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Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Sometimes a tooth can not be saved and needs to be removed (see Tooth Removal Page ). When this happens there are several options: ​ 1) Leave a space or gap where the tooth was 2) Replace the tooth or teeth with a Dental Implant (Learn More Here ) 3) Replace the tooth or teeth with a Dental Bridge (Learn More Here ) 4) Replace the missing tooth or teeth with a Partial (a "Partial Plate") or replace all the top or bottom teeth with a Denture (a "Full Plate"). (Learn More Here ) 5) You can also attach a Partial or Denture to Dental Implants to make them more stable (We talk about this here) ​ ​ What is a Partial Denture? What is a Denture? Before reading this page, you may want to read This Page to learn some basic information about Dentures and Partial Dentures. Why would I want my Partial Denture or Full Denture attached to Implants? It will make your Denture or Partial Denture much more stable so that you can eat better and not worry about it moving when you speak or smile Research shows that you can chew about 7 times better with a denture that is attached to implants ​ What are the Steps to getting a Partial Denture or a Full Denture attached to implants The steps can very depending on your mouths specific needs, but in general it will be something like this: Come in to our office and we can get some x-rays and discuss your dental needs and your goals. If you decide that you would like Dental Implants then the next step is to meet with an Implant Specialist (a "Periodontist"). A Periodontist is a dentist that has gone to an extra 3 years of school AFTER dental school to learn about dental implants and gum surgeries. The Periodontist will take a 3D x-ray to access your bone health The Periodontist will then call me and we will go over all the information together, and discuss your goals with your mouth. The periodontist (or myself) will then have a free consultation appointment with you to go over all of your options. If you decide that Implants are for you then the Periodontist will set up a time to remove your tooth or teeth (if they have not already been removed) and place your dental implant (or implants) ​ There will be a healing time of 3-6 months. We can make removable false teeth for you to wear while you heal. These false teeth are ready before the teeth are removed so you never have to go around without teeth in your mouth. After the periodontist says everything is healed and ready you come to my office and we take a scan of your implant locations. This appointment is about 40 minutes and pain free. The lab then makes the Partial Denture or Full Denture that will attach to the Implants. (Sometimes we can take a Denture that you already have and get it to fit over and attach to the new implants in your mouth) After 3-4 weeks the new Partial Denture or Full Denture is ready and we will attach it to your implants for you. Your all done! ​ ​ For More Information, and for Instructions on " How to Take Care of a Partial", please look at the document below: Denture and Partial Denture Instructions

Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Sometimes a tooth can not be saved and needs to be removed (see Tooth Removal Page ). When this happens there are several options: ​ 1) Leave a space or gap where the tooth was 2) Replace the tooth or teeth with Dental Implants (What this page is about) 3) Replace the tooth or teeth with a Dental Bridge (Learn More Here ) 4) Replace the missing tooth or teeth with a Partial (a "Partial Plate") or replace all the top or bottom teeth with a Denture (a "Full Plate"). (Learn More Here ) 5) You can also attach a Partial or Denture to Dental Implants to make them more stable (Learn More Here ) ​ ​ Den tal Crowns Attached To Dental Implants Steps to getting a Dental Implant: First lets have you come in and sit down to go over the options and make sure that this is the right thing for you If you decide that you would like Dental Implants then the next step is to meet with an Implant Specialist (a "Periodontist"). A Periodontist is a dentist that has gone to an extra 3 years of school AFTER dental school to learn about dental implants and gum surgeries. The Peiodontist will take a 3D x-ray and set up a time to remove your tooth (if it has not already been removed) and place your dental implant (or implants). There will be a healing time of 3-6 months. We can make a removable false tooth for you to wear while you heal. This false tooth is ready before the tooth is removed so you never have to go around without a tooth in your mouth. After the periodontist says everything is healed and ready you come to my office and we take a scan of your implant location. This appointment is about 20 minutes and pain free. The lab then makes the Implant Crown (the tooth that attaches to the implant) After 3-4 weeks the Implant Crown is ready and we will attach it to your implant for you. Your all done! Bridges Attached to Dental Implants The steps are all the same as for Dental Crowns (see steps above) ​ The only difference is that there will be 2 dental implants places, and we will be attaching 3 (or sometimes 4) teeth to these two dental implants. This saves a lot of money, as you do not need to pay for as many implant screws.

