Root Canal Therapy – Fayetteville, NC

Why Do You Need a Root Canal?

You need a root canal when an infection reaches the inside of the tooth. This portion of the tooth is called the pulp chamber, commonly referred to as the “nerve” of a tooth. An infection here causes serious discomfort due to inflammation and aggravated nerves, making it hard to ignore the need for root canal therapy.

An infected tooth is usually very sensitive to hot, cold, and sugary foods and beverages. It may appear dark or discolored, too. It’s important that you don’t put off seeking attention if you’re in severe pain that could be a result of a tooth infection.

Quick treatment is necessary to have the best outcome for your smile and your overall wellbeing, because infections can easily spread to gum tissue, creating an abscess. When this issue is left untreated, it can lead to a more serious infection that may even spread to other areas of your body and become life-threatening.

Getting Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatments typically take place over the course of two appointments. Once we diagnose the issue during your appointment, we can begin planning the procedure. Before we begin, we’ll administer a local anesthetic to the affected area to ensure that you don’t feel an ounce of pain throughout your visit. We’ll then access the inner chamber of your tooth where your infected pulp is located and remove it using specially crafted, small instruments.

After the nerves have been removed, we’ll sanitize the inside of your tooth to ensure that no bacteria remain. We’ll then fill the tooth to restore its shape, size, and structure. To prevent any further damage from occurring and to restore its strength, we’ll also top it off with a customized porcelain dental crown. This final part of the process will allow you to use your treated tooth like it was home-grown, so you can enjoy it for years to come.

Tips For a Fast Recovery

While you’re recovering from getting a root canal in Fayetteville, it’s incredibly important to follow our post-op directions that we provide you with and to maintain the treated area. Our patients typically feel some slight discomfort as their mouth is healing, but it’s nothing that can’t usually be remedied with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen. Here are some tips to follow so you can make a speedy recovery after your procedure:

• Wait until the anesthesia has worn off before you eat.
• Meal plan and primarily eat soft foods for the first few days.
• Use a cold compress to reduce any swelling.
• Avoid smoking until your mouth has healed.
• Avoid exercising for a few days.
• Take two or three days off of work to rest.
• Pay attention to how you feel and report any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms.

If you need additional guidance or help during your recovery, don’t hesitate to contact our office! We’ll be more than happy to make sure that you’re comfortable and healing well at home.

When Root Canals Are Necessary

You need a root canal when an infection reaches the inside of the tooth. This portion of the tooth is called the pulp chamber, commonly referred to as the “nerve” of a tooth. An infection here causes serious discomfort due to inflammation, making it hard to ignore the need for root canal therapy.

An infected tooth is usually very sensitive to hot, cold, and sugary foods and beverages. It may appear dark or discolored, too. Do not put off seeking attention if you suspect you need root canal therapy.

Quick treatment is necessary to have the best outcome for your smile and your overall wellbeing. Infection in a tooth can easily spread to gum tissue, creating an abscess. Left untreated, an abscess can lead to a more serious infection that may even be life threatening.