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Root Canal Treatment: A Tooth Saving Technique

When you have a tooth having nerve damage due to an infection or decay, the best solution is a root canal treatment. By this treatment, you can keep your natural tooth, avoid the need for an artificial tooth, keep the alignment of your teeth, and prevent issues with your jaw. Your tooth does not necessarily need its nerve to maintain proper functioning, so the removal through a root canal treatment will not cause significant damage or loss of functionality.

Root canal treatment is a highly skilled procedure designed to clear an infected tooth. It involves the use of special equipment to clear the root canal of all infection, before filling the tooth and in many cases a crown is added to give it extra strength.

If you have a root canal, it’s important to have it done at a reputable location by a dentist with experience performing the procedure. Also follow after-care instructions very carefully to promote adequate and proper healing. Inform your dentist if something doesn’t feel right or you’re worried that the root canal wasn’t fully successful. A regular follow-up can help detect possible problems and treat them before they get worse.

Procedure involved in Root Canal Treatment:

The procedure of a root canal treatment can be done in one or several visits to your dentist depending on the condition of your infected tooth. First, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the infected area. Then, a rubber dam may be place surrounding the area so that bacteria are kept away. Then, a hole will be created in the tooth to access the root canal. Once the damaged area can be reached, the pulp (nerve) will be cleared out by your dentist and the canal will be thoroughly cleaned. Dentist uses specially shaped files to clean out the root canals. Then the empty pulp and root canals are thoroughly disinfected. The canal will then be filled and sealed and the opening created to reach the root canal will be covered with a filling. A tooth that has had root canal therapy might be restored with a filling if it is right in the front of the mouth or more likely with a crown if it is at the back of the mouth.

Tips To Follow After Root Canal Treatment:

• It is necessary to take any prescribed antibiotics as directed in order to prevent any further or additional infection.
• If you have a prolonged period of pain, contact your dentist immediately.
• Follow proper hygiene habits and clean the tooth and gums regularly where your root canal occurred. Use a fluoride toothpaste and brush for a full two minutes. Follow up by gently flossing between each tooth to remove any built-up food in the gaps
• Not put too much pressure on the side of your mouth where you had your root canal.

Avoid the food that is hard, chewy, or crunchy just after the treatment.

5 Common Myths About Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is a procedure used to treat diseased or infected tooth. Beneath the hard, outer layer of enamel and dentin is a soft tissue known as pulp that houses the blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. 

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected due to deep decay, bad crown or a crack in the tooth. If left untreated, the infection can get worst and may need further surgical intervention and sometimes, the tooth may actually have to be pulled out.

Here are five common myths about root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment is virtually pain free. Root canal treatment in fact relives pain as it removes the pulp which is the source of pain. Root canals aren’t what they used to be few decades ago. Advancements in training, equipments, technology and anesthesia make modern root canal treatment painless.

Most people think that tooth extraction is better as it is quicker. That's not true. If you opt for extraction, you will also need a dental implant. If tooth extraction is followed by the placement of an implant, you will need to make several visits, and also shell out more money. Root canal treatment usually requires 1 to 3 visits. It is basically the condition of the tooth that determines the number of visits required.

A root canal cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth to allow it to heal; it does not kill a tooth.

Root canal procedures have about 95% success rate, if treated by an endodontist (Source: American Association of Endodontist). As long as the tooth and surrounding gums are kept healthy with good oral hygiene, the natural tooth can last life time without any further treatment or therapy.

It was believed that root canal procedures caused other illnesses throughout the body. This myth is based on poorly designed and debunked research that took place almost a century ago. There is no valid scientific evidence supporting this research to date. In fact, root canals treatments are done to remove bad bacteria from the infected part of the mouth and work to prevent reinfection. Root canal treatments are designed to fight infection, not cause it.

What Is A Root Canal?

