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No one ever wants to learn that they need a root canal procedure. However, is that not take away the fact that some people still require the procedure to enjoy excellent dental health. In most cases, some of the patients that require a root canal procedure are never aware that they do. A visit to the dental facility is what allows them to learn about the kind of treatment they would need to correct their dental problems.

If you are not aware of your need for a root canal treatment, perhaps you also need to visit a dentist near you so you can plan on getting your teeth fixed. Return to learn more about their common reasons why anyone would require to have such a treatment as this.

What Is A Root Canal Treatment?

It is a dental procedure that involves treating a damaged tooth by walking from the roots upwards. It is handled in a specialty known as endodontic dentistry. In this specialty, dental experts are concerned with the entire structure of a tooth, so that they also look into their roots as well as the external parts of that tooth.

This treatment involves different steps, often invasive, to repair a damaged tooth. It is used as a solution to save a tooth, instead of the alternative procedure, which would be tooth extraction. Depending on what an Anchorage dentist diagnoses, your root canal procedure can involve invasive surgery or a relatively non-invasive treatment.

What To Expect During The Procedure

On a typical root canal procedure, patients should expect some of the following processes to take place:

• Preparation – it involves cleaning out any damaged part of your tooth. This is especially the case if the damaged parts are significant and could carry more bacteria that could continue to infect the tooth. At this stage, cleaning and even trimming of part of your enamel may be involved. It all depends on how significant the damage is on your tooth and how much of it needs to go.
• Drilling – this is the step of the procedure where your tooth will be drilled to give access to the internal parts of your tooth. At this step, a special tool will be used to create their whole on YouTube that will allow access to the root part of your tooth. This is their whole that will be used to suck out all the damaged parts of your tooth.
• Cleaning – the dentist will suck out all the damaged parts of your tooth. This step involves removing any residue, bacteria, infection, pass, among other things that may be causing the damage in your tooth. This step also involves removing the palp contents which are in the central region of your tooth. The contents thereof include nerve endings, blood vessels, and other soft tissues.
• Filling – the tooth has to be filled, to ensure the empty spaces are fully occupied. The filling will also allow for the tooth to be sealed. A dental filling may be used to achieve this purpose.
• Crowning – since the crown of your tooth is very likely to be significantly damaged, it needs to be crowned. A dental crown is, therefore, placed over the tooth with dental cement to bond it properly. This will seal out any bacteria and infection from re-penetrating into your tooth.

Why Would You Need A Root Canal Procedure?

For you to require a root canal procedure, you are more likely than not to have any of the following oral problems:

• Dental decay – this is one of the most common reasons why people get the root canal procedure. Usually, dental decay gets as bad as to damage the inner parts of a tooth. This means that when dental decay commences, it is not only your enamel that is at risk of damage.
• Severe toothache – a toothache is an indicator that your nerve endings are calling out for help. This means that you have an infection or a form of damage that is compromising the state of the nerve ending on your tooth. Tooth pain can be reason enough for you to get a root canal procedure.
• Broken tooth – a broken tooth can go as far as to damage the internal structures of your tooth. For such a case, you cannot seek recovery before you go through treatment. A root canal can treat the problem and give you a restored crown to correct the aesthetic problem thereof.

Have you been advised root canal treatment and are fearful about the procedure? You may be tempted to avoid the surgery, but it is strongly suggested that you visit the Anchorage dentist and discuss the consequences of preventing root canal therapy.

The advice from the Anchorage dentist will scare you even further because the only alternative to root canal therapy is the extraction of the affected tooth. The removal may seem easier than undergoing a root canal. Still, if you consider the time and money you will spend at the dentist’s office for artificial tooth restorations, your fears of root canal treatment will disappear from your mind to prepare you adequately for the process.

Why Are Root Canals Performed?

The procedure is performed to eliminate bacteria from an infected root canal within your tooth. The elimination prevents reinfection of the tooth and helps to preserve the natural tooth. When you confirm your acceptance to undergo the therapy, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed, and the insights of your tooth are cleaned carefully and disinfected before being filled and sealed.

