Dr. Paul Vecchio is a dentist who has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Root Canal.
Q. What is root canal treatment?
A. Root canal treatment is the process we use to remove the nerve and blood vessels from the roots of a diseased tooth. We clean and shape the canals, and then fill the canals with a biocompatible material to seal them.
Q. What does treatment involve?
A. First, I anesthetize (numb) the area that needs to be treated. I open the top of the tooth so that I can access the root canal space. I use a series of files and rinses to cleanse the root canals and shape them to accept the filling material. Once the canals have been adequately cleaned and shaped, I use a material called gutta percha to fill the canals. This prevents bacteria from collecting in the canals and causing recurrent infections.
Q. What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?
A. Depending on the stage of infection of your tooth, the symptoms can range from no discomfort at all to swelling and throbbing. Some people experience pain when chewing or they notice hypersensitivity to cold or hot. These are the initial stages of infection. Ultimately, the infection spreads into the bone surrounding the tooth and can lead to significant swelling and severe pain. Only a dentist can tell you if the sensitivity you are experiencing is from an infected nerve or something else. At the first sign of symptoms, contact your dentist. The earlier the tooth is treated, the better the prognosis.
Q. Are pain pills and antibiotics an acceptable substitute for root canal?
A. Never. Pain pills will only mask the pain. They should be used to keep you comfortable until you can get to a dentist or after the procedure is performed to keep you comfortable while you heal. Antibiotics should only be used if your doctor prescribes them and should be taken as directed. Sometimes antibiotics are necessary to reduce the infection in a tooth so that it is more comfortable when you undergo the root canal procedure. Other times, an antibiotic is used after the root canal procedure to aid in the removal of the infection. Antibiotics work best in the soft tissues of your body. They are pretty ineffective when it comes to teeth.
Q. Are there alternative treatments for root canal?
A. Yes. You can always opt to have the tooth extracted. It is always less expensive in the long term to try to save a tooth than it is to replace one. If you decide to have a tooth extracted, you want to replace the space with something. Spaces lead to tipping and drifting of teeth and your chewing efficiency is also compromised. There are a few options for replacing a missing tooth. You can have a partial denture made. Partial dentures are removable which means you take them in and out of your mouth. Bridges are another option. A bridge is fixed (you don’t take it in and out) and requires that you crown the teeth in front of and behind the space. The last option is an implant. Implants are titanium screws that can be placed in the bone where the tooth was extracted. The titanium fuses to your bone and takes the place of the root of the tooth. The implant is then restored with a crown.
Leaving a tooth in your mouth that is infected can lead to serious health problems. If a tooth is infected, your options are to have a root canal or have the tooth removed.
Q. How much will the procedure cost?
A. The cost of any procedures depends on several factors. First, it depends on the type of tooth. A front tooth would cost less than a back tooth due to the number of roots. Second, if you have an insurance plan, your insurance company dictates the fee for the procedure. As long as you see a ‘Preferred Provider" the fee for your root canal should be the same no matter what dentist performs the procedure. If you see an "Out of Network" provider, the cost can change. As far as dollar amount, there is wide variation based on the information I just provided. Assume that the cost could be a few hundred dollars for a front tooth up to over a thousand for a back tooth. If cost is a concern, make an appointment to discuss financial options prior to the procedure being performed.
Q. Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment?
A. The standard of care for a root canal treated tooth is that it have a crown placed. Root canal treated teeth are weakened after the procedure. Crowns protect the tooth from fracture and also provide a good seal from the environment in your mouth. Sometimes, a post is necessary if a large amount of tooth structure was lost.
Q. How to contact Dr. Vecchio if we have further questions?
A. You can email me at doctorpaul@vecchiodds.com
My office phone number is 440-365-9580
