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Dental Care

What is a Root Canal and Crown Procedure? – Everything You Need to Know

What is a Root Canal and Crown Procedure?
What is a Root Canal and Crown Procedure?

Dental pulp is the center most soft part of the tooth. It houses connective tissues, blood vessels and nerves. Therefore, it is a very delicate and an important part of the tooth structure. The pulp is susceptible to infection and decay. When this happens, a root canal is an effective remedy. So, what is a root canal and crown procedure?

What is a Root Canal and Crown Procedure?

This post has all the answers you need about root canal and crown procedure. Specifically, you will know if you need a root canal as well how the procedure is done. Do you want to know more? Keep reading.

What is a Root Canal and Crown Procedure?
What is a Root Canal and Crown Procedure?

What Exactly is a Root Canal and Crown Procedure?

It is the treatment of the dental pulp when it is infected, dead, or inflamed. The procedure is performed by an endodontist or a dentist. The process involves removing all the pulp and filling up the empty space to prevent any future attack by bacteria. This process is much better than having to go to the extreme of getting a dental implant. 

Telltale Signs of Whether You Need a Root Canal

A lot of things can damage the dental pulp. In most cases, pain is the first sign. However, in some instances you will not get any warning or symptoms. That does not mean you cannot tell when you need a root canal procedure. For your heads up, here are signs you should be on the lookout for:

  • Pain: This is the general symptom for any tooth problem. However, the pain from a tooth in need of a root canal treatment is very specific. The pain comes in the form of sensitivity to cold or hot substances you put into the mouth. The sensitivity tends to lurk around for a long time even after you remove the hot or cold substance. The pain can as well be random even when you are not eating something hot or cold. In some cases, you will experience headaches. 
  • Abscess: It is an infection that leads to the formation of pus pockets in the space left by dead pulp. When the pus pockets become big, they will form pimples on the gums. It is possible you will notice some pus or bad taste when the pimples break. The infection should be dealt with immediately because it can spread and affect the jaw bone. 
  • Fracture: It is not all fractures that will require canal treatment. The fracture has to be deep into the pulp for this kind of treatment. 
  • Deep cavities: Tooth decay that digs deep into the inner parts has a probability of reaching the pulp. The decay affects the nerves, blood vessels and the tissue in the pulp. Root canal needs to be done to remove the dead pulp and prevent the decay from spreading to other teeth. This is apparent in children if they eat lots of sugary foods that tend to cause cavities. Hence, it’s important to look into healthy tips for kids so that not only do they keep their bodies healthy, but their teeth as well.

How is Root Canal Treatment Done?

First, the dentist has to confirm whether or not you need the procedure. It can be through an x-ray or any other recommended tooth health tests. The procedure can be done in one or two sessions. Each session can last for 90 minutes depending on the damage to your tooth. Health insurance can help a lot in this situation as well. 

Bottom Line

A lot of people ask: what is a root canal and crown procedure? Well, you now have the answers. If you have any of the symptoms discussed here, it is time to see your dentist. Do not wait until you’re seeing some of the symptoms mentioned because you are putting your dental health in danger. 

 

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Dental Care

What are Mouth Guards For? – Protecting Your Teeth

What are Mouth Guards For

What are mouth guards for? Imagine that you receive a hit and suddenly lose all your front teeth. This would instantly modify the way you laugh, talk and eat. If you take part in any sports activities, it’s especially important that you protect your mouth and teeth.

What are Mouth Guards For?

Mouth guards are for cushioning blows to the mouth, these serve to minimize the risk of broken teeth and wounds on the lips, tongue, face, and jaw. Normally, they only protect the upper teeth and are an excellent way to protect soft tissues, like the tongue, lips and the inside of the cheeks. If an injury occurs and a tooth is lost, it may require a dental implant. 

When Should You use a Mouth Guard?

It’s good to encourage a healthy lifestyle for kids from the start, and one way is to be active through sports. The mouth guard should be a complementary, but essential, piece of equipment that you have to take to every sporting event you or your child participates in. Even if contact sports, like boxing, have higher risks for the mouth. Every athlete can suffer an oral injury  in non-contact sports, like gymnastics or skating. 

Different Types of Mouth Protection

What are Mouth Guards For

The most recommended mouth guard is the custom made one, that your dentist made for you. But, these are usually much more expensive than the prefabricated ones. The boil and bite is an alternative that you can find in any pharmacy.

Custom Made: These mouth guards are made by a dentist, and are customized to your teeth. They are made individually, so you would have to pay more for them. They guarantee a good fit and maximum comfort. This is the most optimal option.

Boil and Bite: You can buy them in many sports shops and pharmacies. They usually fit better than the prefabricated protectors. First, you have to soften them in boiling water, and then put them into your mouth to suit your particular shape. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Prefabricated: They’re fairly cheap, pre-formed and ready to use. Unfortunately, they can sometimes feel too big and difficult for your breathing and communication.

Care for Your Mouth Guard:

Ask your dentist when you should replace the protector, but you should instantly get rid of it if it shows signs of wear, damage or if it no longer fit well. Kids and teenagers may have to replace them more often than adults because their mouths are changing and growing.

In between activities, you should clean your mouth guard and let it dry. These are some tips to make sure that your mouth guard remains in good conditions, always ready to use:

  • Rinse it before and after every use, or brush it with toothpaste.
  • Wash it frequently, with freshwater and soap. Make sure to rinse it.
  • Bring the mouth guard to your check-ups. Your dentist should examine and do a deep cleaning.
  • Transport and keep your mouth guard inside a thick case with ventilation, for it to dry and avoid bacteria to grow.
  • Never leave it in the sun.

