Lowell, MA – Root canals are important dental procedures that can save broken, infected, or severely decayed teeth and prevent further damage. The procedure involves removing a damaged nerve (dental pulp) from within the root of a tooth and thoroughly cleaning and sealing off the space left behind. Root canals can preserve a natural tooth and prevent future pain. If you end up need one, you’re probably wondering how much a root canal is going to cost. Dr. Thakore of Lowell Dental Arts explains the costs involved in a root canal and factors that can contribute to the final price.
The average cost for a root canal in Lowell, MA is around $1,600 without dental insurance. But there are several factors to consider when looking at your cost. They include:
Factors Affect a Root Canal’s Cost
The location of the tooth. Teeth that are more difficult to reach may be more expensive to treat. Molars also tend to have multiple branches of nerves that need to be cleaned and filled, requiring more time.
The extent of your issue and variable size and structure of your particular tooth. The more complex your procedure is, the higher the cost will be.
Your location. Areas with higher living costs will have higher costs for resources like dental care. That means your root canal can be more expensive in a more highly populated and expensive area of the country.
Experience of your dental team. The more experienced and skilled your dental team performing the root canal, the higher your costs can be. However, you are paying for their knowledge. With a highly skilled dental team, you can rest easy knowing your smile is in excellent hands.
The dental crown. After your root canal procedure, you will typically require a dental crown to cover the tooth. When the nerve is removed during a root canal procedure, the tooth is hollowed out in the cleaning process, rendering it a bit more fragile and brittle. A crown will cover the entire chewing surface of the tooth, helping to prevent any fractures to the tooth. Crowns alone can cost anywhere from $800 to $3,000.
Your dental insurance. If you have dental insurance that covers dental crowns, you can see the portion that you owe significantly decrease after the cost of the root canal is subtracted from your allowance for the year. Even the best insurance plans may not cover the entire cost of the root canal or crown, and allotted yearly maximums vary.
There may be other components to a root canal procedure that may or may not be included in the cost. This includes x-rays, a physical exam and consultation, anesthesia, and the root canal procedure itself.
Do I really need a root canal?
Root canals are common procedures, saving millions of teeth every year. If a root canal is recommended, it is important that you follow through with the procedure.
Root canals can:
- Treat infection. If you have a tooth that has cracked or become badly decayed, bacteria can reach into the nerve within the root of the tooth. This can lead to infection. A root canal cleans out all of the infected nerve and then seals the area to prevent any future infection.
- Relieve pain. Infected nerves can cause severe tooth pain. By properly cleaning and sealing the tooth and its roots, your dental team can relieve pain and prevent future issues from reappearing.
- Preserve your natural tooth. After treating the infection and sealing it, the natural tooth can be saved. You may require a crown to cover the tooth, but you will not have to undergo a tooth extraction. Saving your natural tooth also ensures proper chewing and bite force, while saving your surrounding teeth from excess wear and strain.
- Prevent further complications. If an infected tooth isn’t treated, the infection can spread. This can lead to abscesses and more health problems.
- Improve oral health. Root canals can ensure the future health of your smile and prevent future oral health issues, such as additional infections, from occurring.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
Root canals can repair a tooth that has been cracked or severely decayed. For some patients, these issues may not cause immediate problems, but it is still important to have a decayed or cracked tooth looked at. Other patients may have symptoms indicating they could benefit from a root canal. Those symptoms include:
- Severe pain, especially when eating
- Random, throbbing pain within a particular tooth
- Lingering sensitivity to temperature changes in the mouth
- Tiny pimples on the gums
- Swollen or tender gums
- Change in color of the gums, such as darkening
- Bad taste in the mouth
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to be seen by a dental professional as soon as possible.
At Lowell Dental Arts, our team is adept in treating cracked or damaged teeth with root canals. We can help you restore the look and function of your smile; while removing infection and insuring you are pain-free. Call Lowell Dental Arts today at 978-506-0027 if you believe you may need a root canal.