Root canals are an effective way to remove a damaged nerve while still saving the tooth. At Parkwood Dental in Bradenton, FL, we receive a lot of questions about root canals, such as how much does a root canal cost? We’ll answer this and provide additional information to some commonly asked questions about root canals.

How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?

If you’ve been told that you need a root canal, this may be one of the first questions you think of, and the answer, of course, depends upon the tooth in question.

Following are some general estimates on the average price of root canal therapy:

• Front tooth: From $762 to $929
• Bicuspid: From $879 to $1,054
• Molar: From $1,111 to $1,300

Obviously, root canals can be expensive, but going without one when you need it can create an additional risk to the tooth that will involve more extensive treatment later if not corrected now.

Why a Root Canal

Sometimes, decay penetrates the tooth so deeply that it affects and damages the nerve. It’s then necessary to remove the nerve while, at the same time, saving the tooth.

Saving the Tooth

Any time you have a missing tooth, it can cause your bite to be misaligned. As a result, it becomes more difficult to care for your teeth and you’re more prone to conditions such as gum disease.

If you hesitate when you wonder how much does a root canal cost, just remember that root canals save teeth and can help safeguard your oral health, which can save you many thousands in remedial dental work in years to come.

How It Works

During this procedure, the infected pulp inside your tooth is removed. The tooth is then cleaned and sterilized. Afterward, it’s filled with a rubber-like material and a crown is placed on it to provide additional protection and support.

The crown is sometimes an additional cost, so that is something to consider when you are asking how much does a root canal cost.

Dental Anatomy

To really understand the importance of a root canal, it’s good to get an overview of how your teeth are constructed. The enamel is the part of the tooth that you can see. While it has hard enamel on the outside, on the inside, it has a soft layer of pulp in addition to roots and nerves. When these become irritated or infected, it causes pain and discomfort.

Does a Root Canal Hurt?

Root canals have a bad reputation that they don’t deserve. You are numb during the procedure and everything is done to make you as comfortable as possible.

Most people say that getting a root canal is, in many ways, similar to having a cavity filled. In fact, often a root canal alleviates the pain that the infection was causing. This is something to keep in mind when you are asking yourself how much does a root canal cost.

Root Canal Services in Bradenton, FL

If you are having dental pain, contact the experts at Parkwood Dental in Bradenton, FL to receive a complete evaluation.

The first signs of gingivitis are irritated gums that bleed, especially when brushing your teeth or biting into something hard, such as an apple. Tender and bleeding gums need prompt attention. Parkwood Denta in Bradenton, Florida provides state-of-the-art treatment for gingivitis.

With regular dental cleanings and good oral hygiene habits at home, gingivitis can often be reversed. However, if allowed to progress, gingivitis can advance into periodontal disease. When periodontal disease strikes, the gums recede from the teeth. As a result, teeth migrate out of place and eventually fall out.

What Is the Treatment for Gingivitis?

Thankfully, gingivitis is treatable. As a progressive condition, early treatment for gingivitis is the least expensive and most painless way to cure the disease. Once it reaches advanced stages, expensive dental restorations may be necessary to regain a normal-looking smile and functionality of the teeth.

Professional Dental Cleanings

Once gingivitis symptoms become apparent, it’s important to schedule a professional cleaning at the first opportunity. This is the time where fixing gingivitis is inexpensive and may require no more than a good cleaning and follow-up home care. Your dentist will remove all traces of plaque, tartar and the bacteria which cause gingivitis.

He or she may also recommend mouth rinses and toothpastes that specifically combat gingivitis. Most likely, your dentist will recommend flossing regularly and thoroughly. Flossing is the best way to remove food waste products that turn into plaque and tartar, making it an effective treatment for gingivitis.

Scaling and Root Planing

For more advanced gingivitis cases, scaling and root planing may be necessary. Scaling removes tartar not just from your teeth, but also from beneath the gums. In cases of gingivitis, tartar has often lodged within the gums, which ultimately causes them to recede, resulting in lost teeth. Root planing removes bacteria from the gums.

