Root Canal Therapy in Anderson, SC
We've come to expect the look of dread on our patients’ faces when we tell them they need a root canal, but we want you to know – it's not nearly as bad as you think.
Root canals have an unfair reputation for being painful and difficult. You will be happy to know that the modern root canal has advanced dramatically, and with Dr. Carter’s experience and talent, it should feel about the same a routine dental filling.
If you still feel apprehensive, we do offer sedation dentistry to help you relax. We have both nitrous oxide and oral sedation available at our Anderson, SC dental office.
Why Root Canals Are Important
If the internal part of your tooth suffers from an infection, without a root canal, the only option would be to extract your tooth. Since dental extractions are a last resort, root canals are used to extend the life of your tooth.
We start by making sure your tooth is numb and then gently cleaning out diseased tissue and bacteria from inside your tooth. We will place medication in the canal to assist your body with healing.
Next, Dr. Carter will place a rubber-like substance inside your tooth to fill the root canal and place a temporary restoration – like a filling – on your tooth while it heals.
Your body will take over and heal the infection. Your swelling will decrease and you will begin feeling better. In a couple of weeks, we will check your tooth to make sure it has healed properly and place a permanent restoration, usually a crown, over your tooth to protect it.
How to Know if You Need a Root Canal
Some root canal infections do not have any symptoms, and we may catch it on your routine x-rays. Others can feel quite painful due to their inflammatory nature. Here are some signs that might indicate that you need root canal therapy:
You have swelling of your gums, face, or jaw.- It hurts to bite down on food.
- Your tooth feels sensitive to heat.
- You have a small pimple on your gums.
- Your tooth looks discolored.
- You're experiencing pain and throbbing.
It is always best to contact us at the first sign of a problem. This gives us the best chance to save your tooth.
Dental pain rarely goes away on its own and may worsen with time. At Hopewell Family Dentistry, we save time in our schedule so we can treat dental emergencies quickly – often on the same day you call.
Protecting Your Natural Teeth
You may wonder why we go through all this trouble for one tooth. Saving your natural tooth is often more affordable and better for your health!
Do You Have a Toothache?
Call our dental office and schedule an exam with Dr. Patrick Carter. We welcome new and existing patients on an emergency basis and will help you feel like yourself again!
If left untreated, infection will continue to cause pain and may eventually damage enough of the tooth that the dentist will no longer be able to save it. Infected teeth also pose a health risk to the surrounding jaw and gums. We recommend speaking with your dentist about root canal therapy as soon as possible if you have an infected tooth.