New Patient Paperwork Please download and print the paperwork to fill out before your appointment New Patient Paperwork

Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Den tal Crowns Sometimes a tooth needs more than just a filling to predictably save it. Some reasons a tooth may need a crown are: A filling would be to large: Teeth with fillings larger than 50 % of the tooth have a tendency to Have the filling break (with getting more cavity under it) Have the tooth break Have the filling get loose (and get more cavity under it) Teeth that are cracking​ A crown will help hold the tooth together to prevent it from splitting ​ Back teeth that have had root canals​ Research shows that back teeth that have had root canals need to have a crown on them to prevent them from breaking​ Som etimes teeth that are having pain whenever you chew may need a crown - the pain can be a sign that the tooth is trying to split.​ Whatever the cause, we can get a crown made for your tooth that will blend in with the adjacent teeth.​​ What can I expect at my crown appointment? You will be here for about 1.5-2 hours. We will get the tooth numb. We will remove any old fillings and decay, and usually put some filling material into the void so that the crown can fit properly. We will get the tooth ready for the crown. You will have a temporary crown made for you (out of a plastic material) and it will be glued in place. We will get a mold of the tooth so that the lab can make the final porcelain crown. We can usually do this with our 3D scanner - so no impression material (the goop) will need to go into your mouth. Sometimes, in difficult to reach places, or deep cavities, we still need to use the traditional impression material (the goop) to get the dental lab the information they need to make you a perfect fitting crown. Den tal Bridges If you are missing a tooth, or need a tooth removed, one option is to get a dental bridge (other options include Dental Implants or Partial Dentures) ​ A dental bridge is really just getting crowns on two teeth, that are all linked together with a false tooth in the middle (see the picture below) ​ The process for getting a bridge is really just the same as getting a c rown (see above) only you are usually here a little longer (2 hours to 2.5 hours) Diagram of a Bridge Picture Coming Soon Some teeth that could probably benefit from crowns Large Filling With 1/4 Of Tooth Broken Off Tooth With Multiple Cracks Under the Old Filling Tooth with Cracks Under the Old Filling

Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Dental Cleanings The first time you come to our office our Dental Hygienist will assess your gum health. After that we will re-assess your gum health every 12 - 18 months. There are 4 different types of cleanings that we perform in our office based off of your individual needs. A regular "healthy mouth" cleaning ​ Most common for those that are up to date with their dental appointments: for most people this is a 6-month interval. For thoes who want to know, the technical name for this is a "Prophylaxis", and the dental code is D1110 for adults, and D1120 for kids. A "medium" cleaning ​ This is for those who have not been to the dentist for a while who (1) have a lot of buildup on their teeth and irritated gums but (2) do NOT have any bone loss (or at least very little bone loss). The technical name for this ​is "Scaling in the Presence of Gingivitis" and the dental code for this is D4346 Generally, a "catch-up" cleaning is done about 6 weeks later to get any residue and to help the gums heal (a "Prophylaxis" cleaning) ​ ​ ​A "deep cleaning"​ ​ This is for those who have not been to the dentist for a while who (1) have a lot of buildup on their teeth and irritated gums and (2) DO have bone loss.​ When we have buildup on our teeth for extended periods of time the gums get irritated, but, more importantly, the bone actually disappears from around our teeth (moving away from the bacteria). This bone loss is permanent (in almost all cases). In rare cases bone grafting can be done to try to get some bone back around the roots of the teeth. To remove all the excess buildup that is deep under the gums we generally have to get the gums numb. We usually do this in two separate visits (one half of the mouth at a visit). The technical name for this is "Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing" and the dental code is D4341 or D4342 (depending on the number of teeth involved). ​ For a whole mouth the code D4341 would be submitted to insurance 4 times, once for each fourth of the mouth. This is so that if a person only needs 1/4 of their mouth deep cleaned they can have a lower fee than someone who has to have their whole mouth deep cleaned. This is not my system; it is how every office has to do it by law.​ ​ After a deep cleaning is done "maintenance" cleanings are now needed (see below) ​ A "maintenance" cleaning​​ ​ When bone is lost from around teeth, which is what made the deep cleaning necessary in the first place, there is now a pocket, or a permanent bacteria trap, between the gums and the tooth. This makes things harder to keep clean at home, and harder to get cleaned during dental visits. For this reason, after a deep cleaning more frequent dental cleanings are now needed (usually every 3-4 months), and the dental cleaning now has a different name, and actually cost more. The technical name is "Peroidontal Maintenance" and the dental code is D4910 Other types of cleaning s​ There are actually more types of cleaings. If your bone loss is severe, we may refer you to a specalist (called a "Periodontist") for an exam and possible cleanings in their office.​ ​ For a lot of really detailed information on gum disease you can check out the American Dental Association website here

