Root canal treatment is nothing to fear
Root canals get a bad rap as the brunt of jokes and exaggerated tales of dental torture. In truth, root canal therapy is one of the essential general dental services for severely damaged or diseased teeth and is considered the only alternative to extraction, and most importantly, the procedure gets you out of discomfort quickly. You can count on Dr. Tyler Wynne at Carolinas BioHealth Dentistry in Clemmons, NC, for a gentle technique using the latest technologies and the option of sedation for extra comfort.
When is root canal treatment indicated?
When a fractured or decayed tooth is not treated promptly, it becomes infected. Root canal therapy is necessary to prevent the infection from progressing into a more serious concern.
How would you know if you need endodontic therapy? Pain is often an indicator of infection:
- You notice that one of your teeth aches, and the pain does not subside.
- You experience severe discomfort when biting down or chewing.
- You develop a fever or have swelling near the aching tooth.
Untreated infection can lead to tooth loss. Without dental care, the infection eventually causes the inner pulp (a bundle of living tissue acting as the tooth’s nerve center) to die. When this happens, the tooth itself effectively dies. Extraction is then recommended to prevent the infection from reaching surrounding teeth or moving into the jawbone.
Treatment to save your tooth
Root canal treatment to address tooth infection and repair a decayed tooth or one with traumatic damage can prevent extraction, keeping your natural tooth intact.
It is a common myth that this procedure is painful. This is not the case. The affected area is numbed, and the doctor works quickly to relieve pain from the infected pulp. The root canal process has evolved over time. It is now more efficient and comfortable and can typically be completed in a single visit.
- A local anesthetic is administered, and you feel relief immediately.
- The dentist opens the affected tooth, alleviating painful pressure from infection.
- The pulp is then removed.
- The interior chamber and canals into the infected tooth root are sanitized.
- The opening is filled with a biocompatible material and sealed. This helps to prevent future decay or infection and maintains the integrity of tooth structure.
- Most often, a dental crown is recommended to strengthen the tooth and provide a more durable and long-lasting restoration that blends beautifully with your smile.
Retaining your tooth keeps its companions from shifting out of position. It also helps to maintain a healthy, attractive facial bone structure.Don’t wait until you have a toothache. Contact Dr. Tyler Wynne at Carolinas BioHealth Dentistry if you need root canal treatment. Call (336) 793-0577 to schedule a visit.
