Save Your Tooth and Relieve Discomfort
When a cavity is left untreated for long enough, bacteria can reach the pulp inside your tooth, resulting in a painful infection that can easily worsen and spread. A root canal is a method for stopping the spread of infection and alleviating discomfort by removing the infected tissue and filling the cavity. Not only does this procedure save your tooth, but it also preserves surrounding bone and gum tissue, keeping your mouth healthy.
Root canals involve relatively little discomfort and reduce the pain of infection almost immediately.
There are a number of signs that you may require a root canal:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Severe toothache
- Red or swollen gums near the tooth
- Discolouration of the tooth
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
What to Expect During a Root Canal
A root canal is typically a straight-forward procedure, completed in only one or two trips to the office. Here is how we go about it:
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
Before beginning your root canal treatment, your doctor we’ll need to find out what’s causing your symptoms. Your doctor will start by taking an x-ray of your tooth and the surrounding bone to find the source of the infection. If there is significant inflammation, we may prescribe antibiotics to reduce swelling before operating on the infected area.
Preparing the Tooth
To eliminate discomfort during your root canal, we numb the infected area with a local anesthetic before freezing the gums, teeth, and tissue. Once we’re certain that you can’t feel a thing, the doctor will begin by drilling a small access hole into your tooth. The infected tissue is then removed and the area is cleaned and disinfected.
Sealing the Tooth
For severe infections, we may apply some medicine to the infected area. If you require another visit, we’ll apply a temporary filling. But, in most cases, once the infected tissue has been removed and the tooth is clean, we’ll apply a permanent filling before sealing the tooth.
The Cost of a Root Canal in Guelph
The cost of a root canal in Guelph can vary depending on a number of factors. With a typical insurance plan, expect to pay around $200 to $500+ out of pocket. After an oral exam, we would be happy to provide you with an accurate quote for your insurance company so you can find out your actual out-of-pocket costs. Without insurance, expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1200+ for this treatment.
The actual cost of your root canal will depend on the following factors:
- The severity of the infection
- The location of the infection
- The health of the surrounding teeth and gums
- Complications which may require more time or a delicate and experienced touch
Remember– no dental practice can provide an accurate quote online or over the phone. Every patient’s dental condition is different, so it’s important to come in for a consultation with a dentist who can evaluate your unique situation and provide you with all your treatment options for your consideration.
Is there an alternative treatment to root canals?
An abscess or infection in your tooth is extremely dangerous and considered an urgent health matter. Root canals remove infections that can worsen and spread, becoming potentially life-threatening, and requiring much more urgent and invasive care. This is why we work tirelessly to fight the reputation that root canal therapy has gained and why your comfort and peace-of-mind is so important to us.
If you think you may have an infection but you really don’t want a root canal, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us anyways. We will not perform any procedure without your full understanding and consent and may have alternative options for you with the ultimate goal of resolving your infection.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Our Patients Have to Say
- Video testimonials
- Google reviews
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
Fantastic Dental Service
Never Missing My Appointments
