Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN

We all try to keep our pearly whites, well, pearly white. Since our smile is usually the first feature others notice about us and it’s a universal sign of friendliness, approachability and self-confidence, we all want our teeth to be white and bright. Unfortunately, age and time often lead to dingy or yellow teeth. If you’ve found yourself hiding your smile because of stained teeth, we have great news: Tusculum Dental can help you rewind the hands of time …. sort of. Let’s dive in with our cosmetic dentist in Erwin today to look at the reason your teeth may be stained and what our dental team can do to help.

Why are my teeth stained?

Before you decide on a treatment plan for your yellow or dingy teeth, it’s best to try to identify the source of the staining.

Generally, tooth stains can be attributed to one of the following:

• Extrinsic staining — These are external stains, often caused by prolonged exposure to what’s likely some of your favorite foods and beverages, such as dark sodas, coffee, tea, red wine, dark berries, tomato-based sauces and chocolate.
• Intrinsic staining — Sometimes, stains are inside the tooth, under the white, durable, translucent outer cover of our teeth, known as enamel. Genes, trauma and even certain medications like tetracycline can cause intrinsic tooth staining.
• Age — Teeth, unfortunately, lose some of their luster over time. It’s just a fact of life, usually because enamel thins with age, often exposing the yellow, internal layer of teeth called dentin that’s just under the white enamel.

How can I correct tooth staining?

Walk into any retail store these days, and you may be overwhelmed with all the brands making promises of whitening your teeth quickly and effectively. Unfortunately, over-the-counter whitening products usually lead to slow and inconsistent results that often leave you with burning gums or sensitive teeth.

In our Jonesborough cosmetic dentist office, we offer truly remarkable, speedy solutions for stained and dingy teeth without the common side effects of store-bought products:

1. In-office whitening treatment — If you’re looking for dramatic results that take no longer than your lunch break, and if whitening supervised by our professional dental team in Greeneville appeals to you, then consider our in-office whitening treatment that can drastically whiten your teeth with no ill side effects.
2. In-home treatments — For patients who prefer a more convenient treatment, we offer in-home professional teeth whitening. To do this, we custom-create dental trays for you to take home and fill with professional-strength whitening gel. We also provide you with instructions to use the whitening solution, including how often and for how long it should be applied.
3. Pre-filled trays — Does in-home treatment appeal to you but you’re afraid you may overfill the custom whitening trays, which can lead to tooth and/or gum sensitivity? If so, then you may want to choose our pre-filled trays. The process couldn’t be more simple: The gel is already in a tray. You use the tray and then dispose of it when you’re done. That’s it!
4. Veneers — Unfortunately, bleaching can’t generally help intrinsic tooth staining. If your stains are stubborn internal stains, we recommend dental veneers or cosmetic bonding to correct the stains. Both are custom, economical restoration solutions for intrinsic staining that work by covering and masking the stains.

Professional teeth whitening in Erwin, Jonesborough and Greeneville, Tennessee

You deserve to have the white, bright, confident smile you’ve always dreamed of. Don’t put off whitening your smile any longer. Contact Tusculum Dental Care today by calling (423) 639-7575 or sending us a message online.

Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN

We recognize that we’re probably more excited to see you twice a year for your routine checkups and cleanings than you are to see us. Visiting the dentist doesn’t usually rank high on people’s lists of favorite things to do. Still, your oral health and overall physical health depend on scheduling and attending these regular dental visits. Today, our family dentist in Erwin is exploring six solid reasons you shouldn’t put off your biannual visits to the dentist.

1. Cavities

Even if you brush and floss your teeth religiously at home, plaque and tartar can still build up in hard-to-reach places around your teeth and gum line. Tooth decay often begins with no signs or symptoms. Regular checkups at our Jonesborough family dentist office give our dental team a chance to look closely at all of those places where plaque and tartar may be lurking. Tartar can only be removed by dental professionals. Catching cavities early can prevent you from having to have more extensive and expensive procedures, like root canals, down the road.

