Welcome to Sydney Dental Aesthetics and Implants;
While root canals can be victims of their own reputation, we have put together this post to give you the facts on root canal treatment cost, pain and recovery, to show you that a root canal treatment is a relatively simple one, and, surprisingly, pain-free.
When a tooth becomes infected, it needs to be cleaned out and sealed to prevent the infection from spreading. This is called a root canal.
How a root canal is different from a filling
You might wonder why your dentist suggested a root canal instead of a filling, especially if you’re not in too much pain.
The truth is, if your dentist is telling you a root canal is needed, then it’s already too late for a filling.
Decay can leave holes in your teeth, and this is where fillings come in – they literally fill the holes.
But if the decay gets deeper into the tooth, down into the root, it can lead to infection, which, if left unchecked, can spread into the gums and jaw.
Worst-case scenario, the infection might get into your bloodstream, leading to sepsis, which in turn could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
A filling in this situation will only cover the infection up, letting it spread.
The only way to get rid of it is by cleaning it out with a root canal treatment.
Is a root canal more painful than other treatments?
Root canals are synonymous with pain and discomfort, but is this fair?
The image of root canal treatment being somehow disproportionately painful probably comes from years ago before modern techniques were discovered.
It’s one thing to pull a tooth, it’s quite another to clean out an infection in one.
Anyone attempting this before modern anaesthetic or even the correct tools for the job would undoubtedly result in a very painful procedure with long and uncomfortable recovery time.
However, those practices were many years ago, and modern root canal treatment is now no more painful or uncomfortable than having a regular filling.
Any pain felt during a root canal is from the infection itself, not the treatment, and in fact, the procedure is designed to relieve pain, not cause it.
Modern technology and the use of anaesthetics and sleep dentistry make this procedure quick, safe, typically pain-free, and an excellent way to help save the natural tooth.
How much does root canal treatment cost?
Root canal treatment cost isn’t set in stone.
The price changes in each individual case, depending on the spread of the infection, x-ray costs, and other factors.
The cost also depends on which tooth it is and how many roots there are; teeth vary from 1 root (front tooth) to 4 roots (back teeth).
As a ballpark figure, root canals are more expensive than fillings but less expensive than having a tooth removed and a dental implant put in.
Our main concern is with your oral health, so we offer payment plans and interest-free finance options for anyone who’s budget doesn’t extend to a one-off payment.
How long does it take to recover from a root canal?
After the procedure, your problem tooth should no longer be a problem.
With the infection cleaned out and the tooth sealed up, you’ll be able to eat normally again within a few days.
Of course, your tooth and surrounding area may be sensitive for a couple of days, especially in the hours following the treatment, but the residual pain will vanish and you’ll be back to your old self in no time.
Over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol can be used in the meantime.
Come to us for a stress-free experience
If you’re nervous about getting a root canal, then come and talk to us.
Your well-being is our main priority, and if you’re worried about a procedure, we’ll happily sit down and talk you through it, explaining what happens and why you shouldn’t be worried.
If you’re still concerned, we also offer Dental Sedation, essentially dental sedation allows you to relax and remain calm during a dental procedure. You can read about sleep dentistry here
For our root canal treatments, we use the latest bacteria-killing lasers technology.
These lasers penetrate deeper than older root canal methods, removing bacteria, but at the same time leaving the surrounding tissue undamaged.
Where traditional tools would clean out the tooth’s root, using laser can further sterilise it, which increases your chances of a successful procedure.
Contact us today if you would like to book an appointment, or even call in for a chat if you’re not sure about the procedure or root canal treatment cost.
Our friendly and experienced staff will be happy to help in any way they can.
If you would like to learn more about our highly experienced team of dentists you can view their profiles by clicking here
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