How do I know if I need a root canal?

If you have a painful tooth, your thoughts might turn immediately to a root canal in Norfolk, MA Many people fear root canals because they associate them with pain, but root canals are actually teeth-saving procedures. Thanks to advancements in dental technology, your root canal should feel the same as a dental filling.

How does a root canal in Norfolk, MA work?

We use high-tech rotary instruments with small titanium tips to perform root canal treatments in our Norfolk dental office. Once we numb the tooth, we use small instruments to eliminate the infection and remove the nerve. Rotary instruments are efficient, meaning less time in the chair for you. Symptoms of root canal infections vary. Sometimes we identify the need for a root canal with routine dental X-rays. In other cases, you may experience a surprise toothache that interrupts sleep or work. We welcome you to call us right away so we can evaluate your tooth and determine the best treatment for you. Root canals are an alternative to an extraction. A root canal and crown are often less expensive and less invasive than removing a tooth and replacing it with a dental implant or bridge.

Are dental X-rays safe?

Yes, dental X-rays are generally considered safe because only a very small amount of radiation is used to take the images. When you visit our office every six months for a dental exam and x-rays, it gives us the chance to assess your overall oral health and customize a treatment plan to help you maintain a healthy smile. We capture dental X-rays during routine checkups to show us what’s going on in your mouth in the areas we can’t see. Dental x-rays are necessary to diagnose hidden dental issues that can affect your mouth and overall health, including tumors, bone loss, and tooth decay. The benefits of this technology far exceed any minimal risks. In fact, according to the American Dental Association, a set of four bitewing X-rays exposes you to far less radiation than what you’re exposed to in the environment. However, if you are pregnant, your dentist may delay any X-rays as a precautionary measure.

General Dentistry Norfolk - Family Dental Care Wrentham

General and preventive dentistry refers to the dental care that most families need to stay healthy and comfortable throughout their lives. Unlike specialists, general dentists focus on comprehensive oral health, including prevention, restoration, dental emergencies, and replacement of missing teeth.

Preventive Dentistry for All Ages

Preventive dentistry is the cornerstone of our practice. We believe that stopping dental conditions before they start is the best way to promote a healthy smile.

Our dentists in Norfolk use the following services to help you retain and protect your oral health:

Home hygiene instruction
Nutritional counseling
Dental exams
Professional dental cleanings
Fluoride application
Dental sealants
Mouthguards and nightguards
Dental x-rays

We customize treatment plans based on each patient’s needs because everyone is different and your oral health changes throughout your lifetime. We work with children, teens, adults, and seniors to maintain healthy smiles.

Additional Treatments

Tooth Extractions and Wisdom Teeth Removal

Tooth extraction may be recommended when a tooth is too damaged, infected, or problematic to be saved. The goal is to remove the tooth as gently as possible while protecting your comfort and planning for any needed tooth replacement.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy treats infection or inflammation inside a tooth while helping preserve the natural tooth. This treatment can relieve pain, prevent the infection from spreading, and restore the tooth with a filling or a crown.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings repair cavities or minor tooth damage using composite material that blends with your natural smile. They restore strength and function while offering a more discreet alternative to silver-colored fillings.

Close up of patients smile during dental exam in Norfolk MA

Restorative Dental Procedures

Most people will need to repair a tooth at some point during their lives. Whether a filling or a crown is required, you can count on our dentists to ensure you receive the latest in modern dentistry.

Fillings – repair teeth after a cavity or chip
Crowns – cover broken or worn teeth
Bridges – replace multiple missing teeth to complete the smile
Bonding – reshapes teeth seamlessly

You could say that all of the dentistry we provide is cosmetic since we use beautiful, tooth-colored restorations whenever possible.

Dental Emergencies Near Norfolk

By maintaining good home hygiene and attending regular dental exams and cleanings, you can help avoid dental emergencies. Sometimes they still happen, and when you find yourself with a toothache or other emergency, we are here for you in Norfolk.

Any time you experience pain or swelling, it’s a good idea to contact us right away. That way, we can help you feel like yourself again quickly while minimizing the time you miss at work or school.

Options to Replace Missing Teeth

Tooth loss calls both your oral health and your appearance into question. Most patients lose teeth due to neglect or accidents. Sometimes a tooth must be extracted because its condition is to the point where we cannot repair it with a filling, crown, or root canal.

Extracting a tooth is the last resort, and we do so comfortably, so you have nothing to worry about. We also offer a variety of tooth-replacement options for patients to choose from:

Dental implants
Bridges
Dentures (partial, complete, and implant-supported dentures)

Unless it’s an emergency, we can plan how to replace your tooth before we perform your extraction. You never have to suffer from gaps in your smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

We treat patients of all ages, including children, in our Norfolk dental office. In fact, your children are our special guests. We welcome kids from their very first dental appointment, and we are honored to help them develop a positive attitude toward dentistry and oral care.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry strongly urges that children have their initial dental appointment by age one, or when their first tooth emerges. At this early childhood dental appointment, we will let your little one have a ride in the chair and look at how their teeth are developing.

This is also a great opportunity to discuss healthy diets, good home care, and what will happen to your child’s smile in the coming months.

Protect Your Smile with General Dentistry in Norfolk, MA

If you are looking for a team of caring dentists who have your best interests in mind, contact Norfolk County Dental Care at (508) 528-6510 to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning. We welcome children, too!

General Dentistry in Norfolk, MA