2. Gum disease

Have you ever noticed that your gums are red or swollen or perhaps sometimes that your toothpaste is tinted a little pink while you’re brushing your teeth? These are the most common symptoms of gingivitis, also called gum disease, which can fairly easily be managed and reversed. Unfortunately, if gum disease isn’t detected and treated early, it can lead to a more serious stage of gum disease called periodontitis. Gum disease begins the same way cavities do: a buildup of plaque and tartar. At its worst, gum disease can progress and lead to tooth loss and receding gums.

Untreated infections from gum disease have also been linked to serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes and respiratory infections.

3. Bad breath

Chronic bad breath, also called halitosis, is an embarrassing and isolating problem often caused by dental issues like gum disease, infections or plaque buildup. In a simple exam visit to our Greeneville family dentist, we can pinpoint the cause of bad breath, and we work with our patients on ways to effectively treat the source of the problem.

5. Oral cancer

In addition to the more obvious reasons that routine dental exams are an important part of your oral health, visits to our office twice a year allow our dentist to keep a close eye on serious potential health concerns that may develop, such as cancer. Early detection of oral cancer can make a life-saving difference.

6. Cost savings

However you may feel about visits to the dentist, it’s important to weigh the cost of preventative dental care versus emergency dental treatments. Crowns, root canals and dental implants are well-known for their beautiful smile restorations. But they’re also known for their price tags. Regular checkups and cleanings not only protect your smile but also your wallet.

Protect your smile in Erwin, Jonesborough and Greeneville, Tennessee

Visiting the dentist twice a year helps keep your smile bright and beautiful, but it can also save dollars and your life. The American Dental Association recommends visits to your dentist every six months. If it’s time for your routine checkup, call Tusculum Dental Care at (423) 639-7575 or reach out to us online to schedule your appointment today.

Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN

Are you unhappy with the shade of your teeth? Do stubborn areas of discoloration leave you stressed? Today, there are an assortment of different options to whiten your smile – everything from toothpaste to oral rinses to a professional dental whitening procedure. However, any whitening treatment you choose will need to be repeated after a few months at most. What if you could brighten your smile without the need for touch-ups or repeat treatments? This fantasy is within reach through the use of veneers, installed by an experienced cosmetic dentist. Today on the blog, we take a look at how veneers can be used to permanently whiten your smile.

Not all stains on your teeth will respond to whitening

In most cases, tooth discoloration stems from extrinsic staining – when particles from food and drink adhere to the surfaces of your teeth. Extrinsic stains also may form from using tobacco in any form. A whitening treatment breaks down these extrinsic stains, removes them from your teeth and revitalizes your smile in the process. However, teeth also can become discolored from intrinsic stains, which develop when the enamel becomes damaged and the darker interior layers of the tooth structure become visible. Intrinsic stains also can form due to fluorosis or other defects in the enamel, or as a side effect from certain varieties of prescription medication. Typically, a traditional whitening procedure struggles to treat intrinsic stains.

Your teeth may not respond as well as you hoped to a professional whitening procedure

Even after a professional dental whitening, your teeth may not get as white as you might wish. This is because any whitening treatment is limited by the shade of your natural tooth enamel. Even a professional whitening treatment administered by a well-trained and experienced cosmetic dentist will only make teeth as white as your natural tooth enamel allows. If this does not meet your aesthetic goals, you should consider having veneers installed. These can be placed over all the visible surfaces of your teeth, and tinted to whatever shade you desire.

Veneers can do so much more than whiten teeth

Do you have teeth that are short, unevenly sized, crooked, crowded, worn, or chipped? If so, veneers can correct any and all of these aesthetic flaws—usually at the same time. Veneers also can cover an unwanted gap between teeth. Having any of these issues, in addition to discoloration, make veneers the preferred choice since a teeth whitening treatment will do nothing to address the previously mentioned aesthetic problems.

