Dr. Furgurson and Dr. White provide root canal therapy in Durham, North Carolina to patients who suffer from an infected tooth. The thought of having a root canal makes many patients fearful and they dread it. This procedure has a bad reputation because the infection itself can be extremely painful. Most of the time, patients feel instant relief once a dentist performs root canal therapy.
Dr. Furgurson and Dr. White are skilled general dentists that are welcoming patients from Durham, NC who may be suffering from a severe tooth infection. A root canal can save a tooth and is the best course of action.
When a Root Canal Treatment in Necessary
When a tooth is broken, cracked, chipped or severely decayed, this creates a point of entry for bacteria. The interior of the tooth, called the pulp, contains all the connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves. When bacteria can reach the tooth pulp, it is now susceptible to an infection (pulpitis). Most people know they have an infection since it is very painful. The symptoms of pulpitis include pain around the tooth, sensitivity to cold and hot, a throbbing sensation, swelling of the jaw or face, and fever. If you experiencing any of these symptoms, call our Durham area dentist office where we will try to get you in as soon as possible.
The Root Canal Procedure
Dr. Furgurson or Dr. White will first examine your tooth to see if you indeed require the root canal procedure. For extreme cases, you may need other dental procedures and will have to refer you to a local specialist for endodontics treatment.
Your dentist will complete the root canal treatment in one visit. They will use a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort. With the area around the tooth completely numb, your dentist will begin by making a small access point in the back of the tooth. Using a special tool, they will remove all the infected tissue from the pulp chamber.
Once your tooth is completely clear of all the infected pulp, Dr. Furgurson or Dr. White will clean out the chamber thoroughly to remove debris and avoid further infection. Then they will fill then interior of the tooth with a biocompatible material called gutta percha to keep the tooth structurally sound. The last step is to seal the tooth
A protective dental crown will need to be placed on that tooth to strengthen it and help it function longer. This will require several other trips but is necessary for your oral health.
What will happen if I ignore the infection?
If an infected tooth goes untreated, the consequences can be severe. Once the pulp of the tooth becomes infected, it cannot heal on its own. Even if the pain subsides, the infection is still present and can lead to further damage. This bacterial infection can easily spread to other areas of the body and will lead to tooth loss.
If a root canal is put-off, a dental abscess can form which is very serious. With this condition, you need treatment right away. The infection can spread to other parts of the body. An abscessed tooth can lead to stroke, heart attack and sepsis.
If you think you require a root canal or have severe tooth pain, please contact our Durham area dentist office as soon as possible at 919.736.6175.