When you hear that you need a root canal, your immediate response may be fear or frustration. After all, root canal therapy in Red Deer doesn’t have the best reputation, thanks to the media. While this reputation isn’t correct, it isn’t completely unfounded. Root canals can be quite expensive, ranging anywhere from $500-$1000, depending on your circumstance. Furthermore, root canals can cause some level of pain during and after the procedure, and sometimes root canals come with complications.
When done correctly and with the right precautions, root canals are very successful at saving teeth and alleviating pain. In this blog article, our team at Riverside Dental Centre takes you through our top tips for ensuring that your root canal near you goes as smoothly as possible.
Understand Your Costs
When you get an estimate for a root canal, it may not always include the whole cost of the treatment. A root canal is a procedure where a dentist near you removes infected or damaged tooth pulp, fills the tooth, seals it, and places a dental crown over it. When you get a root canal, you will likely have to pay more than the estimated cost for the dental crown and dental sedation if you are nervous about the procedure.
The cost of a root canal also varies greatly depending on which tooth requires treatment. Front teeth tend to be the cheapest, and back teeth or molars tend to cost the most. The reason for this is that different teeth have different levels of roots within their canal system. More roots mean more work, leading to higher costs.
Reduce Your Pain Levels
When done by an experienced dentist in Red Deer, a root canal should not cause any pain, and if anything, should greatly alleviate any pain you have been feeling. A painless root canal should involve your dentist:
- Choosing the correct type of local anesthetic for your needs
- Giving the correct dose of the local anesthetic using the optimal technique
- Using dental sedation if the patient is anxious or stressed
Additionally, a painless root canal can only be guaranteed if there is an open and trusting relationship between the patient and the dentist. You should feel comfortable letting your dentist know if you are experiencing any discomfort during the procedure, and your dentist should move slowly and be responsive to your feedback.
Maximize Your Chance of Root Canal Success
Root canals, like all medical procedures, do not have a 100% success rate. When it comes to successful treatment, the factor that is most in your control and has the biggest impact is the knowledge, experience, and training of your dentist. Ensure that you do your research thoroughly when choosing a dentist to perform this procedure.
When you book a consultation with your chosen dentist, don’t be afraid to ask them about their experience and training and how many successful root canals they have performed. Remember that you are seeking a service from them and that they should be able and willing to provide that service to the highest possible standard.