Draper, Utah Dentists

Root Canal

A deep cavity can cause problems further into the tooth surface. Bacteria can creep in through a cavity, causing an infection in the pulp of the tooth. Some signs that your tooth may have an infection are:

• It hurts to bite down.
• Your tooth is sensitive to hot or cold temperatures.
• There is a bad taste in your mouth, even after brushing.
• The tooth throbs and feels swollen.

The root canal procedure starts where most procedures start–drilling. A large hole is drilled, exposing the inside of the tooth. Drilling continues to remove decay until the canals of the tooth are reached. Small wire files are used to remove the contents of the canals. As the the contents are removed, the dentist will gradually use larger files to continue cleaning. Small rubber cones are inserted into the canals until they are packed in tight. Though the canals are filled, the tooth structure still remains weak. In this case, a crown is placed over the top of the tooth.

Root canal cost differs based on the location of the tooth. Front teeth have only one canal, making them cheaper than rear teeth, which have two canals. Front teeth cost around $400-500, while rear teeth cost anywhere from $500-900. It usually takes around 1 hour, and the doctor may have instructions for you prior to your appointment. Click here to view other procedure lengths.