What Happens During the Procedure?

The procedure helps relieve the pain you are experiencing and preserving your natural tooth. If your dentist or endodontist recommends the root canal procedure for treating a diseased or damaged tooth, there is no need for you to be worried about the process. Millions of teeth recover from treatments like these and are preserved by making them healthy again.

Within your tooth and beneath the layer of enamel is another hard layer known as dentin, and beneath the dentin is a soft layer known as dental pulp. Blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that help the root of your tooth to grow during its development are housed in the dental pulp. Fully developed teeth can survive without the pulp because they receive nourishment from the tissues surrounding them.

Modern-day root canals are performed by qualified Endodontists and not the neighborhood barber as it was done earlier. The procedure is simple and is completed in a couple of appointments depending on the condition of the affected tooth and your circumstances. Would you believe if told that the process is relatively painless? You would probably laugh your way out of the dentist’s office until Anchorage Dental Arts convinces you by explaining how anesthesia will make the procedure seem nothing more than having a tooth filled. You will be back in biting, chewing, and smiling with ease shortly.

It Makes Sense to Undergo the Root Canal Procedure

Preserving your natural tooth by undergoing root canal treatment makes more sense than having your tooth extracted. The procedure also makes it possible for you to continue chewing efficiently, have a natural appearance, enjoy regular biting force and sensation, and, most importantly, protect your other teeth from excessive strain or wear.

How to Determine If You Need Root Canal Yourselves?

A root canal becomes necessary if you have a cracked tooth from injury or genetics. Deep cavities or issues from an earlier filling also necessitate root canal procedure. If you notice sensitivity in your teeth, particularly to hot and cold temperatures, it is a confirmation that you need treatment on the pulp within your tooth. Other symptoms that may indicate the need for this procedure include:

• You experience severe pain when biting or chewing.
• You have a chipped or cracked tooth or pimples on the gums.
• Lingering sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures is experienced even after the sensation is removed.
• You have deep decay or darkening of the gums along with swelling and tenderness.

Are Root Canals Painful?

You can discuss anesthesia with your dentist to comfort you during the procedure. Depending on the level of your anxiety, the Anchorage dentist may offer sedation dentistry along with local anesthesia to make you comfortable during the process. You will undoubtedly experience soreness after the procedure, and the discomfort will remain with you for a few days. However, you can find relief from over-the-counter pain medications or even request your dentist to prescribe stronger medications.

After you recover from the procedure, you must revisit your dentist to have a dental crown over the affected tooth for protection. The crown will ensure you have your natural smile back again and allow you to enjoy the foods you love as you weren’t able to have before undergoing the root canal procedure.

Your diet plays a role in your overall health, so it is no surprise that your diet affects your dental health.

Everybody wants to have excellent oral hygiene and a healthy smile. You probably know that sugar, sodas, and candy are not suitable for your health. However, did you know that starchy food can also cause tooth decay? Your choice of foods affects your teeth and gums.

By choosing the foods and drinks that are good for your dental health, you can significantly lower the risk of cavities. That means limiting the amount of sugar will help prevent dental decay.

We have a colony of bacteria that produces an acid solution once they break the sugary foods. The acid attacks the enamel making them weaker and prone to decay.

Instead, substitute foods that promote good oral health. For instance, fresh grains and vegetables are lower in sugar and harder in water and fiber. The fiber acts help reduce the effects of sugar.

Choosing foods rich in vitamin C like citrus fruits and unsweetened juices may make dental health stronger. That is why people who regularly diet have a healthy body, a secure immunity system, and excellent dental health. Additionally, dairy products do not only include calcium but are also rich in vitamin B12, which helps strengthen gums.

What’s the Link Between Diet and Dental Health?

Your diet influences the dental health in various ways:

• Missing teeth affect your nutrition

For protecting your body, balanced nutrition is critical. If you have balanced and adequate food, it makes the treatments of diseases easier as they help to support your immunity.

Having healthy teeth also influences the diet. Missing teeth affect how and what you eat. This will eventually impair your nutrition and compromise your immunity. Afterward, your body will not be able to resist diseases.

