Although your dentist is the best person to evaluate your smile for treatment, let’s talk about
whether your cavity will need just a filling or if a root canal would be your best form of care.

When a Filling Is All That’s Needed

If your tooth isn’t discolored and you’re only experiencing minor pain or sensitivity, your dentist
may be able to repair the tooth with a simple filling.

When tooth decay happens, bacteria eat through the first layer of your teeth, the enamel. The
decay may progress to the second, softer layer, the dentin, and results in a cavity. If your cavity
has not progressed to the third layer of the tooth—the nerve tissue—a filling should suffice.

Getting a filling is a relatively simple procedure and you and your dentist can talk about what
filling material would suit you best. Although your filling will need to be replaced at some point
in your life, it shouldn’t get worse with the proper home care and dentist visits!

When Root Canal Therapy Could Help

Some people may have cavities that are beyond repair or be experiencing other symptoms that
will result in the need for a root canal. For instance, if your cavity is large enough or deep
enough that it would be impossible for a filling to repair your tooth, root canal therapy may be
the most appropriate form of treatment.

If your tooth is discolored in any way, such as having a brown or yellow hue that’s noticeably
different from the other teeth, the nerve tissue inside your tooth may be dead. In this case, a
root canal is the best treatment. If you’re experiencing severe tooth sensitivity or pain, you may
need a root canal.

Fortunately, a root canal isn’t much different from getting a filling these days. Technology has
made it possible for your root canal to be performed with no pain and you’ll be able to save
your natural tooth!

Which Do You Need?

If your cavity is a relatively normal size and not accompanied by discoloration, pain, or
sensitivity, you may just need a filling. However, if your cavity is large, has cracked your tooth,
or is causing you pain and sensitivity, your dentist may recommend root canal therapy to save
your tooth.

Whether you need a filling or a root canal, you’ll still be able to save your natural tooth, which
is the most important thing. When you can keep your natural tooth, you’re saving a part of your
smile that would otherwise need to be replaced with a cosmetic dentistry option!

If you’re seeing evidence of a cavity, don’t delay in making an appointment with your dentist.
Prompt treatment can prevent your cavity from turning into a problem that needs root canal
therapy to fix!

The post Is a Filling Okay, or Will I Need a Root Canal? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Decay or Trauma Can Cause Tooth Abscesses

Tooth abscesses are most often caused by tooth decay. This happens when a cavity forms but is not sealed. The cavity allows bacteria to enter the center of your tooth, where your tooth’s nerves are. This area is often referred to as the tooth’s pulp.

Once decay has progressed to this point, the tooth pulp becomes inflamed and infected. Although the pulp will usually die as a result of this, the infection may continue to spread. This will form a painful swelling around your tooth resulting in a toothache. Teeth that have experienced trauma are also subject to tooth abscesses. This includes teeth that have been broken or chipped—these can also allow bacteria to enter your tooth’s inner pulp and cause an infection.

Root Canal Therapy May Be Necessary

Once the inner pulp of your tooth has died, the tooth is essentially dead but can still remain in your mouth if the infection isn’t too severe. In order to save your tooth, you’ll need root canal therapy. Root canal therapy will clear out the infection from inside and around your tooth. The abscess may need to be drained in order to remove all of the infection. Once this is done, your dentist or endodontist will seal the space to protect it from future problems.

Once the root canal is done, you’ll have a crown on your tooth to fully protect it. This is the best form of treatment for tooth abscesses as it allows you to keep your natural tooth and clear the infection. You’ll begin to feel better once the painful abscess is gone. In extreme cases, the infection and abscess may be so severe that the only option is to remove the tooth. This is why it’s imperative to know the symptoms of a tooth abscess and seek treatment before it’s too late!

Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess

Not everyone will experience the same symptoms of a tooth abscess. Some people may not even feel pain. You may still notice sign or symptoms of an infection, though. These include:

 Red or swollen gums

 Pain when chewing

 A toothache ranging from mild to severe

 Fever

 Strange taste in your mouth

Be aware of the signs and symptoms of a tooth abscess. Seeking treatment with your dentist before it’s too late can save your tooth! Tooth abscesses can be extremely painful and also could put you at risk to lose your tooth. If you notice any signs or symptoms of an abscess, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with your dentist to ensure you receive effective treatment!

