Root Canal in High Point, NC
If you are like most patients, you might feel a shiver up your spine when you hear that you need a filling or root canal. The reality, however, of root canal therapy is much different than the perception.
Root canals have gotten a bad rap. Today’s root canal, performed using modern techniques and instruments, is actually just as efficient and comfortable as a routine filling.
Often, patients who are in need of a root canal come to Deep River Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in pain, and root canal therapy actually relieves this pain and helps us to save a tooth that might otherwise have to be extracted and then replaced. By performing a root canal, we can save you a great deal of discomfort, hassle, and money.
Why Would You Need a Root Canal?
Understanding the root canal process often eases patient anxiety. Did you know the "root canal" is actually a natural part of your tooth's anatomy? It's the inner cavity housing the pulp chamber and tooth nerve.
Sometimes, this root canal can become infected or inflamed due to deep decay or tooth trauma. Common signs you need a root canal include pain, swelling, sensitivity, or an abscess (a "pimple" on your gum). If left untreated, a root canal infection – especially from a cracked tooth – can spread, damaging surrounding gum tissue and teeth, leading to significant pain.
To treat this, Dr. Bray will first thoroughly numb the area for a comfortable procedure. He then uses specialized instruments to gently access the tooth's interior, carefully removing the infected nerve and damaged tissue. An antibiotic may be placed inside to prevent future infection. Finally, the tooth is sealed with a filling, and if necessary, a temporary crown is placed.
Since root canal therapy can sometimes weaken the tooth's structure, a dental crown may be recommended afterward. Dr. Bray will discuss this with you upfront and make all necessary preparations for your convenience.
Root Canal Magic: Immediate Relief While Preserving Natural Teeth
Root canal therapy offers an efficient, effective, and pain-free path to relief from pain and infection while saving the tooth’s natural structure.
Preservation
Root canal therapy saves a natural tooth, preserving your natural smile and preventing the need for complex restoration or extraction.
Pain Relief
By removing a tooth’s severely damaged internal pulp, root canal therapy eliminates the intense pain that accompanies dental infection.
Preservation
A root canal repairs and seals a tooth’s interior, alleviating the risk of future infection and creating a healthy environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Root canals aren’t usually at the top of people’s lists as a favorite dental procedure. However, root canals are common (and painless) procedures that are sometimes needed to preserve and restore a tooth. Root canals are life-savers - literally - when it comes to certain dental health issues. Here are two reasons you might need a root canal procedure in High Point, NC.
Signs You Might Need a Root Canal
Recognizing the signs that you may need a root canal can help you seek timely treatment and prevent further complications. Here are common indicators:
- Persistent Tooth Pain
- Sensitivity to Hot and Cold
- Swollen or Tender Gums
- Pimple on the Gums
- Dark Discoloration of the Tooth
- Pain When Chewing
Reasons for Root Canals
Severe Tooth Decay: If a tooth experiences extensive decay, the inner pulp may become infected. In this case, you’ll probably have plenty of tooth pain and sensitivity that will bring you to the dentist. If the tooth’s interior is already infected, your dentist may want to perform a root canal to remove the bacteria. A dental crown will help protect the tooth after your dentist cleans out the interior. This treatment will not only save the tooth, but also allow it to function normally and painlessly.
Damaged Tooth: Teeth that experience trauma may be broken or chipped, along with being painful and sensitive. A tooth may be damaged without visible cracks or chips, however, and you should always visit the dentist if you have pain or sensitivity. If the damage isn’t too extensive, your dentist can save the tooth and end your toothache by removing its nerves. A dental crown protects the tooth by preventing further damage.
Schedule a Root Canal Procedure in High Point
If you've got more questions on root canals, give our Highpoint, NC, dental office a call. We'll be happy to assist you. You can also schedule an appointment online.
When to Get a Root Canal in High Point?
If you are experiencing any symptoms of an infected tooth that may indicate the need for a root canal, call our office today. We accept emergency appointments and will do our very best to see you on the same day. If it’s after hours, call our office line and follow the directions to get a hold of Dr. Bray.
Although unusual, it is possible to have an infection or damaged root canal and not experience any pain. This often indicates that the nerve of the tooth has died. This situation is sometimes caught during a routine examination after careful steps of a root canal have already been taken. Even though you are not in pain, the situation still needs to be remedied to prevent future issues.
Schedule with an Endodontist in High Point, NC
Call High Point dentist Dr. Cassidy Bray today to schedule your appointment for endodontic therapy or to discuss the best alternative to root canal treatment. Don’t wait another minute in pain when a simple treatment can help you feel better and save your tooth.
Meet Our Doctor:
Cassidy Bray DDS
I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to my current as well as potential dental family. I greatly value relationships with my patients, and your care and comfort are my priority. I look forward to building a long-term relationship with each of you and hope you will give me the chance to do so.
I am a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Microbiology. After graduation, I was awarded a two-year internship at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research in Bethesda, ...
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