Dr. Randall LaFrom is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about root canal treatment.
Q. What is root canal treatment?
A. When the decay goes deep to the nerve, it spreads into the pulp of the tooth and becomes very sensitive to hot, cold, and pressure. The sensitivity lingers or is lasting for more than a few minutes. A root canal therapy is basically a filling that goes deeper into the tooth.
Q. What does treatment involve?
A. A small hole is drilled in the middle of the top of the tooth and files are used to clean out the inside chamber of the tooth, removing the decay and nerve and blood supply. Then we fill it with a medicated rubbery material to seal out the bacteria. Typically a post is placed to restore the inside strength of the tooth and then a crown is placed on top of that to prevent fracture or discoloration of the tooth.
Q. What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?
A. Typically if a tooth has spontaneous pain without needing any stimulation to cause discomfort, or if you have swelling in the gums or cheek or radiating discomfort spreading to the ear, then that means the nerve is infected. If the tooth is hot or cold sensitive and the pain lasts for more than 10 seconds or pressure makes it uncomfortable, then those are also signs an infection is irritating the nerve.
Q. Are pain pills and antibiotics an acceptable substitute for root canal?
A. Pain pills will mask the symptoms and perhaps help with swelling, making it less painful. Antibiotics will prevent the infection from spreading into the rest of the body potentially and thereby making it more comfortable. Antibiotics will not remove the cause of the infection, but rather, slow it down or slightly reverse it such that the body can attempt to attack the source. Again, it is only a temporary solution.
Q. Are there alternative treatments for root canal?
A. Alternative, unfortunately are to extract the tooth – or take it out of the mouth. While this is less expensive initially, it costs much more to restore the tooth in the future.
Q. How much will the procedure cost?
A. The fee for a root canal treatment can vary from $700-$1500 plus consultation fee, x-rays, exam, depending upon the location of the office, whether it is a specialist or which tooth it is.
Q. Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment?
A. Typically after a root canal, the tooth will feel better. However, it could take a few days to quiet down, so we suggest eating on the other side. Once the tooth is quiet, it can have the post and crown done to secure and stabilize it. Often when a root canal therapy is done, it’s because the tooth has had a large portion of the top of the tooth missing, so it needs to be rebuilt.
Q. How to contact Dr. LaFrom if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
20445 Pacifica Drive, Suite B
Cupertino, CA 95014
Phone: (408) 996-8595
Fax: (408) 996-3925
Email: randylafrom@gmail.com
Website: http://zakdental.com/
