Root Canals
It’s always best to keep your original tooth if possible, and root canal therapy allows you to do that. Inside your teeth is a soft material called the pulp that contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. If this pulp become infected, it can cause severe tooth pain. In some cases, that infection may require root canal therapy.
Nerves enter at the tip of the tooth’s roots and runs through the center of the tooth in small, thin root canals, which join up in the pulp chamber, Each tooth has at least one root canal, but may contain more. When injury or trauma occur to a tooth, the pulp can become inflamed or infected and eventually the pulp may die. Damage or dead pulp leads to increased blood flow, creating pressure inside the tooth that cannot be relieved. This may result in pain with biting or chewing and pain upon consuming hot or cold beverages. Without treatment to the tooth, the infection can spread.
Root canal therapy is a procedure in which the damaged or dead pulp is removed. After the pulp chamber and root canal are cleaned out and reshaped, the canal is filled with a rubber-like substance called gutta percha to prevent recontamination and the tooth is permanently sealed.
Extractions
An extraction means to have a tooth removed, usually because of disease, trauma or crowding.
If you need an extraction, your dentist will first numb the area to lessen any discomfort. After the extraction, your dentist will advise you of what post extraction regimen to follow. In most cases a small amount of bleeding is normal. Your mouth will slowly fill in the bone where the tooth root was through the formation of a blood clot.
TMJ Issues (Temporomandibular Disorder)
TMD
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) occurs when the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is damaged or deteriorates or when the muscles surrounding the joint malfunction, causing imbalanced jaw movement. The chronic muscle pain and spasm can become painful.
TMD can be caused by trauma, such as injury or dislocation, or an improper bite, which affects the chewing muscles. Stress and its related behaviors, such as clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth, may aggravate the condition. Inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause TMD.
Signs of TMD: Jaw pain or soreness that is more prevalent in the morning or late afternoon, jaw pain associated with chewing, biting, or yawning, clicking noises when opening or closing the mouth, difficulty opening and closing the mouth., locking or stiffness of the jaw when talking, yawning, or eating, teeth sensitivity not associated with dental problems, headaches or neck pain, earache not associated with ear infection.
Many TMD cases can be handled with simple treatments and lifestyle modifications, such as eating soft foods, using warm compress, taking OTC non-aspirin pain relief, but in more severe cases, we may recommend physical therapy, appliance therapy (a splint, mouthguard or bite plate), or medication.
Bruxism
Bruxism is characterized by the grinding of the teeth and is usually accompanied by the clenching of the jaw. Researchers classify bruxism as a habitual behavior, as well as a sleep disorder. It can have numerous causes, such as bite problems, stress, medical conditions, or certain medications. It can lead to earache, headache, sore and painful jaw, shortening and blunting of teeth, tooth sensitivity, notching of the teeth at the gumline and fractures. It can also lead to muscle pain and TMD.
After careful analysis, it can be treated with mouthguards, bite adjustments, biofeedback devices and repair of damaged teeth.
Dentures & Partial Dentures
People who have lost all or most of their teeth are candidates for complete dentures, which replace all of the teeth. Dentures can help restore your ability to eat, speak and smile with comfort and confidence and we can customize your denture to the shape of your face to create a natural look.
Partial dentures are for people who have some natural teeth remaining; they can fill in the space created by missing teeth and prevent other teeth from changing position. This type of denture usually consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink plastic base, held in place by metal framework and clasps.
Overdentures fit over a small number of remaining teeth or implants after they have been prepared by your dentist. Your dentist will usually try to preserve your remaining teeth, which can help preserve your jawbone and provide support for the denture.
Pediatric Dentistry
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first dental visit when the baby teeth begin erupting, or at least by their first birthday. At this time we can instruct parents about oral care, fluoride and diet guidance for your children as well as what they can expect as more teeth erupt, and their child's dental growth and development progresses.
If your child is older but has not had a dental check-up, it is never too late to get started. We teach older children the healthy way to take care of their teeth, along with other preventive measures. We make the dental experience fun!
Primary teeth are important for many reasons- not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they erupt.
For more on pediatric dentistry visit this link.
Emergency Treatment
Whatever the dental emergency, you should be seen as soon as possible! Call our office and we’ll do our very best to get you in that day to be treated and feeling better in no time.
The following are dental emergencies:
Dental Abscess
Dental abscess is a dental emergency and should be treated immediately. Dental swellings could spread and become dangerous situations if not treated properly.
Read more here.
Dental Trauma
Traumatic dental injuries often occur as a result of an accident or sports injury. The majority of these injuries are minor - chipped teeth. It’s less common to dislodge your tooth or have it knocked completely out but these injuries are more severe. Treatment depends on the type, location and severity of each injury. Regardless of the extent of the injury, your tooth requires immediate examination by a dentist or an endodontist. Sometimes, your neighboring teeth suffer an additional, unnoticed injury that can only be detected by a thorough dental examination.
For more on dental emergencies visit this link.
