Our root canal therapy is used to restore an infected tooth. Sometimes, the nerve inside the tooth becomes infected and causes severe pain.
What causes the infection?
- Deep Decay
- Bad dental work
- A broken, chipped, or fractured tooth
- Trauma
If left untreated, an infected nerve can develop into an abscess, which is a pus-filled pocked inside the tooth. While it is possible to have no symptoms of an infected nerve, many people exhibit several of the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
- Sensitivity to touch and chewing
- Discoloration of the tooth
- Swelling of lymph nodes and gingival tissues
- Pain in nearby bone
- Drainage
During the root canal procedure, our dentist will apply anesthetics to the tooth and surrounding areas. Then, we will create a small hole in the crown of the tooth in order to remove the bacteria and infection. We will clean out the inside of the tooth and use a biocompatible material called gutta percha to fill in the space left by the removed decay.
After the tooth has been cleaned and filled, the last step is to place a permanent filling and crown to prevent the tooth from future decay or fractures. Depending on your specific case, this step may require an additional dental appointment with Dr. LeeAnn Hatfield.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, we invite you to restore your tooth’s health. If you require root canal therapy in Greer, South Carolina, we call us today at 864-968-8811 and arrange your visit at Hatfield Cosmetic & Family Dentist.
