Root canal treatment
A root canal is what saves a tooth once the nerve inside it has died or become infected. It has a reputation it no longer deserves: the appointment is done numb, and the pain people associate with it is the abscess, not the treatment.
When you need one
The nerve is involved once any of these show up.
- Pain that keeps you awake, or throbs when you lie down
- Lingering sensitivity to heat long after the cup is put down
- A tooth that has darkened compared with its neighbours
- Swelling, or a small bump on the gum above the tooth
An X-ray settles it. Left alone, the infection spreads into the bone and the tooth is usually lost.
How the treatment goes
One or two visits, depending on the tooth.
Numb and isolate
Local anaesthetic, then a rubber dam so nothing from your mouth reaches the canal.
Clean the canals
The dead nerve tissue is removed and the canals shaped and disinfected.
Seal them
Filled and sealed so bacteria cannot get back in.
Crown the tooth
A root-treated back tooth is brittle and needs a crown to stop it splitting.
What it costs
Root canal treatment starts at $699 here. The final figure depends on the tooth, because a front tooth has one canal and a molar has three or four, and the crown that goes on afterwards is quoted separately. Most PPO plans cover a substantial share. You get the figure in writing before anything is booked, and we check your insurance first so you know your share, not just the list price.
Common questions
How much does a root canal cost?
From $699 at this office. A front tooth is at the lower end because it has a single canal; a molar has three or four and takes longer. The crown that protects the tooth afterwards is a separate cost, and we quote both up front.
Does a root canal hurt?
The treatment is done numb. What hurts is the infection that brings people in, and a root canal is what stops it. Most patients say the appointment was easier than the week before it.
How long does it take?
One to two hours, in one or two visits. A straightforward front tooth is often a single appointment.
Do I really need a crown afterwards?
On a back tooth, yes. Removing the nerve leaves the tooth dry and brittle, and an unprotected root-treated molar frequently splits, which means losing it entirely.
Could I just have it pulled instead?
You can, and sometimes that is the right call. But replacing a tooth with an implant or a bridge costs more than saving it, so we will tell you honestly which way the numbers point for your tooth.
How do I book?
Call (530) 671-2170 or request a time on our booking page. We are at 909 Plumas Street, Yuba City, CA 95991, Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM and Friday 8 AM to 2 PM.
