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.

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.

Drs. Baird, Malueg, Horwitz, Morrow, Schweizer and Grine 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.

Healthy Tooth

Tooth Anatomy

Inflammation

Cleaned Canals

Filling Placed

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

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.

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.

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:

• Greensboro: Greensboro Office Phone Number 336-288-0010
• High Point: High Point Office Phone Number 336-889-5656
• Winston-Salem: Winston-Salem Office Phone Number 336-365-2246
• Asheboro: Asheboro Office Phone Number 336-629-1444
• Kernersville: Kernersville Office Phone Number 336-423-5075

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