Veneers in Greeneville, Erwin and Jonesborough in Tennessee

Tusculum Dental Care prides itself on its different options when it comes to having veneers installed. Our veneers use beautiful dental porcelain, a material that is stain-resistant and also reflects light in a manner similar to real tooth enamel. We also offer DuraThin—veneers made of extremely thin porcelain that can be applied to your teeth without removing any of the existing tooth structure.

To learn more about the veneer options available to you, schedule a consultation at Tusculum Dental Care today. Just call (423) 639-7575 or contact us online.

Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN

More and more people are realizing the benefits of cosmetic dentistry. Not only does it create beautiful smiles, but it can also improve a person’s overall oral health. Once someone has decided to improve their smile with cosmetic dentistry, they’re understandably excited to get the show on the road! That often leads to the question: How long do cosmetic treatments take to complete?”

The simple answer is that it depends on the individual case and the particular treatment being carried out. Let’s look today with our cosmetic dentist in Erwin at some of our most common cosmetic treatments and how long they usually take.

Teeth whitening

Our most requested cosmetic dental treatment is professional teeth whitening. Our patients are amazed at how years of stains are wiped away, often in less than one hour! We offer in-office whitening, at-home whitening and pre-filled trays.

Veneers

Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that can cover chipped, cracked or brokekn teeth. Some patients choose veneers to cover intrinsic (internal) staining, often caused by past dental trauma, thinning enamel or certain medications. Veneers generally take no more than three appointments, and each appointment usually lasts under two hours at our Jonesboro cosmetic dentist office.

Dental bonding

Similar to veneers, dental bonding involves brushing a composite resin over a tooth that is stained, cracked or chipped. Dental bonding can also be used to mask minor crookedness and gaps between teeth. If you have a tooth that is too little or too short, our cosmetic dentist in Greeneville may recommend dental bonding. The composite resin we use is made to match neighboring teeth. After applying the resin, our dentist will shape and cure it. The entire process usually takes less than an hour per tooth.

Crowns

Like veneers and cosmetic bonding, crowns also restore damaged teeth, including in the case of advanced tooth decay that threatens the damaged tooth’s nerves. Crowns restore teeth to their natural size, shape and appearance. They typically require two dental appointments: the first to make digital impressions of the damaged tooth and top it with a temporary crown while the permanent one is being made and the second to adhere the permanent crown to the damaged tooth.

Orthodontics

To straighten teeth, our Erwin cosmetic dentist recommends traditional metal braces or the ever-popular Invisalign, which straightens teeth using clear, discreet, plastic aligner trays. While braces are known to take 2-3 years with frequent visits to the dentist for adjustments, Invisalign straightens teeth in usually half that time as long as the patient follows instructions to wear the aligner trays for 22 hours a day. Checkups are usually scheduled every 4-6 weeks.

Cosmetic dentist in Erwin, Jonesborough and Greeneville, Tennessee

Tusculum Dental Care has several possible cosmetic treatment options for you to consider. Sometimes our patients only want one cosmetic treatment, and others want a combination of treatments to undergo a complete smile makeover. We work with each of our patients individually to help them reach their goals! If you’d like to discuss cosmetic dentistry to improve your smile, call our office at (423) 639-7575, or reach out to us online today.

Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN

Diabetes represents one of the greatest health threats in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 38 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes and nearly 9 million more are diabetic but have not been diagnosed. If you or someone you love is diabetic, you know the importance of being vigilant about your diet, exercise and medical care. But is dental care part of your diabetes management plan? Today on the blog, your dentists in Greeneville explain why.

Diabetes raises your risk of several oral health issues

You could be more susceptible to fungal infections of the mouth and tongue commonly known as thrush, because high glucose levels serve as fuel to encourage the proliferation of any existing fungus. Dry mouth can be a side effect of many medications used to manage diabetes. In addition to limiting saliva production. Your saliva is a natural defense system for your mouth to protect against the accumulation of cavity-causing plaque, bacteria, and food particles. Consistent dry mouth can lead to sores, ulcers, or an increased risk of tooth decay. Diabetics also heal more slowly, which can make recovery more difficult from any oral surgeries or dental surgeries.

