Hey, my name is Shelly Katalgo. My love for sedation dentistry started in high school. My best friend had a severe fear of going to the dentist and I wanted to help her feel better about it. Although I always enjoyed my dental visits, I felt bad that she struggled so much with going to hers. My parents taught me about sedation dentistry and I instantly dreamed of becoming a dental professional. I wanted to help kids like my friend stay fear free throughout their appointments by using gentle techniques and professional medications. Although I opted to follow a different career path, my passion for dentistry remained throughout the years. I will update my site with developments in this industry as soon as they are reported. I will also discuss the benefits of sedation dentistry in detail. Thanks for visiting. I hope you come back soon.
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Understanding The Importance of Sedation Dentistry
Worried About An Upcoming Root Canal? Here Are A Few Things To Know
Franklin Steward
If you've been suffering with a toothache and your dentist tells you a root canal is needed, you may be worried and afraid. Root canals have a reputation for being painful and expensive. However, your tooth is numbed during the procedure, so you shouldn't feel pain, and, in fact, you should feel much better once the dentist is finished. Here's some information about getting a root canal that you should know.
Why It's Done
A root canal procedure is needed when the pulp of your tooth is infected. This infection can cause a very painful toothache along with swelling. The infection can even spread to your jaw and get in your bloodstream. An abscessed tooth shouldn't be ignored. The only way to treat it is to remove the diseased pulp through a root canal or pull out the entire tooth.
Extraction vs. Root Canal
While it's less expensive to have a tooth pulled, an extraction can have long-term effects. For instance, if you have a front tooth pulled, it will negatively affect your appearance. Plus, when you have a missing tooth, the other teeth in your mouth can shift, and then you'll develop problems with teeth alignment. A root canal allows the tooth to be saved. If the decay is extensive, the tooth may also need a crown along with the root canal. When the dental work is complete, your mouth will look and function just as it would if you still had a healthy tooth in place.
The Procedure
A root canal is done similar to the way a filling is done. Your regular dentist can perform the procedure in his office by using a local anesthetic. If you have anxiety about having the procedure, talk to your dentist and see if you can be given nitrous oxide or other medication to help you relax. Once your tooth is numb, the dentist drills a hole in the enamel and scraps out all the infected pulp. He or she may insert an antibiotic and temporarily close the hole until your next appointment. Since you might have decay along with the infection, your dentist will also fill the cavity. If the cavity is too big, then you'll need to get a crown to restore the surface of your tooth.
Insurance Coverage
If you have dental insurance, it may cover part of the cost of getting a root canal. It probably won't pay the entire cost, so you'll want to find out beforehand how much you'll have to pay out of pocket. Even with insurance, you'll probably have to pay a few hundred dollars. If you don't have insurance, the cost of a root canal could be around $1000. The price varies depending on where the tooth is located, how badly it's damaged, and whether the work is done by a general dentist or an endodontist. If price is an issue, be sure to discuss your situation with your dentist. The office may refer you to a medical loan company that can help you cover the expense.
While you don't have a lot of options if you need a root canal right now, there are things you can do to prevent the need for another one in the future. Infection of the pulp usually begins with a cavity, so take good care of your teeth to prevent cavities from forming, and if you do get a cavity or toothache, don't ignore it. Get it treated right away so your mouth stays healthy.
To get professional dental assistance, contact a dentist such as Rick Chavez DDS.
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