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Root Canal Therapy – Denison, IA

How We Stop the
Worst Dental Pain

Man smiles after root canal therapy in Denison

Needless to say, root canal therapy doesn’t exactly have the best reputation. Despite what you may have seen in movies and on TV, it’s actually a virtually painless procedure, and we use it to repair the most damaged teeth and save them from extraction. If you have a terrible toothache that only seems to be getting worse, give us a call today. Dr. Ryan Bygness may be able to use root canal therapy in Denison to quickly get you out of pain and save your smile!

Why Choose 32 & You for Root Canal Therapy?

  • Same-Day Appointments for Patients in Pain
  • Patient Comfort Is Our #1 Priority
  • Trusted by Local Families Since 1997

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Woman with toothache needing root canal therapy in Denison

Just because you have a toothache doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to undergo root canal therapy. This service is reserved for teeth that have become damaged, decayed, or infected to the point where they can’t be treated with just a filling or dental crown. Here are some of the most commons symptoms that may signify that you are in need of root canal therapy:

  • Severe toothache or dental pain that has lasted for more than 24 hours
  • New or worsening tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
  • Pain in one or more teeth when you bite down
  • Swollen, red, or tender gums
  • A bump on the gums near the painful tooth that resembles a pimple

If you have one or more of these symptoms, give our office a call so we can schedule you a same-day appointment to give you some relief.

The Root Canal Process

Patient at dentist in Denison for root canal therapy

Root canal therapy is used to alleviate discomfort and save teeth that are damaged. First, you will be given a local anesthetic to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the duration of the procedure. This way, the area will be completely numb, and you won’t be able to feel a thing. Dr. Bygness will make a small hole in your enamel and remove all of the infected or damaged tissues from the inside of your tooth. Afterwards, he will clean and sanitize the tooth to made sure that it is completely free of bacteria. The tooth is then filled with a biocompatible material. A lot of the time, after the tooth has been filled, a dental crown will be placed over it to keep it safe from further damage.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

Man smiling at dentist in Denison after root canal therapy

Root canal therapy is a safe way to prevent oral health problems in the future. Some of the benefits include:

  • Preserving the tooth: When compared to extractions, saving a tooth with root canal therapy can save you a lot of time, money, and complications.
  • Stop harmful bacteria: Root canal therapy effectively cleans away harmful particles that are causing you pain and discomfort.
  • Painless treatment: It may have a bad reputation, but root canal therapy is actually virtually pain-free! It’s about as comfortable as getting a standard filling and requires much less healing time than an extraction.

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

a patient visiting her dentist in Denison for root canal therapy

If you have a compromised tooth that’s causing you discomfort, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek urgent care due to concerns about what you’ll end up paying. In many cases, root canal therapy in Denison can offer your smile a much-needed solution that’s sure to salvage your tooth’s health and vitality at an affordable price. Our knowledgeable team is also more than happy to work with you to ensure that you’re maximizing your insurance benefits and lowering your out-of-pocket expenses. Keep reading below to learn a little more about what contributes to the cost of root canal therapy or feel free to give us a call today for additional assistance.

Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

a patient suffering from tooth pain

Before we can determine the expected cost of your root canal, we’ll need to closely examine your dental situation. Some of the usual factors that often affect the overall cost of treatment include:

  • Location of the tooth – Damaged molars are generally more expensive to treat with root canal therapy compared to front teeth, since they have more tooth roots to be accounted for.
  • Complexity of the issue – The more complicated your treatment is, the more you can expect to pay.
  • Other necessary treatments – There’s also a chance that you might require a dental crown or some other type of restoration, which can impact what you end up paying.

Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

a patient undergoing a dental exam in Denison

You might feel like having your tooth extracted is a cheaper and easier alternative to root canal therapy; however, this actually opens up the door for several new oral health issues! Even just a single missing tooth can have serious implications, and you’ll be at a much higher risk of things like gum disease, tooth decay, and further tooth loss—all of which can be quite expensive to address.

In this way, root canal therapy can help you avoid future complications that don’t just hurt your smile, but also hurt your wallet. It’s always going to be more cost-effective to save the natural tooth versus extracting it and having it eventually replaced.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Therapy?

a patient filling out a dental insurance form

It’s common for many dental insurance plans to cover some of the cost of root canal therapy since it’s usually considered a major procedure. The amount of coverage typically falls between 50% to 80%, after the deductible has been met. However, since every plan is different, it’s always wise to check with your provider beforehand about what services are covered. Our team is happy to help you with this process to ensure that you’re taking full advantage of your benefits!

Other Options for Making Root Canal Therapy Affordable

a patient in Denison pointing to her smile

Our practice is dedicated to providing patients with outstanding care that fits within their budget; even if you don’t have dental insurance, there are still options for making your root canal more affordable. We’re proud to offer financing through CareCredit that will allow you to break your total cost of treatment into manageable, monthly installments with little-to-no interest. 

Root Canal FAQs

Woman with toothache sitting on couch at home

To this day, there are quite a few prevalent myths about root canals. That’s why our Denison dental team has dedicated this next section to answering FAQs about this tooth-saving treatment! As always, if you want to learn more before your next appointment, you’re also welcome to get in touch with us directly.

How Much Pain is Normal After a Root Canal?

Although the procedure itself won’t be painful thanks to Dr. Bygness’ extensive training and effective numbing agents, it is normal to experience some soreness in the days following your appointment. Don’t worry – any discomfort that does arise should be temporary. Plus, we will provide you with aftercare instructions designed to keep you comfortable during the healing process, including sticking to soft foods and taking OTC pain medication as directed.

Important note: If the soreness doesn’t subside after three days or seems to be getting worse instead of better, then call us right away.

Can Root Canals Be Prevented?

Since root canals are often the result of extensive decay or damage, the answer is “yes!” That’s why it’s so important to implement good oral hygiene habits, like rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash, flossing consistently, and brushing for a full two minutes twice a day. Additionally, you should avoid unhealthy dental habits (like smoking), wear a mouthguard during contact and non-contact sports, and visit us biannually for a checkup and cleaning.

What Happens if You Wait Too Long for a Root Canal?

Since root canals are one of the most feared dental treatments, it’s common for patients to try and “wait out” their toothache. It’s important to remember, however, that decay and infection can only be treated by a dental professional. In other words, the longer you wait to get a root canal, the worse the problem gets. In fact, it’s possible for the damage to progress to the point where the only choice is to remove your tooth and replace it with a dental bridge or implant.

Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?

Although antibiotics are sometimes prescribed in tandem with a root canal, they are not an adequate replacement. The reason why is because your bloodstream doesn’t reach the pulp of your tooth, which is where the infection lies.

Do Root Canals Make You Sick?

Over the years, you may have heard that root canals make you sick. It’s important to know, however, that this claim has been debunked for several decades now, and the original research was poorly designed. Furthermore, it’s actually the opposite that’s true: if you neglect to get a root canal, your oral and overall health can suffer.

How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Root Canal?

Typically, patients can return to school or work the following day. With that said, recovery times vary. For example, if you have a physically demanding job, then we may recommend taking two or three days off. To get through the healing period without any hiccups, it’s important to follow all of the aftercare instructions we give you, including sticking to soft foods.