Gum disease and diabetes are part of a vicious cycle

Periodontal disease starts from a bacterial infection in your gum tissue. Left untreated, permanent damage can be done to your mouth. The consequences of gum disease include swollen or bleeding gums, halitosis (aka bad breath), a predisposition to abscesses, gum recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss.

Gum disease is also a common complication of diabetes. Stemming from a bacterial infection of the gums, this ailment can increase your risk of complications with your diabetes. Inflammation in the gums can increase insulin resistance and even destroy cells that produce insulin, both of which can worsen an existing case of diabetes. Likewise, diabetics live with increased inflammation and increased oral bacteria, which requires extreme diligence about their dental health to prevent periodontal problems from developing. Diabetics also commonly have circulation issues, potentially meaning your gums have less white blood cells available to fight the infection causing a case of gum disease to manifest.

Oral care tips if you have diabetes

• Control your glucose levels – Follow your regimen of diabetic care, which typically includes good nutrition, regular exercise and taking any prescription medication as directed.
• Good oral hygiene – Follow the American Dental Association suggested regimen of dental care, which includes brushing twice a day and flossing daily, while seeing your dentist every six months for a checkup.
• Communicate – Tell your dentist about your diagnosis. Also report any symptoms of gum disease, especially gingivitis.
• Ditch tobacco – If you smoke, vape or use chewing tobacco, stop using tobacco in any form as this can exacerbate any existing infection of gum disease.

Treating gum disease in Greeneville, Erwin and Jonesborough in Tennessee

Tusculum Dental Care can treat gum disease, whether it is in its first stage called gingivitis or the advanced stage known as periodontitis. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s crucial to find a dentist you trust to be part of your health care team. We can make sure that diabetes and gum disease don’t join forces to do a number on your overall health and wellness! We are currently accepting new patients. Make an appointment in Greeneville by calling (423) 639-7575 or complete our appointment request form online.

Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN

It’s common knowledge that flossing your teeth is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy smile. However, there are plenty of perks that come with routinely using dental floss.  Drs. Craig Shepherd and Nathaniel Renner at Tusculum Dental Care are educated and experienced specialists who know that proper oral care benefits your overall health. Read further to learn more about the eight benefits of using dental floss that impact more than just your mouth.

Benefit 1: Immune Health

It’s true, flossing can help protect you from germs—and we’re not just talking about the germs and bacteria that lead to a case of gum disease. Anytime you have a build-up of excessive bacteria in your mouth, those germs can filter into the bloodstream and rapidly spread to the rest of your body. For example, if germs from your mouth travel to your lungs, they can cause a severe case of pneumonia.

Benefit 2: Regulates Weight

Guess what? Flossing is a better weight loss solution than dieting. Keeping on a crash diet is hard to do, even if you’re vigilant. Flossing is easy and takes just a few minutes per day. Researchers have linked the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar, in combination with the presence of gum disease, to people who have higher percentages of body fat. All of the foods that you eat can linger in between your teeth. The more you eat, the more food can build up between your teeth if you don’t floss. The more of those food particles that gather, the more plaque and bacteria will thrive in your mouth, creating a vicious cycle.

Benefit 3: Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Your oral health directly correlates to your heart health. Tooth decay and gum disease affect your heart’s ability to pump blood and do its job if the plaque in your mouth filters into your blood and forms blockages in your arteries. Flossing creates a healthier mouth, which makes for a healthier heart. That means your chances of suffering from a stroke or heart attack will be lowered.

Benefit 4: Manage Arthritis Pain

Joint pain and inflammation from arthritis can seem impossible to manage. Flossing can help make this type of pain more bearable. Inflamed gums and infections from the mouth can cause swelling in your major joints if the infection travels there by way of your bloodstream.

