FAQs

Most dental professionals agree that a soft-bristled brush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Small-headed brushes are also preferable, since they can better reach all areas of the mouth, including hard-to-reach back teeth. For many, a powered toothbrush is a good alternative. It can do a better job of cleaning teeth, particularly for those who have difficulty brushing or who have limited manual dexterity.

A root canal is often needed when the inner pulp of a tooth becomes inflamed or infected. Once the tooth’s pulp is seriously damaged, a root canal is the only method that will fix the problem. By having root canal therapy, you can avoid an extraction and keep your natural tooth.

Often, people need root canal therapy in these situations:

• Decay in the tooth that exposes the pulp
• Trauma, chips, or cracks in the tooth
• Broken crown that allows bacteria into the tooth’s pulp

It is important that you use toothpaste that’s right for you. Today there is a wide variety of toothpaste designed for many conditions, including cavities, gingivitis, tartar, stained teeth and sensitivity. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist which toothpaste is right for you.

When your pulp is damaged, you’ll often have some symptoms which alert you a root canal might be necessary:

• Pain in tooth or surrounding gums
• Extreme tooth sensitivity to both heat and cold
• Swelling and redness in gums
• Darkening or discoloration of tooth

Make sure to see a dentist right away if you experience any of these signs, so you can get the treatment you need!

You should replace your toothbrush when it begins to show wear, or every three months, whichever comes first. It is also very important to change toothbrushes after you’ve had a cold, since the bristles can collect germs that can lead to reinfection.

When it comes to a root canal, here are some of the steps you can anticipate during the procedure:

1. Before beginning, your dentist will give you anesthesia to numb the area
2. An opening is made in the tooth
3. The dentist carefully removes the pulp, then thoroughly cleans out the root canal with special instruments
4. Once the space is cleaned, the dentist will insert a special filling material to fill the empty space
5. You might get a temporary filling to seal the space at first

After the appointment, you might be asked to come back in to have your temporary crown removed and a permanent crown put in its place.

Periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that of your gums. Daily brushing and flossing, when done correctly, can help to remove most of the plaque from your teeth. Professional cleanings by your dentist or dental hygienist will keep plaque under control in places that are harder for a toothbrush or floss to reach.

If oral hygiene slips or you skip dental visits, plaque builds up on the teeth. Eventually, it spreads below the gum line. The bacteria are protected there because your toothbrush can’t reach them. If plaque is not removed, the bacteria will continue to multiply. This will cause a more serious infection.

The cost of a root canal will vary based on your dentist’s rates, the tooth that’s receiving the root canal, and if you’re getting a crown to cover the finished root canal. In general, a root canal treatment will cost between $500-2000. A crown will cost between $500-3000.

It’s a good idea to talk your dental team so that you have a better idea of what to expect. Some dental offices will help you finance any work that you need. In addition, you should check if your dental insurance will help cover a portion of the costs.

Recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease.

Your dentist will send you home with instructions after your appointment. For a little while, you may experience some pain or soreness. Take the medication your dental team recommends, and make sure to monitor for any severe pain or swelling that could indicate you need further treatment.

Research proves that up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. It is also a transmissible disease that can pass from partner to partner.

During this time, your body experiences hormonal changes and these changes can affect many of the tissues in your body, including your gums.

Research demonstrates that stress can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including periodontal diseases.

Some drugs, such as oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, and certain heart medicines, can affect your oral health.

Clenching or grinding your teeth can put excess force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and could speed up the rate at which these periodontal tissues are destroyed.

If you are diabetic, you are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal diseases.

A diet low in important nutrients can compromise the body’s immune system. Because periodontal disease is a serious infection, poor nutrition can worsen the condition of your gums.

Diseases that interfere with the body’s immune system may worsen the condition of the gums.

Crowns are incredibly strong. This protects and strengthens the remaining tooth structure. In the hands of a skilled dentist, a crown will fit perfectly onto the prepared surface of the tooth, reducing the size of the seam between the crown and the tooth. This helps keep decay from eventually occurring under the crown.

Crowns should be placed before the tooth is so broken down that it may fracture. This can often help prevent the expense of root canal therapy in the future. It can also prevent the possibility that a fractured tooth may need to be removed, requiring the expense of a bridge or implant to replace the missing tooth.

Crowns are excellent restorations and have few disadvantages. They are highly durable, but they may eventually need to be re-cemented or replaced due to normal wear. Occasionally, a tooth may still need root canal therapy after being crowned. However, this indicates that the interior of the tooth was already sick (infected) and would have eventually needed root canal therapy anyway.

In the event that a tooth is so decayed or fractured that it needs to be removed, the best alternatives to a crown are implants or fixed bridges that replace the missing tooth.

With old technology, dental crowns always needed to be made with a metal foundation. Today, we can make them out of pure porcelain, ceramic or aesthetic reinforced resins. There are still occasions on the back teeth when the durability of a metal crown makes it the restoration of choice. But for crowns that show, wouldn’t you rather have one that looks as natural as possible.