Root Canal Treatment – Wethersfield, CT

Eliminate the Infection, Restore Your Smile!

It’s no secret that root canals have a less-than-stellar reputation. That’s largely why it’s one of the most feared dental procedures to this day! The truth is that this emergency dental treatment is virtually painless because the first step is always the same: to numb your mouth. So, if you think you’d benefit from a root canal, don’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, schedule an appointment with us ASAP so we can eliminate the infection and restore your pain-free smile.

Why Choose Wethersfield Dental Group for Root Canal Treatment?

Same-Day Appointments for Emergency Patients
Multiple Affordable Payment Options
Top-Rated Dental Team on Google

Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?

Patient experiencing toothache at home

An excruciating toothache is a common warning sign that a tooth is severely decayed or damaged. However, it isn’t the only one. Between your biannual dental exams and cleanings, we recommend keeping an eye out for other abnormal symptoms, including:

Dark discoloration on a tooth
A pimple-like bump on the gums
Bleeding when you brush or floss
Persistent dental sensitivity
Chronic bad breath

If one or more of these arise, then call us ASAP; you may benefit from root canal treatment in Wethersfield.

The Root Canal Process

Illustration of the inner layer of a tooth

As we mentioned above, the first step of the root canal procedure is always to numb your mouth thoroughly. Once you are comfortable and ready to begin, your dentist will use special tools to access the inner chambers of the tooth and remove the pulp. Then, they will sanitize the area, fill it with a synthetic gutta-percha material, and place a temporary crown over top. Once we receive your custom dental crown from the lab, we will secure it in place, officially completing the treatment process.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

Patient smiling at reflection in handheld mirror

Many patients are surprised to hear this, but root canals are actually good news. After all, they can effectively eliminate the infection, saving your tooth from extraction in the process. Thanks to the powerful numbing agents we use and the detailed aftercare instructions, the procedure is virtually painless as well! Plus, we create custom dental crowns for each patient, ensuring the final result won’t draw any unwanted attention to your smile.

As you can see, you have nothing to fear with root canals. So, if you suspect that you need one due to the abnormal symptoms you’ve been experiencing, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We’ll go the extra mile to make the entire treatment process smooth, from scheduling your first appointment to navigating the healing period.

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

Root canal treatment cost can only be determined after an in-person examination

If you’ve been told you need a root canal, you may be curious about how much this tooth-saving procedure will cost. However, because there are many factors that can affect the cost of treatment, it is impossible to give an accurate price quote without the tooth or teeth in question being examined in person by your dentist. In the meantime, please feel free to read more about how we determine the cost of this procedure, as well as how we can help make your treatment more affordable.

Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

Factors that can affect the cost of a root canal include the location of the infected tooth

It’s very difficult to determine the exact cost of a root canal until our team has had the opportunity to examine the tooth or teeth in question, as there are several factors that can influence the final amount. These include:

The type and location of the tooth or teeth.
The overall difficulty of the root canal procedure, and whether a specialist must be brought in to assist with the treatment.
If the patient requires any additional services, such as a dental crown.

Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

Although it may be more affordable to pull a tooth initially, restoring it can cost more than a root canal would have

Unfortunately, many patients are tempted to skip root canal treatment and have their tooth extracted instead. However, while it is true that extractions are usually less expensive up front, it is important to consider the long-term costs associated with losing a natural tooth. Missing permanent teeth can negatively impact your bite as your remaining teeth shift out of place, which can cause difficulties eating and speaking, as well as general discomfort.

To prevent this from happening, your dentist will likely recommend replacing the extracted tooth with a dental bridge or dental implant, both of which are an additional cost. Ultimately, it can be more cost-effective to save the tooth with a root canal than to pay for a replacement later.

No matter what you decide, however, don’t take too long, as the longer you wait, the more likely it is that you will need to have the tooth extracted anyway.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?

Your dental insurance may cover a portion of your root canal treatment

Because root canals are considered a major procedure by most dental insurance companies, it is common for many plans to cover between 50 to 80 percent of the cost after your deductible has been met. However, because every plan is different, it is very important to confirm your coverage with your dental insurance company first. Our dental insurance team is happy to assist you with this process if you’d like us to!

Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable

Other options for making your root canal treatment affordable include flexible financing and our in-house membership plan.

In addition to welcoming many dental insurance plans, Wethersfield Dental Group is also proud to accept flexible payment plans from our preferred third-party lender, CareCredit. Thes plans can help make the cost of your dental care more affordable by breaking your total into multiple, low-to-no-interest monthly payments that may be better suited to your budget.

Additionally, for those patients who do not have private dental insurance, we are pleased to offer our own in-house dental savings plan, which provides valuable discounts on a variety of treatments, including root canals.

At Wethersfield Dental Group, we’re ready to assist you with your root canal. Our team is standing by to help you navigate the cost of this treatment, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance.

Root Canal FAQs

Are Root Canals Painful?

Despite their scary reputation, root canals are virtually painless. There are a few reasons for this, including that the first step of the procedure is to numb your mouth thoroughly so you don’t feel any discomfort while we work to eliminate the infection. We will also provide you with detailed aftercare instructions (i.e., rinsing with warm saltwater periodically, using a cold compress, taking OTC pain medication as directed) so you can heal comfortably at home.

Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?

No, antibiotics cannot be taken in lieu of a root canal. The reason for this is simple: the medication travels through the bloodstream, and the bloodstream cannot reach the pulp of the tooth. Therefore, there are usually only two ways to eliminate the infection: a root canal or a tooth extraction.

Can Root Canals Be Prevented?

Oftentimes, yes! That’s why our team at Wethersfield Dental Group is always encouraging our patients to commit to healthy habits, like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently. Of course, that’s just the beginning. You also need to take additional measures to protect your smile, like wearing a mouthguard during sports, limiting your intake of added sugar, and scheduling a dental visit every six months.

Important reminder: Routine dental exams play a crucial role in catching tooth decay in the early stages. Plus, biannual cleanings ensure plaque and tartar are removed before they have a chance to build up. So, it’s of the utmost importance that you prioritize your six-month appointments.

I Am Scared of Getting a Root Canal. What Should I Do?

Do you struggle with dental-related anxiety? Maybe you have a fear of needles or a sensitive gag reflex that makes the thought of getting a root canal in Wethersfield feel overwhelming. Whatever the case may be, don’t hesitate to talk to your emergency dentist! That way, they can discuss the different options that are available, like adding nitrous oxide sedation to your treatment plan.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal if My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?

While a sharp, stabbing pain is a warning sign that a root canal is needed, it isn’t the only one. Dark discoloration on the tooth, persistent sensitivity, and inflamed gums are also common symptoms of a badly decayed or damaged tooth. There are even some cases when patients don’t experience any discomfort because the nerve has completely died! All that to say, although the situation may not feel urgent, it very well could be.

Do Root Canals Make You Sick?

This common misconception about root canals stems back to the 1920s. At the time, a dentist named Dr. Weston Price claimed that root canal treatment didn’t remove all of the bacteria in an infected tooth and, as a result, it was better to remove it. However, his research was poorly designed. Not only that, but his findings have been disproven, and there isn’t any scientific evidence that there is a link between root canals and illness.