Benefit 5: Protects Your Baby

The to-do list for expecting mothers or women trying to conceive feels like it’s 1,000 miles long: Vitamins, the recommendations on things you should and shouldn’t eat, exercise, not overexerting yourself, monthly doctor’s visits, and more. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. If you’re trying to get pregnant, you should know that gum disease can delay conception. If you are already expecting, then you should know that the more bacteria you have on your teeth and gums, the higher your chances will be of issues such as premature delivery and low birth weight. Pregnant women also have a higher risk of gum disease because of hormonal changes.

Oral care in Greeneville, Erwin and Jonesborough in Tennessee

Flossing is a simple task that, if added to your daily routine, can lower your odds of suffering from any of the above ailments and problems. Your oral care regimen also should include biannual visits to your dentist in Greeneville for a checkup and cleaning. At each of these appointments, our staff also can provide instruction in proper flossing techniques. Make your appointment today by completing our online appointment request form or calling our office in Greeneville at (423) 639-7575.

Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN

Halloween is the time of year that most people love getting scared but if you suffer from dental phobia, there’s nothing to enjoy about that kind of fear—and your oral health often suffers the consequences. People with dental phobia may experience feelings of fear or even outright terror at the mere thought of seeing the dentist. Ironically, individuals who avoid dental care for this reason actually end up in the greatest need of it, as their oral health declines because of the failure to seek professional dental care. Now for the good news … Tusculum Dental Care offers sedation through nitrous oxide, which relieves those nervous or fearful thoughts and allows individuals who suffer from these afflictions to receive the dental care they need.

Dental anxiety is more common than you might think

If you feel a little nervous before a dental appointment, you are not alone. Research conducted by the American Dental Association has found that the vast majority of Americans feel some degree of anxiety or nervousness about going to the dentist. However, diagnosed cases of dental anxiety or dentophobia (the clinical term for the literal fear of the dentist) have been estimated to affect about 36% of American adults, according to The Cleveland Clinic.

What causes dental phobia?

Sometimes, there is no clear cause of such a phobia, but the condition also could develop as a consequence of having negative experiences at the dentist in the past, from a heightened sensitivity to pain in the mouth, or having an extremely sensitive gag reflex.

How sedation dentistry can help

If you suffer from dental anxiety or dental phobia, then sedation dentistry can be the solution you have been seeking. Tusculum Dental Care provides sedation via nitrous oxide. Also known as laughing gas, individuals who have this gas administered experience a calming effect. You will feel an enhanced state of relaxation, while any feelings of fear or awareness of your surroundings decrease. This will make you comfortable enough to undergo dental work.

Certain pre-existing conditions may qualify you for sedation dentistry. These conditions may include difficulty maintaining muscle control, problems sitting still for lengthy periods of time, or being unable to keep your jaws open for lengthy periods of time.

You should not undergo sedation if you have an allergy to nitrous oxide. Sedation also is not advised for any individual who is pregnant.

Any dentist who offers sedation dentistry services should evaluate your past health history before administering any form of sedation. This evaluation will determine any pre-existing conditions that may complicate sedation or make the procedure hazardous.

Sedation dentistry in Greeneville, Erwin and Jonesborough in Tennessee

If you are interested in learning more about our sedation dentistry services, you will meet with one of our dentists, Dr. Craig Shepherd or Dr. Nathaniel Renner, for a consultation before any dental work is done. This consultation also is the ideal time for you to ask any questions about nitrous oxide or what to expect about undergoing a dental procedure under the effects of the gas.

To find out more, schedule your consultation today by calling (423) 639-7575 or contacting us online.

Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN

Do you have a chipped tooth? Not only can a chipped tooth be an eyesore that genuinely affects the way you feel about your smile, but it also can cause physical pain. Even if it’s not causing problems now, failing to seek treatment may cause other dental problems—up to and including removal of the tooth if not treated appropriately. At Tusculum Dental Care, we find that many of our patients may not know the dangers of living with a chipped tooth. That’s why our dedicated staff wants you to know about your two best options if you have a chipped tooth in Greeneville.

How can you avoid a chipped tooth?