In addition, root planing smooths root surfaces to prevent further tartar and bacterial buildup so the gums have time to heal. The procedure is performed with ultrasonic lasers and provides an effective treatment for gingivitis that saves teeth.

Dental Restoration

When gum disease reaches advanced stages, patients may suffer from misaligned teeth. Dental restoration places these teeth back into their natural locations. In addition, if the patient has crowns, bridges or other dental fittings, they may irritate gums affected by gingivitis. If this is the case, your dentist can fix these restorations so they cease irritating the gums.

Ongoing Care

Gingivitis usually reverses after a professional cleaning or scaling and root planning work. However, gingivitis is likely to return if you don’t practice healthy oral hygiene at home and continue to receive regular professional cleanings. Your dentist will recommend a program for home tooth and gum care and schedule follow-up visits to keep tabs on any redeveloping gingivitis.

Gingivitis is a scary disease. It sets in motion the process of tooth decay and eventual tooth loss. Periodontal disease causes the loss of multiple teeth, misshapen gums and ruined smiles. Thankfully, with modern dentistry, gingivitis is preventable and reversible. In many cases, good oral hygiene can prevent it from ever occurring.

If you or a loved one are suffering from tender, bleeding gums and fear the disease may be progressing, make an appointment with Parkwood Dental in Bradenton, Florida today.

If you are missing one or more of your teeth or planning to have them removed in the future, you have probably heard about dental implants. They offer a long-term or permanent replacement option that can also help preserve the integrity of your bone and gums. You may be wondering, however, about the procedure that is involved with getting you that updated smile. Keep reading to learn about the dental implant procedure steps necessary when you visit Parkwood Dental in Bradenton, FL.

Dental Implant Procedure Steps to a Winning Smile

When getting your new implant, you may experience some or all of these dental implant procedure steps. Keep in mind that the actual steps you experience may be slightly different depending on your specific situation.

Bone Grafts

Without a tooth in its place, your jawbone loses some of its mass. If it has been a long time since you had a tooth in place, you may need to have the bone built up before an implant can be placed. This is done through grafting extra bone to yours and allowing it to heal. Keep in mind that not everyone will need to take this dental implant procedure step.

The Implant Is Placed

Once your bone is strong enough to support the implant, your dentist will carefully drill a hole and put the titanium implant post in it. This will form the artificial root for your new tooth and is the actual implant. Your jaw will need about 12 weeks to heal after this is done. During that time, your jawbone will grow around the post to secure it and give your dentist a strong attachment point for your crown.

An Abutment Is Attached

An abutment is a small piece that acts as a bridge between the implant and the crown. It offers an appropriate surface to allow the crown to be securely attached later on. Some surgeons will use a one-piece implant that already includes this portion, so you may not have to undergo another procedure. If you do, you’ll want to be sure that your jaw has had time to heal before having another surgery to place the abutment.

A Crown Is Added

Once the actual implant is firmly established in your jaw and the abutment is attached to it, you are ready for a crown. Your dentist or surgeon will take a mold or impression of your mouth and have a crown made to resemble a natural tooth.

You’ll want to decide on the best material for your situation. Some options include porcelain, composite resin, and metal. Porcelain is the most natural-looking, and also the most expensive. It can be a good choice for a front or highly visible tooth. You might want to leave the metal crowns for molars that won’t be visible when you smile or speak.

Your Smile Is Renewed

Once your crown is attached, you are ready to go. You can eat, drink, and chew as if your teeth were natural. Proper hygiene is crucial to making sure your implant lasts a long time, so be sure to keep brushing and flossing regularly.

If you are ready to talk to someone about getting an implant, or if you just have questions about the dental implant procedure steps, contact the professional staff at Parkwood Dental in Bradenton, FL to schedule a consultation. We can help you design a customized treatment plan so you can experience a completely renewed smile.