4 Facts Your Family Dentist Won’t Tell You About Root Canals

When a person goes to their oral hygienist and are told they have to get a root canal, they often become nervous and have a lot of questions.  Below are the most common facts that are often unknown or mistaken when answered by your family dentist.

Download Our Free Root Canal Guide

1.) Needing a Root Canal

While it is true that, if you take an antibiotic, it will help your symptoms go away, the problem really lies inside of the tooth. The only way to truly fix that problem is to go inside the tooth. That is what a root canal procedure does. We can actually go in and take care of the problem so that it doesn’t come back again.

Summary:

• If you take an antibiotic, it will help your symptoms go away, but the problem is inside the tooth.
• The only way to fix the problem is to go inside the tooth with a root canal procedure.
• We can actually go in and take care of the problem once and for all.

2.) Getting it Pulled or Having an Implant

Both are absolutely great options because implants are the best alternative for replacing lost teeth. Keeping your natural teeth in a healthy, comfortable state as long as possible is the ideal – and it’s the goal of our office to help you retain your natural teeth. If we determine that isn’t the best choice for you, we will speak with your general dentist or oral surgeon about the possibility of suggesting implants.

Summary:

• Both options are great because implants are the number 1 alternative for replacing teeth.
• Keeping your natural teeth healthy and comfortable as long as possible is the ideal – and retaining natural teeth is the goal of our office.
• If that isn’t the best choice for you, however, we will speak with your dentist or oral surgeon about the possibility of implants.

3.) The Cost of a Root Canal

One of the biggest concerns patients have – besides the pain of the actual root canal procedure itself – is the cost. When considering the cost of a root canal, it’s really tough to give exact fees up front. First, we need to make a diagnosis and determine which tooth is affected – whether it’s an anterior or a posterior tooth. We also consider whether your tooth has had a previous root canal. Are we redoing something, or are we performing a surgery? Fees fluctuate based on a range and depend on the specifics of your case. Normally, however, the cost of replacing your tooth would be greater than the cost of helping you save it.

Summary:

• It’s difficult to give exact fees up front because we must first make a diagnosis and determine which tooth is affected.
• It’s also important to know if there’s been a previous root canal. Are we redoing something, or are we performing a surgery?
• Although fees fluctuate based on the specifics of your case, the cost of replacing your tooth is usually greater than the cost of helping you save it.

4.) Time Length of a Root Canal Procedure

Most procedures done in our office – whether root canal or root canal surgery – are completed within an hour to an hour and a half. Almost all procedures are finished in one visit unless, at the end of the appointment, we feel that it would benefit you to return. In that case, we would see you again a week or two later for a quick 20- or 30-minute appointment.

Summary:

• Most root canal or root canal surgery procedures are completed within an hour to an hour and a half.
• Almost all procedures require only one visit unless we feel that you would benefit from a quick 20- or 30-minute follow-up appointment.

Are you in the need of a root canal and unsure what goes along with the process?  Contact our office and let one of our trained Endodontists discuss your treatment options.

This educational blog was brought to you by Dr. Aaron McCann, an experienced Buffalo Endodontist specialising in Root Canals.

Download Our Free Root Canal Guide