Root Canal as an Alternative to Tooth Loss

When people hear the term “root canal,” they generally become squeamish. They see it as a painful, unwanted dental treatment. However, according to the American Association of Endodontics (AAE) it’s all about the dental professional you choose.

In fact, in a survey the AAE found that patients who have visited an endodontist for a root canal “describe the procedure as virtually painless.” Additionally, 85 percent said they would return to the endodontist in the future.

Here’s what you need to know about root canals and how they can be used as an alternative to tooth loss.

Purpose of Using a Root Canal

Dental experts have long known that natural teeth are stronger and more efficient than dental implants. Not to mention that 76 percent of participants in the AAE survey indicated they would prefer a root canal to losing a tooth. Therefore, it’s important to make every effort to save natural teeth whenever possible.

Root canals save teeth damaged by disease, decay, or injury. Instead of pulling the tooth, your dental specialist will remove the nerve and pulp in the center of the tooth. Afterwards, the inside of the tooth is cleaned, filled, and sealed. The nerve doesn’t impact the health and function of the tooth. It merely lets you know if something is hot or cold. Besides, without a root canal, your tooth may become infected or abscessed and eventually fall out.

Your natural teeth are the best option when it comes to having full functionality of your teeth for chewing. If you lose a tooth, you’re only choices are to get a bridge, dentures, or dental implant.

Knowing You Need a Root Canal

There are several reasons the nerve and pulp in your tooth may become irritated, including deep decay, large fillings, a crack or chip, multiple dental procedures, or an accident. However, you won’t always know there is a problem because symptoms aren’t always present.

Be sure and speak with your dental professional if you experience: 

• Severe tooth pain, especially when chewing
• Sensitivity or pain to hot or cold, even after removing heat and cold
• Darkening tooth
• Swelling and tenderness in gums
• Pimple on your gums 

If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to contact your dhealth professional immediately for a checkup.

Facts about Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is not something to fear. While good oral hygiene is the best way to keep your teeth healthy, if you must undergo a root canal, here are a few facts you should know. 

• Root canal treatment may take more than one visit to your dental professional
• Your dentist will use a temporary filling to protect the tooth between visits
• Not every dental patient experiences pain from root canal treatment
• Your dental specialist may use a porcelain or gold crown to protect and seal the tooth 

The only way to know if you need a root canal is to speak with your dental care professional. If you have any questions, contact your dhealth dentist today.

3 Tips for Choosing the Right Cosmetic Dentist

If you have never visited a cosmetic dentist before, you may be wondering how to select one that is right for you. Here are three factors that we believe you should consider when making your decision.

Proper Training Key in Choosing the Right Cosmetic Dentist

One of the most important factors you should consider when choosing the right cosmetic dentist is background and dental training.

Minimally, dentists in Australia must have a Bachelor of Dental Surgery/B Dent or Bachelor of Dental Science from an Australian, New Zealand, or United Kingdom university before registering with a state to practice as a dentist. Registration requirements vary from state to state. Additionally, those who graduate from other foreign universities must become a resident of a state with an approved visa for employment to become a registered dentist.

It’s also important to find out the number of years a cosmetic dentist has practiced, especially in the specific treatment you require. This should include advanced training in cosmetic dentistry beyond the initial dental training.

Type of Cosmetic Dentistry Experience Helps Determine Best Cosmetic Dentist

Naturally, one of the first things you need to consider is the type of cosmetic dentistry procedure you are having done. Find out how many times your cosmetic dentist has completed this type of procedure. Ask for before-and-after photographs of the dentist’s work.

You also might want to find out what lab the dentist uses for procedures such as crowns and veneers to ensure it is a certified dental lab.

Find a Cosmetic Dentist You Can Talk to Comfortably

Lastly, it is vital that you select a cosmetic dentist that makes you feel comfortable. You will want to discuss thoroughly all aspects of any dental procedure you require. Find a cosmetic dentist who is open, honest, and able to communicate easily about the dental treatment and what you should expect.

You may want to be prepared with a list of questions to ensure you know things such as: 

• Length of time in practice
• Number of times he has performed this dental treatment or procedure
• Possibility of complications and how to prevent them
• Your alternative dental choices
• Steps involved in this dental treatment or procedure
• How long it will take from start to recovery
• The expected outcome
• The total cost

Finding the right cosmetic dentist for you is all about finding someone who is capable, confident, and makes you feel confident. Don’t go to just any cosmetic dentist. Talk to family members and friends to see if they can recommend someone they trust.

It’s important to your smile.

You’re Never Too Old for Straight Teeth

You look in the mirror and don’t like your smile. Your teeth look a bit crowded and crooked. You wish they were all nicely aligned and straight.

