When you have that persistent and unrelenting dental pain, you'll do anything to make it go away. You probably feel like you just want the tooth pulled out to stop the pain. However, at Pryor Dental, our goal is always to help patients save their natural teeth if possible. If you're proactive about seeking treatment for your tooth pain, we may be able to save your tooth with root canal treatment. Here's what you should know.
Understanding Root Canals in Winston-Salem
A root canal relieves a painful tooth infection, while also saving your natural tooth structure. This is preferable to a tooth extraction if possible, because it saves your tooth.
During a root canal, Dr. Pryor will carefully remove the infected tissue from within your tooth. Once he's sure that it's clean and infection-free, he'll seal it with a temporary filling. We give the tooth time to heal, and then you'll return to strengthen it with a permanent filling or a dental crown. This ensures that you have all the chewing function you enjoyed before your tooth infection.
When Do I Need a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth becomes unsalvageable with a root canal when the infection spreads deep into the nerve and pulp and is left untreated for too long. A tooth that's decayed, damaged, or fractured beyond repair may also require an extraction. Dr. Pryor recommends tooth extraction only when all other treatment options have been exhausted.
We handle most types of tooth extractions here at Pryor Dental, and our team is here to support you throughout the entire process and into your recovery. If it's not a wisdom tooth we're extracting, we will also help you with tooth replacement options.
Talk with Our Team
Whether you need a root canal or tooth extraction in Winston-Salem, our team has you covered. Contact us at (336) 765-7477 to schedule an appointment.