Root Canals: The Preferred Choice of Dentists and Patients in Restoring Infected Teeth
You’re cruising along through life, taking care of everyday duties like work and family when all of a sudden you’re halted by tooth pain. You may have noticed certain signs: a discolored tooth, swollen gums, sensitivity to foods that are very hot or cold, or painful chewing.
Sometimes the problem is marked only by a light pain but sometimes can be enough to find you running to your dentist for relief. Choose Dr. Elizabeth Alexander of Core Dentistry in Fort Mill, SC, to help you with your pain. She may find that the tooth pulp is diseased or a nerve is infected. She may recommend a root canal procedure.
Welcoming Patients of All Ages!
We offer convenient hours to accommodate the busy and varied lives of families and professionals in this area. For all individuals from Fort Mill, Riverview, India Hook, Red River, Indian Land, Tega Cay and neighboring communities, we look forward to meeting you soon.
What’s a Tooth Made Of?
When you’re faced with a problem in your mouth, it’s helpful to know all its parts. A tooth has four main parts:
Just What Is a Root Canal, Anyway?
Long-time dental patients may be aware of root canal therapy; new patients may not. Root canal therapy is a common dental procedure for treating infected or damaged teeth. The treatment involves removing the infected pulp from the tooth's natural cavity and filling it with a filler material. This helps to eliminate pain and discomfort and save the tooth from further damage. This procedure is performed by an endodontist, a dentist specializing in root canal treatments. Root canal therapy is a pain-free procedure that can save your natural teeth and restore your smile. The dentist then replaces it with a filler material, saving you from a tooth extraction. These professional oral surgery procedures are usually performed in just one or two visits. If you're experiencing tooth pain or have concerns about your oral health, contact our Fort Mill, SC office to schedule a consultation.
Why Get a Root Canal Instead of an Extraction?
Read Some of Our Patients Reviews
"My son-in-law recently needed to schedule a dental appointment fairly quickly but his dentist wasn’t available. So he decided to try the “new dentist” conveniently located near his home. He was so impressed with Dr. Alexander and her staff that I scheduled an appointment a couple of weeks later. To say I was impressed would be an understatement! Clean, efficient, compassionate, professional are just a few adjectives describing Dr. Alexander and the Core Dentistry office and staff. I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone looking for dental care in the Fort Mill/Rock Hill area!"
-Carol O.
"I highly recommend Dr. Alexander and her team at Core Dentistry in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Strategically located just south of Charlotte, their office is spotless and cutting edge. Dr. Alexander's honesty, professionalism, and meticulous attention to detail, gives her a world class rating."
-Daniel Mc.
Root Canal Procedure
Here are the steps of a root canal procedure:
- The procedure begins with a professional examination and x-rays. During this office exam, the dentist will discover how serious the infection is and whether surrounding teeth are affected.
- Local anesthesia is injected into the affected area.
- A sheet of rubber or vinyl is placed over the area. A hole is cut into the sheet so that only the infected tooth is exposed, keeping the infection from escaping to surrounding areas.
- A hole will next be drilled into the affected tooth. This allows your dentist to reach the diseased pulp to remove it and any surrounding dead tissue.
- The entire area will be cleaned and antiseptics and other medicines applied to prevent further infection.
- A filling will then close up the tooth.
After the Root Canal Procedure
You may receive a prescription for antibiotics to prevent further infection from occurring. You will most likely be able to return to your everyday activities the day after your root canal. You will be encouraged to eat soft foods such as eggs, soup, and yogurt for a day or two. And you will be advised to take over-the-counter analgesics should any post-surgery pain occur. If more pain is felt, contact the dental office. Crowning the tooth after root canal therapy is usually recommended to protect it from cracking or breaking.
When properly taken care of, a tooth saved by a root canal procedure can last a lifetime.
Where to Go For Your Dental Needs in Fort Mill, South Carolina
Dr. Alexander of Core Dentistry in Fort Mill, South Carolina, is a true professional, an excellent dentist who has worked in the dental practice since 2013. She is a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD). She is assisted by an entire staff including front desk personnel, all intent on providing you with a very pleasant experience. Core Dentistry serves the entire Fort Mill area, including Riverview, Rock Hill, India Hook, Red River, Indian Land, Tega Cay and surrounding communities.
Dr. Alexander also performs fillings, veneers, crowns, whitening, dental implants, bridges, dentures, extractions, gum disease therapies, Botox therapy, other dental treatments and emergency dentistry. Let Dr. Alexander restore your oral health, bringing a beautiful, healthy smile back to your face. If you seek an endodontist in Fort Mill, SC, call our office at (803) 681-6600 today to schedule an appointment.