The post What Is an Abscessed Tooth and How Is It Treated? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The instruments used to conduct your root canal are different than in the past. They’re thinner, more flexible, and more precise. They allow the procedure to be completed quickly and efficiently in one visit, unlike the several visits it took in the past. These advanced tools make cleaning out the infected tooth pulp easier, therefore maximizing your comfort during the procedure.

Digital X-Rays Make Life Easier

Digital x-rays allow your dentist to see if a root canal is needed, but they also help you receive a faster diagnosis with less radiation exposure. These digital images also enable your dentist or endodontist—a dentist who specializes in saving teeth—to see if your tooth’s root has been totally cleaned out after the process. As a result, getting a root canal these days is much like getting a deep cavity filled!

Anesthesia Is Better

As our methods of anesthesia have improved, your dentist is able to keep you totally comfortable throughout the entire procedure. Local anesthesia is all that’s needed, and many patients only need an over-the- counter pain reliever afterwards rather than heavy sedation with narcotic pain medication. If you’d like to be sedated, you can talk to your endodontist about accommodating your needs.

Materials Are Refined

The materials used during root canal therapy have also been enhanced, from the rinse used to clean out your tooth to the filling used to seal the canal. This leads to more successful procedures among patients and a longer life for your toot canal. Crown technology has also been improved, resulting in a better fit for your unique smile after your tooth has been sealed!

People Engage in Preventative Care

These days, people are aware of the role they play in their own oral care. Home health care techniques have improved in addition to awareness of the importance of dental visits. People visit their dentist more regularly, which makes early detection of a problem with your tooth’s roots easier. When a root canal is needed, the procedure is often less involved and easier to treat.

Root canal therapy is a procedure that’s gotten a bad name, but is not at all what people say it is. Technology has allowed oral care professionals to make your root canal as comfortable and quick as possible. Root canal therapy only takes about an hour—no longer than a professional teeth whitening! If you’ve been avoiding a root canal, now’s the time to talk to your dentist about getting this procedure done to save your tooth!

The post Root Canal Therapy: It Isn’t What It Used to Be appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The plaque that plays a crucial role in oral diseases such as gum disease and tooth decay causes inflammation in your mouth. This same plaque has actually been found in the plaque that’s responsible for clogging the arteries—a condition also known as arteriosclerosis. These bacteria can not only cause hardened arterial plaque and inflammation, but it can also be taxing on the heart, making it work harder to pump blood through restricted arteries. This increases your risk for heart disease, which could lead to a heart attack or a stroke!

Diabetes Increases Risk for Gum Disease

If you have gum disease, this means your gums are inflamed and you may experience symptoms such as bleeding or tender gums, bad breath, and loose teeth. When diabetes is present and unmanaged or poorly managed, blood sugar levels can increase your risk for gum disease and tooth loss. The better controlled your diabetes is, the less risk you have for gum disease. If you have undiagnosed diabetes or blood sugar problems, see your doctor—diabetes treatment could help your oral health and prevent gum disease!

Inflammation Influences Cognitive Decline

The same bacteria that are involved in the inflammation of the gums that is characteristic of gum disease can end up in your brain and influence cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s! Researchers have linked rapid cognitive decline with the presence of gum disease in patients with Alzheimer’s. This research supports the notion that chronic inflammation in the body can affect the entire system—even the brain and cognitive performance in people with preexisting cognitive decline.

Bacteria Cause Upper Respiratory Illness

Upper respiratory infections such as pneumonia or the common cold are more common in people who have poor oral health! Experts reason that the introduction of poor mouth bacteria into the lungs from breathing could cause the inflammation and illness associated with upper respiratory problems. Keeping your mouth clean and free of plaque could result in less instances of the cold or upper respiratory illness throughout your life!

One part of your body is not separate from the other. By taking great care of your mouth, you can help to influence a healthy body! Simply by brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist can improve your chances for avoiding diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and sicknesses like pneumonia. You can also help keep your mouth healthy by better managing your diabetes. Your dental health affects more than just your smile—visit your dentist to learn more about how you can keep your mouth and body healthy for life!

