Why am I Having a Root Canal?
A root canal is preformed when a tooth suffers from a crack or cavity below the gum caused by poor tooth care or an extreme impact. Once a cavity pierces the protective layers of the tooth, the tooth pulp, or soft tissue within the tooth, is exposed. This can be extremely painful and can also cause the inside of the tooth to become infected. In order to repair the damage a dentist must remove the infected tooth pulp. The layers surrounding the pulp will then have a chance to heal.
Why Can’t I Just Have the Tooth Pulled?
In all reality, the removal of the tooth will just stop one problem and cause many others. Take a minute to feel around inside your mouth with your tongue. All of your teeth are sandwiched together without too many gaps between them. When a tooth is removed, it leaves behind a large gap between the two surrounding teeth. Over time, those teeth will shift around and cause other teeth to shift around. Your teeth may even change the direction in which they grow and cause problems once they run into something obstructing their path, like another tooth.
What about Implants?
An Implant can be useful for filling the area of a removed tooth, but getting one can cost a lot of money. The replacement may also not function as well as your original tooth. It might obscure your eating habits and may even cause other problems with the rest of your mouth. If the problem can be fixed with something as simple as a root canal, this should be your first choice of treatment.
So How Much does a Root Canal Treatment Cost?
This can be hard to predict. It all depends on the severity of the problem, which tooth needs a root canal, and the dentist you go to. Most people should not have to worry too much about paying for a root canal because this is something an insurance provider will typically cover. However if you are unemployed, own your own business, or just work somewhere that does not provide dental insurance then the treatment can become particularly expensive.
Typical Cost of a Root Canal on a Front Tooth: $350 to $600
Typical Cost of a Root Canal on a Back Tooth or Molar: $500 to $900
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