Root Canal Treatment – Lincoln, NE
Save Your Tooth and Ease Your Discomfort
If you have a tooth that just won’t stop hurting, then root canal treatment in Lincoln, NE might be just what you need to achieve lasting relief. For many dental patients, hearing this would be considered bad news, but in truth, this procedure’s reputation is largely undeserved. Thanks to the tools and techniques used here at South Ridge Dental, our root canal patients report feeling virtually no discomfort, much to their surprise! It’s actually one of the best tools we have for stopping severe dental pain, not causing it!
Why Choose South Ridge Dental For Root Canal Treatment?
- Skilled & Experienced Team
- We Offer Nitrous Oxide Sedation Dentistry
- Patient Comfort is Our Top Priority
Why Would I Need a Root Canal?
When the inner portion of your tooth that houses all of your nerves becomes damaged, bacteria accumulate and can cause infection. So, if you find that you have a severe toothache that won’t go away, you may need root canal therapy to ease your pain and prevent the infection from spreading to your other teeth. Some symptoms that you may experience include:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold items
- Pain when you chew or bite
- Fever
- Facial swelling
- Severe and persistent pain in your tooth
- Swollen or irritated gums surrounding your affected tooth
If you’re experiencing any of these, be sure to contact us immediately. We’ll be more than glad to walk you through ways to help ease your pain and get you an appointment as soon as possible.
What Happens During A Root Canal?
For this procedure, your dentist in Lincoln will start by numbing your tooth until you can’t feel a thing. They’ll then create a small hole in the enamel so they can reach the infected pulp. It will be removed, the inside of the tooth will be thoroughly cleaned, and then it will be rebuilt with a custom-made restoration to bring repair its strength and appearance. Afterward, the tooth can be expected to look and function like normal for years to come.
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Root Canal?
Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about root canals. People often come into our dental office worried and stressed about the procedure because they’ve only heard about how painful it is. We want you to know that this is just a myth. Root canals actually ease your pain instead of cause it—in fact, you’ll be feeling much better after the procedure. Some other benefits include:
- Saving your natural tooth, which will allow you to save money on a restoration.
- With recent technological advancements in the dental field, this procedure is now virtually pain-free and leaves you with less discomfort than if you had your tooth extracted.
- Enjoy a visually appealing result and keep the function and strength of your tooth.
How Do I Care For My Tooth After Root Canal Therapy?
For the first few following days after your procedure, your tooth will feel sensitive. The good news is, this can easily be remedied with over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen. In fact, most patients are able to return to their normal daily routine the following day. Until your permanent filling and restoration are placed over your tooth, be sure to be wary of chewing on the impacted side of your mouth. This can help avoid any further damage and keep it clean until it’s well protected.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
The cost of a root canal in Lincoln can vary for each patient. It depends on the complexity and severity of the case at hand. Our team will be sure to provide you with an honest price estimate before we start to work on your smile. Rest assured that even though this procedure can be costly, it is a wise investment in your oral health because the priority should always be to preserve your natural tooth when possible.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
When you come in for your appointment with your emergency dentist in Lincoln, we will examine your mouth before providing a cost estimate for your root canal. Some factors that could influence its pricing are:
- The type or location of the tooth. Incisors generally range from $300-1,000. Premolars are usually in the range of $400-1,800 as compared to $500-2,000 for molars. Pricing is directly related to how involved the treatment is – molars have multiple roots while incisors only have one.
- The complexity of the case. Depending on the difficulty of the procedure, it might be necessary to involve a specialist. They may operate under a different price structure than we do.
- Additional services are involved. For example, a dental crown may be recommended to help protect and fully restore your tooth. A crown means an additional expense, and the cost will depend on the type of tooth.
Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?
If money is tight, you might be tempted to go for a tooth extraction instead of root canal therapy. It is true that in the near term, removing a tooth is less expensive than preserving it. However, a root canal can certainly be more affordable in the long run. Not only can it spare you from having to pay for tooth replacement but keeping your natural teeth can also prevent future dental issues that would incur further expenses.