Well, regardless of your age, if you’ve always dreamed of a straighter smile, it’s not too late. It’s time to talk to your dhealth cosmetic dentist about Invisalign braces.

How Conventional Metal Braces Work

Many adults see braces as a dental treatment just for kids. Not only do they mistakenly assume adults are too old for braces, they cringe at the thought of having a mouth full of metal like Ugly Betty. Both assumptions are wrong. Today’s dhealth dentist offers Invisalign, the virtually invisible braces.

Conventional braces consist of metal brackets and arch wires. Your dentist bonds a metal bracket to the front of each tooth. A thin metal wire, called an arch wire, connects each bracket and realigns your teeth by placing pressure on them.

In addition, some conventional braces use a small elastic ligature called an o-ring (much like a small, round rubber band) stretched between the upper and lower brackets to aid in the realignment. Others, called self-ligating braces, work without the elastic ligatures.

How Invisalign Braces Work

Invisalign braces, on the other hand, differ from metal braces in a number of ways. Instead of brackets and arch wire, Invisalign braces adjust your teeth using a series of clear, custom-made, removable aligners. That means you can take them out when you eat as well as when you clean your teeth. Plus, the aligner trays are smooth, clear plastic, making them virtually invisible to others.

Here’s how it works. You receive a set of Invisalign aligner trays. You wear them in succession, each for approximately two weeks. Wearing the aligners gently shifts your teeth into alignment according to a preplanned design by your dhealth cosmetic dentist.

A visit to your dentist every six weeks will ensure the aligners are working as expected. While the specific amount of time required to straighten teeth varies according to each dental patient’s specific circumstances, it usually takes 9 to 15 months and 18 to 30 sets of aligner trays for the complete Invisalign treatment.

There’s no reason to feel self-conscious about your smile. Invisalign braces allow you to feel good about your smile both during and after the process, and only you will know why.

If you want the benefits of straight teeth without the unsightly look of conventional metal braces, talk to your dhealth dentist about Invisalign braces today.

3 Factors that Influence Effectiveness of Tooth Whitening

You’ve decided it’s time to talk to your dentist about whitening your teeth. However, you’re unsure it’s right for you. Will it really make your smile as radiant as you hope?

Many factors – controllable and uncontrollable – influence tooth whitening. For that reason, actual results will vary by dental patient. Here are three factors that you should consider and discuss with your dhealth cosmetic dentist before deciding on tooth whitening.

Current Color of Your Teeth

When it comes to whitening your teeth, where you start has a lot to do with where you end up. It is a well-documented fact that yellowish teeth respond better to whitening than grayish or brownish teeth. The grayish color is generally caused by medications, such as tetracycline, whereas the brownish hue commonly occurs due to too much fluoride use.

However, even between dental patients with a yellowish color to their teeth there can be differences in level of whitening. Experts believe that each person has their own unique whitening level.

Regardless, to get the best results have your dhealth dentist clean your teeth before starting any whitening treatment. Otherwise, surface stains may affect the results.

Whitening Process Utilized

As we mentioned in our previous post, “Make Your Smile Shine with Tooth Whitening,” there are three basic tooth-whitening processes. Each uses a whitening agent. However, the percentage of whitening agent used varies.

Specifically, the higher the concentration of whitening agent used, the faster the results. That’s why over-the-counter treatments take longer and fade faster. They utilize a lower level of whitening agent. However, a higher concentration also means a greater risk of tooth and gum sensitivity.

Therefore, it’s important to speak with your dhealth cosmetic dentist prior to any tooth-whitening treatment. Additionally, follow all procedures according to directions including how to apply the agent and how long to leave it on. This will help minimize any risks.

Oral Habits Afterwards

Once you’ve completed your whitening treatment, that’s not the end. To maintain a healthy, bright smile requires maintenance.

Just like before your whitening treatment, it’s important to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth. That includes brushing at least twice and flossing at least once daily. Additionally, you’ll need to visit your dhealth dentist on a regular basis to get a professional cleaning. This will help you keep your smile looking good longer.

Finally, watch what you eat and drink. Acidic or dark food and drink such as citrus, tea, coffee, and wine can stain and erode your teeth. So can tobacco products and chewing on foreign objects like the tip of a pencil. Think before you put something in your mouth. Don’t destroy the beauty of your smile.

The Before and After of Tooth Whitening

Your smile is an asset. "When someone has a big smile, it shows they’re willing to open up and expose a part of themselves," says Pamela McClain, DDS, a past president of the American Academy of Periodontology. The difficulty is in keeping your smile looking white and bright.

