Why Root Canals Are More Common Than You Think
November 28, 2024
Root canals often get a bad rap. Many people think of them as rare, painful procedures when, in reality, they’re neither uncommon nor something to
A root canal is a dental procedure that removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth — the pulp — and seals the tooth to prevent reinfection. Despite its reputation, a root canal is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. Most patients in Hayward who delay treatment find that the infection itself is far more painful than the procedure.
Root canals are one of the most common dental procedures performed in the United States, with over 15 million treated each year. At Fab Dental in Hayward, CA, we perform root canal treatment in a single visit in most cases.
Do not ignore these symptoms. The longer an infected tooth goes untreated, the more likely the infection is to spread to surrounding teeth, the jaw, or even the bloodstream.
Common signs that a root canal may be needed:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in Hayward or the surrounding areas — Union City, San Leandro, Castro Valley, or Fremont — call us at 510-342-3908 for a same-day appointment.
The pulp inside your tooth — the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels — can become infected for several reasons:
Early treatment almost always saves the tooth. Waiting increases the chance the tooth cannot be saved at all and will require extraction and replacement — which costs significantly more.
Most root canals at Fab Dental are completed in a single 60–90 minute appointment. More complex cases — such as teeth with curved canals or significant infection — may require a second visit. We will give you a clear timeline before beginning treatment.
Recovery after a root canal is typically 1–3 days of mild soreness manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. Most patients return to normal activity the same day or the next morning.
Root canal treatment pricing in the Hayward and East Bay area varies depending on which tooth is being treated
| Tooth Type | Typical Cost in Hayward (Without Insurance) |
|---|---|
|
Front tooth (Incisor/Canine) |
$800 – $1,000 |
|
Premolar |
$900 – $1,100 |
|
Molar |
$1,000 – $1,500 |
|
Core Buildup / Post-And-Core (Filling Hole made during Root Canal) |
$250 – $500 |
At Fab Dental, root canal treatment starts at $800. A Crown or Core-Buildup, if needed afterward, is priced separately.
Most PPO dental insurance plans cover 50–80% of root canal treatment costs. We accept most major PPO plans. Call us to verify your specific coverage before your appointment.
We know root canal treatment can be expensive. That is why we partner with the likes of Lending Club, Cherry and Care Credit to provide you 100% Buy-Now-Pay-Later financing.
If you have a low credit score, we also offer discount Dental Plans.
If you have questions, call our office to know more details.
We partner with Lending Club, Cherry and Care Credit to offer you convenient financing options. The max we offer is $65,000 in financing. That is more than enough to cover Invisalign Braces.
The financing options we offer start with 0% interest payments. You can pay the financed amount in up to 60 months.
While we have seen financing being approved for our patients with low credit scores, sometimes financing doesn't get approved. For such cases, we offer Discount Plans with up to 20% off.
If you want to lower your total payment, we offer discount plans which can take up to 20% off of your total amount due. You can club discount plans with financing.
Learn what will happen during your first consultation visit.
You will get online forms to fill in before your appointment. When you arrive, check-in with the front desk, or online.
Once we are ready for you, we will get a 3-D Scan through our ultra-modern CBCT machine.
After the X-Rays, Dr. Alag will do a check-up and exam. She will show you your X-Rays and build your treatment plan.
After the check-up, we will go over the pricing and various financing options available to you.
Dr. Alag, DDS is a general dentist and among the top female dentists in Hayward, CA. She comes from a family of doctors. She graduated from a premier institute in India – Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences – and practiced for a few years there. Thereafter, she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry, where she graduated with Honors in Prosthodontics.
She stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in dental care through continuing education courses. Dr. Alag, DDS is a member of AGD, CDA and ADA. She was awarded a Fellowship in Implantology by the International Dental Implant Association in 2018.
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No. Root canals are performed under local anesthesia. You will feel pressure during the procedure but not pain. The discomfort patients associate with root canals is actually the infection itself — the procedure relieves that pain. Most patients are surprised at how straightforward it is.
Most root canals are completed in a single 60–90 minute appointment. Complex cases involving molars or significant infection may require a second visit, which we will tell you upfront.
Most patients experience mild soreness for 1–3 days, easily managed with ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can return to work or normal activity the same day in most cases. Avoid chewing hard food on the treated side until your crown is placed.
In most cases, yes — especially for molars and premolars that bear chewing force. Front teeth sometimes only need a filling to close the access point. Dr. Alag will advise you on what’s needed for your specific tooth.
The infection will worsen. The tooth will likely need extraction. The infection can spread to neighboring teeth, the jawbone, and in serious cases, to the neck or bloodstream (Ludwig’s angina). Early treatment is always less expensive and less complex.
Most PPO plans cover 50–80% of root canal costs. For a $1,000 procedure, your out-of-pocket cost after insurance could be $200–$500 depending on your plan and whether you’ve met your annual deductible. Call us with your insurance information and we will give you an estimate before your appointment.
Root canals have a high success rate — over 95% when performed properly and followed by a crown. Failure is uncommon but can happen if the tooth cracks, the seal breaks down over many years, or a missed canal wasn’t treated initially. In those cases, retreatment or extraction may be needed.
Yes, if you only received local anesthesia. If sedation was used, you will need someone to drive you.
In almost every case, yes. Saving your natural tooth preserves bone structure, keeps neighboring teeth in position, and avoids the cost of an implant or bridge. Extraction followed by an implant typically costs 3–4x more than a root canal and crown.
Yes. Fab Dental is open 7 days a week from 7 AM to 7 PM, including Saturdays and Sundays. Call 510-342-3908 for same-day emergency appointments.