Did your emergency dentist just tell you that you need a root canal? You’ve probably heard countless rumors about how this procedure can be costly and painful, but neither of those are necessarily true. If you’re anxious about the process and worried that you won’t be able to finance it to get your oral health on the right track again, read on to learn more about a few factors that can impact the price as well as what you can expect during the procedure.
Factors That Impact the Cost of Root Canals
The cost of root canal therapy is determined by a number of factors, like location, whether you decide to wait to get the issue treated, and if you need a retreatment down the road. Your endodontist should walk you through pricing and any financing options available to you after your examination so you’re clear on the cost.
Location
Believe it or not, one of the biggest cost-affecting factors for a root canal is your location. According to statistics published by NerdWallet, patients looking to get a root canal who live closer to the coasts can expect to pay more than the national average, which is between $700 and $1,100, depending on what tooth needs to be treated.
Putting Off Treatment
At the end of the day, root canals are significantly less costly than tooth extractions and restorations, which is why you should receive treatment as soon as possible after your diagnosis. The longer you wait, the more invasive and costly of a treatment you’ll need.
Retreatment
One of the last factors that impacts the price is whether or not you’re having a once-infected tooth retreated because it became re-infected. The reason the cost will be higher for this type of treatment is because the work becomes slightly more extensive, since they’ll need to remove the previous prosthetic and re-access the tooth.
Are Root Canals Painful?
Along with the cost, many patients fear that their treatment will be painful, based on the countless rumors out there that confirm this. You’ll be pleased to know that this isn’t the case nowadays. Before your treatment even begins, your dentist will inject a local anesthetic in the area that will make it completely numb. That way, you won’t be able to feel a thing.
Although root canals may seem costly when you first find out the price, your smile is well worth the financial investment. After the procedure, most patients go on to enjoy their treated, natural tooth for the rest of their life!
About the Author
Dr. Deborah Bishop is an endodontic specialist, meaning she has attended an endodontic residency that provided her with specific skills and training on treating the inside of the tooth. She uses the latest technology to conduct root canals, like her surgical microscope, to achieve the most reliable and longest lasting results. She is also an active member of countless professional organizations, including the International Academy of Endodontists. For questions or to schedule a root canal, visit her website or call 256-882-5161.