Blog Archive

Root canal therapy, often called a root canal, is surrounded by plenty of incorrect information and negative connotations. However, this endodontic procedure actually eliminates inflamed and infected tissue from inside your tooth to restore its functionality and relieve pain. If you’ve been told you need root canal therapy, it’s natural...

Healthy oral hygiene routines are vital for a reason. If you don’t regularly brush and floss your teeth and gums, a sticky substance called plaque starts to build up. Over time, this combination of saliva, food, and bacteria can begin to damage your oral cavity. If left unattended, you may...

A jack-o-lantern is a great costume idea for Halloween. However, if you’re stuck looking like an actual carved pumpkin due to a lost tooth, you’ve got a serious dental emergency on your hands.  Unfortunately, when an adult tooth is knocked out, it’s not a cause to rejoice, like losing a...

A severely infected or diseased tooth causes all sorts of unpleasant symptoms, such as swollen gums, intense sensitivity to temperature, and throbbing pain. Because of this, you may welcome the relief that a root canal brings.  During a root canal, the infected and inflamed nerves and blood vessels (tooth pulp)...

Yellowed teeth due to aging, drinking staining beverages, or using nicotine are known as extrinsic staining. It happens when the enamel becomes discolored due to external factors. Extrinsic stains typically respond well to over-the-counter teeth whitening products and professional teeth bleaching.  However, if conventional teeth whitening products haven’t brightened your...

Sometimes, a crack in a tooth is obvious. If you bite down too hard on ice or take a hard blow to your mouth, you can see or feel the damage to your tooth.  However, sometimes you can have a cracked tooth and not realize it. Cracked teeth can also...

Do you catch yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth? If so, you might have bruxism.  Bruxism is when you constantly clench or grind your teeth, typically without realizing it. Many people deal with night bruxism that happens while you’re sleeping, but others struggle with awake bruxism during the...

Plaque is a sticky substance consisting of bacteria, saliva, and leftover food in your mouth. If you have poor oral hygiene and plaque is allowed to build up over time, harmful bacteria can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums.  Eventually, a bacterial infection can develop in the soft tissues...

An endodontist is a dentist specializing in treating tooth pain, disease, and infection. Only a few dentists have endodontic training. In fact, it’s less than 3%.  Endodontists complete an extra 2-3 years of education to better understand how to address tooth pain or sensitivity and how to perform root canals...

Whenever a new tooth pops through the gums, it’s still not fully formed. Even though the visible portion (crown) looks complete, the portion under your gums (root) has some more growing to do.  Your tooth root makes up two-thirds of your tooth, and it’s what keeps it stable in your...

Endodontic treatment includes dental procedures that address tooth pain and sensitivity. Tooth pain and sensitivity are typically caused by damaged or infected tooth pulp and the nerves inside your tooth. If the tooth is restored, it saves it from extraction. You might have heard of a root canal. But there...

People often shiver with dread when they hear the words “root canal.” But endodontists and dentists perform approximately 15 million of them each year — and their patients don’t feel a thing. In fact, getting a root canal should ease any discomfort you have in the tooth completely. But what...

 Every year, more than five million teeth get knocked out of the mouths of women, men, and kids in the United States. A good proportion of those knockouts occur during sports. Many more teeth are dislodged or broken. A consequence of oral trauma is soft-tissue injury, which can cause profuse...

Even if you have diabetes, you probably never realized that your blood sugar condition and gum disease are linked in a way that can have profound impacts on your health. First, women and men who have diabetes are three times more likely than people without diabetes to develop gum disease....

Regardless of the season, on any given Saturday across the United States tens of millions of families gather at the local ball field to watch practice or root for their sons, daughters, or grandchildren.  Despite wearing helmets, shin guards and other safety gear like mouth guards, young athletes can inevitably...

In the past, the only way to save a dying tooth involved a root canal. While these procedures still offer tooth-saving results, there could be another option: revascularization treatment. Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, who has practices in Statesville and Hickory, North Carolina, is an expert in providing specialized endodontic services, including...

Cracked teeth are common, and they tend to become more common with age. When a crack is large, it’s easy to understand why prompt treatment is necessary. But what about tiny cracks or hairline fractures? Do they need treatment, too? Yes. With offices in Statesville and Hickory, North Carolina, Robert...

Root canal therapy is intended to save a badly decayed or damaged tooth, and in most cases, a well-cared-for tooth can last a lifetime. But there are times when a root canal can fail, resulting in continued pain and other symptoms. That’s when retreatment can help. A leading provider of...

Apexification preserves your natural tooth when a unique problem — an opening in the tooth root — leads to a tooth infection. Though this problem most often affects children and teens, it may develop in adults. Whether you or your child face the pain of an abscessed tooth, you need...

