Root Canal Treatment – Fort Smith, AR
Keep Your Natural Teeth with Safe Root Canals
Are you struggling with a painful toothache? Is one of your teeth cracked or severely discolored? Do you have a pimple-like bump on your gums? If so, then you might need root canal treatment in Fort Smith. Don’t worry – although this procedure has a scary reputation, it’s actually completely painless! In fact, our talented dentist , Dr. Lopez, uses this emergency dentistry service to alleviate pain, not cause it. If you have any questions for our team, you’re more than welcome to reach out to us directly or read on to learn more on the topic.
Why Choose New Smile Dental: Gilberto Lopez, DDS for Root Canal Treatment?
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation Dentistry Available
- Comfortable and Accommodating Dental Office
- Friendly and Spanish-Speaking Team Members
Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal therapy is performed by a dentist or an endodontist (root canal specialist) when decay or infection has killed the tooth, and its nerve has been affected. Since the symptoms of severe dental damage aren’t always apparent to the untrained eye, it’s important to keep an eye out for:
- A blister or pimple-like bump on your gums
- Sensitivity to hot/cold food and drinks
- Severe toothaches
- Pain when biting down
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
If these, or any other abnormal dental symptoms arise, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our team at New Smile Dental: Gilberto Lopez, DDS. From there, we can examine your tooth and determine if root canal treatment is needed.
The Root Canal Process
If Dr. López determines that root canal treatment is necessary, then he’ll gently inject a local anesthetic, completely numbing the area surrounding the damaged tooth. Next, a sheet of rubber on a metal frame is used to separate the affected tooth from the rest of your teeth. Then, special dental tools are used to extract the pulp from the tooth and the inner portion is filled with medicines and filling materials. Lastly, a dental crown is placed over the treated tooth to protect it moving forward.
Note: You will usually experience some soreness once the numbing agent has worn off, which is one of the reasons we’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions. That could include everything from getting plenty of rest to taking medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
The fact that root canal treatment can save your tooth from needing to be extracted is substantial enough. However, that’s not the only benefit! It also eliminates the infection entirely, preventing it from spreading into the adjacent teeth. Furthermore, the restoration used to protect your treated tooth is crafted from dental materials that are durable and natural-looking. As a result, no unwanted attention will be brought to your smile following your appointment!
For more information on root canal therapy or the other services offered by New Smile Dental: Gilberto Lopez, DDS, please contact us.
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
Root canal treatment often sounds expensive, but when you compare it against the alternative—losing the tooth, it’s actually a very affordable procedure. In fact, it’s one of the best investments you can make for your oral health when it’s necessary. But what will it run you, in reality? The cost of root canal treatment in Fort Smith varies, but our team provides transparent pricing and financing, so you can make a confident decision for your smile.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
Several variables can influence what your root canal treatment will ultimately cost, including:
- The Location of the Tooth: Molars have more canals than front teeth, which means more time and complexity, and typically a higher fee.
- The Severity of the Infection: More advanced cases may require additional steps before or after treatment.
- The Need for a Dental Crown: A crown is almost always recommended after a root canal to protect the treated tooth, which is an additional cost to factor into your overall budget.
Dr. Lopez will review all of these details with you before treatment begins, so there are no surprises.
Is it Cheaper to Extract My Tooth?
In terms of upfront cost, an extraction is almost always less expensive than a root canal. However, once a tooth is removed, the gap it leaves behind can cause all kinds of issues, including shifting teeth, jawbone deterioration, and increased difficulty in everyday activities like chewing and speaking.
Replacing a tooth with a bridge or implant typically costs more than saving it would have in the first place. So, once you factor in long-term expenses and other issues, preserving your natural tooth with a root canal is almost always the more affordable outcome.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?
In most cases, yes. Root canal treatment is generally classified as a major restorative procedure. This means most dental insurance plans cover somewhere between 50% and 80% of the cost after your deductible is met.
That said, it’s always best practice to check with your insurance provider directly before your appointment. If you’re unsure where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our team at New Smile Dental is happy to help you understand your coverage and file claims on your behalf.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
If insurance doesn't fully cover your root canal treatment, or if you're uninsured, there are still ways to make your care manageable. Our team believes that cost should never be a reason to delay necessary treatment.
This is why we’re proud to work with CareCredit, a trusted financing platform that allows you to break your treatment costs into smaller monthly payments. We also extend a 10% discount to uninsured patients who pay in cash and a 15% discount to military personnel with a valid military ID.
If you have questions about payment, our Fort Smith team is always happy to talk through a plan that works for your situation.