If you have tooth pain or sensitivity, you might need a root canal. Root canals are needed when the soft pulp center of a tooth becomes infected or damaged. Without treatment, the infection can spread beyond the tooth and affect other teeth and the gums. Root canal therapy stops the spread of infection, while restoring damaged or infected teeth. At Carmel Commons Dental, Dr. Don Timpton is your dentist for root canals in Charlotte, NC.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is a procedure for restoring infected, damaged, or decaying teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted. There is a soft pulp material in the center of each tooth that also runs down through the canals of the tooth’s root. When the pulp becomes infected, the infection can spread down through the canals and result in the formation of an abscess below the tooth’s root. The infection can then spread to other areas of the mouth and cause further oral health problems.
Some signs that root canal treatment might be needed include:
- A severe or persistent toothache
- Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold items
- Experiencing sharp pain when biting and chewing
- A feeling of persistent mouth pain or pressure
The procedure to perform root canal treatment is similar to filling a cavity. The dentist drills into the tooth and removes infected areas of pulp from the center and canals of the tooth. The interior of the tooth is then cleaned out. Finally, empty areas inside the tooth are filled in and sealed with dental filling. Following root canal treatment, the tooth will be strong enough to bite and chew again without pain or sensitivity. Your dentist for root canals in Charlotte, NC, can determine if root canal treatment can restore and strengthen a problem tooth.
Benefits of Root Canals
Root canals offer several benefits. A major benefit is preservation of your tooth so you can avoid extraction. Another benefit is alleviating tooth pain and sensitivity caused by infection or damage. Root canal treatment also stops the infection from spreading, which can help prevent the need for root canals in other teeth. Finally, pain and sensitivity can cause you to avoid biting into or chewing foods with an infected tooth. Root canal treatment strengthens infected or damaged teeth so they can function normally again.
If you are experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity, a dentist can determine if you need a root canal. Root canal treatment is nothing to fear and can save your tooth from being extracted. For a root canal in Charlotte, NC, schedule an appointment with Dr. Timpton by calling Carmel Commons Dental at (704) 540-2443.