• Poor diet Affects enamel.

Enamel is composed of calcium and phosphate. These minerals strengthen the teeth and keep them free of decay. Foods such as cakes, sodas, and chocolates can be hazardous for enamel.

There are many different bacteria in the mouth. While some bacteria are beneficial for dental health, some bacteria, on the contrary, cause harm. The bacteria in the mouth break down the sugary foods and produce acid, causing adverse effects. The acid solution strips the enamel of the essential minerals, which causes the teeth to become weaker.

The enamel can reverse the effects of demineralization using the minerals found in the saliva. This can prevent decay and strengthen enamel.

The more sugary foods you consume, the faster the tooth structure will change.

• Proper nutrition also maintains healthy gums.

Consuming vitamin C helps with bleeding gums. The mineral found in oranges, carrots, and sweet potatoes helps tissue to grow and repair, which promotes wound healing and strengthens the bones. Vitamin C deficiency causes you to have swollen and bleeding gums.

What Other Ways You Can Improve Dental Health

Avoid consumption of sugary, acidic foods and drinks to protect your teeth and preserve your oral health. However, what are the other ways you can improve your dental health besides limiting unhealthy foods?

• Get regular dental checkups.

It is important to schedule an appointment at least twice a year for a comprehensive dental examination. Although you clean your mouth at least twice or three times a day, a dental checkup is very significant as it helps the dentist detect dental problems early.

Oral hygiene is critical, but sometimes just brushing can be not enough. Use dental floss to clean the places that the toothbrush cannot reach. A tongue brush, especially if you complain about bad breath, is also important.

• Fluoride treatments

Fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel and also prevent decay. Fluoride treatments are recommended for people who are prone to decay and cavities. Please speak to our dentist about fluoride treatments and their importance.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Anchorage Dental Arts for your dental cleaning and exams. Our experienced dentists are serving you with stellar dental treatments at reasonable prices.

Dental bonding is also known as adhesive dentistry. It involves applying composite resin to repair discolored, decayed, or chipped teeth. The bonding procedure is usually done without the need for anesthesia except when its used to repair a decayed tooth.

This procedure is used for cosmetic purposes to enhance the appearance of discolored, stained, or broken teeth. Other times it is used to close spaces between teeth, to make them longer or change their shape.

How Is It Done?

Your dentist chooses the right color for the composite resin, guided by a shade guide. The procedure does not require any preparation since it rarely requires the use of anesthesia.

Once the dentist trims the tooth (if need be), he or she then uses an acid gel to etch the teeth. The acidic teeth conditioner is allowed to sit on the surface and washed off after 15 seconds. Your dentist then paints the bonding agent using a small brush over the etched enamel. He or she will then shine a blue light over the agent to activate drying.

Conditions Considered for Dental Bonding

Before performing the procedure in question, one has to consider certain factors. The results of this procedure are permanent and irreversible. In case you need teeth whitening in the future, this procedure is not advisable. If you decided to whiten your teeth, the bonded teeth will be darker and stand out from the rest of the teeth.
However, there are specific factors to consider. These factors are:

Color Preference

Your dentist first examines the color of your teeth by matching them with the composite resin. Dr. Robert Morehead DMD in Anchorage advises you to proceed with whitening before this procedure since you cannot whiten bonded teeth.

Shape Preference

The dentist can make an exact replica of your teeth during bonding. You should discuss the outcome preferences with the dentist first to avoid disappointments.

Teeth Grinding

Before considering the procedure in question, you should quit some para-functional habits. These habits include teeth grinding, biting on the hard stuff, and opening wrappers using your teeth.

Precautions You Should Take While Eating with Bonded Front Teeth

To prevent damaging bonded front teeth while eating, you should take the following precautions:

• Avoid biting on spoons or other cutlery
• Do not chew ice
• You should avoid hard foodstuffs such as nuts

The precautions above prevent breaking or chipping of the bonded teeth while eating.

What Are the Advantages of Teeth Bonding?