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Frequently Asked Questions What is a Crown? What is a Partial? What is a Bridge? What is a Root Canal? ​ ​ To learn more about these topics, and other dental procedures, please visit our Services Page and click on the Dental Service on the left Why Does My Tooth Hurt? Bruised Tooth Why Does My Tooth Hurt? There are many reasons why a tooth may hurt. Recently done Dental Work It is not uncommon for a tooth, your gums, or even your jaw to be sore after dental work is done. If this is mild, and only for a few days there is nothing to worry about. Feel free to take some Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or other pain medication to help with the pain. If the pain is jaw pain (from your mouth being open so long) usually Ibuprofen, or another NSAID medication is the most helpful thing to take.​ Please call us: If the pain is severe (aching or throbbing, or hurting all on its own) The tooth feels "too tall" or like it hits first when you bite your teeth together ​We may need to adjust the filling Sometimes the tooth may be telling us that the filling is too large for it, and that the tooth prefers a crown​​​​​​ If it has been over a week and the tooth is still sensitive​​​ Some teeth just take longer to heal, but please let us take a look to make sure nothing needs to be done​ For your information, all follow up appointments are FREE ​, so please don't let that stop you from calling us "Bruised" Tooth Sometimes teeth will hurt, and we can't figure out why. Rather than jumping into doing treatment like Root Canals and Crowns, the best thing is often to just wait a few weeks. Generally the tooth will just get better all on its own (the "bruise" heals). Occasionally things get worse, and we are then able to localize the problem and come up with a solution. ​ If you have any concerns please call us to set up an appointment. For your information, patients who are up to date on their dental cleanings get FREE emergency visits between cleaning appointments. So please feel free to call us! Cracked Tooth Cracked teeth can be tricky because they don't all act the same way Some things that lead us to believe a tooth may be cracked are the following: Pain when you chew, especially sharp pain​ A large filling, accompanied with pain when you chew Sometimes the crack is actually visible, if it is we will try to get a camera picture of it for you to see it too We also have a special "bite stick" here that helps us find out if a tooth is cracked If a tooth is cracked, a Filling is usually NOT the solution. The solution is often a Crown , that will go 360° around the tooth to hold the tooth together so that the crack cannot get bigger. Teeth that hurt when you chew could also due to being Bruised , Abscessed , due to Clenching or Grinding , or due to Sinus Issues ​ Abscessed Tooth An Abscessed tooth would generally have the following Symptoms: The main give away is a tooth that hurts All By Itself. Meaning you are not eating, clenching, or putting anything cold or hot on it and the tooth is aching. Sometimes this will wake you up at night​ Sometimes a tooth that wakes you up at night may NOT be abscessed , but it may hurt, and wake you up, because you are clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep. Other symptoms of a possibly abscessed tooth MAY include:​​​ ​ The tooth hurts when chewing, or possibly just by touching it with your finger or tongue The tooth my have a sharp pain to cold temperatures that continues to hurt for over 10 seconds after the cold is taken off of the tooth The tooth may have a sharp pain to hot temperatures - and sipping cold water may help it feel better ​ Sometimes an Abscessed Tooth will be VERY painful for a few days, and then go away . This pain is likely to come back in a few days or weeks if the Abscessed Tooth is not delt with​ An abscessed tooth will often show up on a dental x-ray as having a shadow around the root of the tooth Clenching or Grinding (usually while asleep) Many people Clench or Grind there teeth, either while they are awake or when they are asleep. Studies usually show that about 10% of people Clench or Grind their teeth in their sleep.