Root Canal Therapy in Bethlehem, PA

Keeping your own tooth, comfortably.

I perform root canal therapy myself at Always About Smiles, our Bethlehem, PA dental office, over two visits rather than one long appointment. I disclose the whole fee for all three parts before you begin — the root canal, the build-up and the crown — so you know the full figure from the start.

Saving the tooth from the inside

Endodontics deals with diseases of the tissue, blood vessels, and nerves inside the tooth. The most common endodontic treatment is called a "root canal," a procedure used to remove infected tissue and refill the nerve canal inside the tooth. A root canal allows you to retain your natural tooth while eliminating the infection. I do the root canal myself, usually over two visits, and the build-up and crown follow.

The comfort work that comes first

Lidocaine, a specific type of local anesthetic for example, is commercially manufactured with a pH of 3.5 (the same as lemon juice) in order to keep the solution fresh and active. Your body's pH in comparison is about 7.4. Our novocaine buffering system mixes a precise amount of basic sodium bicarbonate neutralizing solution with the acidic local anesthetic, closer to pH 7.4, in a process that takes only 10 seconds.

Staying comfortable after treatment

The newly buffered local anesthetic is also responsible for more profound numbness with a more rapid onset and less soreness of the treatment site after dental care is complete.

Why does the root canal take two visits?

Because that is how I get a reliable result. The first visit removes the infected tissue and settles the tooth; the second cleans, shapes and fills the canal once things have calmed down. It also means neither appointment runs long, which most people find easier than sitting through the whole thing at once. In certain cases we can complete root canal treatment in one visit.

What are the three parts of the fee?

The root canal, the build-up and the crown. A tooth that has had a root canal needs a core, or sometimes a post for support, rebuilt inside it and then a crown over the top to carry the biting load, and quoting only the first part would tell you a third of the story. I give you all three figures at the consultation.

How much does root canal therapy cost in Bethlehem, PA?

Root canal therapy is quoted in those same three parts before treatment starts — root canal, build-up, crown — with the total in front of you rather than arriving a piece at a time. We're fee-for-service, we file your claim for you, we're good at it, and we'll push to get you reimbursed. Financing is available, and paying by cash in advance carries a 5% discount.

Could the root canal have been avoided?

Sometimes, and it is worth knowing why. Teeth with deep fractures that suddenly spread are one of the most frequent dental emergencies and one of the reasons so many of us need crowns, root canals or even lose a tooth. Often these emergencies and root canals can be prevented if the fractures are diagnosed early.

Will I be able to eat normally afterward?

Yes, and usually within a day or two. Between the two visits the tooth carries a temporary filling, so no chewing on the tooth until treatment is completed, or you run the risk of extreme biting pain or fracture and loss of the tooth. Once the crown is fitted the tooth takes a full biting load again and you can eat whatever you like without thinking about which side you're on.

Root Canals at Always About Smiles

  • Root canals are handled right here at Always About Smiles
  • Split into two shorter visits instead of one long one
  • A full plan given at the consultation, so the cost of keeping the tooth is a single decision
  • The numbness is planned to last several hours, which covers the time right after treatment when the tooth is most tender

Hard Time Chewing, Tooth & Gum Pain

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is a root canal as bad as people say?

    It has an old reputation earned by old anesthetic. Local anesthetics or Novocain have always been the backbone of pain control techniques in dentistry, and in the past they were slow to reach full numbness and often stung on injection. Buffering the novocaine solution is what changed that, and it is the first thing I do.

  • What if I'd rather have the tooth out instead?

    That is a real option and I'll tell you honestly what each way costs and leads to. Keeping your own tooth is generally the simpler road, since a gap eventually asks to be filled by something. I'll set both paths out and leave the decision with you.

  • Do I need a crown afterward, or is that optional?

    A back tooth that has had a root canal does need a crown, because the tooth is hollower than it was and takes a great deal of pressure every day. Front teeth are sometimes an exception. I tell you which yours is at the consultation, not afterward.

  • Is the tooth covered by the Peace of Mind Limited Dental Warranty?

    Root canals carry a one-year term under our Peace of Mind Limited Dental Warranty, and the porcelain crown over the top carries five years against fracture with normal use, when you follow our recommendations for exams, cleanings, and treatment. Ask us about the details at your visit.

  • Can you help if I'm dreading the appointment itself?

    Yes, and it's an ordinary request rather than an awkward one. Dr. Lambert will be happy to review with you your answers to our "Please Handle Me With Care" questionnaire so that together we may pinpoint any specific concerns or fears and work toward overcoming these problems.