Signs You May Need a Root Canal

At Afton Dental, we are dedicated to keeping your natural teeth intact, and root canal therapy can do just that. Despite its reputation, the relatively comfortable and straightforward procedure relieves pain resulting from tooth infection rather than causing it and saves damaged teeth, restoring their form and function. With our cutting-edge technology and techniques, modern anesthetics, and sedation dentistry options, we’ll ensure you are as comfortable as possible while providing you with exceptional care. 

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Your teeth are made up of the crown, which is visible above your gum line, and the root, which is embedded in your jawbone. Inside each tooth is the pulp chamber, which houses blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure needed to save a tooth with infected or damaged pulp resulting from deep decay, a crack or fracture, trauma, or repeated dental procedures. 

If not treated, tooth pulp damage cannot heal on its own. The infection can progress, leading to pain, swelling, an abscess, bone loss around the tooth’s root, and even tooth loss. The infection can also damage the surrounding teeth and enter into the bloodstream, leading to health complications. Root canal therapy can save damaged teeth that would otherwise require extraction, restoring your healthy, functional smile. 

What Are Warning Signs You May Need a Root Canal Treatment? 

Signs that you may need a root canal include:

• A severe and persistent toothache that gets worse when you bite, chew, or place pressure on the tooth
• Sensitivity in response to hot and cold foods and drinks that lasts even after removing the stimulus
• Swelling and tenderness of the gums, face, or neck
• A pimple-like, often painful bump on the gums, indicating an abscess
• A tooth that’s turned gray or black after trauma or gums that are dark or discolored
• A cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged tooth
• Persistent unpleasant breath or a bad taste in the mouth
• A loose tooth resulting from the infection weakening the surrounding bone

What Is the Root Canal Procedure? 

After numbing the area and administering dental sedation, if needed, for your comfort, Dr. Hill will remove the diseased tooth pulp, clean and reshape the root canals, seal the area using a rubbery material known as gutta-percha, and place a filling. 

After a root canal treatment, we typically recommend placing an aesthetic dental crown to protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking. With proper care and maintenance, your root canal-treated tooth can last a lifetime!

Root Canal Therapy Near Me in Concord, NC

Contact Afton Dental to learn more about saving an infected or damaged tooth with root canal therapy. Dr. Hill and his dedicated team are committed to ensuring your experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. We invite you to call us at 704-788-1717 to schedule an appointment or request one online today!