Tooth whitening, sometimes referred to as bleaching, is probably the most common cosmetic dental procedure requested by dental patients today. If you’re thinking of talking with your dhealth cosmetic dentist about an in-office or at-home tooth whitening procedure, here are a few facts to know beforehand.

Reasons You May Need Tooth Whitening

Although we all start our lives with sparkling, white teeth, here are five reasons why tooth color may change.

• Stains. Long-time consumption of food and drink such as red wine, coffee, blueberries, and carrots, can cause stains.
• Tobacco. The nicotine in smoking or chewing tobacco leaves brownish deposits on teeth.
• Medications. Some medications, such as tetracycline, may cause a grey or brown ribbon effect on teeth, particularly in young children.
• Grinding. People who grind their teeth are apt to see more stains in the small cracks tooth grinding causes to teeth.
• Age. Over time, it’s natural for teeth to darken and accumulate stains. That’s why tooth whitening typically works best for younger dental patients. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get worthwhile results in older dental patients. 

Another reason that teeth may appear to lose their vibrant color is due to thinning enamel. Enamel is the outer layer that helps to protect and insulate your teeth during daily use. What you eat and drink as well as genetics and medication have much to do with how your teeth wear. Unfortunately, your dhealth dentist cannot correct thinning enamel through tooth whitening.

Steps to Take to Maintain Tooth Whitening

It’s important to understand that tooth whitening will not make your teeth healthier or stronger. Additionally, it is not a permanent solution. Teeth may stain again if you continue to expose them to the substances that stained them previously. You’ll need to follow the same dedicated oral hygiene process – daily brushing and flossing – that you followed prior to the whitening procedure.

Moreover, your dhealth cosmetic dentist may recommend you:

• Stop smoking immediately
• Avoid eating certain foods that can cause stains or weaken your tooth enamel
• Sip dark-colored beverages through a straw, specifically aiming the straw at the back of your mouth and away from your teeth
• Rinse immediately after consuming stain-causing beverages or foods
• Continue using an at-home treatment, such as whitening toothpaste, to remove surface stains and yellowing
• Check with your dental professional to see if you need a touch up 

Before you decide that tooth whitening is right for you and to ensure the best tooth whitening results possible, talk to a cosmetic dentist.

5 Cosmetic Dentistry Options for a Great Smile

Your smile is nice; however, you want it to be great. That may mean you’ll need some cosmetic dentistry work done to get it in tip-top shape. Here are five cosmetic dentistry options that may be right for your needs.

Tooth Contouring

This dental procedure involves reshaping a tooth to improve its overall appearance. Your dhealth cosmetic dentist traditionally uses tooth contouring to correct chipped, crooked, or pointed teeth, or to lengthen and shorten teeth. Additionally, in some cases your dental professional may suggest it as an alternative to braces.

Although the process is generally quick and painless, it does remove irreplaceable enamel. Be sure to discuss the procedure with your dentist thoroughly before you decide.

Tooth Bonding

If you have teeth that are decayed, chipped, cracked, discolored, short, or misshapen, or if you have spaces between your teeth or have exposed gums, your dhealth dentist may recommend tooth bonding.

This process involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the tooth surface. Once reshaped and polished it looks as natural as the rest of your teeth. It’s probably one of the easiest and least expensive methods of giving you a great-looking smile.

Dental Bridges

Many times when dental patients lose a tooth, the dentist may recommend replacing it with a dental implant. However, your dhealth cosmetic dentist may recommend a less-expensive dental bridge.

Dental bridges are one or more permanent false teeth attached between two adjacent natural teeth. They fill up the area left by missing teeth. Unlike dentures, you don’t remove them. They can help reduce the risk of gum disease and correct your bite.

Dental Veneers

If discolored or stained teeth, spaces between your teeth, or worn, chipped, and misaligned teeth mar your smile, you may want to opt for porcelain or laminated dental veneers.

These thin tooth covers are custom made to the color, shape, and size you desire. Bonded to the front of your natural teeth, they can give you a fresh, new smile. After that, it’s up to you to keep it that way.

Gum Lift

Sometimes dental patients have what dental practitioners refer to as a “gummy smile” – when excessive gum shows causing teeth to look shorter. The normal width of unworn teeth is typically 75 percent to 85 percent of their length. To improve this length to width ratio, your cosmetic dentist may suggest a gum lift to raise and reshape your gum line.  

Generally, a gum lift is an elective procedure to improve the look of your smile. However, gummy smiles are sometimes the result of how teeth erupt or your jaw develops leading to bite issues.

If you want to bring harmony to your overall dental health and smile, talk with your dhealth cosmetic dentist to find out if any of these five cosmetic dentistry options are right for you.

Make Your Smile Shine with Tooth Whitening

If your smile is beginning to look a bit dingy, it may be time to talk with your dhealth dentist about whitening your teeth.

