Preventing Tooth Decay To Maintain Healthy Teeth

What You Should Know About Emergency Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy has always been associated with severe pain, so if your dentist has told you that an emergency root canal is necessary, you may be worried. Luckily, root canal therapy is not as scary as people believe. Check out these three facts regarding root canal treatment. 

It's One of Only Two Options

Root canal therapy is needed when there is an infection in the tooth. Unlike infections in other parts of the body, it can't just be cured with antibiotics. Your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics to help with pressure, but the only two ways to treat an infected tooth are root canal therapy and extraction. This is because if your tooth is infected, there is an underlying reason, such as a crack in the root, which allows bacteria to enter and grow.

It Saves Your Tooth

During root canal therapy, the pulp of your tooth is removed. This is the area that contains all the blood vessels and nerves. Despite this, the tooth can still exist and function normally. It is recommended you have a crown placed on the tooth to strengthen it. Because it saves the tooth, you may actually spend less on root canal therapy than extraction. A root canal treatment can cost $300 to $2000, depending on the tooth. An extraction costs $75 to $300 if the tooth has fully erupted. However, if you have the tooth extracted and want it replaced, you'll end up paying a lot more.

The Procedure Stops the Pain of Tooth Infection

If root canal therapy isn't painful, why is there such a stigma around it? The reason is twofold. For starters, when you have a tooth infection, you are likely in severe pain. Many people associate this pain with root canal therapy, but the treatment actually alleviates the pressure that causes the pain. Also, because the dentist must get deep into your tooth to remove all the pulp, more Novocain is likely needed as the procedure continues. Simply make sure to speak up if you feel any discomfort. Sedation dentistry can also help calm nerves.

Root canal therapy is a great alternative to extraction because it saves the tooth, and with proper care, the tooth may last the rest of your life, which saves you money in the long run. If you would like more information regarding emergency root canal treatment, contact an emergency dentist in your area today. 


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