Root Canal Therapy – Everett, WA

You Can Save Your Damaged Tooth

Smiling older woman in dental chair after root canal therapy

When people hear the phrase “root canal therapy,” they tend to think about discomfort or fear the treatment itself. The fact of the matter is the pain you’re experiencing now with your damaged or infected tooth disappears following a root canal. And, as a result of treatment, you don’t have your tooth extracted outright, which is always the more ideal outcome. To save your tooth from needing an extraction and to get out of pain, contact the dentist at Albright Family Dental today for root canal therapy in Everett, WA!

Why Choose Albright Family Dental for Root Canal Therapy?

Soft Tissue Laser for Improved Precision & Comfort
CEREC Same-Day Crowns Available
Nitrous Oxide & Oral Conscious Sedation Offered In-House

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Older man in need of root canal holding his jaw joints

The most common sign that you need to have a root canal performed is chronic pain in your tooth. However, any diagnosis requires a comprehensive examination, so we’ll make sure to be extremely thorough during your visit. Other common symptoms include severe sensitivity to extreme temperatures, high fever, facial swelling, darkening or discoloring of your tooth, and pimple-like bumps on your gum tissue. If you have one or more of these symptoms, get to our dental office as soon as you can.

The Root Canal Process

an X-ray of a tooth that needs root canal therapy

The process for root canal therapy at Albright Family Dental is incredibly straightforward. Dr. Kaopua will first completely numb your mouth with a local anesthetic so that you remain pain-free throughout your visit. We may even provide you with sedation dentistry to help you relax and feel comfortable. Once we’ve confirmed that the numbing agent is working, we’ll then create a tiny hole in your tooth to allow us to remove any damaged and infected tissue from within the pulp.

After we’ve cleaned out the inner layers of your tooth, we’ll disinfect the area to ensure no harmful bacteria is left inside. The hollowed-out tooth will then be filled with a tooth-colored biocompatible material and we’ll sculpt the access hole with composite resin. In many cases, we’ll even provide a custom dental crown to protect and strengthen your repaired tooth.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

a man smiling after undergoing root canal therapy

While root canal therapy seems daunting or unsettling, the treatment is essential for alleviating pain and providing an effective way to preserve a healthy smile! By undergoing this procedure, you can be sure to enjoy plenty of benefits that can improve your overall quality of life, including:

Secure and comfortable method for preventing the spread of infection
Long-lasting solution to protect teeth from future complications and discomfort
Renewed ability to eat, chew, and enjoy a pain-free smile
Natural-looking crowns that will blend flawlessly and restore optimal function
Avoid the cost and consequences of needing a tooth extraction

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

A large model tooth and stacks of coins on a balance beam

While you may need a root canal, you’ll want to consider the treatment’s price before you commit. Your final care could exceed your budget if you don’t, resulting in many problems. That said, the cost of root canals varies by the patient; you should consult Dr. Kaopua for an exact estimate. Our dental team will also strive to make your treatment more affordable, walking you through its price factors, payment options, etc. Learn more by reading below, or call us soon.

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Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

A pained woman talking to her dentist about root canal treatment

As part of your consultation, Dr. Kaopua will closely assess your tooth. Doing so lets him confirm the factors that affect your final root canal’s cost. These elements are:

Complexity of Root Canal – While a simple root canal won’t cost a whole bunch, a complex one may get expensive. This second kind can even require help from outside specialists.
Tooth’s Type or Location – Based on the affected tooth’s type or location, its root canal will cost more or less. This fact stems from how different teeth have varying numbers of roots.
Need for Extra Services – Following a root canal treatment, many patients also get a dental crown or filling. This extra service would increase your treatment price.

Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

A 3D illustration of a tooth extraction with dental forceps

True enough, a tooth extraction costs less upfront than a root canal. That means the first option can often seem like a wiser choice than the second one, at least at first. However, root canal treatment is a better investment in the long run.

The core issue is that tooth loss (from an extraction or not) has harsh effects. In particular, it creates smile gaps – spaces in your grin that alter your bite, tilt your other teeth, and worse. Leaving those areas alone will create breeding grounds for bacteria, raising your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Once you combine that fact with the need for restorative work, removal would clearly strain your finances.

Luckily, a root canal wouldn’t have such effects. All it would do is save your tooth and (by extension) a lot of your money. Given that fact, try to get one before an extraction is necessary!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?

An insurance agent presenting a dental insurance form to a patient

Dental insurance views a root canal as a major procedure, so it’ll usually cover one. Most plans will even cover anywhere from 50 to 80% of the treatment’s cost. However, you should still confirm your insurance benefits before you commit to anything. Our dental team members will gladly help you do so if needed.

Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable

A woman checking her invoice at a dental clinic

Though dental insurance is useful, you don’t need it to make a root canal affordable. You could always rely on our practice’s unique payment options instead, as the right one will ensure budget-friendly care.

For example, just look at our CareCredit financing option. This resource lets you break the cost of your root canal (or any other dental work) into small monthly installments. In other words, it allows you to gradually cover the treatment cost and avoid a lump sum payment.

Clearly, a root canal at Albright Family Dental doesn’t have to “break the bank.” Learn to make it more affordable by visiting us for financing!

Root Canal FAQs

Do Root Canals Hurt?

Hands down, “Do root canals hurt?” is one of the most-asked questions. If you’ve been wondering the same thing, then you’ll be happy to know that the process of eliminating the infection is virtually pain-free thanks to the numbing agents we use. Plus, the latest techniques and technologies ensure that you’ll be able to sit comfortably in the treatment chair while we work on your tooth. Simply put, getting a root canal does not hurt.

Important note: If you struggle with dental-related anxiety or feel nervous due to the sights, sounds, and smells of the dental office, ask about sedation dentistry! That way, you can feel completely calm and at-ease during your time in the treatment chair.

Can I Eat Before My Root Canal?

That depends. If you’re being sedated for your procedure, for example, then we may recommend fasting beforehand to help prevent nausea. If that’s not the case, then you may get the green light to eat something prior to arriving at our office. Just make sure that it’s something healthy and well-balanced.

Do I Need a Root Canal If My Toothache Went Away?

Patients are often surprised to hear that they still need a root canal, even after their toothache subsides. The reason why will become much more clear once you learn why your pain went away: the infection has “killed” the nerve of your tooth. Although you might not feel any soreness, sensitivity, or discomfort anymore, the root of the problem hasn’t gone away. In fact, it’s more important than ever that you get the necessary restorative care because, without it, your surrounding teeth and gums can suffer as well. So, even if you aren’t in pain or your once-painful toothache subsided, don’t put off your appointment with our Everett emergency dentist.

Can Root Canals Be Prevented?

Fortunately, large cavities and serious infections can usually be prevented. So, if you want to protect your teeth and gums from harm (and reduce your risk of needing root canal treatment in the process), then commit to a solid oral hygiene regimen. That means brushing and flossing consistently as well as getting a dental checkup and teeth cleaning twice a year. You should also take other measures to prevent decay and infections, like not over-indulging in added sugar and steering clear of tobacco products.

Is There Anything I Should Do Before My Root Canal?

We mentioned above that, in some cases, you need to fast prior to your procedure. So, make sure that you check-in with us to see if that’s necessary or not. Outside of that, it’s a good idea to go to the store and get anything you need, like soft foods and OTC pain medication. If oral conscious sedation is a part of your treatment plan, then it’s important that you arrange for a trusted adult to drive you to and from your appointment as well.

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