Man with toothache pain holding mug

Root Canals

Treating Patients With Root Canal Therapy

When tooth decay reaches the pulp of a tooth and becomes infected, we do everything we can to save the tooth. This involves performing a root canal on the tooth to prevent needing to extract it, and unnecessary extractions of permanent teeth can lead to problems with the jaw and your overall oral health. At Stewart Dental, we help patients with infected teeth safely and comfortably receive the care they need to save their teeth with root canals.

What Causes Tooth Infection

The tooth pulp is located at the center of the tooth inside a canal that extends from the crown down to the jawbone. The pulp itself is made up of soft tissue containing blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues. Damaged pulp is typically caused by poor oral hygiene and untreated cavities, but pulp can also also become damaged through tooth-related trauma. Ignoring the infection can lead to severe pain, damage to the jaw bone and tooth extraction. Root canals are used to treat and save the natural tooth.

Signs You May Need A Root Canal

Usually, patients with tooth infections experience moderate to severe pain in the tooth and surrounding areas. Other symptoms that point to needing root canals include:

  • Jaw pain

  • Swelling

  • Tooth sensitivity

  • Trouble swallowing

  • Pain while chewing

Root Canal Therapy
In Charlotte, NC

Treating your teeth with root canals usually involves several visits to our office, beginning with examining the affected tooth to confirm the infection. From there, our dentist will begin the procedure by applying local anesthetic to help you feel as comfortable and pain-free as possible.

Using a dental drill, our dentists remove the infected pulp in the tooth. After the damaged parts of the pulp have been extracted, Doctors Melissa and Randall clean and disinfect the tooth. Typically our dentists will then place a temporary filling. The filling prevents saliva from filling the affected area. At your next visit, our dentists remove the temporary filling to permanently fill and seal the tooth. Depending on the severity of the infection, you may need a permanent crown placed as well. Root canals are a safe and effective way to save your natural teeth.

Recovering From
Your Root Canal

Contrary to popular belief, root canals should not be any more painful than receiving a regular dental filling. After your treatment, you may experience some soreness and discomfort that can be treated with over-the-counter medication. In the case of a severe infection, our dental team may also prescribe you antibiotics. You should avoid sticky, hard or chewy food as well as hot liquids immediately after your procedure to avoid injury to the tooth.

Call our office at 704-376-2404 with any questions or concerns about your aftercare following a procedure.

Preventing Tooth Infections

Your daily dental routine at home can help stop tooth decay before it starts. Good oral hygiene habits include brushing and flossing your teeth every day, avoiding excessively sugary food and drinks and visiting the dentist regularly (every six months, unless otherwise recommended). If you are experiencing any degree of oral pain or have questions about how you can prevent tooth decay, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Root Canals FAQs

We will perform a root canal when the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, a cracked or broken tooth, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth or trauma to the tooth.

Common signs that you may need this procedure include severe toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, swelling of the gums or face and a pimple-like bump on the gums near the affected tooth. However, only a qualified dentist like Dr. Melissa Stewart can confirm the need for this procedure through a thorough examination.

This procedure is performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the area and eliminates any pain. You may experience some irritation and soreness after the procedure, which should subside in a day or two. We recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to help with any discomfort.

The length of the procedure varies depending on the tooth’s location and complexity of the case. On average, it takes about an hour, but some cases may require multiple appointments.

In most cases, you should be able to drive yourself home after a root canal, as local anesthesia is used. However, if you receive sedation or have concerns about your ability to drive, you can arrange for someone to drive you.

Root canals