gutta-percha (a flexible material and rubbery material), followed by temporary dental filling to prevent reinfections.
•    The final step is placement of a dental crown; it takes two to three weeks to prepare a dental crown. Once the crown is related for placement, the temporary filling is removed and the dental crown is placed.  

How much does a root canal treatment cost?

How much a root canal treatment cost does is one of the frequent queries among those looking for the same. The cost of getting a root canal done depends on where you are getting it from, hospital type, doctor's experience, locality, etc.
•    The average cost goes from $600 to $1400
•    For a front tooth, it may cost up to $200 to $1,100
•    For Bicuspid, it may cost up to $200 to $1,200
•    For molars, it may cost up to $300 to $1,500
•    You will be charged separate money for X-rays and daily checkups, treatment, aftercare, and diagnostic.

Benefits of having a root canal treatment

The question how painful is root canal, could give goosebumps to many. Many keep thinking about it whereas others asks dentist about the same multiple times. Howsoever painful it is, one have to undergo the treatment if the tooth condition demands. The dentist makes sure to decrease the discomfort by using customized doses of anesthesia. Here are some benefits of having a root canal treatment.  

1.    It prevents your tooth from decaying and getting a cavity

If your teeth have a cavity, extracting those teeth may leave a gap. While, if you go for a root cancel, it will prevent further decaying of teeth without leaving any gap. This will also preserve the original arrangement of your teeth.

2.    It helps to prevent infection of neighboring teeth

In most of the cases, pulp infection is the root cause of tooth cavities. Pulp infection is caused by bacteria accumulation. A tooth canal helps to prevent further spread of the bacteria.

3.    It helps to prevent degeneration of the jawbone

A root canal keeps teeth intact, unlike other tooth extraction. Otherwise, jawbone easily degenerates due to bacteria after extraction of a tooth; therefore, a root canal is suggested.

4.    It helps to maintain oral hygiene

Extreme tooth cavity causes pain or tooth loss, so a root canal is a great procedure to boost oral health.

5.    It is a painless process

Another most important reason to opt for a root canal treatment is, it is comparatively painless. Nowadays, the methods used for tooth canals are incredibly painless. Endodontists use the best equipment to remove pulp and disinfect the area quickly.

Symptoms that signifies need for root canal treatment

•    Persistent pain

The foremost indication for need of a root canal treatment is constant pain experience in in your gums and teeth. The pain could spread to the face, jaw, and other teeth.

•    Heat and cold sensitiveness

When you experience a sudden sharp pain having something cold or hot, it is called as sensitivity. If this pain starts becoming unbearable, then you should see a dentist.

•    Discoloration of tooth

This discoloration appears mainly in the front tooth. So it's always a good idea to see your dentist as soon as you notice this.

How to spend less and get the best root canal treatment?

•    Apply for a government program

Medicare does not pay to do the entire procedure, but they may pay for your inpatient emergency services if you experience an emergency.

•    Flexible spending accounts

A certain amount of money is deducted from your salary; this money can be used for healthcare needs. These benefits are provided to all employees nowadays.

•    Health savings accounts

HAS is a savings account regulated by government authorities. In this plan, you can set aside some amount from your savings account for health care benefits, tax is applicable, and it can also roll over to next year.

•    Monthly payment plans

As these treatments are expensive, various dentists allow their patients to pay in installments.

Root canal price with insurance: Patients with root canals can spend up to $200 and $500 from their pocket, with average insurance. If the treatment is not cosmetic, the crown cost will range from $200 to $700.

Root canal price without insurance: As there are a lot of processes involved in the root canal, the cost is high as well. The average cost without insurance ranges from $1000 to $2000.

Conclusion:

Root canal treatment is an effective method in dentistry that cleans out the infected pulp under a tooth and prevents further infection and damage to tooth. There is no other effective way to get rid of bacterial infection without a root canal treatment. More than 15 million root canals are performed every year and 41000 per day in the United States. In today's world, due to hectic schedules and unhealthy eating habits, dental and oral hygiene is highly neglected by many. It leads to oral and dental issues and makes root canal essential. In case, you are experiencing pain, sensitivity, bad breathe and other oral issues, do book an appointment with a dentist.  

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