Root Canal - Savoy,IL

I worked for an endodontist in Chicagoland for 12 years. What I will say is

1) go to a SPECIALIST - we saw too many crazy things from dentists trying to do root canals

2) Many dentists will work with you if you are self pay - get on a payment plan - and they will sometimes charge you less

3) Do get the root canal rather than get it pulled because then you won't lose bone (a big problem if there are no teeth there) and because you won't have to get a bridge - very expensive alternative as well. An implant option is OK, but again, you might still lose bone.

4) The endodontist I worked for is considered one of the best in the state and has relocated to Jacksonville, Illinois. He is cheaper than 900 and works with self pay, so it might be worth a drive for you.

5) If you get it done RIGHT, the experience is just like a filling, but takes longer. Many people fall asleep in the dental chair.

I had one done a few years ago. I don't remember it being terrible. Almost had one done a couple months ago, but once he got started he realized it wasn't going to work. Had to do an extraction anyways. But it was my last tooth (molar, wisdom teeth removed years ago), so it's not a problem.

Which tooth is it?

They'll do the root canal, and then do a crown. When my dentist gave me an estimate for the cost a couple months ago, the real cost was in the crown! They may be able to work with you on the cost, and put off the crown as long as you can to save the money.

It is worth it to keep even the shell of your own tooth-it has the space in your mouth that it was meant to be there. By removing it you are leaving that space open and quite often the teeth start moving around causing other problems with your bite or the other teeth rubbing together and causing more problems. Most destists will set up a payment plan to help you cover the costs. Letting this go can cause many other situations so don't wait to long and if you feel the need to get anotheer opinion-do it soon.

I've had multiple root canals...first time because I fell off a bicycle and my face hit a pole...knocked unconscious and needed dental work...then more than 30 years later, it was time to redo it...Dentist gives numbing topical...then a shot...then the mouth has to stay open for an hour to do all the dental work...I have learned that advil afterwards helps me (because I am also sore from keeping my mouth open wide) and that it helps me to try to keep my teeth by having this dental work. My Grandpa used to take all of his teeth out at night (dentures) and always complained that they weren't comfortable.
To summarize it - yes the root canal is important aspect of having dental health. There is a reason why you get the pain medication for the procedure. I'd personally rather have the root canal than have my tooth pulled (to try to preserve my total set of teeth).
I'd also suggest planning to have yogurt or smoothie or other easy to eat foods after you have your procedure (because if you are taking pain medication afterwards, it goes with food).
I agree with the earlier feedback about how dental offices will offer you choices in payment plans.
Root canals are "oral surgery" so its more expensive than having your teeth cleaned.
I ignored one area where there was a gap between two teeth in the back and it got infected and also needed root canal...so I had antiobiotics and multiple appointments with the dental surgery. If it hurts, do not ignore it.
My dentist checked with me on how everything was feeling (ie asking if it is numb before starting the rest of the work) so other than the soreness from keeping the mouth open wide things and the awareness that its surgery...things should go okay.

I've supported my kids having their wisdom teeth out (teeth pulled to preserve the lineup of the rest of the teeth) and recall having my own wisdom teeth removed. It was necessary. I would not otherwise be in a hurry to have teeth pulled.

I hope you figure out a way to get your root canal and get relief for your teeth.

I'd offer you my dentist, but the travel would cost you more than the root canal :) I had extra problems because I waited *2 years* before letting my dentist know that my filling, which took up 3/4 of my tooth, had fallen out. My root canal was also almost painless. And that was with my roots giving my dentist LOTS of problems which is rare but not unknown. A root canal usually only takes a few visits including the crown fitting and placement. My dentist and I were willing to fight with it to save the tooth. He says he hates giving up :) and I didn't want to have to buy a bridge (more money). It is worth the money. I am no longer in pain and can eat my beloved crunchy foods again! If they say that the $900 INCLUDES the making and placement of the crown... get it in writing and JUMP ON IT! All included, mine was almost twice that.

Check with your dentist's billing manager about making payments. My dentist has never had an issue with receiving payments (even less than $100 each month) as long as I was paying each month. We have 4 kids, the older ones are adults now and on their own, so sometimes we had balances of several hundred dollars with everone on one statement.

I received a letter about a month or so ago (I don't remember from whom) stating that doctors are now required to "offer to discuss a payment plan for any bill statement over $200". See: http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=5992 Read the 2nd-to-the-last paragraph of "Estimates Required".

Good luck!

The pain depends on the dentist. When I had my root canal done, I didn't feel a thing. In fact, I took a nap while they did it. And trust me, I do not have a high pain tolerance... I cried when they stuck the needles in my gums to numb me and that is supposed to be the easiest part. So if your dentist was as good as mine was, you won't feel anything.

However, it takes a long time for that numbing sensation to wear off so be prepared to have trouble eating and drinking until the next morning.

I cracked my tooth 2 years ago, and have been putting off the root canal. I hate anything with teeth, plus $1,000 wasn't in the budget. Now I am noticing that my teeth are all shifting and I am starting to get a little pain. Before it gets any worse, I finally scheduled my appt. Thankfully, my husband just got a new job with dental coverage, but I do know most offices will do payment plans. If you continue to not get your teeth treated, you can lose the tooth or get an infection. I cannot get mine pulled, because it is towards the front of my mouth and I will have a gap. I was also told if I do get it pulled, then I will need to get a bridge, which is more money. So, I have decided to just do it. I was also told I will need a crown, which is another $1,000, so you might want to check into that too. I HATE TEETH!

it depends on what tooth it is and do you want a hole there forever? if they can save the tooth then go for it, some dentists will offer a payment plan if you speak to the billing manager..there is some pain involved..but its not bad..just take some headphones and an mp3 player or something to listen to.. once they remove the nerve of the tooth it feels soooo much better!

