Root Canals

Every tooth has a central cavity that houses the tooth pulp. The pulp comprises blood vessels and nerves that are responsible for the nourishment and sensitivity of the tooth, respectively. When the tooth undergoes severe decay from the microbes in the mouth, the root canal could get infected and cause a lot of inconveniences.

Root canal therapy is the last resort treatment method to save a tooth that is severely decayed from being extracted. At Laurence Palmer DDS, Dr. Palmer has treated numerous patients suffering from root canal infection. He brings his vast knowledge in the field of dentistry to the table, making our practice one of the very best in Ogden, UT.

What are the causes and symptoms of a root canal infection?

Most often, the cause of a root canal infection is the accumulated plaque and tartar on the surface of the teeth. The tartar deposits can cause cavities as they erode the enamel, and when the cavity is left untreated for a long time, it could advance on to the deeper layers of the tooth and cause a root canal infection. Other causes can be gum diseases, oral trauma that cracks or chips the teeth, etc.

The symptoms include the following:

  • Pain and tenderness around the tooth
  • Bleeding and release of pus
  • Caries in the root canal leading to a sharp pain when you bite or chew
  • Elevated levels of sensitivity shown by the tooth
  • Loosening of the tooth from its socket due to jawbone deterioration
  • Spread of the infection to the nearby gums as well
  • Tooth discoloration making the tooth look particularly dull
Root Canals Laurence Palmer DDS dentist in Ogden UT Dr. Laurence Palmer

How is a root canal infection treated?

The best way to treat a root canal infection is by getting rid of the infected pulp. We would initially clean the teeth to get rid of the microbes and place a rubber dam on them. Local anesthesia would be administered to nullify the pain and discomfort during the procedure. Next, to extract the infected pulp, an access hole would be made on the tooth using dental files. Then we will scrub the walls of the root canal cavity to remove the adhered microbes.

The debris will be washed away using a jet of water. After the pulp is completely removed, our dentist will place a small amount of medication in the cavity to prevent reinfection. A filling material will be used to cover the access hole, and a crown will be fabricated in a dental laboratory to restore the tooth.

Call us for a consultation at (801) 394 0401 or fill out a contact form so that we can determine which dental treatment is best for you!