Charlotte Root Canal Treatments
Regular dental visits help keep your teeth healthy and strong. But in some cases, bacteria sneak into your teeth, causing decay.
The issue is often discovered quickly and remedied with a filling or other treatment. However, sometimes tooth decay may be more advanced, requiring a root canal treatment.
At Engel Dental Center, our goal is to protect and preserve your natural teeth and gums. If you suffer from tooth pain and sensitivity, contact us today for an appointment with one of our highly trained dentists.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Like cavities, tooth decay requiring a root canal isn’t always obvious. You could have zero symptoms and not know you need a root canal.
However, you may experience painful symptoms of tooth decay. Below are some of the signs of an infected tooth, including:
- Tooth sensitivity (hot or cold)
- Severe tooth pain
- Gum tenderness or swelling
- A sore or abscess on the gums
If X-rays or an exam reveal advanced tooth decay, it may be time for a root canal.
Why Is a Root Canal Necessary?
Teeth consist of three main layers: enamel, dentin, and pulp. When a tooth starts decaying, bacteria spread and erode the natural layers of the tooth. Left untreated, the cavity reaches the pulp and causes infection.
The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues and supplies nutrition to the tooth. Once bacteria infect the pulp, the danger of infection in the root of the tooth and surrounding bone structure increases.
To prevent the loss of the affected tooth, we perform a dental procedure known as a root canal treatment. While extracting the problem tooth is an option, we prefer to save the tooth. Root canal treatments allow for the preservation of the natural tooth and lessen the chance of future issues with the surrounding teeth, offering an effective, lasting solution to a decaying tooth.
What to Expect from Your Root Canal Procedure
When you come in for your root canal procedure, we begin by injecting the tooth with local anesthesia. We then isolate the numbed tooth using a rubber dental dam and dry it off. Using specific dental tools, we create an opening to precisely remove any tooth decay, as well as the infected pulp and surrounding nerves.
After thoroughly cleaning out the tooth, we seal it and fill it with a dental filling material. About a week later, you return to our office for the placement of a permanent crown. The crown protects the tooth from damage and restores its functionality.
Post-treatment, you may experience some tooth sensitivity, but this is temporary and diminishes as your tooth continues healing. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine of brushing, flossing, and regular dental ensures your root canal treatment is lasting and effective.
Engel Dental Center | Charlotte, NC
Is tooth pain interfering with your everyday life? Don’t wait until the problem worsens. Contact Charlotte dentist at Engel Dental Center today at 704-395-5588 and learn more about the benefits of root canal treatments.