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Gingival surgery is a treatment for gum disease that involves grafting the gums so that they can heal from the bacteria and infections that caused gum disease, and most importantly, protect and support your teeth as they were meant to do.

Gum grafting is a procedure that many patients with advanced gum disease need in order to have a successful treatment. During this treatment, healthy gum tissue will be taken from one part of your mouth (typically the roof) and attached around the affected tooth or teeth to repair the damage done from the gum recession.

When Should Gingival Surgery Be Considered?

If you have gum disease, your dentist will likely recommend a deep cleaning procedure to see if this will help your gum disease. During this procedure, your dentist will do what is called root planing and scaling, which is also called periodontal therapy. During periodontal therapy, your dentist will remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that are contributing to your gum disease. This is the scaling part; the root planing part helps to smooth your tooth’s root in order to keep the bacteria and plaque from going back beneath the gums. This procedure is meant to allow your mouth to heal from gum disease.

However, if periodontal therapy is unsuccessful and your gums have receded past a certain point, your dentist may suggest gingival surgery. Gingival surgery should only be considered after periodontal therapy has proven ineffective.

What Can Patients Expect During the Procedure?

During the procedure, a piece of healthy gum tissue will be removed from one part of your mouth and be attached to the receding gums of your tooth or teeth. After the procedure, you’ll be allowed to go home with aftercare instructions.

Your oral surgeon will advise you to avoid brushing or flossing the tooth or teeth that received the gum grafts, and you may have a special rinse to help your mouth remain clean while it’s healing. You may also need some over-the- counter pain medications to ease your discomfort of the portion of your mouth from which the graft was taken.

Healing time is different for everyone, but talk with your oral surgeon and be sure to carefully follow his or her instructions. Always seek help if you have questions or concerns! Gingival surgery is considered a safe and effective treatment when it comes to significant gum recession as a result of gum disease. Gum recession often happens slowly, so you may not notice a changed appearance or the symptoms until it’s too late. Regular checkups can help your dentist spot gum disease before gingival surgery is necessary!

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Tooth Infection Can Lead to a Tooth Abscess

Your body is generally very good at fighting off infections, but when it comes to your teeth, your body has no way of getting antibodies inside your tooth. When there’s a problem with your tooth’s nerve, it will likely die. This may or may not cause symptoms. However, if the dead nerve is left untreated, it can lead to bacteria that can cause an infection.

Once this infection happens, it can quickly spread. If you simply have a tooth infection, your dentist will recommend root canal therapy in order to clean the infection out of your tooth’s nerve and seal up your tooth. This not only allows you to keep your natural tooth, but also prevents further infections or issues with that tooth from occurring.

If your infection is allowed to continue, the bacteria can accumulate and spread to the area between your jaw bone and your tooth. This is the beginning of a tooth abscess, and your body will react by trying to fight the infection. Your body may be able to effectively combat the abscess for a period of time, but the fact remains that your body will not be able to treat the source of the infection—your tooth’s root.

When the infection spreads to the jaw bone at the tip of your tooth, an abscess forms and generally tends to be swollen and painful. It may appear as a lump in your gums above your tooth. For some patients, abscesses are very painful. For others, they may not experience symptoms.

An Infection Will Always Be Present with an Abscess

Tooth abscesses are the result of an infection that often begins at the tip of your tooth’s root. If left untreated, the abscess can actually lead to a gum infection. If you catch a tooth infection or tooth abscess early, a root canal treatment may be all that’s needed. If an abscess is present, it will need to be lanced and drained in order to help your body heal once the source of the infection is removed.

If, however, your abscess has been going on for quite some time or the original tooth infection is not treated, an extraction of the affected tooth may be necessary. Tooth abscesses can spread and cause additional oral health problems. Remember, your body cannot respond appropriately because there’s no blood flow going to the dead root where the infection began.

Tooth Infections and Abscesses Require Professional Treatment

As we’ve addressed, your body can’t effectively fight off a tooth infection. You need to see your dentist for professional treatment to remove the infection and seal your tooth with root canal therapy. If the infection is left untreated, it can turn into a painful abscess, which can turn into a gum infection.