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Hi M.,

I have had 2 root canals, and they don't hurt at all. There is some sound that is less than pleasant though. You said it will cost you 900 bucks to get the root canal, and that sounds right, but did your dentist tell you that this is the cost of the root canal ONLY? That quote cannot possible include the crown that will need to be put over the tooth once the root canal is done. These cost between 900.00 and 1200.00, depending on what kind you get. The final cost of everything is usually about 2,000.00. This is terrible of you don't have insurance. If you can save your tooth, do it. You kinda need it!

K.

I just wanted to add that you should save your tooth and get the root canal. I have had three, as my wisdom teeth literally grew into back molars and caused holes. My dentist sent me to an endodontist to have them done because I had three roots in each of the teeth and he didn't want to take a chance.
The endodontist prescribed me Ativan bc I was so nervous about getting any major work done. Let me just say that I didn't feel any pain bc I don't even remember being at the office. It knocked me out totally...loved it! And I even was able to make payments. The dr. didn't care as long as he was getting his money. Ask about setting up payments! Good luck, I know everything will be okay.

For me, my root canal wasn't so much painful as it was stressful. My tooth (molar) ended up having three roots and five nerves so it took over three visits to do. Fortunately my dentist presecribed me a Xanax equivalent to relax my back (I have a very high pain threshold but the anxiety gave me a huge headache.)
Most dentists offer payment plans as they realize the cost of treatment is prohibitive, but you really should have it done.
I agree that you should make sure exactly what this quote is for. It sounds very cheap for the crown too.

I was a dental assistant before becoming a SAHM and I must tell you to get the root canal. If you don't all that will happen is more decay will continue to set in your tooth which just means that the pain will get very bad and you will still end up getting the root canal but then it could cost even more because more work will have to be done.....so get it fixed right now. Don't get the tooth pulled. If you did you would then have to get an implant which would probably cost just as much or even more than the root canal. And if you just left a space and didn't get an implant then your other teeth would just start to shift into that empty space over time which would cause lots of crooked teeth. If you really don't have the money then I would say you could try finding a dental or endodontist school near you. They let students in their last year of school work on people that need dental work so they can get the practice. They either do it for free or with a very small charge. Also lots of dental offices work well with payment plans. So you can just pay a little over time. Also if it is a back molar then you could get a sliver crown which would be cheaper than a porcelain crown. As for the pain......really not bad at all. I have seen lots of root canals down and I actually had one on a back molar. I can tell you I had no pain at all. I mean they do give you a shot to numb you so yeah that hurt a little but then I was completely numb, got the gas to make me all happy and through the whole thing it didn't hurt at all. I was totally fine.

M.:

I know that the root canel is very costly, but be assured that it is the best thing to do. Get a second opinion if you feel it will help. As for the cost, find a provider that will work with Capital One Medical. Our dentist in Grayslake introduced this to us. I placed the balance on the Capital One credit card for $1,200, then paid it off within 1 year. I did not have to pay any interest, got the tooth fixed and very happy with my root canel.

Best of luck to you!

I know for most people, a root canal is relatively painless. I, however, was the exception. I only had one, and it was the most excruciating pain I have ever been in. I had to go to an endodontist, because mine was in a molar. Our dentist doesn't do the back teeth. If it's a front one, I think the procedure is fairly simple. I don't think there are any other options other than an extraction. If you have it pulled, depending on where it is, you might have to get an implant. That would be more expensive than the root canal, so you have to decide what would be best. If you don't get the implant, your entire bite could shift. So lots of things that you really need to talk about with the dentist... have them go through all the options and the pros and cons of each.

I have had a root canal and that price sounds about right. I don't recall any more pain then usual. Does the cost cover the cap for the tooth once the root canal is done? That's really important to know because caps are costly. Have you looked into the cost of a root canal at a dental school. I believe Prairie State College has a dental school. Just a thought.

I know that some dental offices offer something called CareCredit. It is like a credit care used only for dentists and veterinarians, etc but ususally there is a long interest free period if the cost is high (i.e. $1000 = no interest for 1 yr). It's not ideal (I don't like using credit at all) but it buys you some time. Good Luck

I've had 4 root canals in the last year. Had crowns put on teeth 25+ years ago and they needed repairing, but underneath the tooth just went bad. The root canal won't hurt unless the tooth is really infected (root - infected). Yes, it is expensive. I also asked about pulling the tooth instead of spending nearly $2000 on it but unless you are nearly 70 yrs old it won't be worth it. Your mouth won't be the same. Root canals are usually paid for 50% depending on your plan. Good luck. I figure I've helped my dentist pay for part of his kids college education so far, and I still have 4 more crowns to go (each are $900 each!)

I guess my question would be, why would getting it pulled cause other problems? Once the tooth is gone, there's nothing there to cause a problem. But I have had a root canal and let me tell you, the $900 isn't the only expense you are going to have from getting one. The $900 is ONLY for the root canal, that does not include the extra expense of getting a cap which can cost even more, so if your insurance doesn't cover that as well, you are looking at spending almost $2000 or more by the time you're done. My suggestion is that if it's a tooth that you can bear to part with, get it pulled. Because if you're like me, and can't afford to shell out that kind of money, it's an easier road. I've been very careful after my root canal to make sure if i need a filling or something, to get it done right away before I get to that point again... the expenses are just too much.
I would suggest getting a second opinion as to why they are saying that pulling it will cause more problems,,, sounds like they want you to take the more expensive route.
good luck.