704 NE Evans Street, McMinnville, OR 97128
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Do you have a toothache you’ve been ignoring, and what started as a dull ache has now turned into a serious, searing pain? If so, you may need a root canal, and before you run away from this page, know that this is a virtually painless treatment that helps us save even the most damaged teeth. It can make that toothache disappear in a single appointment, and thanks to Dr. Ramsay’s gentle touch, you’ll barely feel anything during root canal therapy in McMinnville, OR. Afterward, your only regret will be not coming to see us sooner! To schedule an appointment and get the relief you deserve, contact us today.
Not every toothache needs to be treated with root canal therapy. This tooth-saving service is usually reserved for teeth that are so damaged, decayed, or infected that they can’t be treated with other means, such as a filling or dental crown. The most common signs that you may need root canal therapy are:
If you notice any of these symptoms, give us a call immediately. We’ll work quickly to schedule you a same-day emergency appointment so you can get the pain relief you need right away.
Root canal therapy is designed to alleviate discomfort and save as much healthy tooth structure as possible. The first thing we’ll do when you visit us for a root canal is make sure you feel comfortable and relaxed. We’ll use local anesthetic to ensure your mouth is completely numb. We also offer a wide variety of sedation options to help our patients feel completely at-ease. Once you’re settled into the examination chair and your McMinnville dentist Dr. Ramsay has thoroughly examined your mouth, she’ll begin treatment.
Dr. Ramsay will make a small hole in your enamel and remove all the infected or damaged tissues from inside your tooth. Then, she’ll clean and sanitize the tooth to make sure it is completely free of any bacteria before filling it with a biocompatible material. Once the tooth has been filled, she’ll eventually top it with a brand-new crown to restore its appearance and function. Between her skilled hands and the local anesthetic, our patients say that getting a root canal feels similar to having a filling placed, as in not painful in the slightest!
Root canal therapy is a safe, trusted procedure that can prevent serious oral health problems in the future. Some of the most important benefits of root canal therapy are:
Root canal therapy is an important dental treatment because it often saves your tooth from necessary extraction. If you’re told that you need this service, you may be curious about price. For any specific concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team. Until then, we’ve included some of the factors that contribute to the cost of root canals in McMinnville below.
Every situation is different, which is why it’s difficult to provide you with a precise estimate for the cost of your root canal therapy before examining the affected area. There are various factors that can impact the total price of your treatment, including:
You may be tempted to get your tooth extracted with an emergency dentist in McMinnville. While it is cheaper initially, the long-term effects of a lost tooth can cause much more expensive and extensive dentistry. For example, a single extracted tooth can lead to infection, misalignment, jawbone deterioration, and bone loss. In order to prevent this, we would recommend tooth replacements like a dental implant or bridge, which are much more expensive than a root canal. That’s why your best bet is to choose root canal therapy to save your tooth and keep your smile complete.
Insurance coverage will differ based on your plan. Root canal therapy is considered a major procedure, which is why your provider will usually cover around 50% to 80% of the cost of your treatment. It’s always best to check with your insurance before making any final decisions. We are happy to communicate with your provider directly to ensure that you’re maximizing your benefits while minimizing out of pocket costs.
If you don’t have insurance coverage, there’s no need to worry! We take pride in making our dental care as affordable as possible with flexible payment options. We have new patient specials, including a $75 exam and X-Ray, and we partner with CareCredit for alternative financing. With this solution, you would simply choose the payment plan that fits your budget. The best part is that it comes with low-to-no-interest for cost-effective root canal therapy.
Your current health and medical disposition will influence how quickly you’ll recover from your procedure. While this means recovery times differ from patient to patient, you’ll likely feel up to returning to work or school the day afterward. You can expect your mouth to be sore and somewhat swollen for several days, but all your symptoms should be easy to manage with over-the-counter painkillers.
When patients hear that they need a root canal for a tooth infection, they often wonder if they can save themselves the trouble of a dental procedure by just taking antibiotics. Unfortunately, while antibiotics can treat bacterial infections practically anywhere in the body, they do not work on tooth infections. This is because they travel through the bloodstream, which doesn’t reach the pulp of a tooth.
If you’re nervous about your upcoming root canal or unconvinced that you need one because your tooth doesn’t hurt, you may be tempted to postpone your root canal. However, this is a very bad idea with potentially serious and life-threatening consequences. A root canal is the last option for saving a tooth from extraction- if you wait too long, the tooth may be too far gone to be saved. Then, you’d need to deal with extracting and replacing your tooth instead of just repairing it. In some situations, the infection can get so intense that it travels to other parts of the body, which can cause health concerns.
You may be surprised to hear that you need a root canal if your teeth aren’t bothering you. While a throbbing toothache is the most common sign that you need a root canal, it’s not the only indicator that you may need this treatment. For instance, an infection in your tooth can attack and irreparably damage the nerve of your tooth. Then, your tooth wouldn’t hurt, but the bacterial infection would still be present and pose a threat to your oral health. We don’t recommend root canals lightly; if you have any questions as to why you need this tooth-saving procedure, don’t hesitate to ask so we can walk you through our reasoning.
Generally speaking, the less expensive or invasive a treatment is, the more your dental insurance is likely to cover. Preventive care like checkups and cleanings often receive 90-100% coverage. Unfortunately, root canal therapy is often classified as a major restorative treatment, which typically entitles it to only 50% coverage or less. However, we never want cost to stand between you and a healthy smile. We’d be happy to discuss your financing options with CareCredit, which would allow you to break up the cost of your root canal into smaller, more manageable monthly payments.
You shouldn’t feel any discomfort during your procedure. However, it’s common to feel slight pain and soreness for a few days afterward. Once the local anesthetic wears off, you’ll likely feel temporarily sensitive. Fortunately, this can be managed easily with over-the-counter pain relievers. Just be sure to avoid chewing anything hard during recovery. You should feel back to normal after several days. If not, notify our team for help.
Your pre-op instructions will depend on whether you’ll receive local anesthesia and/or sedation dentistry for your treatment. In many cases, patients should eat a healthy meal to avoid complications during the procedure. Additionally, you’ll need to avoid alcohol and tobacco products, which can disrupt the numbing effects. Most dental professionals will recommend taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen, immediately before the procedure to minimize discomfort afterward. Get plenty of rest the night before as well as after, this way you’ll be less anxious and promote an optimal immune system for quicker recovery.
As mentioned before, if your dentist is going to administer sedation dentistry during your root canal, you’ll be asked to avoid eating several hours prior to your visit. This will lower the risk of nausea that can occur from the sedative. If you don’t require sedation dentistry, then you can enjoy a hefty meal a couple of hours before arriving at our office. Make sure to brush your teeth before your appointment and don’t drink any alcohol for 24 hours, as this can interact with the local anesthetic negatively.
This restorative procedure typically has a high success rate, as most patients who undergo root canal treatment can enjoy their full biting power for many years or even a lifetime. Of course, the longevity of your results will depend on several factors, including the severity of the damage and the amount of time passed from having your temporary crown/filling to getting your permanent one. Too much time between can leave your tooth susceptible to reinfection. To ensure a longer lifespan for your root canal, follow your detailed post-op instructions and clean your teeth every day.
Teeth will not heal by themselves like the rest of your body can. Therefore, if your tooth is infected, the situation will only worsen without root canal treatment. Make sure to schedule an appointment for treatment as soon as possible if your dentist recommends it. Even if any pain goes away, this could be a sign that the inner nerves are already damaged. To avoid letting the infection spread throughout your mouth and body, visit your dentist right away for help.