Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent.
An Interview with Dr. Phillipe C. Freeman on Root Canal
Dr. Phillipe C. Freeman is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Root Canal.
Q. What is root canal treatment?
A. This is when the inside of the tooth, where blood vessels and nerves have become either traumatized, infected or are in the process of "dying." The procedure involves cleaning out the inside of the tooth, disinfecting it and filling the now empty space with fillers to seal the tooth from the rest of the body. A final dental restoration is then utilized to strengthen the tooth after the root canal procedure is completed.
Q. What does treatment involve?
A. One or two appointments are involved for the root canal treatment depending on the complexity of the case. Anesthetic is used. An isolating barrier is placed so the area that is being worked on can stay sterile. Small instruments are then used inside of the tooth to clean it out. Irrigation liquids are used to assist the disinfection and cleaning process. The filling materials are then applied.
Q. What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?
A. Sensitivity such as lingering pain to cold or hot temperatures. If the tooth feels "high" in the bite or has a swelling in that area sometimes associated with a bad taste in the mouth. Spontaneous pain or pain upon chewing can also be indicators.
A loose tooth may also be suffering an infection that may or may not hurt. Sometimes, no pain at all is present and an infection is discovered by the dentist through clinical exam or radiographs. There can be any combination of these symptoms.
Q. Are pain pills and antibiotics an acceptable substitute for root canal? And are there alternative treatments for root canal?
A. Absolutely not. They are acceptable in combination of treatment. The only other treatment to solve the problems a root canal procedure can solve, is to have the tooth extracted. In essence, if a tooth needs a root canal, it’s either save the tooth with a root canal procedure, or extract it. Infected teeth like this can be as serious as severe abscessing, infections in the bone or sinuses, illness and even death.
Q. How much will the procedure cost?
A. That can depend on which tooth it is and whether or not insurance covers a portion of the tooth. That aside, the root canal procedure itself can cost anywhere between $600-1300 per tooth. In Central Oregon, a good average is around $1000 per tooth.
Q. Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment?
A. Yes. A final restoration of some kind will need to be placed. Depending on the condition of the tooth and which tooth is involved, this can range between $200-1500.
The tooth may need just a simple filling after the root canal procedure, or a crown or a post and a crown.
Q. How to contact Dr. Freeman if we have further questions?
A. Email address: ddcpf@bendcable.com Website: Freemansmiles.com
