Root Canal Therapy in Harrisburg, NC

 

Root canal therapy continues to save millions of teeth each year, restoring their form and function. Despite its reputation, a tooth-saving root canal treatment relieves tooth pain rather than causing it, restoring your smile’s health and function. With advances in dental technology, modern anesthetics, and sedation dentistry options, root canal therapy is a straightforward, relatively comfortable process. 

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Our main goal at Afton Dental is to preserve your natural teeth, and root canal therapy is an endodontic treatment that helps do just that. To fully appreciate how root canal therapy works, it’s important to first understand the anatomy of a tooth. A tooth is made up of the crown, which is the visible part above the gumline, and the roots, which are embedded deep within the gums. Inside each tooth lies a pulp chamber that extends down into the roots. The pulp contains the nerves, connective tissues, and blood vessels that keep the tooth alive. 

Root canal therapy becomes necessary when a tooth’s inner pulp is inflamed or infected due to deep decay, fracture, or damaged dental restorations that provide harmful bacteria an entryway into the inner pulp chamber. The procedure involves removing the damaged tooth pulp to eliminate the pain and infection and keep the tooth intact.

 

Is There an Alternative to Root Canal Therapy?

A tooth with infected or inflamed inner pulp cannot heal on its own. The infection will continue progressing, causing complications like pain, swelling, or even an abscess, which can cause bone loss around a tooth’s roots. The only alternative to a needed root canal is having the affected tooth extracted and replaced with a dental implant or bridge to complete your smile and preserve the alignment of your remaining teeth. 

What Is the Root Canal Procedure? 

We will start your root canal treatment by numbing the area with a local anesthetic for your comfort. We are happy to offer dental sedation, if needed, to help you relax during treatment. Once you are ready, we will make a tiny opening to access and remove the infected pulp tissues, reshape the area, clean and disinfect the inside of the affected tooth, and seal the area with a biocompatible material known as gutta-percha. The last step is placing a temporary filling. 

After your root canal treatment, we typically recommend placing a dental crown for protection. Your new restoration will look and function like its neighboring natural teeth, and with proper care and maintenance, your root-canal-treated tooth can last a lifetime! 

Root Canal Therapy Near Me in Harrisburg, NC

At Afton Dental, our priority is saving your natural teeth! If you have a painful or damaged tooth, contact our office to schedule a consultation. We will recommend the most conservative solution to restore your smile. If you require a root canal treatment, you’re in good hands. Dr. Hill and our dedicated team will ensure you are as comfortable as possible before, during, and after the procedure. We invite you to call us at 704-788-1717 to schedule an appointment or request one online today!