July 2012 - The Dental Place

July 27, 2012

The purpose of a root canal is to clean out infection that has penetrated the root base of a tooth. The goal is to save the tooth and prevent the infection from spreading resulting in an abscess that can produce great discomfort and possibly spread to other parts of the body.

Without a root canal, the likelihood of salvaging the tooth is minimal if infection is present.

With a root canal, the dentist will seal the entire mouth to isolate the tooth being treated. This keeps the area dry and allows the dentist to remove all of the diseased particles to prevent them from spreading to other parts of the mouth or accidentally swallowed.

An instrument is used to reach the spaces that house the nerves in the root of the tooth. This instrument will grab the nerve of the tooth and remove it. Medication is placed in the tooth to clear up any residual infection and to seal the tooth until the final restoration is applied.

Once the nerve and infection are treated, the tooth is usually still viable. A final restoration in the form of either a composite filling or a crown will cover the tooth. The tooth being treated usually dictates what type of restorative treatment is needed after the root canal.

There are many circumstances that can occur that might result in a root canal. Dental decay that has gone unchecked can allow bacteria to penetrate the tooth resulting in infection. A crack in a tooth can be negligible to the naked eye, but big enough to result in infection. Trauma to a tooth can result in a needed root canal right away, or the problem can slowly develop over time.

Without a root canal, the likelihood of salvaging the tooth is minimal if infection is present. It is important to do whatever is possible to save a tooth. Many might just want to pull a tooth rather than work to save it, but saving a tooth is always preferable to losing a tooth.

Once a tooth has been lost, failure to replace a lost tooth with either a dental implant or a prosthetic device can impact eating, speaking, and smiling; quality of life can be affected due to dietary changes or loss of self-confidence.

A successful root canal can ultimately save extensive costly dental work, but more importantly can bring relief from the discomfort of an infected tooth.

If you think you are in need of a root canal, or simply want more information about the treatment process, call The Dental Place, serving Arlington Texas and neighboring areas, today to schedule an appointment.

July 17, 2012

A smile can reveal much about a person. A big bright smile exudes self-confidence, but for many the condition of their teeth may inhibit offering a big smile. Everyone desires straight, white teeth and thanks to dental veneers that new smile is possible.

A consultation with your cosmetic dentist will provide information to treat and repair many dental imperfections.

Veneers Can Enhance Imperfections

Stained teeth – Teeth can become stained for many reasons. Some medications can stain the teeth. Coffee, tea, wine and soda stain; smoking and tobacco use stain; advanced age can result in a dulling of dental enamel that results in drab teeth coloration.

Wear and tear – Teeth can become worn down and appear uneven over time.

Chipped teeth – It is not uncommon for a tooth to break or chip and this small malady can produce the urge to stop smiling.

Occlusion – When the bite is not correct, this might result in crooked teeth.

Gaps between teeth – Unsightly spaces between teeth appear to close in just a couple of dental visits.

How can one specific treatment be the answer for all of these problems? That’s the beauty of veneers. Veneers are very thin, tooth colored shells that cover dental imperfections. They are made to match the shape and shade of surrounding teeth making them virtually undectable.

You can correct one or several teeth with dental veneers. Your cosmetic dentist will prepare the teeth requiring correction and take dental impressions. The dental lab will fabricate your veneers to the specifications provided.

On the big day, placing the veneers is a relatively simple procedure. A small amount of enamel has been removed from the teeth so that when the veneer is placed the enamel lost is somewhat comparable to the thickness of the veneer.

Your cosmetic dentist will work with the veneers trying them on until they appear perfect. When you and your dentist are satisfied, they will be permanently cemented in place. You now have the perfectly symmetrical smile that you always dreamed about.

To learn more about the benefits of veneers, contact The Dental Place, serving Arlington and surrounding areas, at 972-264-5795 to schedule your consultation.

July 7, 2012

Any activity that presents an opportunity for injury, whether it is due to work or play, may suggest wearing a custom mouthguard that offers unique protection. While generic mouthguards are available at your local drugstore, these generally do not offer a comfortable fit or the needed protection you can obtain with a customized mouth guard fitted specifically for you by your dentist.

The Under Armour Performance Mouthwear™ is fitted by your dentist in approximately twenty minutes.

A mouthguard that offers the maximum protection is critical particularly when you are trying to protect the teeth of a growing child or teen. The Under Armour Performance Mouthwear™ is fitted by your dentist in approximately twenty minutes. In addition to the superb protection to teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth, serious athletes are looking at this product developed by Bite Tech, Inc. to improve athletic performance.

Wearing the “Under Armour Performance Mouthwear™ relieves pressure on the temporomandibular joint. It also helps to prevent excessive production of performance sapping hormones. Athletes in both contact and non-contact sports are turning to this not only for protection, but for additional benefits received.

If you are skeptical about how a mouthguard can enhance physical performance, try to power through a workout without any type of mouth protection. You will likely find yourself clenching and biting down as you move through your exercise. This convenient new technology not only can protect your teeth, but keeps your jaw and teeth in a more relaxed position allowing a better flow of oxygen. In addition, cortisol production is reduced by allowing less stress on your body and better performance is the result. However, for many, the primary goal with any mouth guard is to protect the wearer from injury.

There are a variety of injuries one should anticipate, particularly when playing a contact sport.

Getting one or more teeth knocked out.

Soft tissue damage from biting the tongue, cheeks or lips.

A well-fitting mouth guard can offer protection to the jaw and areas surrounding the mouth.

Your dentist can educate you on the importance of the protection derived from wearing a mouthguard. And now your dentist can also explain how the “UnderArmour Performance Mouthwear™ may enhance your performance at work or play.

With so many options available, we can help you choose the perfect mouthguard that will give you the best fit and advanced protection. Contact The Dental Place in Grand Prairie Texas to schedule a one on one consultation.