A root canal is a central cavity present in the natural teeth. It contains the dental pulp, which is a combination of nerves and blood vessels that nourish and provide sensation to the tooth. When the microbes in the mouth enter the root canal cavity, they can infect the dental pulp and cause severe decay, resulting in a root canal infection. If not treated during the initial stages, it can intensify and eventually lead to tooth loss.

What are the causes of a root canal infection?

Cavities: The adhered tartar deposits on the teeth surfaces release acidic substances that can erode the enamel and cause cavities. If cavities are not disinfected and restored using a filling, they can grow deeper and wider, eventually reaching the root canal cavity and infecting the pulp.

External trauma: Damaging the teeth due to external trauma can cause cracks or chipping. This allows the oral bacteria to enter the root canal through the opening and cause an infection.

Gum diseases: When gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis become severe, the microbes could reach the underlying tooth roots and jawbone through the deep gum pockets. Eventually, the bacteria can enter the dental pulp through the tooth roots, thereby leading to an infection.

What are the symptoms?

• The infected tooth could turn dull in color
• The gum tissues surrounding the infected tooth may bleed and discharge pus
• Severe bad breath
• Pain while biting and chewing food, brushing the teeth, etc.
• The infected tooth could become extremely sensitive to hot and cold foods
• Over time, it can intensify to cause jawbone deterioration and tooth loss.

How is root canal therapy performed?

Root canal therapy is quite often known to be the last resort treatment solution to save a severely infected tooth when no other restorative means is an option. The dentist will clean the teeth thoroughly and place a rubber dam on them to isolate the infected tooth. A small hole will be made on it, and the decayed pulp will be extracted using dental files of varying sizes. The walls of the cavity are scrubbed to remove the microbes, and a jet of water is used to wash them out thoroughly. Antibiotic medication will be placed in the root canal, and the hole is sealed using a filling. After a few days, the dentist will fabricate a customized ceramic crown and bond it to the tooth to hold it intact and prevent it from cracking.

Ellis dentistry Co. provides the best root canal treatment in the area. Are you thinking of getting a root canal? You are at the right place. In order to schedule an appointment with our top dentist in the town, please call us at (435) 628-6222, and visit our office at St. George, Utah. We will assist you further. We also serve areas of Middleton, Bloomington, Washington, and Santa Clara.