See your dentist if you’re experiencing any type of tooth pain or symptoms of a tooth abscess. The sooner you receive treatment for your infection, the better chance you have of saving your natural tooth and preventing further damage!

The post Tooth Abscesses vs. Tooth Infections—What’s the Difference? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

What can you expect before, during, and after an apicoectomy?

Your Consultation for an Apicoectomy

You may have the consultation with your local dentist, who may be qualified to perform the apicoectomy. However, if your dentist feels you would fair better with an endodontist, you will be referred to a specialist in the area. X-rays will be taken and your surgeon may have you rinse with mouthwash or take anti-inflammatory medicine before the procedure.

You’ll be placed under local anesthesia; however, this anesthesia differs from the type used during your fillings. It has more epinephrine (adrenaline) in it, which is a natural hormone that restricts blood vessels and therefore hinders bleeding both during and after the procedure. Talk with your dentist if you have high blood pressure or have concerns about reacting to the anesthesia.

During the Procedure

After you’re prepped for the procedure with local anesthesia, your endodontist will cut your gum tissue near the base of your tooth and remove any infection present there. The tip of your tooth’s root (called the apex) will also be removed. Usually only a few millimeters of tooth root are removed. Your endodontist may also check to see if your tooth is fractured—if this is the case, you may need an extraction rather than the apicoectomy.

If the apicoectomy is continued, your endodontist will clean your tooth’s canal and seal it. This is done using advanced instruments to increase precision and cause minimal disruption to the surgical site. Another x-ray will be done in order to ensure the infection is gone and your endodontist will complete the procedure.

Healing Up Afterwards

Each person is different and healing times will vary. Your endodontist will instruct you on what medications are safe to take and what foods you can eat and which to avoid. You may also choose to put ice on the outside of your jaw near the surgical site to help with swelling. The second day tends to be worse than the first regarding swelling and pain, so talk with your endodontist about what to expect and what you can do.

Avoiding crunchy or sticky foods as well as tobacco products is a good idea. Also, do not brush the surgical site—it should be left alone to heal. You will have stitches which will need to be removed about a week after the surgery. Call your doctor if you experience additional swelling after the second day or increased pain.

Your apicoectomy will be done by an endodontist who has years of experience performing the procedure. This procedure can help save your tooth and remove a painful infection that may not have been able to be removed with a root canal. Talk with your dentist about what to expect at your apicoectomy procedure!

Image courtesy of dream designs at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Myth: It’s Painful
Root canals are infamous for being rumored to be painful. Most patients visit the dentist for a problem because their infected tooth pulp is causing them pain, so this can lead to feelings of anxiety about what will happen during the procedure.

Fact: Most Patients Experience No Pain
The majority of patients who get root canal surgery done experience no pain. Remember, your dentist or endodontist (root canal specialist) is a professional that has years of experience and training. The doctor performing this procedure knows how to keep you pain-free!

Myth: Pulling the Tooth Is Better
Many people think that because their tooth’s nerves are dying or dead, the tooth is dead and will need to be pulled eventually. So why not pull the tooth instead of getting a root canal procedure?

Fact: Saving Your Natural Teeth Is Always the Best Option
Although your tooth’s pulp may be infected or dead and need to be removed, removing your natural tooth is not the best option. Saving your natural tooth will always be preferable to removing it. Removing your natural tooth means you’ll need partial dentures, dental implants, or a bridge to help fill the space. All this means even more dental work when you could have the problem solved with one root canal procedure and save your tooth!

Myth: No More Dentist Visits After the Procedure
Some people think that once they have the root canal procedure done, they need not return to the dentist.

Fact: You Need a Follow-Up Visit to Complete the Procedure
Not only is a follow-up visit crucial in order to ensure all is well with your mouth after the procedure, but you’ll also need a crown affixed to the tooth in order to protect it from further damage. Sometimes this is able to be completed with the root canal procedure, sometimes it’s not. Regardless, that follow-up visit is important!

Myth: I Don’t Have Symptoms, So I Don’t Need the Procedure
While some people experience excruciating pain when the pulp of their tooth is infected, other people won’t have any symptoms at all. If you have no symptoms, why would you need treatment?