10/2/19

Do you have unwanted tooth pain and need a root canal? Don’t be scared. For most people, there’s nothing more frightening than to hear the dreaded two words “root canal”. What many people don’t know is that a root canal can get you out of pain and save your tooth. Usually, the root canal procedure is completely pain free and there’s minimal discomfort afterwards.

When a tooth hurts, it could be because there is something wrong with the nerve inside the tooth. In these situations, cleaning out the  damaged nerves and disinfecting the tooth will take away the pain and save the tooth.

A tooth can cause pain when a deep cavity has reached the nerve. If this happens the bacteria travels from the cavity irritating the nerves inside of the tooth causing discomfort. The only way  to save the tooth is by removing the infected nerve tissue and replacing it with medication. That’s all a root canal treatment really does.

Sometimes, you can start feeling extreme sensitivity or pain when a tooth has an existing crown or a large filling close to the nerve. Whenever a tooth has had significant work done there’s a chance the nerve may react adversely immediately or many years down the road. In these situations a root canal will relieve the pain and sensitivity.

Once the root canal is complete a dental crown is recommended for the tooth. The crown helps to keep the tooth strong and prevents the tooth from fracturing.

Don’t forget that we do both your root canal and crown here in our office. This way you will save a lot of money and also you don’t need to be referred out to a root canal specialist.

What Is A Root Canal Treatment?

The tooth is actually made up of three layers – the hard enamel, the dentin (a secondary layer of protection), and the center of the tooth, which is known as the pulp. The pulp is soft and contains blood vessels, nerves, and the tissue that surrounds the root of the tooth. When a
tooth infection reaches the pulp, it often becomes very painful. A root canal is a dental procedure that removes this type of infection.

First, you will take an X-ray of the tooth to examine the damage. Then, they will make a small hole in the surface of the tooth, clean the interior, and remove the infected nerve. The tooth is then filled with an inert material called gutta-percha, a rubber-like filling that bonds to the tooth and fills the space where the infected tissue was. The use of gutta-percha seals the canals of the root to avoid continued decay if possible.

Following this, the Dentist may decide that some form of tooth restoration, such as a crown, is necessary so that the altered tooth looks and feels exactly like any other tooth.

Endodontist vs. Dentist for root canal

A root canal specialist (Endodontist) has the same training that your regular dentist has, But also along with two or three years of specialized training in endodontic therapy. They mainly specialize in working with root canals only. So you can consider them an expert in the field of root canals. The pros and con to this is it can be a bit more pricey then working with your Dentist. If the dentist is confident and comfortable working with root canals and has a high success rate. It wouldn’t be a bad idea if you are tight with your finance. Just do your research
and ask questions.

Schedule Your Root Canal Today

Tired of dealing with the pain? Root canal costs can vary depending on which tooth is affected. Give us a call now at (480) 423-1000 with any questions or to schedule an appointment. You can also request more information at our contact us page.

Questions to Ask Your Dentist
8/21/19

 Dentists and physicians in general often ask you if you have any questions at the beginning and/or end of each visit. Because you are not a dentist or a physician yourself, knowing what questions to ask can be difficult. There are several questions that are essentials, however, and they pertain to the dentist’s specialties as well as your own medical diagnosis.

 Without further ado, here are a few questions you should ask your dentist.

1. Ask for specifics

Dentists may make lofty claims about their statuses as, well, dentists. They may claim certain specialties, awards or accolades. Consider asking about these claims. Who gave you that award? What did you have to do to earn it? What does this specialty mean? How did you come to claim that you have such a specialty? What does that specialty mean for me? You may learn some valuable things about dentistry, or you may learn that your dentist is completely full of it. Give it a try.

2. Are you trying to sell me something?

Always be suspicious if a dentist pushes a particular product on you. Don’t be afraid to ask if your dentist is trying to sell you something for a reason. He or she may have a stake in that product, or potentially a deal with someone selling the product. Or, he or she might just really like that product. The only way to know is to ask.

