Root Canal Treatment – Brooklyn, NY

Saving Teeth Affected by Infection

Although root canals have a bad reputation, they actually allow our dental team to save and restore your natural teeth that have been impacted by infection and severe decay. While they’re said to cause pain, the truth is that they allow us to cure toothaches, leaving you in a more comfortable position than when you arrived. If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity that won’t seem to go away or a severe toothache that’s keeping you up at night, give our dental office a call so we can help preserve your natural smile with root canal treatment in Brooklyn.

Why Choose Brooklyn City Dental for Root Canal Treatment?

  • First-Class, Accessible Dentistry
  • Convenient Sunday Dental Appointments
  • Dentist with Advanced Root Canal Training

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Model of tooth showing root canals inside of it

One of the best things you can do is visit us every six months for a checkup and cleaning. That way, one of our talented Brooklyn dentists can periodically examine your teeth and gums. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should schedule an emergency dental appointment:

  • A sharp, stabbing pain when biting down
  • Red, inflamed, or swollen gums
  • A pimple-like bump on your gums
  • Noticeable discoloration on the tooth that’s causing you pain
  • Prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages

The Root Canal Process

Model of tooth showing root canals inside of it

Root canal treatment typically takes place over the course of two appointments: first, your emergency dentist in Brooklyn will remove all decayed tooth structure from the tooth as well as the pulp. Our team will then sanitize the inner chamber of the tooth, ensuring that no bacteria are left over that could cause re-infection. We’ll then rebuild the hollowed tooth’s structure with a substance called gutta percha before securing a customized dental crown over the top of it. This will protect it, allowing you to comfortably chew and speak with your restored tooth.

The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal

Model of tooth showing root canals inside of it

Think root canal therapy is bad news? Think again! Here are three reasons it’s something you should be happy about:

  • Save your tooth, restore your smile – In cases where the dental damage is severe, the tooth needs to be extracted and replaced with a dental bridge or implant. Root canal therapy, on the other hand, can save your natural tooth, benefiting your oral health and your wallet.
  • Long-lasting results – With the right best practices in place (i.e., getting a dental checkup and cleaning semi-annually, implementing a solid oral hygiene regimen at home, not smoking), you can preserve your treated tooth for decades, if not the rest of your life.
  • Beautiful restorations – Thankfully, metal restorations aren’t the only option anymore. With an enamel-colored dental crown, we can seamlessly restore both the look and function of your tooth, ensuring the restorative treatment doesn’t negatively impact your confidence.

If you are experiencing any abnormal dental symptoms or it’s been more than six months since your last visit to our office for a checkup, then don’t wait – schedule an appointment ASAP.

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

Dental assistant smiling while handing patient form

Once we’ve conducted a thorough exam and determined that root canal treatment is the best way to restore the look, health, and function of your smile, we will provide you with an estimate of the cost. The reason we can’t give you a number before then is because there are multiple factors that go into it, including the location and type of tooth. The good news is that you can learn more about the cost in this next section if you want to continue your research leading up to your appointment.

Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

Patient smiling at dentist during dental checkup

Whether you come in for an emergency exam or we find extensive decay at your biannual appointment, we will need to take X-rays and assess the state of your oral health to determine:

  • The location, type, and number of teeth that need to be treated.
  • The complexity of the case.
  • If any additional services are needed.

As always, we will review our findings and recommendations with you so you are fully informed of how we came to the price. Before signing on the dotted line, we will also review the financial solutions we offer (more on that later).

Is it Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

Smiling patient talking to dentist during checkup

At first, it may seem like root canal treatment is more expensive than having your tooth pulled. That’s because the price of the replacement (like a dental bridge or dental implant) is separate. Plus, removing your tooth when it’s not necessary can lead to numerous consequences, like bone loss in your jaw. That’s why we want to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canal Treatment?

Glasses, X-ray, and cash on desk with dental insurance form

The good news is that dental insurance providers typically cover a portion of the cost of essential restorative dentistry. The exact coverage looks different from patient to patient, however. For example, if we determine that root canal treatment is needed during an emergency exam, your provider may cover the cost of the X-rays. Similarly, they may cover a portion of the price of the restoration needed to protect your tooth moving forward. Since navigating the ins and outs of your benefits can be difficult, don’t hesitate to ask our team for help. We can even handle the paperwork on your behalf!

Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable

Patient smiling at reflection in handheld mirror

If you’re currently uninsured, then ask our team about:

  • Our In-House Dental Membership Plan – After paying the annual fee, you’ll get immediate access to benefits like 30% off certain treatments conducted at our office.
  • Flexible Financing – We’re proud to work with CareCredit and Alpheon, which offer patients affordable payment plans (some with low-to-no interest!).
  • Our Special Offers – Although they change periodically, all of our special offers are designed to make the cost of popular services more affordable.

Root Canal FAQs

Closeup of woman experience toothache

If you’ve read through all of the information on this page, but you still have a few questions on your mind about root canal treatment, don’t worry – we’re here to help. Our friendly team would be more than happy to answer any questions you have over the phone or book an appointment for you to talk to one of our highly trained dentists in Brooklyn. Of course, you can also continue your research right here too!

Are Root Canals Painful?

Hands down, the most asked question about root canals is: are they painful? If this question has been weighing heavy on your mind as well, we have good news for you: this tooth-saving treatment does NOT hurt. In fact, this procedure is designed to alleviate pain stemming from a severely decayed or infected tooth. Plus, the first step of the treatment process is always the same: using a powerful numbing agent so you don’t feel any discomfort while we’re working to remove the diseased tissue and restore your tooth.

What Happens if You Wait Too Long for a Root Canal?

It’s very common for patients to try to “wait out” their toothache. Unfortunately, the root of the problem cannot heal on its own. In fact, the damage will only worsen with time. Eventually, the decay or infection will progress to the point where it “kills” the nerve of your tooth. While this will make your toothache go away, it’s the last step before it spreads to your surrounding teeth and gums as well as other areas of your body. So, for the sake of your oral and overall health, don’t postpone getting a root canal.

Are Root Canals Covered by Insurance?

Fortunately, dental insurance providers often cover a portion of the cost of essential restorative dentistry, including root canals. With that said, dental plans vary from patient to patient, so we won’t know exactly what your benefits cover until your appointment. The good news is that even if you are uninsured or don’t have any available benefits left, we offer several other financial solutions, including CareCredit and periodic special offers.

Can Root Canals Be Prevented?

Not only can root canals be prevented, but it’s actually relatively easy to do so! The first step is implementing a solid oral hygiene regimen, including flossing daily and rinsing with mouthwash each evening. Of course, you also need to visit us twice a year for a checkup and cleaning. That way, we can treat tooth decay in the early stages and prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Finally, make sure to avoid unhealthy dental habits, like smoking, biting your nails, or chewing on ice cubes.

How Much Pain is Normal After a Root Canal?

Remember, the procedure itself won’t hurt at all. Once the numbing agent wears off, you can expect to feel some soreness stemming from the treated tooth. Don’t worry though – we will provide you with detailed instructions on how to heal as comfortably as possible, like sticking to soft foods and taking over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.