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Dentist Blog
Posts for category: Dental Procedures
As the host of America's Funniest Home Videos on ABC TV, Alfonso Ribeiro has witnessed plenty of unintentional physical comedy…or, as he puts it in an interview with Dear Doctor–Dentistry & Oral Health magazine, "When people do stuff and you're like, 'Dude, you just hurt yourself for no reason!'" So when he had his own dental dilemma, Alfonso was determined not to let it turn onto an "epic fail."
The television personality was in his thirties when a painful tooth infection flared up. Instead of ignoring the problem, he took care of it by visiting his dentist, who recommended a root canal procedure. "It's not like you wake up and go, 'Yay, I'm going to have my root canal today!'" he joked. "But once it's done, you couldn't be happier because the pain is gone and you're just smiling because you're no longer in pain!"
Alfonso's experience echoes that of many other people. The root canal procedure is designed to save an infected tooth that otherwise would probably be lost. The infection may start when harmful bacteria from the mouth create a small hole (called a cavity) in the tooth's surface. If left untreated, the decay bacteria continue to eat away at the tooth's structure. Eventually, they can reach the soft pulp tissue, which extends through branching spaces deep inside the tooth called root canals.
Once infection gets a foothold there, it's time for root canal treatment! In this procedure, the area is first numbed; next, a small hole is made in the tooth to give access to the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. The diseased tissue is then carefully removed with tiny instruments, and the canals are disinfected to prevent bacteria from spreading. Finally, the tooth is sealed up to prevent re-infection. Following treatment, a crown (cap) is usually required to restore the tooth's full function and appearance.
Root canal treatment sometimes gets a bad rap from people who are unfamiliar with it, or have come across misinformation on the internet. The truth is, a root canal doesn't cause pain: It relieves pain! The alternatives—having the tooth pulled or leaving the infection untreated—are often much worse.
Having a tooth extracted and replaced can be costly and time consuming…yet a missing tooth that isn't replaced can cause problems for your oral health, nutrition and self-esteem. And an untreated infection doesn't just go away on its own—it continues to smolder in your body, potentially causing serious problems. So if you need a root canal, don't delay!
If you would like additional information on root canal treatment, please contact us or schedule a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “A Step-By-Step Guide to Root Canal Treatment” and “Root Canal Treatment: What You Need to Know.”
The desire for cosmetic dentistry is one of the most popular reasons why patients visit the dentist each year. According to the American.png)
Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, over 80 percent of patients say that they want a cosmetic dental procedure to improve their physical attractiveness. You probably already know how important a beautiful smile is to your personal appearance, so why not let a dentist at White Eagle Family Dentistry in Naperville, IL rejuvenate your look with professional dental veneers?
What Are Professional Dental Veneers?
Veneers are dental implements that are placed over the top of the original enamel to improve the aesthetic appearance of your teeth. Professional dental veneers are placed by a qualified dentist who uses both science and art to craft a smile that you can be proud of. Through precise sizing, shaping, and coloring, veneers not only look beautiful, but they also feel natural and comfortable as well!
Veneers Rejuvenate Your Smile
It is common for people to hide their teeth for a number of reasons, including severe discoloration, chips, and odd alignment. No matter the impairment, veneers can make your teeth look smooth, polished, and beautiful! In addition to the aesthetic benefits, veneers' durable porcelain makeup also provides your teeth with additional damage protection.
Have Your Teeth Checked
Evaluating your general dental health plays a central role in whether you will qualify for cosmetic dentistry. Before treatment begins, your Naperville dentist must confirm that your teeth are strong enough to support veneers for an extended period of time. The best way to do this is to perform an X-ray screening to check the inner parts of your teeth and the jawbone. Checking for signs of gum disease is also important, for the risk of tooth loss also puts veneers in danger.
Professional Dental Veneers May Be Right for You
Just about any aesthetic dental imperfection can be resolved with veneers from our Naperville office. To schedule a visit with Dr. Joon Sun, dial (630) 978-9005 today!
How your dentist in Holland, MI, can save your smile with root canal therapy
If you are suffering from tooth pain, a root canal might be the key to relief. Here at Ottawa Smiles Dental in Holland, MI, Dr. Todd A. Brower 
offers full-service dentistry, including root canal therapy, to help his patients' smiles—read on to learn if this treatment is right for your situation!
More about root canal therapy
A root canal is needed when the dental pulp within a tooth has become damaged or bruised. In these cases, inflammation and fluid begin to build up inside your tooth, causing pain, pressure, and disease, all issues which will only be relieved through root canal therapy.
There are several noticeable signs and symptoms pointing towards the need a root canal. You need to pay attention to:
- Pain that increases after the tooth has been exposed to foods or beverages that are hot, cold, or sugary
- Pain that continues even after a filling or crown is placed
- Stabbing, aching pain when you bite down or chew
- Radiating pain that spreads into the jaws, face, or head
There are also some non-painful symptoms, including:
- A red or white bump appearing on your gums next to a tooth root
- Drainage including blood or pus coming from the bump on your gums
- A tooth that is noticeably darker or grayer than the teeth next to it
If you notice any of the signs or symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment with Dr. Brower. He will perform pulp and vitality testing, take x-rays, and examine your painful tooth to let you know if a root canal can help you!