3. Ask about your health

Don’t just leave the dentist without all the information. If he or she rattles off a bunch of words that you don’t understand, be sure to ask what this actually means. What do the words mean? What does the diagnosis mean to you? What are the steps toward correcting it? How will they affect your life? What can you do differently to correct these symptoms in the future? Find out the specifics and then take the necessary measures. You will pay handsomely for dental care; it’s best to use it.

4. Can I get a discount?

Speaking of payment, it never hurts to ask for a discount. You never know what the dentist or staff person will say. Maybe they can cut you a deal. Maybe they will give you a discount for paying in cash instead of using insurance. Maybe there’s the possibility of a payment plan. Again, you won’t know until you ask, and while paying for your care is important, your own finances are too. It never hurts to ask.

by Scottsdale Dental Offices 

A common theme here is that it never hurts to ask. You won’t lose anything by asking about your care. Be sure to ask questions, and you may be surprised by the answers. You might learn more, and you might even pay less for your care. The only way to know is to pose these questions.

How to whiten your teeth fast and naturally

8/9/2019

What is it about a smile? Making a good first impression is important everywhere you go, and it is easy to do this with a beautiful smile on your lips. It is so easy to smile yet the effects are fascinating. However, some people do not feel comfortable smiling in public because of the poor condition of their teeth.

At some point in life, many people experience some dental problems. Either overgrowth, cracked or unevenly spaced dentition or discoloration of the teeth. These dental issues can make you feel less confident in your smile.

Some of the reasons we experience dental discoloration include:

Unhealthy habits

Habits such as smoking or failing to brush or floss regularly can cause dental discoloration. In this case, the beautiful white pearls will darken and become quite unlike they used to look.

Old Age

As we grow older, our bodies become less capable of performing functions such as providing sufficient nutrients that can sustain dental health. Old age can also lead to discoloration and loss of teeth.

Excessive consumption of strong beverages

Alcohol, coffee, and tea can cause damage to the dentition if they are excessively consumed.

While these issues may occur, there are many natural and effective remedies that can be used to whiten your teeth.

You can regain the beautiful glow in your smile in the following ways:

Rinsing your teeth with Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild solvent that has properties which enable it to dissolve and remove stains on your teeth. Regularly rinsing your teeth with hydrogen peroxide will eliminate stains. However, care should be taken to dilute hydrogen peroxide before it is used as a mouthwash. In high concentrations, hydrogen peroxide can damage your teeth.

Citrus fruits

The acidic content of the peels extracted from citrus fruits can whiten your teeth. Simply rub the insides of these peels on your teeth to restore the beautiful white glow of your teeth. It should, however, be noted that the citric acid may be too corrosive to the enamel of some people. If you notice any adverse reactions or increased sensitivity, you should discontinue use. However, the ease at which we can get citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons makes this method one of the commonly used natural processes to whiten teeth.

Eating Strawberries can whiten your teeth

Strawberries are known to contain some natural compounds that can help to remove stains from the teeth. People who eat strawberries often usually have beautiful white teeth. So go ahead, have a handful of berries next time you see them.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV)

ACV is another naturally sourced product that can remarkably eliminate stains from your teeth. It is also perfect for brightening darkened teeth. ACV can be used in small quantities as a regular mouthwash. However, it should be diluted with water, or if your teeth have been badly discolored, you can use ACV without dilution but rinse your teeth for only a few minutes.

Regular Brushing and Flossing

One of the causes of dental issues is poor oral hygiene. It is advised that you should brush and floss after meals to prevent food particles from rotting and damaging your teeth.

If the damage has already been done, your teeth can become white again by regular brushing and flossing after meals. Use toothpaste recommended by a dentist, and the results will be amazing.

The natural methods that have been described above to help you whiten your teeth are easy to perform, and they are very effective. If you experience any discomfort after trying one method, try another. It should also be noted that once your white teeth have been restored, you should stop the method. There is no need to worry, by brushing twice a day (in the morning and at night before you go to bed) and flossing; you can maintain your new set of white teeth.

by Scottsdale Dental Offices