​ We can Clench or Grind 5 to 7 times harder when we are asleep. So it is usually night time Clenching or Grinding that causes damage to our teeth Clenching or grinding can cause Tooth Ware, Tooth Chipping, Tooth Cracking, and Tooth Pain VERY OFTEN there are no symptoms when someone Clenches or Grinds their teeth. But if there are symptoms, they may look like this: Often if a person has mild pain on multiple teeth when chewing Often the pain will be present for a few days, then go away for a few days or weeks, then come back. ​This is because many of us only grind our teeth for a few nights a month, and our teeth are only sore after we have been grinding Often symptoms can be similar to Sinus Problem Symptoms (see below)​ ​​For mild issues with Clenching or Grinding a soft over-the-counter Nightguard works well. A Soft Nightguard helps prevent ware from teeth rubbing ​against teeth One our patients love is called "The Doctors Nightguard". Here is a link to it on Amazon (I do not make any commission) For moderate or severe cases of Clenching or Grinding a custom made Nightguard is best. ​ A Hard Nightguard helps prevent ware on your teeth as well as damage such as chipping and cracking of teeth This Guard is made from molds you get in our office. The first visit we get molds of your teeth, the second visit we fit the guard to your teeth. Sinus Problems The sinus' are close to the roots of teeth so sinus infections can make our teeth hurt. Usually this would include multiple teeth hurting, often a sharp pain that hurts when we bite our teeth together. Usually it would be the upper back teeth that hurt, but it could be the upper front teeth and occasionally the bottom teeth that hurt. If we suspect that this is the cause of your tooth pain we can prescribe an antibiotic Cyst or other Pathology It is uncommon, but cysts or other bone, soft tissue, or connective tissue problems could make our teeth hurt​ Nerve issues can also make our teeth hurt These issues can occasionally be difficult to diagnose. ​ If you are experiencing tooth pain, please call us to make an appointment. Please read about out Emergency Exams to know what to expect when you come in. Abscessed Tooth Clenching or Grinding Sinus Issues

Insurance Plans What Insurance plans do you accept? ​ While this office is not, and never has been, considered "In Network" with any insurance provider, as a curtesy we file with any insurance. However a few insurance companies do not let us file with them (such as Medicaid). ​ Insurances that we work with all the time include: Delta Dental Medicare Ameritas UHC Cigna UNUM Blue Cross Blue Shield and Many Others ​ What is the difference between "In Network" and "Out of Network"? ​ Going to a dentist that is "In Network" with your dental insurance means that your dentist agrees not to charge over a certain "Price Cap" for a specific procedure. If you go to a dentist that is "Out of Network" the patient is required to pay any amount that is over this "Price Cap". ​ As long as our prices are below the "In Network Price Cap", it does not cost a patient any extra to come to us, even though we are Out of Network with your insurance. There are hundreds of different insurance plans out there, and they change their Price Caps all the time. But dozens of years of sending claims to insurance companies has taught us that we are below the Price Cap for practically every procedure for almost every insurance. Occasionally a patient has to pay $6 or so for a cleaning, or an extra $30 for a crown, or other similar amounts. But for most patients, and most insurance plans, the amount you pay at our office will be the same as you would pay for an In Network Dentist . Some known exceptions are listed below: ​ ​ We are not In Network with Medicaid (we are not a "Medicaid Provider"). Any patients with Medicaid Insurance would have to pay the full price for any Treatment. Delta DPPO plans refuse to pay any amount towards your dental work in our office (because we are Out of Network). You would have to pay the full price for any Treatment. When Am I Expected to Pay for my Dental Appointment? ​ Just like at the grocery store, all payment is expected at the time of service. If you have a dental insurance, we only ask that you pay the amount that your dental insurance is not expected to cover . There are some exceptions to this rule depending on your particular insurance companies policies ​ ​ How Much does Dental Insurance Usually Cover? ​ While every insurance is different, the amounts below are what Dental Insurance generally cover Preventative (cleanings, exams, x-rays) - 90-100% Basic Fillings - 70-80% Crowns or Bridges - 40-50% Root Canals - 70-80% Dentures and Partials - 70-80% Tooth Removal (Extractions) 50%-70% Cosmetic - 0% What Else Should I Know about Dental Insurance? ​ A few things you may like to know about dental insurance. Generally there is a "Waiting Period " after you get dental insurance. This is a period of time when they will not pay for any "major" work. For a crown, this period is usually one year. So they usually will not pay anything towards a crown unless you have had the insurance for more than a year. Most insurances have a "Missing Tooth Clause ". If you were missing a particular tooth BEFORE you had the insurance, they will NOT pay to replace the tooth. You have to have the insurance at the time the tooth is lost in order for the insurance to put any money towards replacing that tooth.

Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea New Patient Exams The first time you come to the office you can expect the following: You will be here for about 60-90 minutes Please either fill out your paperwork beforehand (see Patient Forms ) or arrive about 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork. We will input all of your paperwork into the computer system We will assess your gum health We will take any needed dental x-rays - generally we take x-rays of all your teeth The dentist will do an exam We will go over any dental issues we find and give you options on how to address the issues We will answer any questions you have If there is time , your teeth will be cleaned (see Dental Cleanings )

About Us Detailed, Quality Dentistry After 35 years of serving the Triad Dr. Timothy C. Brown made his first steps towards retirement by selling his practice to Samuel Bartlett in September 2020. Dr. Tim Brown stayed on board for a few months to make sure there was a smooth transition for his patients. ​ Dr. Sam Bartlett has tried to continue the legacy that Dr. Tim Brown began. Any who know Tim know that there were big shoes to fill. Continuing the Legacy After taking over for Dr. Brown I can not tell you how many times I heard from a patient I was meeting for the first time "I trusted Tim, and if Tim trusts you, then I know that I can trust you." This is the Legacy I am trying to continue. I believe that Dr. Brown gained this trust by treating people like . . . well, like people. Talking to them like people, explaining things to them like people, and just being their friend. ​ Here at Salem Creek Family Dentistry we strive to treat you like friends and family by: Giving quality, detailed dentistry to every patient, every time. Helping every patient feel comfortable and relaxed. Explaining your dental issues in a way you can understand, and then giving you options for how to move forward - you are in control. Meet The Team Dr. Sam Bartlett Learn More Dentist Trish Learn More Receptionist / Office Manager Karen Learn More Registered Dental Hygienist Mandi Learn More Registered Dental Hygienist Kristal Learn More Certified Dental Assistant Dr. Sam Bartlett I received a bachelor degree from Weber State University in Utah. I then attended dental school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry where I graduated with "High Distinction". While I was in dental school some of my extended family moved to Salisbury, North Carolina. After visiting the area several times we decided that this was the place we wanted to stay. We now live in Kernersville and we love it there. My wife Michelle and I have 4 young children and we love to hike, camp, swim and garden. We are an “outdoors” family and being in North Carolina allows us to spend time both at the beach, but more especially in the mountains. ​ I believe strongly in treating each patient the way I would treat a family member - being honest, transparent, and relational in my approach. Trish Receptionist / Office Manager Trish is originally from New Jersey and joined Salem Creek Family Dentistry in February 2022. Trish completed the Dental Assistant course from County College of Morris in New Jersey in 1990. After 30 years working as a dental assistant Trish transitioned to an administrative role at our office. ​ Her bright personality, attention to detail, and compassion for people make her the ideal receptionist. You can always count on Trish to take care of your needs. If she doesn't know the answer to a question, she will not rest until she finds it out for you! ​ Her background as a dental assistant allows her to answer many clinical questions for you over the phone. She is great at helping you understand what to expect at your dental appointments. ​ Trish and her husband Ernie have three children: Brandon, Alexis, and Miles. They also love to spend time with their goldendoodle: Bella Grace. They love the outdoors and traveling. Karen Registered Dental Hygienist Karen was raised and resides in Stokes County, NC. She completed her dental hygiene degree in 1990 at Guilford Technical Community College and became licensed the same year. After almost 30 years at her previous office, she joined Salem Creek Family Dentistry in May 2020. Karen's patients frequently comment about how thorough she is in every aspect of her job. They also comment about how friendly she is and how they feel like she really knows them on a personal level. She is married with 2 grown children that are starting families of their own. In her free time she enjoys seeing her grandchildren, shopping, and exploring new places with her husband. Mandi Registered Dental Hygienist Mandi is a 2000 Graduate of Guilford Technical Community College. She was born and raised in Davidson County. ​ Mandi is married with two daughters. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her animals and spending time with family. Her goal as a hygienist is to continue to provide patients with a thorough and relaxing dental cleaning. And her patients agree that she does just that! Kristal Certified Dental Assistant Kristal was born, raised and resides in the Welcome area of Davidson County. She is a North Davidson High School graduate. She graduated from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Dental Assisting Program in 1994. She gained the title of Certified Dental Assistant after completing the Dental Assisting National Board Exam in 1994 and has maintained her Certification since 1994 through continuing education courses. Kristal is great at making patients feel comfortable during dental procedures. She always knows what is needed, and when it is needed, and when the patient needs a break. Kristal has two children: a daughter and a son that have grown to be young adults. In her free time Kristal enjoys spending time with her family. She enjoys going on motorcycle rides and attending football games, basketball games, races and concerts. Kristal loves the beach and spending time at her cabin in the mountains. Office Slideshow

Our Services New Patient Exams Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth Colored Fillings Crowns and Bridges with 3D Scanner Tooth Extractions (Removal) Dentures and Partials Root Canals Crowns and Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures and Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain Snoring and Sleep Apnea Root Canals How Can I tell If I need a Root Canal? A Root Canal is needed if you have an abscessed tooth. An Abscessed tooth would generally have the following Symptoms: The main give away is a tooth that hurts All By Itself. Meaning you are not eating, clenching, or putting anything cold or hot on it and the tooth is aching. Sometimes this will wake you up at night​ Sometimes a tooth that wakes you up at night may NOT be abscessed , but it may hurt, and wake you up, because you are clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep. Other symptoms of a possibly abscessed tooth MAY include:​​​ ​ The tooth hurts when chewing, or possibly just by touching it with your finger or tongue The tooth my have a sharp pain to cold temperatures that continues to hurt for over 10 seconds after the cold is taken off of the tooth The tooth may have a sharp pain to hot temperatures - and sipping cold water may help it feel better ​ Sometimes an Abscessed Tooth will be VERY painful for a few days, and then go away . This pain is likely to come back in a few days or weeks if the Abscessed Tooth is not delt with​ An abscessed tooth will often show up on a dental x-ray as having a shadow around the root of the tooth There are many reasons that teeth can hurt, please see the full discussion on Dental Pain for other reasons your tooth may hurt. ​ ​ ​ What causes my tooth to need a Root Canal? There are 4 main reasons why a tooth may require a Root Canal. ​ 1) A cavity that got to the nerve 2) A crack that got to the nerve 3) A filling or crown is done on a tooth that had a cavity or a crack that was very CLOSE to the nerve. This may result in "root canal pain" a few days or weeks after the tooth was worked on. 4) Trauma to a tooth can damage a nerve, and the tooth may need to have a root canal done. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ What is a Root Canal ? The nerve of a tooth is in the center of the root of the tooth (or the center of each of the roots of a tooth for back teeth that have 2 or 3 roots). When a Root Canal is done, a small hole is made through the top of the tooth to get to the nerve. The nerve is then removed from the tooth, and a plastic material (called Gutta Percha) is placed in the space the nerve was. A filling is placed in the top portion of the tooth where the hole was made to get to the nerve space. On a back tooth, a crown is placed over the whole tooth to prevent the tooth from cracking. ​ ​ Where do I go for a Root Canal? I generally have you see a Root Canal Specialist (called and