Give us a call!
For more information about root canal therapy or any other additional dental services, dial (616) 399-3600 to reach Dr. Todd A. Brower of Ottawa Smiles Dental in Holland, Michigan, today!
Once upon a time, celebrities tried hard to maintain the appearance of red-carpet glamour at all times. That meant keeping the more mundane aspects of their lives out of the spotlight: things like shopping, walking the dog and having oral surgery, for example.
That was then. Today, you can find plenty of celebs posting pictures from the dentist on social media. Take Julianne Hough, for example: In 2011 and 2013, she tweeted from the dental office. Then, not long ago, she shared a video taken after her wisdom teeth were removed in December 2016. In it, the 28-year-old actress and dancer cracked jokes and sang a loopy rendition of a Christmas carol, her mouth filled with gauze. Clearly, she was feeling relaxed and comfortable!
Lots of us enjoy seeing the human side of celebrities. But as dentists, we’re also glad when posts such as these help demystify a procedure that could be scary for some people.
Like having a root canal, the thought of extracting wisdom teeth (also called third molars) makes some folks shudder. Yet this routine procedure is performed more often than any other type of oral surgery. Why? Because wisdom teeth, which usually begin to erupt (emerge from beneath the gums) around age 17-25, have the potential to cause serious problems in the mouth. When these molars lack enough space to fully erupt in their normal positions, they are said to be “impacted.”
One potential problem with impacted wisdom teeth is crowding. Many people don’t have enough space in the jaw to accommodate another set of molars; when their wisdom teeth come in, other teeth can be damaged. Impacted wisdom teeth may also have an increased potential to cause periodontal disease, bacterial infection, and other issues.
Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed; after a complete examination, including x-rays and/or other diagnostic imaging, a recommendation will be made based on each individual’s situation. It may involve continued monitoring of the situation, orthodontics or extraction.
Wisdom tooth extraction is usually done right in the office, often with a type of anesthesia called “conscious sedation.” Here, the patient is able to breathe normally and respond to stimuli (such as verbal directions), but remains free from pain. For people who are especially apprehensive about dental procedures, anti-anxiety mediation may also be given. After the procedure, prescription or over-the-counter pain medication may be used for a few days. If you feel like singing a few bars, as Julianne did, it’s up to you.
If you would like more information about wisdom tooth extraction, please call our office to arrange a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Wisdom Teeth” and “Removing Wisdom Teeth.”
Sometimes, looking at old pictures can really bring memories back to life. Just ask Stefani Germanotta—the pop diva better known as Lady Gaga. In one scene from the recent documentary Five Foot Two, as family members sort through headshots from her teen years, her father proclaims: "Here, this proves she had braces!"
"If I had kept that gap, then I would have even more problems with Madonna," Lady Gaga replies, referencing an ongoing feud between the two musical celebrities.
The photos of Gaga's teenage smile reveal that the singer of hits like "Born This Way" once had a noticeable gap (which dentists call a diastema) between her front teeth. This condition is common in children, but often becomes less conspicuous with age. It isn't necessarily a problem: Lots of well-known people have extra space in their smiles, including ex-football player and TV host Michael Strahan, actress Anna Paquin…and fellow pop superstar Madonna. It hasn't hurt any of their careers.
Yet others would prefer a smile without the gap. Fortunately, diastema in children is generally not difficult to fix. One of the easiest ways to do so is with traditional braces or clear aligners. These orthodontic appliances, usually worn for a period of months, can actually move the teeth into positions that look more pleasing in the smile and function better in the bite. For many people, orthodontic treatment is a part of their emergence from adolescence into adulthood.
Braces and aligners, along with other specialized orthodontic appliances, can also remedy many bite problems besides diastema. They can correct misaligned teeth and spacing irregularities, fix overbites and underbites, and take care of numerous other types of malocclusions (bite problems).
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that kids get screened for orthodontic problems at age 7. Even if an issue is found, most won't get treatment at this age—but in some instances, it's possible that early intervention can save a great deal of time, money and effort later. For example, while the jaw is still developing, its growth can be guided with special appliances that can make future orthodontic treatment go quicker and easier.
Yet orthodontics isn't just for children—adults can wear braces too! As long as teeth and gums are healthy, there's no upper age limit on orthodontic treatment. Instead of traditional silver braces, many adults choose tooth-colored braces or clear aligners to complement their more professional appearance.
So if your child is at the age where screening is recommended—or if you're unhappy with your own smile—ask us whether orthodontics could help. But if you get into a rivalry with Madonna…you're on your own.
If you have questions about orthodontic treatment, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “The Magic of Orthodontics” and “Orthodontics For The Older Adult.”
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