At our locations in Statesville and Hickory, North Carolina, Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, and his team treat various outcomes of gum disease. Here, we delve into this common condition, including practical steps for reversing it.  How gum disease develops Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease occurs when...

Have you had your teeth whitened? Were you surprised to look in the mirror only to discover that one tooth was still very discolored? This type of discoloration is often due to internal staining. Unfortunately, regular teeth whitening can’t touch this type of staining. This is where internal bleaching comes...

Some two million people in the United States deal with a dental emergency in a given year. Once one happens, it can be stressful to figure out your next best steps. In addition to getting in touch with our office promptly so you can get needed care, tending to your...

Maybe you’ve noticed a little blood when you brush or floss. It may seem harmless, but you should see it as a bright red flag. The primary cause of bleeding gums is plaque buildup and ignoring it only leads to more problems. In the early stages, plaque causes gingivitis or...

Problems related to cracked teeth are the third leading cause of tooth loss, but most of us probably don’t think much about them except when we wake up in a panic because we cracked a tooth in a dream. The reality is that cracked teeth occur, so you should prepare...

Cracked, broken, inflamed, or infected teeth may be candidates for root canal therapy, an endodontic treatment that saves your tooth by removing the soft tissue at its core. The interaction between a natural tooth and the bone of your jaw maintains the best conditions for oral health.  Despite the benefits, root canal procedures...

Revascularization is a fairly new endodontic procedure that can restore the blood vessels in and around any of your teeth that need repair. This, in turn, can encourage healthy tissue growth and protect your teeth from further damage or infection. Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, and his expert team offer revascularization to protect...

You’ve probably thought about preventing infections in other parts of your body. If you scrape your knee, for example, you work to keep it clean. But there’s another body area that deserves the same amount of infection prevention attention: your teeth.  If any one of your teeth decays, it can...

Have you been struggling with tooth pain, but you can’t seem to figure out why? Maybe you’ve had a root canal and that still didn’t fix it. It may seem like extraction is the only option to get relief. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Robert Scott Nance,...

Toothaches are a common reason people visit their dentist, and while issues like fractured teeth can cause tooth pain, untreated dental decay is the most common cause of toothaches. That’s why it’s vital to see a dentist if you start having a toothache rather than waiting to see if it will go...

The medical name for gum disease is periodontitis, and it’s a serious problem. If you don’t get treatment for it, you’re at risk for tooth loss. In fact, periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults.  Dr. Robert Scott Nance and his staff are dedicated to helping you enjoy...

If you’ve ever felt the zing of a toothache, you know just how debilitating it can be. Tooth pain can make even breathing in and out a painful experience.  It’s also hard not to panic when tooth pain sets in. Your mind scrolls through the list of potential reasons you’re...

It’s easy to assume that you can put off a trip to the dentist if you don’t have bleeding or intense pain. However, ignoring a cracked or broken tooth can seriously jeopardize your oral health. Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, in North Carolina, has advanced training in restoring and replacing teeth....

If your teeth crack from an injury or general wear-and-tear, you may experience pain when chewing or sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. Bonding and dental veneers can fix cracked teeth, but which option is better?  Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, is a skilled endodontist offering high-quality dental and...

An infected tooth, which can progress into a tooth abscess, causes symptoms such as oral pain, bad breath, sensitivity, and an unpleasant lingering taste in your mouth. Yet, the true danger of a tooth infection spans beyond these uncomfortable inconveniences. The infection could spread beyond the confines of your mouth...

It’s natural to only think about the part of your teeth you see when you brush, floss, or smile. But below your gumline, the roots of your teeth play an important role in your dental health, keeping each tooth in place and allowing you to sense temperature and more when...

If your tooth is damaged 一 either by traumatic injury or severe decay 一 you have many options when it comes to saving your teeth. Understanding all of your treatment options can have a tremendous impact on your oral health both in the short and long term.  As an endodontist,...

In adulthood, you typically have 32 teeth – 12 molars, 8 premolars, 4 canines, and 8 incisors. However, the number of teeth you have depends on several factors including your dental hygiene, your genetics, and the size of your jaw. As a skilled endodontist, Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA,...

When it comes to your dental health, your gums are as important as your teeth. Infection and inflammation of the gums (known as periodontal disease, or periodontitis) can not only create problems with teeth, but they can also damage bone and cause your teeth to fall out.  In America, this...

Having a decayed or infected tooth can cause persistent pain, discoloration, or gum swelling and affect your daily life. It can result in discomfort when you eat, consume hot or cold food, or apply pressure on the damaged tooth.  A root canal, known as endodontic therapy, can resolve the condition...

From the tough layer of enamel on the outside to the deep roots below your gumline, your teeth are incredibly strong. But that doesn't mean they're invincible.  Over 5 million teeth are knocked out, displaced, or loosened every year. If you can count your teeth among those statistics, it’s time...

