A root canal could just end up preventing you from having to get a tooth pulled.

Our Cary, NC, dentists, Dr. Kirk Wilkie, Dr. Vic Turner, and Dr. Joey Pesicek, believe that everyone should take a vested interest in their oral health. Part of this interest entails being able to spot the telltale signs that it’s time to visit the dentist for an evaluation. Read below to learn why root canals are performed and which dental issues could be trying to tell you that you just might need this endodontic procedure.

What is root canal therapy?

A root canal is performed when the inside of the tooth, known as the dental pulp, becomes either inflamed or infected. This happens when bacteria is able to get inside the tooth.

Once the pulp is infected, the only option is to perform a root canal, a procedure in which our dentist removes the pulp and cleans out the inside of the tooth. During root canal treatment, we will also seal up the roots of the tooth to prevent re-infection.

It’s important for patients to understand that when our Cary, NC, dentists tell them that they need to get a root canal that it isn’t an elective procedure. This is one that needs to be performed in order to remove bacteria inside the tooth. This is not something that will get better by itself; if you leave the tooth untreated, the infection will continue to spread until the tooth is no longer viable and accordingly require extraction.

Don’t root canals hurt?

This is a common assumption, but it is completely wrong. Here at our dental office, we strive to make your dental procedure as easy on you as possible. Sure, the idea of drilling into the tooth may not sound pleasant, but we will apply local anesthesia to the area so that everything will be completely numb before we begin. You’ll hear the noise of the drill, you may feel pressure, but you should never feel pain.

Furthermore, the whole purpose of root canal treatment is to get rid of the source of your dental pain, not cause it. After performing the root canal and removing the infected dental pulp (the cause of your toothache), many patients will experience immediate relief.

What are the warning signs that it’s time to visit your Cary, NC, dentist?

Wondering if you might benefit from a root canal? Here are the warning signs:

• A toothache
• Tooth sensitivity
• A cracked or fractured tooth
• Pain when chewing or biting down
• Tooth discoloration
• Swollen gums around the tooth
• An abscess on the gums (looks similar to a pimple)

No matter whether you are dealing with a toothache or you just need a simple dental cleaning, our Cary, NC, dental team is here to provide full dental care to your whole family. If you suspect that you might need a root canal, give us a call today at (919) 481-0330.