November 2016 - The Dental Place

November 21, 2016

You’ve already either experienced tooth loss or have been advised of the need for teeth extraction. You know you need some type of dental prosthesis to replace lost teeth. Your dentist has advised that you should likely consider a denture; so now what is next?

How many teeth are lost? If all teeth in the arch are gone a complete denture is needed. If tooth loss is limited, a partial denture will suffice. A treatment plan will be outlined giving you all of your options, the time required for each, and the costs involved (and how much your insurer will pay, if insurance is available).

If your dentist is extracting teeth, and you don’t want to have to live with a temporary during the healing period, you can receive an immediate denture. The denture is pre-made prior to tooth extraction. The downside to the immediate denture is that during the time following teeth extraction, a natural shrinkage in gum tissue is likely to occur. This could translate into numerous adjustments being needed.

If you decide to wait until the extraction area is healed, or if tooth loss has already occurred, you will have some type of temporary put in place. Dental impressions are made and measurements taken that will allow the dental lab to fabricate a denture that will fit, look natural, and give you functionality in your day to day life.

Wax models will be made, tried in, and returned to the lab before the final denture is made. Once healing is completed, the denture is ready to be placed. Your new denture will probably feel a little cumbersome at first. You may experience increased saliva production or notice a little irritation where the attachments meet the gums.

There is an adjustment period to be expected. Your dentist will caution you what you might experience and encourage you to give your denture a chance before you ask for adjustments. Very often the adjustment period will naturally resolve issues; but your dentist wants you to be comfortable with your new dental prosthesis – do not attempt to make adjustments on your own that could ruin your denture.

If you’re experiencing continued problems, return for follow up care and/or adjustments. Learning to eat and speak with a new denture might take a little practice, but the result will be worth the time invested.

If you have more questions, contact us today to speak with a member of our caring and knowledgable team.

November 7, 2016

Root canals have a reputation for being extremely unpleasant … jokes are made comparing them to your worst nightmare. But in reality, this is a dental procedure that is simple with the reward of saving a tooth from extraction.

The need for endodontic therapy (root canal) arises due to trauma to the root of a tooth. This can be due to excessive dental decay, infection, or a breach in the tooth that allows bacteria to penetrate to the interior of the tooth’s structure.

The myths surrounding root canals probably got started by people who have never undergone this tooth saving procedure. Some of these myths include that they are painful, take a long time to complete, and that extracting the tooth would be easier.

A root canal is a procedure where the contents of the tooth’s roots are removed. The contents include pulp, blood, and nerve. The roots of the tooth stay intact and remain to support the tooth. Symptoms that indicate the need for a root canal include pain, swelling, tooth discoloration, sensitivity to hot or cold, or pimple like sores on the gum tissue.

A dental x-ray is always taken; the x-ray is a diagnostic tool, but is also needed to identify the number of roots requiring treatment and how they are positioned.

Once the x-ray has been taken, the tooth requiring treatment is usually numbed using anesthetic (freezing the tooth); the tooth is segregated to keep the area dry and free from saliva; an access point is drilled in the tooth; and the dentist will remove the contents of each root using endodontic files. Each root is thoroughly rinsed to remove all contents … if infection is present, medication is placed in the root.

The entire process is completed quickly … the number of roots to be treated and their ease of access dictates the length of the procedure. With a simple root canal, the access point can be sealed right away and the process is completed. If a dental crown is needed to seal the access point, additional dental visits are needed.

Discomfort is similar to having a cavity repaired; extracting the tooth would require some type of prosthesis which would be costly and time consuming. Saving a tooth is a much better option; root canal therapy allows a quick response that can salvage a tooth and relieve pain.

If your tooth is bothering you, contact us at The Dental Place today!