The primary advantage of bonding your teeth is that you can request for a color that matches your teeth perfectly. Other advantages are:

• It is relatively painless and does not require anesthetics
• Does not require regular appointments since it is a one-day procedure
• Your dentist does not eliminate your tooth’s enamel before bonding
• Bonded teeth are relatively long-lasting and will last up to a decade before replacement

The Downsides

This procedure comes with demerits whatsoever. One of the significant disadvantages of bonded teeth is that the resin used is not stain-resistant. It implies that once it is stained, the stain will remain visible. It leads to discoloration of your teeth.

Dental bonds are also susceptible to chipping and cracking, especially if you grind your teeth. It is also not possible to whiten your teeth after bonding.

How You Should Take Care of Your Teeth After Treatment

After getting dental bonds, there are precautions you should take and follow some guidelines to enhance the health of your teeth.

The following are the guidelines you need to adhere to:

• Brush your teeth regularly using fluoride toothpaste and floss to remove plaque
• Do not bite on your fingernails
• If you grind on your teeth, avoid doing so and ask the dentist to construct you a bite guard to prevent chipping
• Avoid picking a newly bonded tooth with your fingernails
• Try a soft diet first to allow the bonded tooth to heal
• Quit Smoking and minimize drinking coffee, soy sauce, and grape juice to prevent staining
• Do not use lightening or bleaching products on your teeth 48 hours after treatment

Visit a Dentist

At Anchorage Dental Arts DDC, we provide exquisite teeth bonding services to your satisfaction. Visit our dentists and discuss the best solution for your discolored, decayed, or broken teeth.

Implants and bridges are the most common cosmetic or restorative dental treatments for covering up the gaps. However, the two are different in procedure, function, design, and lifespan. Determining which option is ideal for you is paramount in your treatment process. In this post, our dental team outlines some of the essential features of both the implants and the pontics.

What Are They?

Dental implants are made of a titanium screw, a connector, and a crown. The metal screws are surgically fixed on the jawbone to offer support for the artificial teeth. Since they are placed in the jaw, the bone and implant will fuse, creating a seamless look.

Implants can last for a lifetime, but the dental crowns used may need to be replaced after a few years.

Bridges, on the other hand, are made of an artificial tooth anchored in place by two crowns. You can, however, get the bridges anchored in place by a metal framework or an implant. We will guide you in choosing the ideal dental bridge for your condition.

Bridges last between ten and 15 years, depending on your oral hygiene and practices.

Who is Eligible?

Implants are a little bit restrictive as you need to be of the appropriate age, have enough jawbone density, healthy gum, and teeth free of any cavities and infection.

Bridges are not as restrictive, but you still need to have healthy teeth to support the crowns.

What Does the Procedure Involve?

• Implants
Dental implants need a few dental visits, and the process can last for six to nine months to be complete. The implant surgery procedure starts with a dental examination and assessment of your bone density and health of the surrounding tissues. Having enough bone density is critical to the support of the implants. If you have significant bone loss, the dentist will recommend a bone graft to stimulate the growth of a new bone. The bone graft process can take up to 12 months for the bone to regenerate.

After the assessment, the dentist drills the jaw to make room for the titanium screw. The healing process takes about four months. In this period, the bone and the implant fuse together to offer support. On your second dental consultation, the connector or abutment is fixed, and a dental impression is taken to mold the crowns.

Finally, dental crowns are either screwed or cemented in place.

• Bridges
Similar to implants, the bridge treatment starts with a consultation and examination. Next, the dentist numbs the gums and enamel reshaped to make room for the artificial teeth. It takes two to three weeks for the permanent dental crowns to be made. In the meantime, the dentist will cover the trimmed off teeth with temporary crowns.

On your second dental appointment, the permanent crowns are cemented in place. You need at least two to three dental visits for the treatment.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Implants are successful if done by a qualified dentist. However, a few problems may arise, such as nerve damage, infection, gum numbness, and body’s rejection of the metal posts. When the implant and the bone don’t successfully fuse, the body may reject it.

Bridges are also durable, but they can cause pain, sensitivity, infection, decay, or breakage. But, these complications occur in about one to two percent of all dental bridge cases.