To Summarize

If you were asking yourself what are mouth guards for, you should now have your answer. If a mouth guard wasn’t worn and damage occurred to a tooth, your dentist will be able to recommend the type of dentistry repair needed, based on the type of injury. Overall, mouth guards are used to protect your jaw, teeth, tongue and more. There are three different types of mouth guards, but the most effective one is a custom one from a dentist.

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Dental Care

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

Teeth are one of the major parts of your mouth. It not only helps to chew food properly before swallowing, but it also helps in defining the way you smile. Having properly aligned clean and white teeth can create a great impression without any doubt. If you have stains on your teeth or your teeth are discolored, chipped, misaligned, broken, worn or gaps are there, then you can try cosmetic dentistry. There are different types of cosmetic dentistry which can give you a better smile.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

If you are confused about  and how it can help you, then you are at the right place. We have listed all the types available and that you can choose. All you have to do is to choose the one which is ideal for you.

  • Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening method is one of the least expensive and simplest ways for improving the smile. Your teeth will be bleached with some of the in-office products in the dentist’s office for just $500. You can also buy a mold or gels from the dentist for bleaching your own teeth in the comfort of your home. Even there are some teeth whitening products that are available retails in stores and you can buy over the counter.

  • Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are customized shells made up of resin or porcelain. It is a tooth colored wafer-thin shell. This can cover the front surface of the teeth. It is bonded to your teeth by removing about a half-millimeter of your tooth’s enamel. These dental veneers can actually change the size, color, shape and length of the teeth.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry

  • Dental Bonding

In dental bonding, a putty-like tooth-colored resin is applied to your tooth first and then it is hardened with ultraviolet light. This helps in bonding the material to the tooth. Your dentist can trim, polish or shape it as per requirements. Over the time, this bonding can actually decay, crack or get chipped.

  • Dental Crown

A dental crown is also called a cap which can replace the whole damaged or decayed tooth present over the gum line. This can restore the size, appearance, shape and strength of the teeth if it was not exposed to healthy conditions before. These crowns can actually help to keep the weak tooth in place. These crowns are cosmetically used for covering the misshapen or some of the severely discolored teeth. They are available in form of metal or ceramic or resin.

  • Inlays & Onlays

Inlays and onlays are also a type of dental filling that is made of porcelain, composite materials or gold. This is used for filling the damaged and decayed teeth. The dental fillings are first molded into the place when you visit. But the onlays and inlays are created in the dental laboratory. Then they are bonded into place within the center of the tooth.

Wrapping it Up

So, these are some of the types of cosmetic dentistry that you can opt for beyond dental implants and more. Mainly the dentist will diagnose your problem and check your dental conditions first. Then he/she can advise you about which one will be ideal for you. Thus, make sure that you’re choosing the best dentist as think of it as you would be choosing a plastic surgeon or any other type of doctor.

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Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery

Dental Implant vs Dental Bridge

Dental Implant vs Dental Bridge

A missing tooth literally takes away your smile. You don’t feel confident when you smile anymore. However, with dental replacements, you can now afford to claim your flashy smile back. Before you are back to smiling, you have to face the question of dental implant vs dental bridge. Which one is best for you?

Dental Implant vs Dental Bridge

In this post, you get all answers about dental implants and dental bridges. You will know which is right for you as well as other considerations you should make. 

Weighing Your Options for Both

In the recent past, the only option for those who have lost their teeth was dental bridges. To get it done, the adjacent teeth have to be carved off its enamel to create room for the bridge. Conversely, dental implants only affect the specific tooth. There is no touching of the next tooth. The results are permanent and a very strong replacement. 

However, when it has been long since you lost your teeth, it will need some preparation before an implant. This is because both the bone and gum will not be in perfect shape. On the advantages of each of the procedures, your dentist is in the best position to make recommendations on which route to take and how to prevent any infections from happening afterwards. 

Dental Implant vs Dental Bridge

A Shift in Oral Care

When you get an implant, your oral care routine will not change. You will be brushing and flossing just like you have your natural teeth. The shift in care comes when you get dental bridges since they affect more than one tooth. You will have to be more careful when you brush and floss as your dental health can affect your overall health. 

Your dentist will advise on what you have to do. Some of the requirements are a specific type of toothpaste and special-bristle brush. 

Time of Service

Implants will be at your service for a lifetime. They are from titanium, which is durable and resistant to decay. The implant becomes part of your natural tooth. On the other hand, dental bridges only last for not more than 10 years. The bridges are not designed to become one with your natural teeth. Therefore, they will decay and are susceptible to failing. 

The Aesthetics

You would want your new teeth to fit in just like the natural ones. There is no guarantee of getting close to natural aesthetics, but your prosthodontist or dentist will assess your case and do what they can. Implants are easy to imitate your natural teeth if the replacement is done as soon as you lose your tooth.

The Cost Question

Dental bridges will win the cost contest any day. They cost less, but you will have to replace them after 10 years. You should think about recurring costs. Dental implants are expensive, but you will have them for a lifetime. Currently, health insurances are only covering a portion of the replacement costs and you can also look into if your Medicare coverage will cover it. Make sure you weigh out both options so that you can be ready for the expenses.

Bottom Line

So, what is it going to you about dental implant vs dental bridge? This is a personal choice whether it be for your kids or for yourself. Hopefully, this post has been of help in pointing you to make the right choice.