Fact: If Your Roots Are Dead, You May Not Be Able to Sense the Infection
Just because you may not experience any symptoms doesn’t mean there’s not something wrong! Often times, if your tooth’s nerve is dead, you may not be able to know there’s an infection. You may have other symptoms of an infection, such as gum pain or a bad taste in your mouth.

Root canal procedures are done by experts who know what they’re doing. Being anxious about dental work is normal, but remember that your doctors will take great care of you. Your root canal procedure is meant to alleviate your painful symptoms, not cause them!

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Endodontists Have More Experience

Your root canal specialist has received years of additional training on top of their dental schooling. This means that all endodontists are dentists, but not necessarily all dentists are endodontists. In fact, fewer than three percent are! This means that in order to optimize your root canal procedure, your dentist will likely refer you to an endodontist. Your dentist may feel that your root canal procedure is beyond his or her level of skill, or he or she may feel that you’ll simply have a better experience with a specialist that can do the best possible job on your root canal! Endodontists complete more than ten times the amount of root canals per week than dentists do, so their experience and skill level is often superior than that of your average dentist when it comes to performing root canals.

You’ll Receive Better Care

Root canal specialists have the training and expertise to provide you with a seamless root canal procedure. They’re expertise may even mean faster healing time and less risk for complications. They’re experts at root canals while your dentist may only have minimal experience performing them. The infected pulp of your tooth will be taken out and replaced with a synthetic material, and your tooth will be sealed up. This will effectively eliminate your pain and save your natural tooth! Afterwards, you’ll see your regular dentist to follow up and to help further protect your tooth for life.

A Comfortable and Pain-Free Procedure

Many patients who see an endodontist for their root canal procedures are pleased with the procedure and feel at ease with their specialists. Your endodontist has years of experience performing their work and making patients like you happy and pain-free. Root canal procedures maintain a myth of being painful—this simply isn’t true! An endodontist makes your procedure completely pain-free and comfortable for you while performing their work. Best of all, they’re able to save your natural tooth by performing a root canal procedure, and you’ll feel pain-free and be able to return to normal activity in no time!

An endodontist has many advantages over a traditional dentist. They’re experts at saving your teeth and completing root canal procedures as a result of their years of extra training. They help you to feel at ease, tend to be more flexible to accommodate emergencies, and you’re able to be pain-free throughout the procedure. Choose an endodontist for your root canal procedure!

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Loss of Tooth – Ultimately, not getting a needed root canal can end up in the loss of a tooth. The infection can spread to the gums and even to your other teeth. You don’t want to end up with gum disease or other problems due to delaying treatment.

Worsening Infection – When the roots of a tooth get infected, the condition won’t reverse on its own. You have to see a dentist to get the infected portion of the roots removed. Otherwise, the condition will continue to spread and cause the repercussions noted above.

More Difficult Treatment – The longer you wait, the further the infection spreads. This makes it tougher to treat, especially in back teeth that have more roots for the infection to spread to. The longer you have the infection, the more difficult it will be for a dentist to successful get to all of the infected material.

Continued Pain – The root canal will relieve the pain being caused by the infection. Why continue in constant pain when there is a way to relieve it? Once the pain is gone, it will be easier to eat and carry out other normal daily activities. Plus, pain affects a person’s mood, so your family, friends, and colleagues will probably be happy that you got the problem taken care of.

Whole Body Consequences – Infections in the mouth can easily spread via the bloodstream. This is why oral health has been linked to heart health by numerous studies. Delaying a root canal can actually put you at greater risk for heart problems or a stroke. Also, inflammation is commonly caused by such infections.

If you are worried about expenses, check to see if your insurance will cover the procedure. If not, your dentist will likely be able to work out an affordable payment plan. If your concern is pain, know that your dentist has many options to keep you comfortable during the procedure and that a root canal will actually stop the pain that you are presently experiencing.

While needing a root canal may not thrill you, ignoring it is a far worse option. Care for your overall body health and avoid costly dental treatments by addressing endodontic problems at the source. With the latest technology and advancements in the world of endodontics, root canals are far more comfortable and convenient than ever, and your smile will thank you!

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