One Visit Root Canals and Crowns
All Your Dental Needs.
All Under One Roof.
Dr. Bethany Polnar and her team of dental providers, including an Endodontist (root canal specialist), are trained to handle these situations. At Elite Dental of Natick, we will help you feel great again! A root canal procedure is generally considered a "last resort" to save a tooth that is severely infected, sensitive, or has cavities close to the nerve. It may be recommended in cases where "just a filling" could result in a tooth ache because the cavity is close to the tooth pulp (the jelly like center of your tooth that contains the nerves for tooth).
Despite common misconceptions, root canal treatment does not have to be scary. Our Endodontist at Elite Dental of Natick uses advanced technology including a 3D Cone Beam to see the full anatomy of a tooth and an Endodontic motor to carefully clean the "canals" of your tooth.
Following a root canal, your tooth remains in a weakened state and requires a restoration to make the tooth nice and strong. For back teeth, we generally recommend a "build-up" and a "crown" that goes on the top part of the tooth. Front teeth may require a "post and core" and a "crown" or a bigger filling which can be discussed with your dentist. Our Endodontist and General Dentists work closely together to enable you to have this treatment under one roof in one visit! Get numb only once, take less time out of work or school, and move on with your life. We can perform your root canal and have your crown prepared, milled, and delivered the same day if you choose and if possible (which usually it is).
What is a Root Canal and How Does it Help Me?
A root canal is a dental procedure used to remove an inflamed or infected pulp and nerves inside of the tooth. The canals (which look like tentacles) in your tooth are cleaned, disinfected, and sealed. A root canal is designed to remove bacteria, prevent reinfection, and to save a natural tooth.
Root canal treatment has a 95% success rate and can enable a natural tooth to last a life time with proper care and diet. Our Endodontist (root canal specialist) has performed thousands of root canals and is best equipt to perform this dental procedure. A root canal can help you get out of pain or prevent pain (and a dental emergency) if a cavity is close to the nerve.
Pain Relief
One of the primary benefits of root canals is the relief of severe dental pain. Root canals are often performed to alleviate the intense discomfort caused by infected or inflamed tooth pulp. By removing the damaged pulp, the source of pain is eliminated, allowing patients to experience immediate and lasting relief.
Preservation of Natural Teeth
Root canals enable the preservation of natural teeth that might otherwise be lost due to infection or damage. Instead of extracting the affected tooth, a root canal procedure removes the infected pulp, cleans the interior, and seals the tooth. This maintains the tooth's structural integrity and functionality, avoiding the need for tooth replacement options like implants or bridges.
Improved Oral Health
By addressing the root cause of dental infections, root canals contribute to improved oral health. Removing infected tissue prevents the spread of bacteria and infection to other teeth and surrounding tissues. This not only eliminates the immediate problem but also prevents potential complications that could arise if the infection were to spread.
Enhanced Aesthetics and Functionality
Root canals not only relieve pain and prevent infections but also restore the appearance and functionality of the affected tooth. After a root canal, the tooth is typically capped with a crown, which not only strengthens the tooth but also restores its natural appearance, allowing patients to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
Am I done after a root canal? Do I need a crown, why not just a filling?
Following root canal treatment, your tooth remains in a weakened state. It no longer has blood flowing to it and the nerve no longer reacts to temperature changes. You are out of pain - which is great - however we want to make sure the tooth does not get re-infected or (even worse) break in half unexpectedly while you're eating. A crown and build-up is generally recommended following root canal treatment. For front teeth, a filling or a post/core/crown may be recommended which will be discussed with you and your dentist.
A dental crown is a tooth shaped cap that restores the top part of a tooth. A core buildup is a dental procedure that replaces the missing tooth structure inside the tooth before a crown can be placed and where the "endodontic access" was made to access the pulp chamber and canals during the root canal. A core buildup is necessary to support and retain a crown and is generally required following a root canal since a significant portion of the tooth structure is missing. Traditional dental crowns are completed in two appointments:
| 1. |
the "preparation" and "impression" of the tooth where the tooth is shaped, the outline of the crown is identified, and "sticky goo" is put in your mouth to create a mold that is sent to the lab. You leave the appointment with a temporary crown that is made of composite (e.g. plastic) and is not meant to be a long-term solution.
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| 2. |
the "delivery" of the final crown generally done 2-3 weeks later with a final crown made of a strong material typically Zirconia or Emax. |
Digital dentistry, which is offered at Elite Dental of Natick, cuts down your appointment and "wait time" to 1 appointment instead of 2. Also, it eliminates the "sticky goo." The dentist will still "prepare" the tooth so that it can hold the crown. The dentist and dental assistant will then use an intraoral scanner to scan the full anatomy of the tooth and the bite. They will then upload this information to our design and milling software. From there, your final crown will be fabricated shortly after and you could have the final crown cemented during the same appointment or you can come back later that day or next day if you wish. This eliminates the "waiting period" where you have to be very careful and worry about a temporary crown breaking or falling off. This allows you to miss less time away from your work or school and move on with your life. The best part is you can often times have this procedure completed the same day as a root canal.
Why should I get BOTH my root canal and crown done at Elite Dental of Natick?
Insurance Savings
A PPO patient on average could save $600+ and a cash patient on average could save $1000 on root canal related services by doing the work at Elite Dental of Natick instead of an out-of-network Endodontist. See below illustration with disclaimers.
Cash Patient
Exam Offer
$ 99
$99 for limited exam + x-rays for patients with no dental insurance
**SAVINGS OF OVER $80**
Get high quality service for less money! Get your root canal and crown at Elite Dental of Natick with our Endodontist and single visit crown with our General Dentists.
For illustration purposes for a typical PPO dental insurance plan. Assumes patient has $1500 annual maximum with $50 deductible and full maximum is remaining. Assumes PPO dental insurance plan covers root canals at 90% for in-network and 70% out-of-network. Every insurance plan is different and may have various exclusions and/or waiting periods. Prices may vary but savings are consistently higher with Elite Dental of Natick versus an out-of-network Endodontist. |
