Dr. Marie Alejandrino-Buell is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Root Canals.
Q. What is root canal treatment?
A. A root canal treatment is to remove the infection inside the tooth to prevent it from spreading to the bone and soft tissue, as well as your bloodstream.
Q. What does treatment involve?
A. The root canal treatment is the cleaning and filling of the root canal. The tooth now needs to be rebuilt. Most of the tooth was destroyed by the bacteria. In order for it to be fully functional, we must return it back to it’s original shape and form. Since the tooth is weaker than the other teeth in the mouth because of all the trauma it has undergone, we must reinforce it with something stronger. Patients often ask me if a filling is enough. The guidelines for a filling is that the missing parts of the crown should not exceed more than 1/3. When a tooth has had a root canal, often more than 1/2 is destroyed by the infectious bacteria. You can put a crown or an inlay/onlay to reinforce the tooth and make it functional again.
Q. What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?
A. Oftentimes the pain one feels when the infection is wreaking havoc is the build-up of pressure inside the tooth as the bacteria is destroying tooth structure. Once the pressure is relieved by the bacteria eating out from the inside of the tooth, most people will report the lack of pain. They think that the infection healed itself. This does not happen. The nerve will still die. The speed that this happens varies from person to person. The urgency to treat is just diminished.
Over the years, there have been different prtocols regarding when we should treat. Today, the best indicator is the level of pain as well as whether the x-rays reveal a spread to the bone.
The best insurance against root canal treatment is your regular check up visit.
Q. Are pain pills and antibiotics an acceptable substitute for root canal?
A. If the infection is still contained inside the tooth, it often will not need antibiotic therapy. Removing the infected parts as well as the nerves and blood vessels often takes care of the infection. If the infection spreads to the soft tissue, antibiotics are needed to prevent bacteremia.
Q. Are there alternative treatments for root canal?
A. The alternative to a root canal is to have the tooth removed which will cost less. The cost of replacing the tooth is a lot more and is measured not only in dollars but in the emotional and psychological costs of having a prosthesis. Just as it is challenging to get used to a new foot, it is also challenging to get used to a false tooth. One must be trained to care, clean, maintain a prosthesis.
When I was in dental school, my surgery professor always said "If it is worth saving the tooth, save it!"
Q. How much will the procedure cost?
A. A root canal will cost about $600 to $1500 depending on the number of roots on the affected tooth. A crown or onlay runs anywhere from $700 to $1200 depending on the type and quality that the patient select.
Q. Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment?
A. A good dentist will focus on making sure that things get and stay healthy. Most focus on the "cleaning." While this is important, with the advent of more efficient and thorough means to clean teeth your dentist now has the time to focus on checking and evaluating the health of your mouth.
Q. How to contact Dr. Buell if we have further questions?
A.
Phone:805-981-3868
Email: oxnardsedationdentistry@gmail.com
Website: http://www.dentaldesigns.net
