Intrinsic Stains

At Enid Dental Care, Dr. Dennis Morehart gives high priority to patients’ cosmetic concerns. Most tooth stains are extrinsic, meaning that they only extend to the outermost layers of the teeth. But for intrinsic stains, a root canal may be necessary to restore the appearance of a patient’s smile.

Extrinsic stains are acquired from factors such as smoking and drinking dark liquids and can usually be reversed through bleaching. Intrinsic stains, though they can be masked with veneers and bonding, affect the teeth at a deeper level. Some common causes of intrinsic stains are the use of tetracycline antibiotics and overexposure to fluoride. However, they also can be caused by infection or trauma to the dental pulp, which puts patients at risk of developing an abscess.

Dr. Morehart and his staff will use advanced imaging technology to determine whether the patient has an infection. If so, they will use root canal therapy to remove the damaged pulp. Usually, root canals end with the tooth being filled and sealed, but for cosmetic reasons, it may be preferable to replace the entire crown.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

The Root Canal Procedure

Signs you may need root canal therapy include: severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures (after the heat or cold has been removed), discoloration of your tooth, swelling and tenderness in nearby gums, and/or a persistent or recurring abscess on the gums. Fortunately, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, can save any tooth that is badly decayed or infected.

After taking X-rays or examining existing x-rays to show where the decay is located, the procedure starts off with the patient being administered a local anesthetic. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. He will then be able to remove infected tissue and clean the infection and unhealthy pulp out of the canals. The canals are filled with a permanent material called gutta-percha to keep them free of contamination. After this is done, the filling remains until the tooth receives a permanent filling or a crown. The first few days after your root canal, the tooth may be sensitive, but the over results will be pain free.

If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about root canals as well as other services provided at the practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information.  To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213. 

Endodontic Retreatment – When a Root Canal Fails

With proper care, even teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime. However, sometimes a tooth that has been treated doesn’t heal properly and can become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment. If your tooth failed to heal or develops new problems, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS can provide you with a second chance, utilizing a procedure called endodontic retreatment.

Endodontic therapy is a complicated procedure that uses files to extract the infected pulp from the root. When the infection remains in the root’s canals, the tooth may not heal, causing it to become reinfected. The first step in endodontic retreatment is non-surgical treatment, which is performed like a typical root canal. Although the procedure is similar to your original root canal treatment, it requires more precision to better remove what was missed before.

If you're experiencing discomfort in a tooth that had a root canal, don't ignore it. The sooner you have endodontic retreatment, the better chance you'll have of saving your tooth and getting relief from your pain. To learn more about the procedure and why an endodontic retreatment is necessary, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an oral cancer screening with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.