General Treatments

Dental pulp is the soft area in the center of a tooth where the veins, nerves, and connective tissues are located. If a tooth’s dental pulp becomes infected, Dr. Derek C. Barnes may recommend a root canal in Charlotte, North Carolina. Root canal therapy is the process by which our dentist removes the infected dental pulp, bacteria, and debris from a tooth. After the tooth is thoroughly cleaned out, our dentist will seal the tooth and place a dental filling. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may need root canal therapy:

• Severe toothache
• Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• Darkening of a tooth
• Swelling and pain in the gums
• A pimple on the gums that will not go away

If infected dental pulp is not removed, it will break down and bacteria will spread. This can cause an infection, or a pus-filled pocket called an abscess may form on the end of the tooth roots. Diseased dental pulp can also cause swelling that can spread to the face, neck, or head. Infected dental pulp can cause bone loss around the tooth root. Drainage can occur from the root of the tooth if infected dental pulp is not treated.

Elkin Dental recommends that you and your family schedule a teeth cleaning in Elkin, North Carolina, at least every six months. This appointment includes a professional teeth cleaning, fluoride, a dental exam, and dental X-rays.

At the beginning of your appointment, our hygienist will remove all of the plaque and tartar from your teeth using a small, metal tool. Then our hygienist will floss your teeth and polish them. Fluoride is then applied to your teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that helps protect your teeth from decay by strengthening your tooth enamel. Our dentist will then examine all of your teeth and gums for signs of decay, gingivitis, and other oral problems. Sometimes, our dentist will decide to take dental X-rays to get a more thorough, closer look at your smile.

We urge you to contact our dental office immediately if you experience any dental pain or any kind of dental emergency. The following problematic symptoms need to be examined by our dentist as soon as possible:

• Toothache
• Tooth sensitivity
• Red, swollen, or sore gums
• Gums that bleed easily when you brush and floss
• A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
• The loss of a permanent tooth
• A loose permanent tooth

To learn more and to schedule your next visit, please contact our dental office today.

Even with proper brushing and flossing, it can be difficult to remove the plaque from all of the crevices of the back teeth. To protect the back teeth from decay, Dr. Derek C. Barnes may recommend dental sealants in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dental sealant is a plastic coating that our dentist paints on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars to protect them from decay. Dental sealants are typically placed on the teeth of children, but adults with no decay or dental fillings in their molars can also benefit from dental sealants.

To place dental sealants, our dentist will first thoroughly clean the molars or premolars. Each tooth is dried and an absorbent material is placed around them to keep them dry. The chewing surfaces of the teeth are roughened using an acid solution to ensure a strong bonding process. The teeth are rinsed and dried again. Our dentist then paints the dental sealant onto the chewing surface of each tooth. A curing light may be used to help harden the sealant. Your dental sealants will last for up to ten years. Our dentist will check them at your regular dental checkup appointments and replace them if necessary.

Feel free to contact our dental office today to learn more and to schedule your next visit.