The Process of Tooth Whitening

People sometimes refer to tooth whitening as bleaching. However, they’re actually different processes.

Bleaching is a process that actually whitens teeth beyond their normal color because the product used contains a strong bleaching agent. Tooth whitening, on the other hand, is the process of returning teeth to their more natural color. Even some toothpaste is capable of whitening.

There are three types of tooth whitening processes as well as benefits to each: 

• Over-the-Counter Dental Whitening. By far the least expensive of the trio, over-the-counter tooth whitening products involve the use of bleaching gels with lower levels of the whitening agent. They typically involve trays, strips, or a paint-on application. 

• At-home Dental Whitening. Your dhealth cosmetic dentist may provide you with an at-home tooth whitening kit. Some experts suggest this is the best of the three because of the at-home convenience, lower-level whitening agent, and cost. Using a less concentrated gel means you can keep it on your teeth longer – even overnight – without harm. 

• In-Office Dental Whitening. If you prefer you can have your teeth whitened in the dental office by a cosmetic dentist. The primary benefit is the significant color change in a short period. The treatment costs more than the other two and it’s important to protect your gums, as a stronger whitening agent is used. 

Whichever tooth whitening process your dentist decides is best for you know there is a limit to how much you can whiten teeth. Normally, teeth whiten two to seven shades depending on individual circumstances.

Tooth Whitening Does Have Risks

While tooth whitening is safe when done properly, there are certain risks dental patients need to understand. 

• Tooth sensitivity. This usually occurs with in-office whitening where the whitening agent concentration is the highest. 

• Gum irritation. Some people have experienced gum irritation from the whitening product or rubbing of the bleaching trays. 

• Color variation. Some people refer to this as “Technicolor teeth.” It occurs because the material used in tooth bonding, crowns, and veneers doesn’t change color but natural teeth do. You may need to have them replaced. 

Keep in mind that even after you’ve whitened your teeth, you must take proactive steps to keep them that way. Additionally, you may not see the full results of the whitening until a few weeks after the process.

If you want to make your smile shine, speak with your dhealth cosmetic dentist to gain a thorough understanding of the tooth whitening process. For more information on tooth whitening, check out this report from the American Dental Association.

Top 3 Dental Options for a Better Smile

Smiles rate high when it comes to relationships. Specifically, “89 percent of adults agree that a bright or white smile makes a good first impression and 55 percent believe a person's smile is the best physical indicator of someone's friendliness,” according to a 2011 survey.

Therefore, maintaining a beautiful smile is in your best interest from both a health and a personal point of view. Here are three dental options dhealth dentistry recommends for ensuring a better smile.

Dental Fillings Most Common Dental Option

Tooth decay is the most common health problem facing both children and adults, according to a 2012 National Dental Update from the Australian Dental Association (ADA). In fact, it’s five times more prevalent than asthma in children. What makes this statistic so disturbing is that cavities are largely preventable.

Cavities (also referred to as dental caries) occur when plaque – a sticky germ-filled substance – eats through the outer layer of your tooth – the enamel. Left unchecked, the decay bores deep into the tooth. Dental fillings correct the problem.

Your dhealth dentist offers popular white composite dental fillings that blend perfectly with the colour of your natural teeth making your fillings appear virtually invisible. This helps to retain the look of a great smile.

Tooth Whitening Most Popular Dental Option

According to the Australian Dental Association, while tooth whitening is very popular it’s not always appropriate. Gum or tooth sensitivity, the natural colour of your teeth, and whether you have dental fillings or veneers will affect your decision.

Before making any decisions or taking any action, be sure to speak with your dentist about the best whitening treatment for you. He may suggest that you:

·         improve your regular dental habits (flossing and brushing)

·         avoid teeth-staining drinks such as herbal or black tea, coffee, and red wine

·         stop smoking

·         chew sugar-free gum, if you chew gum

·         drink plenty of water throughout the day

·         have a professional scaling and cleaning treatment from your dentist

Good oral hygiene is the one of the best ways to help your smile stay bright and white.

Dental Veneers Offer Great Dental Option for Damaged Teeth

Sometimes whitening cannot correct severely stained teeth or those stained below the top surface. That’s when dhealth dentistry might suggest another option such as replacing old, worn out fillings or those that are amalgam. Additionally, your dentist may suggest dental veneers.

Dental veneers are thin porcelain coverings that your dental professional places over the front portion of your teeth. They brighten teeth that can’t be whitened by bleaching as well as correct chipped, worn, or unevenly spaced teeth.

If you’ve always dreamed of a better smile, don’t wait any longer. Speak with your dhealth dentist today to find out how you can have a better smile.