Tooth sensitivity may signal a minor problem that’s easily fixed. Or it could be a red flag alerting you to a serious problem like an infection or abscess. Either way, scheduling a dental exam is the only way to determine the cause of your tooth sensitivity. If you have cracked...

Having whiter teeth and a brighter smile isn’t about how your smile looks to you — it’s about how your smile looks to others. In fact, research shows that having whiter and brighter teeth can seriously impact how you feel about yourself and the impression you’re making on friends, colleagues,...

Abscesses are swollen pockets of soft tissue that are filled with pus, the thick, pale yellow or green liquid that often accompanies an infection. You can get abscesses anywhere in your body, including your mouth. If you have a dental abscess, Robert S. Nance, DDS, MS, PA, an expert endodontist...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 40% of American adults have tooth pain every year, and more than a quarter have a known cavity that hasn’t been treated. Tooth decay is a common cause of tooth pain, and it’s one of the most common chronic medical...

Whether you lost a tooth in a sports accident or you're suffering from terrible pain in your mouth, an emergency dental appointment may be just what you need. In such instances, Dr. Robert Scott Nance and his team of dental specialists in Statesville and Hickory, NC, are ready to help. ...

Many people try to ignore an uncomfortable or painful tooth as long as possible to avoid the dreaded root canal. But this common procedure can not only save your tooth, it’s also a straightforward and painless process, especially when done by Dr. Robert Scott Nance.  If you have a painful...

Root canals were once a dreaded procedure, but advanced techniques and better pain control have made the procedure remarkably common. In many instances, a root canal is the best way to keep your tooth.  However, one drawback to having a root canal is that your tooth may darken or yellow...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that nearly half of Americans over age 30 have some form of periodontal disease. These numbers increase with age, affecting more than 70% of people over age 65. Although gum disease is a common issue affecting many, it’s completely preventable and treatable....

Root canals are an excellent option to preserve a tooth with internal damage, decay, or infection. But when a root canal can’t save your tooth, you have other options to consider before extraction, including an apicoectomy. Apicoectomies are endodontic surgical procedures to treat or remove damaged or infected tissue from...

You can’t always see a cracked tooth. Some of the telltale signs of a cracked tooth include shooting pain and sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks. While some cracks are visible, even when it isn’t, the injury wreaks havoc with your nerve endings and causes severe pain. Cracked...

Good oral health is part of overall good health. Your teeth allow you to speak clearly, chew thoroughly, and they keep your jawbone healthy as well. No one likes the idea of having a root canal, but most people will get the procedure if it means saving a tooth.  Dr....

While some of the most common cases of tooth trauma involve toddlers falling and adolescents playing contact sports, the condition can occur at any age. Tooth trauma, which involves an impact injury to your tooth or oral tissue, affects about one-third of children and toddlers and one-fifth of adolescents and...

Tooth pain may come and go, or it can linger like an annoying houseguest who’s overstayed his or her welcome. Either way, it should never be ignored. Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA and our compassionate team diagnose and treat your problem to get you back on the road to...

An abscessed tooth is clearly nothing to laugh about. Have no fear! A visit to Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA and his compassionate team at their state-of-the-art dental offices in Statesville and Hickory, North Carolina, will soon leave you smiling. The ins and outs of abscessed teeth When bacteria...

Root canal procedures are incredibly common, with 25 million root canals performed each year. One potential side effect of this tooth-saving procedure is a yellowing or darkening of the treated tooth.  But don’t worry. At the office of Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, we can help if you have...

You might think that as soon as an adult tooth completely erupts from the gums, the tooth is fully formed. After all, the entirety of the visible tooth seems complete and ready for a lifetime of use. But, in actuality, there’s more going on beneath the surface.  Beneath the gum...

Your tooth’s enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. That doesn’t mean it can’t be damaged, however. Signs of a crack include sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages and pain while chewing or biting done. You may not be able to see the crack, but these...

When your tooth is damaged, decayed, or infected, you head to the endodontist for a root canal. But sometimes, a root canal alone won’t clear the infection or save your tooth. In the past, you’d probably have the problem tooth pulled. Now, however, an apicoectomy may be the more appropriate...

Tooth abscesses are not only extremely painful, but dangerous when left untreated. They are caused by bacterial infections, which can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums. Recognizing the symptoms of an abscess and seeking treatment can be the first step to stopping the pain and preventing further infection.  Dr....

Everyone knows eating a good diet and exercising regularly can help keep us healthy. However, some people may not realize that brushing, flossing, and practicing good oral hygiene are critical as well. When problems occur such as decay or an infection in a tooth, a root canal can become necessary...