Root canals – save your tooth and retain your beautiful smile

When it’s found that a tooth has severe decay, a root canal is one option available that will allow the tooth to be saved. There’s no need to be worried if this procedure is prescribed to treat the damaged and diseased tooth. Millions of teeth are saved through this procedure each year. Triad Dentistry has provided this procedure for years in a stress-free and comfortable environment. The doctors and the caring, well-trained team strive to provide the highest level of quality dentistry for patients in the Greensboro, NC area.

What is a root canal?

Within your tooth, underneath the dentin and enamel, lies a soft tissue called pulp. The pulp within a tooth consists of connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves, all of which aid the growth of your tooth’s root during its development. Once a tooth is fully developed, it can survive without this pulp because it will continue to be nourished by surrounding tissue.

During a root canal, this pulp and nerve tissue are removed, followed by cleaning and sealing the tooth. The term “root canal” is used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the tooth where this pulp and nerve tissue are removed. Without treatment, a tooth’s tissue can become infected causing abscesses to form.

Tooth pulp – why does it need to be removed?

When the pulp or nerve tissue becomes damaged inside a tooth, it begins to break down allowing bacteria to multiply within the pulp chamber. This can lead to an infection of the tooth and/or an abscessed tooth (a pocket that forms at the end of a tooth’s root, which can fill with pus). An infection or abscess can lead to:

  • Bone loss at the tip of the tooth’s root
  • Swelling, which can spread to the face, head or neck
  • A spreading infection

Root Canal Procedure without pain – Triad Dentistry

Root Canal Procedure without pain - Dr. Steven Hatcher
Have you felt stressful to have a Root Canal Procedure? Dr. Steven Hatcher from Steven L. Hatcher, DDS, PA explains how he does the procedure by using new techniques and anesthetics without any pain or stress to the patients. If you are someone near Greenboro and want to get a Root Canal Treatment done then Dr. Steven Hatcher is the best.
Video Transcript

Reasons for root canal treatment

A root canal may need to be performed when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. Some other reasons for a root canal may include:

  • Chip or crack in your tooth
  • Deep decay
  • A history of repeated dental procedures on the same tooth
  • Defective crown

Additionally, an injury to a tooth (even one that results in no visible chips/cracks) may damage pulp. If pulp infection goes untreated, it is likely that there will be noticeable pain and it can lead to an abscess.

Relieve Pain & Save Natural Tooth With Root Canal Greensboro

Relieve Pain & Save Natural Tooth With Root Canal Greensboro
Watch this video on how to relieve pain and save a natural tooth with root canal therapy as provided by Triad Dentistry in Greensboro NC
Video Transcript

Symptoms of a root canal infection

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may need a root canal:

  • Severe tooth pain or toothache
  • A darkened or discolored tooth
  • Tooth pain when biting/chewing food
  • Increased tooth sensitivity to cold or heat

The need for a root canal, if not detected early, will present itself (very often) through significant pain in the tooth, so the infection shouldn’t go unnoticed for long. If you experience any pain or symptoms as presented above, you should call Triad Dentistry immediately to schedule an appointment.

Painless root canal procedure

When a patient thinks of a root canal procedure, it most likely induces stress and anxiety for them. The doctors at Triad Dentistry want the experience to be as pain-free as possible using local anesthetics. Once the area is numbed, an access point will be made in the tooth so that the pulp chamber is exposed. Using sterilized and safe instruments, the doctor will clean out the infection by removing the pulp from the tooth before cleaning and disinfecting the canal. He/she will then fill the canal and seal it and, depending on the situation, may choose to crown the tooth for extra protection. The dental crown is made in-house using a CEREC machine and may be placed during the same appointment the root canal was performed.

Benefits of root canal treatment

There are several benefits of a root canal procedure, including:

  • Pain relief – the purpose of the root canal procedure is to remove the infection from within the tooth. This will end the pain you’ve been experiencing!
  • Protection – If an infection is left untreated, it’s very likely it will spread to other teeth. A root canal procedure, through removal of the infected tissue, will halt any potential of the infection spreading.
  • Hygiene – A root canal will not only rid your tooth of the lingering infection but, through the treatment, will also aid in removing any other potentially damaging bacteria that may have been lingering.
  • Saves the tooth – One of the primary purposes of a root canal procedure is to remove the infection so that the tooth can be saved. If left untreated, it’s very likely that the tooth will have to be removed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A root canal is a procedure during which the infected or inflamed pulp of a tooth is removed. The tooth is cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed before being restored with either a crown or a filling for long-lasting protection.
A root canal procedure is needed when the pulp within a tooth becomes inflamed or infected. This can be due to several reasons including deep decay, a crack/chip in the tooth, repeated procedures having been performed on the same tooth, or faulty crowns
A root canal procedure is often no more painful than getting a filling and, in fact, will relieve long-term pain. Advances in the treatment have made it a near pain-free single visit experience due to the understanding modern dentists and endodontists have regarding pain management.
This is dependent on specifics of your procedure. It’s estimated that a root canal procedure will take between one and two hours. It’s often completed within a single visit but, in some cases, a second appointment may be needed.
Prices will vary but a root canal is less expensive (and less invasive) than an extraction and replacement using a bridge or implant. Costs will also vary based on your dental insurance provider. The staff at Triad Dentistry will work together with your insurance to get you an accurate quote for the procedure.
Dr. Steven Hatcher

Dr. Steven Hatcher

Dr. Chad Merrell

Dr. Chad Merrell

Dr. Sona Isharani

Dr. Sona Isharani

Dr. Victoria Santiago-Coiro

Dr. Victoria Santiago-Coiro

Dr. Steven Hatcher, Dr. Chad Merrell, Dr. Sona Isharani, and Dr. Victoria Santiago-Coiro comprise the team of qualified and experienced doctors at Triad Dentistry. They are passionate and driven professionals who strive to preserve and enhance the natural beauty in every dental treatment. Together with the other members of the team, they focus on developing an individualist approach when it comes to treating patients to ensure patient care is a tailor-made experience for the comfort of each client.

It’s important to take tooth pain or aches very seriously, as they could be symptoms of more serious problems. For an experience that will leave you comfortable and at ease, please give Triad Dentistry a call today at (336) 383-1482 to set up an appointment.