Generally speaking, prevention to avoid a problem is the best course of action. This logic applies to dental injuries such as a chipped tooth as well. Whether you have a chipped tooth or you are concerned about a loved one suffering from chipping a tooth, we have a couple of quick tips for you.

These include:

• Refrain from opening packages with your teeth or use your teeth as tools
• Wearing a sports guard anytime you participate in a contact sport
• Avoiding hard candies
• Refrain from chewing on ice or using your teeth as tools
• Seeking treatment for your bruxism if you are grinding your teeth

What should I do if I chip my tooth?

Accidents happen. You can do everything right and still end up with a chipped tooth. You must proceed in a calm and orderly fashion to keep this tooth safe from further damage, though. Here are our steps to caring for your chipped tooth:

Call us immediately and schedule the soonest appointment you can to have your tooth fixed. When you call, ask what kind of over-the-counter pain medicine is best for your situation. Not all pain relievers are great for tooth pain.

In the interim, avoid hot or cold foods. Rinse out your mouth out warm water regularly and apply a cold compress on your mouth to bring down swelling, if there is any swelling. Cover the tooth with dental wax. If that’s not an available option, use sugarless gum to cover your chipped tooth. Eat soft foods as much as possible. Avoid chewing or biting with the chipped tooth.

How we can treat a chipped tooth

Dental bonding is a restorative treatment that entails applying a special resin to the surface of the chipped tooth. Once applied and sculpted into place, it restores the shape of your tooth, also preventing bacteria from entering the interior of your tooth structure, which is known as the dental pulp. Undergoing a bonding treatment will restore the appearance of your youth and keep it safe from further harm.

Bonded permanently to the front of the affected tooth, porcelain veneers restore the shape and function of the chipped tooth. Because a veneer is affixed to the tooth, it can be a permanent solution provided you maintain a regimen of good dental care. We use dental porcelain to fabricate our veneers; this material is durable, resists surface stains and possesses a similar translucency to natural tooth enamel.

Sometimes a chip can be significant enough to compromise the structural integrity of a tooth. Dental crowns replace the entire exterior of a tooth, restoring the chipped tooth to full use. Made of the same dental porcelain we use in our veneers procedures, our crowns are durable and beautiful dental restorations that will last for years to come.

Repairing chipped teeth in Greeneville, Jonesborough and Erwin in Tennessee

Don’t let your chipped tooth deteriorate or cause major oral health issues. Instead, trust the dentists at Tusculum Dental Care to repair the damage. Make an appointment today by calling (423) 639-7575 or completing our online contact form.

Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN

A healthy set of straight, pearly-white teeth makes you feel good about yourself—benefiting you socially and professionally. By contrast, having damaged or missing teeth can be an eyesore that makes you self-conscious, while also jeopardizing your oral health. Tusculum Dental Care can help. Drs. Craig Shepherd and Nathaniel Renner can repair even a seriously damaged tooth by replacing the exterior with a beautiful dental crown.

What is a crown and how does it work?

A crown replaces the entire exterior of a tooth, restoring its shape and size, as well as its function. When placed by an experienced and highly-trained dentist, your new dental crown in Greeneville improves the visual appeal and strength of your tooth. You can receive a crown in two appointments at our office in Greeneville. At the first appointment, we remove any damaged or infected area of the tooth, take digital impressions that are used as a model to fabricate your crown, then place a temporary restoration. The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory that manufactures the crown and you return approximately two weeks later to receive your permanent crown.

4 Benefits to receiving a crown

Aesthetics: At Tusculum Dental Care, we work with crowns made of dental porcelain. This is a beautiful and durable material that mimics the physical gloss and translucency of your natural tooth enamel. We understand that if you’re trying to boost your self-confidence, you don’t want people knowing your tooth has been altered. We can adjust the shade of your dental crown to match the surrounding teeth, allowing it to blend seamlessly into your smile.

