Do You Need a Root Canal?

Do you have tooth pain or sensitivity? Have you noticed changes in the health of one or more teeth? Call Dr. Albert Caves. Dr. Caves treats patients who have tooth decay with comfortable, precise care. With his dental team, Dr. Caves provides root canal treatment in his Columbus, GA office. Root canals are preventative treatments that preserve the tooth enamel. During a root canal, Dr. Caves removes an infection from the inside of the tooth. Here you can learn the signs of tooth decay as well as how a root canal can save the natural tooth enamel.

Root Canal in Columbus, Georgia

Symptoms of Dental Infection

There are multiple signs of tooth decay to look out for, including:

  • Tooth pain
  • Dental cavities
  • Cheek swelling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Dental cavities
  • Fever
  • Tooth sensitivity to temperature
  • Pain in the jawbone, ear, or neck

Contact our dental office if you have noticed any of these symptoms. We can reverse early signs of infection with routine professional dental cleanings. If these symptoms worsen, we will need to perform a root canal. Over time, tooth decay can lead to bone loss and even multiple missing teeth.

Root Canal Treatment in Columbus, GA

A root canal is one of the best options for patients with decay that has entered the tooth and affected the pulp. The dental pulp is made up of cells, blood vessels, and connective tissues that support the tooth. When an infection affects the pulp, it needs to be removed. To prepare teeth for root canal treatment, Dr. Caves ensures that the outside of the tooth is clean. Then, he will numb the tooth and create a hole in the tooth to access the inner chamber. Dr. Caves then removes the infected dental pulp and disinfects the tooth chamber.

After the tooth chamber is clean, Dr. Caves will seal the tooth with a dental filling. Although traditional fillings are made of metal, white fillings are a great alternative. White dental fillings blend in with the look of the natural enamel. This type of filling also does not contain traces of mercury, unlike metal fillings.

Patients who have worn or weakened teeth after root canal treatment benefit from dental crowns. Tooth crowns are caps that fully cover single or multiple damaged teeth. Dr. Caves uses dental crowns made of porcelain ceramic, which is a highly reflective material that blends in with the shade and shape of natural teeth. Like fillings, traditional dental crowns are made of amalgamated metal. However, porcelain ceramic crowns look and feel natural. Porcelain ceramic crowns also provide durability and strength to weakened teeth.

Contact Our Dental Office

Reverse tooth decay in our dental office today. Are you a new patient? Contact our practice at (706) 407-4851. If you are a current patient, make an appointment at (706) 571-0079. Feel free to request a dental consultation with Dr. Caves on our website. At your next visit, let Dr. Caves or a member of his team know if you have further questions. Dr. Caves will always be happy to assist you.