Endodontist) to have your root canal done. I used to do Root Canals regularly because I thought I was saving my patients money. Then I realized that my cost for a root canal was the same as the cost at the specialist office (because I take about 3-4 times as long to do a root canal as a specialist, so our cost end up being the same). So now I have the specialist do them. Lets face it, if it is all they do all day long they are going to be pretty good at doing it, and pretty quick at doing it. ​ The Root Canals specialist that I refer to are in Winston-Salem, or Greensboro. ​ ​ ​ Will I need a Crown after getting a Root Canal? On front teeth a filling may be all that is needed after a Root Canal is done. ​ On front teeth that have a large cavity, or a large previous filling, a crown may be needed after a Root Canal is done. ​ On back teeth, a crown is recommended after a Root Canal is done, as research shows that back teeth tend to crack over time if a Root Canal is done without a crown being done after. ​ Are Root Canals Safe? In short, my opinion is yes. I have one in my mouth. Thousands of Root Canals are done each year, and I have never seen a case where any sort of health issue can be truly tracked down to a root canal. The material used for Root Canals has under gone millions of dollars of testing and has been proven safe. ​ If you are interested, here is a page (by the National Root Canal specialist group) with multiple citations of the safety of Root Canals. The American Dental Association also states that Root Canals are safe here. ​ All that being said, if you are not interested in doing a Root Canal, we can simply remove the tooth and either leave a space in your mouth, or do one of the tooth replacement options. ​ Do Root Canals Always Work? No they don't. Nothing is perfect. In my experience the largest reason a Root Canal tooth does not last long term is because there really was not enough tooth to work with in the first place. I am always up front with you with what I think will and will not work for your teeth. If it looks like there is really not enough "good tooth" left to save the tooth, I will recommend removing the tooth, rather than having a Root Canal (See Tooth Replacement Options here ) ​ Sometimes there are complications with the Root Canal precedure itself, and this causes the Root Canal not to work. Going to one of the Root Canal specialists that I recommend should have the chance of the Root Canal its self not working be minimized. The bottom line is, I will recommend for your tooth the same thing I would recommend for my tooth: that may be a Root Canal, or it might not. And in the end, the decision is 100% yours.

Detailed, Quality Dentistry About Our Office At our office our top goal is to treat you like family. We strive to do this by: Giving quality, detailed dentistry to every patient, every time. Helping every patient feel comfortable and relaxed. Explaining your dental issues in a way you can understand, and then giving you options for how to move forward - you are in control. About Us We are a small, one doctor office. We like it that way because we feel that we can make things more personal. Every time you come in you can see the same dental hygienist, and the same dentist: Dr. Bartlett. Read More How Can We Help You? New Patient Exams ​ Dental Cleanings Emergency Dentistry Tooth-Colored Fillings Crowns & Bridges With 3D Scanner Dentures & Partials Tooth Extractions (Removal) Root Canals Crowns & Bridges Attached to Implants Dentures & Partials Attached to Implants Children Dentistry Dental Sealants Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening Jaw Pain (TMD) Snoring & Sleep Apnea Testimonials from Google Sam Bartlett cares about each and every patient by taking the time to not only explain the problem you face but he explains how he will resolve and fix the problem. A genuine caring person and talented dentist. Alex Dr. Bartlett and staff is amazing. They are very caring and thorough. I can’t recommend them enough if your looking for a good dentist to go to. Nathan Mullins Best dentist I have ever been to the whole staff is great and caring. Really get you taken care of Steven Taylor Dr. Bartlett is amazing! Patient, precise and caring. I'm very particular when it comes to dentists and I'm so happy that I've found him and love everyone there at his practice. Allison Locke Had upper dentures relined and they fit great! No need for denture adhesive! Barbara Craven