There can be varied different dental treatments that you can undergo and some of the most common bigger procedures include root canal, crowns, and fillings. However, each will be recommended depending on the different scenarios you find yourself in with your dental care and hygiene. However, you may be looking for a little more in-depth knowledge of these three different types of treatments and how much they may potentially cost. With that in mind, here is a rundown of a root canal, crowns, and fillings.

Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is actually quite common. This is when the dentist makes an opening in a tooth and cleans out the infected area, to stop the spread of infection occurring.

While it may seem like a complicated process and treatment to have, avoiding it can make things a lot worse. Potentially, the longer you leave this untreated, the more expensive and long-winded it can become. But your dentist will be able to advise of that.

Is there anything else to consider when it comes to a root canal?

There are a few other factors that you might need to consider when getting a root canal treatment done. While it may be completely straightforward, you might have to think about the care before, during, and after the treatment, and also whether or not anything additional might need to happen. In some cases, a crown, which is covered later on in this article, might need to be fitted over the top of the existing tooth. This can then increase the overall cost of the treatment. Before the root canal, you might need a prescription of antibiotics as well. Your dentist will cover this with you if needed. After the root canal, you may also need to think about pain killers. There is a chance that more dental work will need to be done. In some cases, you may need further treatment or other procedures alongside it.

The average cost of root canal treatment

When it comes to the cost of a root canal there can be some variations to it. It can depend not only on how much of the infected area needs to be treated, such as whether you have managed to catch the infection early or not, and also which tooth needs the treatment. Molars are more expensive as they require more work. All prices can vary depending on your region and the dental office you are using. Averagely, the cost of a root canal treatment can be anywhere in the region of $1000.

Dental crowns

Another common treatment that people will have when it comes to looking after their dental health is having a crown fitted. Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fit over a natural tooth for aesthetic or structural reasons and they must be able to firmly fit the existing tooth to be effective. There are some common causes as to why you might need a crown fitted. Here are some examples:

A weakened tooth after severe decay or cavity
To cover an implant
To replace a large filling
A natural tooth that is damaged or cracked
A tooth that has undergone a root canal
To align your bite
For aesthetics purposes: to achieve a more beautiful smile by leveling the size, shape, and color of your teeth.

Getting a crown fitted can be a lengthy process as they may need to look at creating the crown to fit the tooth and also the overall look. The process might be different for any crown to be fitted, not just the type of crown but also where it is going. Generally, it can be a simple process though. Your dentist will prepare the tooth before applying a crown. This might involve the removal of decay, a root canal, or even both. They will then likely take a mold so that the crown fits the exact shape of the tooth. At this stage, a temporary cap will be fitted while the crown is created. Normally in about a week, you will be asked to visit the dentist again to have the crown fitted.

The main types of crowns used in dentistry include:

Gold crowns
Gold crowns are actually a combination of copper and other metals like nickel or chromium. The main advantage of a gold crown is durability and strength. It will likely be recommended to have a gold crown fitted for back teeth that are unseen when smiling etc. They are strong and highly resistant and can last a long time when properly cared for.

Porcelain Crowns
These days porcelain crowns are the most popular choice as they are made entirely of porcelain material. They can present the most natural look and can match your surrounding teeth in shape, color, and size. They are also the best choice for teeth restorations. As they don’t use metal, it also means they are toxic-free. They are just as strong as gold crowns and when properly cared for can last a lengthy amount of time.

There are some other options as well that are less commonly used that you may want to consider. This includes using actual gold as part of the crown.

Costs of crowns

When it comes to the cost of crowns it can depend on which sort of crown you choose, and also the area in your mouth that it is being fitted to. Out of the two, porcelain crowns are the more expensive choice. However, the starting point for gold crowns can be in the region of $800 and this can rise to approximately $1700 per crown.

Treatments for fillings

Last of all, the most common treatment that you can have at the dentist is filling. These appointments can last around an hour and they can be used for a variety of different reasons. A dentist will likely be using the filling as an option to fill in cavities in your mouth. The procedure can be quick and doesn’t involve any local anesthesia. You will however have your mouth numbed, the gums, and surrounding skin. This is to avoid any discomfort during the procedure.

What happens during a filling treatment?

Once the area is numb, your dentist will drill out the decay in the tooth, and replace it with a filling. There are different types of fillings that can be used. Placing the filling in the mouth can actually be the quickest part of the treatment. Once you are done, the mouth will remain numb for a few hours.

The most common use of tooth fillings is to fill a cavity in the tooth. But tooth fillings also can be used to repair damage to teeth caused by teeth grinding or to replace part of a broken tooth.

Types of Cavity Fillings

Many options are available for tooth fillings, and all of them have their different purposes and advantages. Types of tooth fillings include gold, silver amalgam (a composite of mercury, silver, and other metals), tooth-colored composite material, and porcelain. Depending on where the filling is going, you may want to think about which option might be best for you. You could also consider an actual gold filling as well if you wanted to.

Amalgam fillings are the cheapest and most common option used. However, as they use metallic elements, making them gold or silver in color, they can be noticeable if you laugh and smile. So from an ascetics point of view, in some cases, some would prefer a more natural-looking composite filling. Both options are durable and strong and have long-lasting elements to them.

When it comes to the type of filling you want, it is always best to consider the position and the area in which you are getting treated. This is a long-lasting part of your mouth and dental structure, so you want to ensure that you are happy with it.

Costs of fillings

The costs of fillings can vary depending on the tooth that is being worked on, the choice of filling you have gone for, as well as what options and treatment you need to go alongside it. Initially, a filling can start from around $50 and go into the region of $250 per filling. If you went for a gold filling, then you can be looking at the top end cost of around $4500.

In conclusion

Hopefully, this will help you to better understand what is involved when it comes to having root canal treatment, crowns, and fillings. If you do have insurance, then they may be able to cover certain costs of the procedures. Your dentist will be in a better position to advise you of the exact costs. Bear in mind that when it comes to procedures such as these, there can be varying factors. These include: