Root Canal Treatment in Greensboro

Root Canal Process | Root Canal Safety | Patient Reviews

What is a root canal?

A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need for dental implants or bridges.

At the center of your tooth is the pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature, or pain in the tooth and gums.

Don’t Suffer From Tooth Pain Any Longer!

Pain in your tooth or gums may be a symptom of infected pulp. Piedmont Endodontics can perform a Root Canals to treat the infected pulp, relieve pain, and save your natural teeth!

If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. Root canal therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment.

Baird, Horwitz, Morrow, Schweizer, Grine, Hagood and Egan use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. In addition, we will provide nitrous oxide analgesia, if indicated. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will be comfortable returning to your normal routine.

Lower jaw and teeth illustration: An example of a healthy tooth
Healthy Tooth
Lower jaw and teeth illustration: A tooth anatomy diagram highlighting pulp dentin and canal
Tooth Anatomy
Lower jaw and teeth illustration: Tooth inflammation showing tooth decay and a inflamed pulp inside the tooth
Inflammation
Lower jaw and teeth illustration: A tooth with its canals cleaned
Cleaned Canals
Lower jaw and teeth illustration: A root canal filling inside a tooth
Filling Placed
Lower jaw and teeth illustration: A tooth healed by root canal therapy
Healed Tooth
 

What happens after treatment?

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene.

How much will a root canal cost?

The cost associated with root canals can vary depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth.

Root Canal Safety

Photo: An energetic and smiling man

The Importance of Endodontics in Overall Health

The connection between oral health and overall well-being is clear—and endodontics plays a crucial role. By treating infection, relieving pain, and preserving natural teeth, endodontic treatment helps maintain both oral and systemic health.

Patients often have concerns about root canal safety, and it’s essential for dentists to address these with facts and reassurance. The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) offers trusted, up-to-date information on the safety and success of endodontic procedures.

Despite decades of research disproving it, the outdated “focal infection theory” still surfaces. Introduced by Dr. Weston A. Price in the 1920s, this theory claimed root canal-treated teeth could cause systemic disease. His flawed research led to widespread, unnecessary tooth extractions.

By the 1930s, better-designed studies refuted Price’s findings. In 1951, the Journal of the American Dental Association thoroughly debunked the theory, highlighting the lack of proper scientific methods in his work.

Since then, ongoing research—including major updates from the American Heart Association—has consistently confirmed the safety of endodontic treatment. There is no valid scientific evidence linking root canal-treated teeth to systemic illness.

Dentists should be ready to counter lingering myths with empathy and evidence. Preserving natural teeth through endodontic care remains a safe, effective, and health-conscious choice.

 
 
Photo: Doctor addressing the endodontic patient, chairside

Dentists are asked to use the following guidelines to address patients who inquire about a connection between root canal treatment and illness:

  • Acknowledge the patient’s concerns; stress that optimum health is the goal for every dental patient.
  • Provide the patient with written information about endodontic treatment, and discuss it. The AAE has a variety of patient education brochures available for purchase (www.aae.org/onlinestore).
  • Provide the patient with information from the AAE website about common root canal myths:
    www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/root-canals/myths-about-root-canals-and-root-canal-pain.aspx#2.
  • Indicate that the patient is in control of his/her own decision to move forward with any dental procedure, and reiterate a commitment to the highest quality dental care.

Are You Ready to Find the Relief You Deserve?

Contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment to reclaim your smile today!

Contact Us Today To Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

For more information about Root Canal Therapy, please don’t hesitate to send us a message or call one of our convenient locations:

Piedmont Endodontics

5 out of 5 stars based on 444 Root Canal Therapy reviews

Patient Review by Jeffery C

I could not afford the care I needed, but the receptionist told me about carecredit.com. She explained how easy it was to do. no interest if paid in full for 6 mo. after it's 26% from the beginning, so hopefully, I will get it paid by then. It was very easy to do online with my smartphone as she said. She went the extra mile to help me get the care I needed I. can't remember her name but very sweet, kind, and, helpful lady. Everyone was very professional and courteous at Piedmont Endodontics. I was nervous, this was my first root canal. Dr. Baird and Dawn explained everything as they went, kept me informed, occasionally Dawn asked if I was okay which made me at ease. I have heard a lot about how bad painful a root canal it would be, that it will not work, that it is a waste of money, and that you will lose your tooth anyway. It did not hurt near like I was told, some pain during the numbing as you have may have experienced, but it was not extream. He put topical numbing first and let it set. " It did not hurt at all during the procedure". I am at the end of my second day and am not hurting and have a very little swelling. I had an abscess infection so I started antibiotics the day before the root canal, taking it 3 x daily. I took ibuprofen the morning before the procedure, and have taken it every 6 hours as directed for pain. I will stop after 48 hours. I was given another prescription for pain but don't think I will need it. Dr. Baird when he was almost finished went back over what he had done and wasn't completely satisfied, so he went an extra step to ensure everything was perfect. I knew then I had the best care possible. I felt better soon as He was finished but thought it may be just from the numbing, but it still feels better. I will definitely recommend this team to anyone who needs there care. As for all the negativity I have heard, they must not have had a professional team that really knows and specializes in root canals as Dr.Baird and Dawn. Thanks for your care, Jeff

- Jeffery C

5 out of 5 stars by Jeffery C on

Patient Review by Brenda D

I am very pleased with my treatment at Piedmont Endodontics. From the time that I walked in, throughout the procedure, I knew exactly what was going on, the staff took great care of me. This really made an unpleasant item (having to get a root canal) a pleasant experience! thanks again!

- Brenda D

5 out of 5 stars by Brenda D on

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