Chewing ability: When your tooth becomes broken or chipped or has an area of decay that is too big to be repaired with a filling, it compromises your chewing ability. Eating can cause enhanced sensitivity and even pain. Using state-of-the-art materials and advanced dental technology, Tusculum Dental Care can provide a modern crown that restores your chewing ability for years to come without limiting your food choice.

Protection: Your dental crown serves as a shield to cover your existing tooth or cap a dental implant. Once installed, a crown provides protection from bacteria that could cause further decay and rot, while also safeguarding against cracks, chips or other more significant types of damage.

Versatility:  We can install a crown as a cosmetic treatment, to repair a tooth that has been damaged seriously  by an injury or decay, or as the final step in either a root canal or a dental implant procedure. A crown also can be placed to provide extra support for a dental bridge. Our experienced staff can help you decide how a crown can best suit your needs.

Dental crowns in Greeneville, Jonesborough and Erwin in Tennessee

Don’t let your smile change how you feel about yourself. Stop living with a tooth that is seriously damaged due to decay or injury. The team of oral health professionals at Tusculum Dental Care can place a beautiful, functional dental crown. To find out more about our crown procedure or any of the other services we offer, call (423) 639-7575 or complete our online appointment request form.

Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN

Root canals have long been one of the most talked-about and feared dental procedures, especially among people who have dental anxiety. But if your dentist has told you that you need a root canal, we can assure you that the pain you’ve already experienced is far worse than you’ll feel in the dentist’s chair for a root canal. Once upon a time, perhaps root canals were painful and people had reason to fear them. But with modern medicines, dental equipment and procedures, our root canal dentist in Erwin can minimize your discomfort, repair your tooth and get you back home in hardly any time at all. Let’s dive into root canals today to help put your mind at ease.

The anatomy of a tooth

To understand what a root canal is, it’s important to understand the anatomy of a tooth, which is made up of two main parts: the crown, which is the top part of the tooth that is visible in the mouth, and the root, which is anchored into the jawbone.

Teeth also have:

• Enamel — the white, outer, protective shell of the tooth
• Dentin — a hard, yellow material under the enamel
• Dental pulp — soft tissue at the very center of the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue that was necessary to grow the tooth’s root during its development.

The root canal system contains the dental pulp.

When is a root canal needed?

A root canal is needed when a tooth’s pulp is inflamed or infected.

What happens during the procedure?

A root canal is essentially a deep filling. During the procedure, a small hole is drilled into the infected tooth, and the pulp is removed. Our Greeneville root canal dentist will clean and disinfect the bacteria from the infected root canal then fill and seal the tooth to prevent reinfection. Finally, it will be capped with a custom-made crown to match your surrounding teeth. The root canal procedure, in just one or two dental appointments, saves your damaged natural tooth as opposed to it having to be extracted.

Why shouldn’t I fear a root canal?

Sometimes anticipation is far worse than reality, and that’s usually the case with root canals. Here are two simple reasons you shouldn’t fear a root canal procedure:

You’ll be numb

We will use local anesthesia to keep you completely numb throughout the procedure. We will constantly ask you how you feel to ensure your comfort. Most of our patients report that their root canal didn’t feel much different than getting a filling! Still, we understand that while numbing agents can help with pain, they don’t curb anxiety. If you believe that despite the medication we use to keep you numb, you will still be too anxious for the procedure, don’t hesitate to talk with our dental team about other options to help keep you calm.

You will feel relief

The worst pain you’ll feel during a root canal procedure is the pain you felt, well, before we start the procedure. An infected or abscessed tooth is extremely painful. We will take the pain away temporarily with numbing agents during the procedure, and the procedure, itself, will take your pain away for good.

Root canal in Erwin, Jonesborough and Greeneville, Tennessee

We know root canals may sound scary, but they’re essentially just deep fillings. Our dental team will do everything in its power to ensure your comfort and ease any anxiety you may have. If you have questions, or if you need to schedule your root canal procedure, call us at Tusculum Dental Care, (423) 639-7575, or reach out to us online today.