The longer you wait to get a root canal, the more likely it is your tooth will have to be removed. Then, concerns with your bite being impacted to cause discomfort and difficulty eating enter the picture.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?
Most dental insurance plans do cover root canal therapy. It is usually classified as a major procedure, meaning that 50-80 percent of the cost may be covered up to the amount of your plan’s annual maximum. You will need to examine your policy’s details to know for sure how it applies. Our dental office welcomes insurance, and we are even in-network with several major plans. We will be happy to verify your coverage, file your claims paperwork, and help you understand your benefits.
Other Options to Make Root Canal Therapy Affordable
Beyond helping with your insurance, we offer other avenues to make your root canal therapy feasible:
- Financing: We can help you break up the cost of your care into smaller, easier-to-manage monthly payments via CareCredit. This is a great way to help your dental care fit comfortably into your budget, and many of the plans they offer have little-to-no interest!
- In-House Membership Plan: This offers an easy and affordable way to help you spend less on your family’s dental care. You pay one low flat fee, and your basic dental care will be completely covered for the year, plus you’ll get discounts on a wide variety of other treatments. There are no deductibles, annual maximums, or monthly premiums.
In your time of need, count on us your root canal therapy. We’ll help you navigate the financial aspect, so don’t hesitate to contact our team with any questions!
Root Canal Frequently Asked Questions
Preparing for a root canal can be daunting. Not knowing what to expect or how to care for your problem tooth after surgery can leave you feeling unsure about the whole process. Fortunately, at South Ridge Dental, our team of professionals is here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and ensure you are free from any pain caused by your tooth infection. In an effort to help you feel more comfortable with your upcoming procedure, you will find root canal FAQs in Lincoln below.
Why can’t the tooth just be extracted?
It might seem as if it’s easier to just have a tooth removed instead of going through the process of a root canal, but the truth is that having a tooth extracted will only result in additional time and money spent trying to restore your smile. The goal of any dentist is to help you keep your natural teeth as long as possible. Only in dire or necessary circumstances will it be recommended that a tooth be removed. Instead, a root canal can not only alleviate the pain caused by the infection, but it can also help you keep your natural teeth longer, forgoing the need to have dental implants or a fixed bridge to replace your extracted teeth.
Is a root canal painful?
You’ll be pleased to know that a root canal is not painful. The discomfort you feel before your procedure is caused by the infection deep within your tooth. Before the procedure can begin, they will administer local anesthesia to numb the area as well as sedation, if necessary. This will keep you from feeling any pain throughout the surgery. Once Dr. Ryan or Dr. Steven properly clean and prep your tooth, the pain will no longer be an issue. Afterward, it is common to have some soreness, tenderness, and minor discomfort, but this is only temporary. Your mouth will need time to heal, so it’s necessary that you pay close attention to the instructions provided to you by our team when going home to recover.
Are there risks associated?
Although extremely rare, some risks come with having a root canal, some of which can include:
- A possible crack within the tooth’s root
- Improper cleaning of the tooth’s canals
- Reinfection
- A dental crown that is not properly fitted and causes bacteria to re-enter the problem tooth
- The seal breaks over time
Again, there is a very small chance of any of these problems occurring after a root canal, but should you experience any issues, make sure to call our dental office as soon as possible. We will quickly examine the problem area and administer the necessary care to safeguard your smile.
Will dental insurance cover the cost of my root canal?
Your dental insurance will likely cover at least a portion of your treatment. Root canals may be considered minor or major restorative procedures, so depending on how your insurance company views this type of procedure, you can expect them to pay anywhere from 50-80% of the total cost. You will need to check with your insurer to determine your deductible and annual maximum, as these will play a role in how much your insurance company will pay as well. Should you need assistance paying for any out-of-pocket expenses, you can apply for flexible financing through CareCredit.