Does Insurance cover the Implants and Bridges?

Most dental insurance providers don’t cover implants and bridges, as they are regarded as cosmetic procedures. You can, however, get a claim if the dental condition required a bridge or implants. Consult with your dental insurance provider on the various dental procedures covered.

Final Verdict!

Both the implants and bridges can replace your missing teeth. The best option comes down to preference and dental conditions. If you have enough bone density, healthy teeth and gums, then the implants may be ideal, and if not, bridges will suffice.

Visit Anchorage Dental Arts for assessment and more information on implants and dental bridges.

Missing teeth would have left gaps in your smile making it difficult for you to open your mouth before everyone. Fortunately, your dentist can bridge the gaps with a dental bridge which is a false tooth also known as a Pontic that is held in place by abutment teeth on both sides of the gap. The Pontic can be fabricated from different materials like gold but generally, they are fabricated from porcelain to blend in with your natural teeth.

Types of Dental Bridges

If you want to have this option for closing the gaps in your smile you will be able to find four varieties on offer. They are traditional, cantilever, Maryland, and implant-supported.

A traditional dental bridge will have a false tooth or teeth held in place by dental crowns bonded onto the abutment teeth. This is the most popular variety and can be used when natural teeth exist on both sides of the gap left behind by the missing tooth.

A cantilever bridge a similar to the traditional variety but the Pontic is held in place by a dental crown that is bonded to just one abutment teeth. For this variety, you need to have just one natural tooth next to the gap created by the missing tooth.

The Maryland dental bridge is again similar to the traditional variety but needs two natural abutment teeth on each side of the gap. However, unlike the traditional variety that uses dental crowns on the abutment teeth, a Maryland bridge will need a framework fabricated from metal or porcelain bonded to the back of the abutment teeth. This is similar to a traditional bridge and therefore is only useful when you have a natural tooth on either side of the gap created by the missing tooth.

Implant-supported bridges utilize dental implants in contrast to dental crowns or frameworks. One implant needs to be inserted for every missing tooth to hold the bridge in position. If it is not possible to have one implant for every missing tooth the bridge can have a Pontic suspended between a couple of implant-supported crowns. This is considered as the strongest and most stable system and will require a couple of surgeries for the placement.

When You Do Need Dental Bridges?

You will be affected in many ways when you have a missing tooth or several missing teeth. These changes can be addressed by bridges to:

• Restore your smile and the ability to chew properly.
• Restore your speech and pronunciation.
• Maintain the shape of your face.
• Readjust your bite to distribute the forces of chewing properly.
• Prevent your outstanding teeth from relocating out of their right position.

Problems You Can Encounter When Getting Dental Bridges

The biggest problem you will encounter when you consider bridges to close the gaps is the price of the restorations. The price can be affected by many variables including:

• The number of teeth needed to close the gap.
• Your choice of materials like composite resin, metal alloy covered in resin, or zirconia.
• The difficulty and complexity of the placement.
• Additional treatments for dental issues like gum disease or other problems.
• Your geographic location.

The costs will also depend on the type of bridge you choose for yourselves. During your initial consultation for the replacement of your tooth or teeth, the dentist will examine you to determine if you are suitable for them. If you have a problem with teeth grinding and clenching you will be considered unsuitable for bridges because they can be dislodged by the problem.

The prices of dental Bridges may also concern you because the traditional and cantilever varieties can cost between $ 2000 and $ 5000 for one Pontic and a crown for each abutment teeth. Maryland bridges will cost $ 1500-$ 2500 for a Pontic with the framework or wings on the abutment teeth. Implant-supported bridges will cost you $ 5000-$ 15,000 for a bridge with a couple of dental implants spanning 3 to 4 teeth.

Dental insurance plans are covering bridges as well as dental implants. Bridges may need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years but implants can be considered as a permanent solution. Some factors can reduce the life of all varieties of bridges and implants especially if you are not maintaining proper oral hygiene. Therefore it is suggested that you discuss your options with your dentist before you decide this is the best option to bridge the gaps between your teeth.