Endodontic / Root Canal Therapy
Many people hear “root canal” and immediately panic. But if you knew how crucial this procedure is to preserving your tooth’s structure, you may see it in a different light. Drs Macdonald & Whaley, DDS use modern, comfortable root canals to treat inflamed nerve tissue within a decaying tooth, relieve your pain, and stop infection from spreading. After we carefully remove the nerve tissue, we fill the interior of the tooth to keep the structure intact. Special patient comfort measures, such as anti-anxiety medications and local anesthesia, make root canals just another dental visit. You can be sure that out gentle and compassionate staff make your experience pleasant and rewarding.
Root Canal Therapy
Painful Pulp
Your teeth contain several layers: the outer protective enamel, a secondary layer of sensitive dentin, and an inner pulp that contains components commonly referred to as the “nerve” of the tooth. Each pulp chamber branches off, forming canals that lead toward the tooth root tip. These infamous root canals provide a means for the tooth to absorb what it needs from the blood and get rid of toxins or other unnecessary materials via the blood stream. A deep cavity, traumatic injury, or tooth fracture can make the canal susceptible to bacterial infection, which can kill the pulp, stimulate increased blood flow, and create pressure within the tooth. This can cause severe tooth pain and may initiate bone degeneration, tooth loss, and even more acute pain. If you see a dentist in the earliest stages of this condition, the tooth may be saved with a root canal. Otherwise, it should be extracted and replaced with a prosthetic.
Easy Does It
Will root canal therapy hurt? Not with today's advanced analgesics and technology. In fact, the entire process can be so comfortable that many patients doze off. Oftentimes, root canal therapy can be completed in a single appointment. We simply clean out the diseased canal, fill it canal with a biologically-inert substance, seal it from further infection, and you're on your way. While some patients experience post-procedural soreness or slight tissue inflammation, these are controllable with over-the-counter analgesics. Follow-up care involves thorough home hygiene and regular dental visits for cleanings and check ups.
Please call or email our Triad Cosmetic Dentistry Practice serving the Triad and all of Central NC today to learn more about how we can help you, and schedule your cosmetic dentistry appointment with Macdonald & Whaley today!
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