Root Canal Treatment – Los Angeles, CA

What Is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canals are common procedures that have helped countless Americans save their natural teeth while also curing their severe pain. We typically recommend this procedure for patients who have an infection as a result of severe decay or damage. If the issue isn’t treated in a timely manner, it’ll likely result in additional pain and the need for a tooth extraction, making it important to take care of as soon as possible.

During the root canal procedure, your dentist in Los Angeles will remove the infected pulp of your tooth that’s causing you pain and refill your tooth to rebuild its structure. Our team will top the treated tooth off with a customized dental crown, so you can continue to eat and speak without experiencing any type of pain or discomfort.

Symptoms of a Tooth Infection

The most common symptom of a tooth infection that patients experience is a severe toothache. Some other signs that you may need root canal treatment include:

• Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• Pain while chewing
• Swelling or redness on the gums near the infected tooth
• A bump on the gums near the infected tooth

If you notice any of these signs, be sure to contact our office immediately. We offer fast emergency dental care as well as convenient morning and evening appointment times.

The Process of Getting a Root Canal

The entire root canal procedure typically takes place over the course of two appointments. Dr. Latner will begin by administering anesthesia, so you won’t be able to feel a thing during the treatment. He will make a small incision into the damaged tooth and remove the infected pulp. After sterilizing the inner portion of the tooth to make sure that there are no lingering harmful bacteria, he will restore the structure by filling the incision with a substance called gutta-percha.

To strengthen and protect your tooth after your procedure, Dr. Latner will craft and secure a customized dental crown for it. This will allow you to continue eating and speaking with complete confidence and comfort.

If you have any questions about root canal treatment in Los Angeles or are experiencing a severe toothache, be sure to contact our office. Our team will answer any concerns you may have and schedule an emergency checkup as soon as possible.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

There are several unique benefits of root canal treatment that you can expect should your dentist recommend this procedure. They include:

• Improved comfort because of the local anesthesia you will receive
• More cost-effective care than a tooth extraction and replacement
• Long-lasting results that you can enjoy for the rest of your life, as long as you commit to taking care of your treated smile
• The ability to keep your natural tooth and avoid more complex dental care
• A natural-looking dental crown to blend in with the rest of your smile and keep your affected tooth protected

Understanding the Cost of Root Canals

Each root canal is unique, so treatment costs vary from patient to patient. When meeting with our team to discuss your plan, we will prepare a cost estimate for your review. This will provide a breakdown of the total price to clarify what you are paying for. We’ll discuss how you can use your dental insurance and if you need access to alternative payment solutions.

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Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost

The cost of root canal treatment requires our team to consider the following factors before delivering a complete estimate to you:

• What type of tooth is affected and where is it located? Molars are typically more expensive to treat because they contain multiple root canals, all of which must be thoroughly cleaned.
• How complex are your treatment needs? This will determine whether Dr. Les Latner can complete the job or if a specialist needs to be brought in.
• Do you need additional dental care? This may include covering the affected tooth with a custom dental crown.

Is It Cheaper to Pull My Tooth?

While tooth extraction is less expensive than root canal treatment, the long-term maintenance required after tooth removal can add up. Unless it is a wisdom tooth, all others must be replaced to avoid bone resorption and teeth misalignment.

If you have a tooth replaced with a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant, you will spend more on treatment and the products needed to maintain your new smile.

With a root canal, your emergency dentist in Los Angeles can quickly address the problem so that you spend the rest of your life with a healthier tooth that works normally and looks brand new.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?

When reviewing your dental insurance plan and your available coverage, you will find that under minor or major restorative services, partial coverage is likely possible. Most companies will cover it at 50-80%, depending on whether you’ve met your deductible and if you have enough funds remaining in your yearly maximum to cover the costs.

If you need help understanding the details of your plan or the claims filing process, don’t hesitate to call our office.

Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable

Westside Dental Associates is pleased to make root canal treatment more affordable for uninsured patients. Instead of forcing you to pay the full amount up front and out of pocket, we provide alternative solutions, including:

• In-House Dental Savings Plan – With one complete dental membership plan, you pay a low annual fee (or monthly if you prefer) to gain access to preventive care and discounts on other available services.
• Third-Party Financing – If you prefer to finance your root canal treatment, you can do so by establishing a separate line of credit. With no annual fee, pre-payment penalties, or surprise fees, CareCredit makes it easy to apply.

Root Canal FAQs