Root Canal Treatment West Loop Chicago
Whether Better Oral Health Means Saving Smiles
Root canal treatment in West Loop Chicago is one of the most effective ways to save teeth from extraction. At Washington Dental Care West Loop, we take every step to ensure the comfort and safety of each patient so that when an infected tooth requires complex treatment, we can deliver successful, long-lasting results. Using advanced technologies and solutions, we can eliminate the pain, treat the tooth, and repair it so that optimal function is the ultimate goal. Call us today to find out more about root canal treatment and how it can help you smile longer.
Why Choose Washington Dental Care West Loop for Root Canal Treatment?
- Weekend Appointments Available
- Experienced Dentists with Years of Experience
- Advanced Technology Designed for Added Comfort
Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?
To determine whether you need root canal treatment, a member of our team will need to perform a visual examination as well as take digital images of your smile. Based on our findings, we will decide if this method of treatment is what you need to avoid possible tooth extraction.
In many cases, the most common signs associated with an infected tooth include:
- Swollen gums
- Tooth discoloration
- Tooth sensitivity
- Pain radiating through tooth and/or face
- Loose tooth
- Difficulty eating or chewing
The Root Canal Process
When it’s time to start the root canal process, you can count on your dental team to administer local anesthesia to help numb your mouth. This will ensure that you feel no pain throughout treatment. We’ll then isolate the tooth using a dental dam so that saliva does not form around the infected tooth.
Once our team is ready, we’ll make a small opening in the top of the tooth (the crown) so that we can easily access the inner canals and layers of the tooth. Targeting the decay and infected areas, we will clear away harmful bacteria and clear out nearby canals before removing the damaged pulp, which consists of nerves and blood vessels.
When finished, we will fill the tooth with a biocompatible solution known as gutta percha to help seal off the tooth from future reinfection. After some time, we will place a customized dental crown on top of the tooth using the impressions taken of your tooth after root canal treatment.
This will allow your tooth to strengthen over time and function normally.
The Benefits of Getting a Root Canal
There are many misconceptions about root canals, especially when it comes to pain. One of the greatest benefits of this type of treatment is the fact that it does not cause pain but instead eliminates it. By removing the pulp, which is the source of infection, it alleviates discomfort and allows for successful healing.
While there will be some soreness immediately following your procedure, it will dissipate in time.
Other added benefits that you can expect with root canal treatment include:
- The fact that you’re able to keep your existing, natural tooth and avoid extraction
- A natural-looking dental crown that will fit over your tooth and blend in with your smile
- Restored function to your tooth so that you can eat, speak, and smile without worry
- A cost-effective solution that eliminates the expense of tooth replacement
Understanding the Cost of Root Canals
When you’re in pain from an infected or broken tooth, sometimes it’s difficult to think about the cost of care. Before disaster strikes, it’s best to learn all you can about the financial aspects of treatments that can save your smile. At Washington Dental Care West Loop, our team provides gentle, effective root canals designed to preserve your natural teeth. The cost of root canals can vary depending on several factors, but it can be an important investment in your oral health.
Factors That Can Affect Root Canal Cost
The exact price of a root canal in Chicago depends on your unique situation. Factors that influence cost often include:
- Tooth Location: Molars usually cost more than front teeth because they have more roots.
- Complexity: Severe infections or difficult-to-access teeth may require additional treatment time.
- Restorations: After the procedure, a crown or filling is often necessary to protect your tooth.
- Specialist Care: Some complex cases may need referral to an endodontist, which can raise costs.
Rest assured that at our practice, we’ll provide a clear estimate before starting any treatment so you know exactly what to expect. This not only cuts down on stress but also makes it easier to plan your finances in advance.
Is it Cheaper to Extract My Tooth?
While an extraction may certainly cost less upfront, it can create bigger problems (and expenses) later. Losing a tooth without a plan for replacement can cause your other teeth to shift, affecting your bite and leading to jawbone loss.
Even if you do replace the missing tooth with a bridge, partial denture, or dental implant, it often ends up being more costly than saving it. Our team does everything they can to preserve your tooth instead of extracting it, helping you maintain both your smile and your budget.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Root Canals?
At Washington Dental Care West Loop, we accept all dental insurance plans and will work with you to help you maximize your benefits. Many times, root canals are considered medically necessary. This means most plans generally cover a significant portion of treatment—often between 50 and 80 percent after your deductible has been met.
When you come to see us, we’ll review your coverage, explain your out-of-pocket costs, and file claims on your behalf. Whether you’re using insurance or exploring other options, we’re committed to making your care affordable.
Other Options for Making Root Canal Treatment Affordable
We want every patient to have access to high-quality care without financial stress. That’s why our Chicago dental practice provides multiple ways to make root canal treatment fit your budget:
- In-House Membership Plan: Designed for patients without insurance, this plan offers discounts on treatments and includes preventive care for one low yearly fee.
- CareCredit & Alphaeon Financing: Flexible monthly payment plans make it easier to spread out costs.
- Periodic Special Offers: Keep an eye on our promotions for additional savings on select treatments.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your care, don’t worry. Our team will walk you through all available options so you can choose what works best for you.
Root Canal FAQs
Why Do I Need a Root Canal if My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
Although an excruciating toothache is one of the most common symptoms of a badly decayed or infected tooth, it isn’t the only one. Dark discoloration, inflamed gums, and persistent sensitivity are also warning signs of trouble. That’s why it’s important to get the restorative care you need, even if the situation doesn’t feel urgent.
How Much Pain is Normal After a Root Canal?
Remember, you won’t feel any pain in the treatment chair because your mouth will be thoroughly numbed beforehand. Once you return home and the numbing agent wears off, some soreness and sensitivity will arise. Although that’s completely normal, it can be uncomfortable, which is why we provide you with aftercare instructions, like taking OTC pain medication as directed and not chewing on that side of your mouth. If your symptoms persist past the three-day mark, then call us ASAP.
Can I Take Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?
Since antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, you might assume that they can be taken in lieu of a root canal. That’s not the case because the bloodstream, which is how the medication travels throughout your body, doesn’t reach the pulp of the tooth. So, the only way to eliminate the infection is to perform a root canal or an extraction.
Can Root Canals Be Prevented?
Many common dental problems can be prevented, including large cavities. The best place to start is with your at-home oral hygiene regimen. In addition to brushing for two full minutes each morning and evening, you should floss and rinse with mouthwash every night before bed. It’s also important to cut back on added sugar, wear a mouthguard during sports, and come to our office every six months for a dental checkup so we can catch any problems that do arise in the early stages.
Do Root Canals Make You Sick?
The misconception that root canals make you sick stems back to research conducted back in the 1920s by a dentist named Dr. Weston Price. At the time, he claimed that it was better to extract the tooth, but his theory has been debunked for several decades now. Today, there isn’t any scientific evidence to support the idea that this emergency dental treatment leads to illness. In fact, NOT getting the dental care you need can cause the infection to spread, negatively impacting your oral and overall health.
Are Root Canals Covered by Insurance?
It’s very common for dental insurance providers to cover a portion of the cost of essential restorative care, including root canals. So, if you are insured, don’t hesitate to provide us with your membership information! Our team at Washington Dental Care West Loop is proud to work with all PPOs and is in-network with Tricare.
Friendly reminder: If you don’t have dental insurance, you can ask us about the other financial solutions we offer at our West Loop dental office, like CareCredit!
