Root Canals and Restoration in Mount Pleasant, SC
Root canals and restoration in Mount Pleasant, SC
We offer easy and gentle root canals in Mt. Pleasant, SC for patients of all ages.
If you have severe pain or swelling around your tooth or jaw, you may have an infection that needs prompt treatment. In many cases, we can successfully treat deep infections in your teeth using root canal therapy. Many dentists refer patients to specialists for root canal therapy, but at East Cooper Smiles, our dentist in Mt. Pleasant, SC has the skills and expertise to treat most root canal cases right here in our office. Dr. Jason Annan can save your tooth and alleviate your pain and discomfort through the use of root canal therapy and restoration.
To learn more about gentle root canal treatment and dental restorations in Mount Pleasant, we invite you to call us or continue reading.
- What Causes the Need for a Root Canal in Mt. Pleasant, SC?
- Why Should Infected or Inflamed Pulp Be Removed?
- Root Canal Therapy Is an Affordable, Smile-Saving Option
- How Does a Root Canal Procedure Work?
- Restorative Care for Your Root Canal
- Call Us to Schedule an Evaluation for a Root Canal in Mt. Pleasant
What Causes the Need for a Root Canal in Mt. Pleasant, SC?
Deep inside your tooth, beneath the enamel and dentin layers, is an area called the pulp. Pulp is soft tissue that holds blood vessels and nerves. The dentin layers and enamel protect the pulp from damage, but when these layers wear away or are broken, the pulp becomes more vulnerable to painful inflammation or a potentially dangerous infection. When the pulp becomes infected due to deep decay, trauma, or for some other reason, your dentist may need to perform a root canal to clear out the infection and bacteria.
You may wonder why it is so important to save your tooth. Did you know that tooth loss can cause bone loss? When you lose a tooth, the root is no longer present to stimulate healthy bone retention, so it may begin to resorb. When that happens, your surrounding teeth could shift, causing gum disease, problems with your bite, and a crooked smile.
Why Should Infected or Inflamed Pulp Be Removed?
If not quickly and efficiently treated by your Mt. Pleasant dentist, harmful bacteria can spread and cause a serious infection that can put your oral and physical health at risk. Bacteria can even reach your tooth’s root and cause intense pain and swelling, gum disease, and more decay. When infected or damaged tooth pulp is not removed, the bacteria can also spread to the jaw bone, and your tooth may need to be removed to restore and protect your oral health. Also, if you wait too long to get root canal treatment, your tooth may not be salvageable, and you may need more than one tooth removed.
When the damaged pulp is removed, it allows your dentist to clean out the diseased nerves and blood vessels, clean the tooth, and seal it, so it doesn’t get damaged any further. People often believe that root canal treatment is painful, but it is actually quite painless. Before the procedure, your dentist numbs the area, so you do not experience any pain or discomfort. Thanks to technological advances in dentistry, root canals are now similar to getting a dental filling and can be performed in only one dental visit.
Root Canal Therapy Is an Affordable, Smile-Saving Option
Root canals make it possible to keep your tooth instead of having it removed and in need of replacement. Tooth removal is only considered when the tooth is beyond repair; otherwise, root canal therapy is the ideal option for fixing your tooth. Removing a tooth may eliminate the damaged pulp, but it also opens the door to multiple risks and potential issues. If the removed tooth is not replaced, the surrounding teeth can shift and move into the empty spaces. This can disrupt your bite, making it more difficult to chew and speak, not to mention it can make you more susceptible to developing gum disease. Dr. Annan’s root canal treatment can save your natural tooth and consequently save you money and time by eliminating the need for a costly replacement tooth.
How Does a Root Canal Procedure Work?
If you received a diagnosis that requires a root canal, you might feel a bit apprehensive because you have heard about the pain and discomfort associated with root canals. The truth is that a root canal procedure will likely relieve your pain once the infection clears.
The unknown can feel scary, but don’t worry; Dr. Annan, our skilled dentist in Mt. Pleasant, is extremely gentle and treats our patients with the utmost care and respect. He will make sure you are completely numb for your root canal procedure, and he will help you with pain management, so you have a positive and relaxing experience.
To complete your root canal, we will make a small access in your tooth, so we can thoroughly clean out the pulp and nerve. Then, Dr. Annan will place medication inside the canal to heal the tooth from the inside out.
Once the tooth is completely clean and rid of lingering bacteria, Dr. Annan will carefully seal your tooth. You might feel sensitive for a few days after treatment, but you should feel gradually better until your symptoms disappear entirely.
Using state-of-the-art technology, we can ensure your root canal procedure will be comfortable, safe, and quick. Root canal treatment typically only takes one hour, depending on your unique case, and you can enjoy a healthier smile in just one dental visit!
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Root Canal?
If you are suffering from a painful, sensitive, or infected tooth, root canal treatment may be your best option. There are numerous advantages of getting a root canal to save your tooth:
- It stops the risk of infection spreading to your remaining teeth.
- The treated tooth is sealed with a durable and natural-looking crown, giving you a new and improved appearance.
- It helps save your tooth, so you don’t have to worry about having a smile with missing teeth.
- It prevents your jawbone from deteriorating.
- It enhances your overall health.
Severe, untreated tooth decay can wreak havoc on your health, and it can even increase your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, and even dementia. At East Cooper Smiles, we strive to boost your overall health by focusing on your teeth and gums; that’s why it’s so important that you visit us regularly so we can monitor your oral health.
Restorative Care for Your Root Canal
Our goal is to restore your smile’s appearance and functionality. Our restorative dental services may include fillings, crowns, dental bridges, and even dentures. Root canal therapy is actually also considered a restorative service because it strives to preserve your natural tooth.
Root canals can cause your teeth to become brittle and more susceptible to damage from day-to-day use. In some cases, we can stabilize your tooth with a filling. In other cases, especially for molars that withstand so much force from chewing, we may need to place a dental crown over your tooth to protect it. With the proper restoration and regular dental care, a root canal can extend the life of your tooth by decades.
Call Us to Schedule an Evaluation for a Root Canal in Mt. Pleasant
If you are experiencing dental pain or believe you need a root canal, don’t delay receiving treatment. Dr. Annan has years of experience saving patients’ smiles and helping them achieve what we call optimal oral health. We are confident that we can make your teeth strong, healthy, and beautiful. The sooner you call, the better our chances are of saving your tooth. Our entire team at our Mount Pleasant dental office looks forward to working with you toward a healthy future.
