What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is the part of the tooth that contains the nerve and pulp tissue. When this area becomes infected due to decay, trauma, or other dental problems, it can compromise the tooth’s integrity. As part of the dental care we offer in Moore County, root canal therapy works to eliminate the infection, clean the tooth’s interior, and restore its strength and function.
In addition to our root canal treatment, we take a proactive approach to both preventative and restorative dentistry. By using advanced tools like rotary files, ultrasonic instruments, and the CEREC system for same-day crowns, we ensure your treatment is not only precise but also as convenient as possible. Our goal is to help preserve your natural teeth, prevent future issues, and provide lasting restorations that support your overall oral health.
Symptoms of an Infected Root Canal
Recognizing the signs of a tooth infection early can help you seek treatment before the condition worsens. Common symptoms of an infected tooth include:
- Tenderness or swelling at the bottom of the root.
- Pain in response to hot or cold temperatures that lasts several minutes.
- Discomfort or pain when biting down.
- Spontaneous pain with no apparent cause.
- Chronic bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth.
- A pimple-like sore on the gums.
- Tooth discoloration or darkening.
- Fever.
- Tenderness or swelling at the bottom of the root.
- Pain in response to hot or cold temperatures that lasts several minutes.
- Discomfort or pain when biting down.
- Spontaneous pain with no apparent cause.
- Chronic bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth.
- A pimple-like sore on the gums.
- Tooth discoloration or darkening.
- Fever.
It’s important to note that pain isn’t always present. In some cases, the tooth may stop hurting as the affected nerve dies. This isn’t a sign of improvement but rather a more advanced stage of the infection.
Our Advanced Root Canal Procedure
Keeping You Comfortable
We understand that root canal treatment has a reputation for being unpleasant, but our approach ensures the experience is as painless as possible. In fact, root canal therapy relieves the discomfort caused by an infected tooth rather than causing pain. As part of our preventative dentistry approach, we focus on early detection and treatment to help avoid more serious dental issues down the road.
To keep you comfortable during the procedure:
- We use local anesthetics to numb the area.
- For anxious patients, we offer oral sedation and drug-free relaxation options like NuCalm.
- Our advanced anesthesia tools, including Anutra and the needle-free Wand, make numbing more comfortable and stress-free.
- We use local anesthetics to numb the area.
- For anxious patients, we offer oral sedation and drug-free relaxation options like NuCalm.
- Our advanced anesthesia tools, including Anutra and the needle-free Wand, make numbing more comfortable and stress-free.
Efficient Cleaning with Ultrasonic Instruments
Once you are properly anesthetized, we gently remove the damaged nerve and pulp tissue. Using a combination of hand tools and ultrasonic instruments, we clean the interior of the root canal thoroughly and seal it with a natural polymer.
Ultrasonic instruments provide key advantages:
- An air stream clears debris for increased visibility.
- Faster, more efficient cleaning reduces the overall procedure time.
- Improved precision and magnification help us locate and treat small canals.
- An air stream clears debris for increased visibility.
- Improved precision and magnification help us locate and treat small canals.
- Faster, more efficient cleaning reduces the overall procedure time.
CEREC Crowns: Complete Treatment in One Visit
After root canal therapy, placing a crown is often necessary to protect the tooth and restore its strength. Thanks to our CEREC system, we can design, fabricate, and place your custom porcelain crown in a single appointment.
Benefits of CEREC Crowns:
- No need for temporary crowns or multiple visits.
- Strong, durable porcelain crowns crafted in about an hour.
- Seamless restoration that blends naturally with your smile.
- No need for temporary crowns or multiple visits.
- Strong, durable porcelain crowns crafted in about an hour.
- Seamless restoration that blends naturally with your smile.
Why Root Canal Therapy Matters
Root canal therapy isn’t just about eliminating pain—it’s a vital procedure that helps save your natural tooth. Without treatment, an infected tooth can lead to:
- Severe tooth decay or abscess formation.
- Loss of the tooth, requiring more extensive restorative procedures like dental implants.
- Spread of infection to surrounding tissues, potentially leading to systemic health issues.
- Severe tooth decay or abscess formation.
- Loss of the tooth, requiring more extensive restorative procedures like dental implants.
- Spread of infection to surrounding tissues, potentially leading to systemic health issues.
Our efficient and gentle root canal procedures ensure your oral health is restored while preserving your natural smile.
Schedule Your Root Canal Treatment Today
Don’t wait to address the symptoms of a tooth infection. Early treatment can save your tooth and prevent more serious complications. Our experienced team is here to provide high-tech, gentle care in a comfortable environment.
Call us today at (910) 692-4450 so we can help you restore your smile!
