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Abscess - Root Canal (Endodontic) Treatment
Bridges
Dental Implants
Periodontal (Gum) Diseases
Plaque
Sealants
Once upon
a time, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you'd probably lose
that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called a root canal
therapy you may save that tooth. Inside each tooth is the pulp which
provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth, it runs like a thread down
through the root. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp
tissue dies. If you don't remove it, your tooth gets infected and you
could lose it. After the dentist removes the pulp, the root canal is
cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then your dentist places a crown
over the tooth to help make it stronger.
Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure
with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of
all, it can save your tooth and your smile!
If you're
missing one or more teeth, you may notice a difference in chewing and
speaking. There are options to help restore your smile.
Bridges
help maintain the shape of your face, as well as alleviating the
stress in your bite by replacing missing teeth.
Sometimes
called a fixed partial denture, a bridge replaces missing teeth with
artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one
or more teeth may have been. The restoration can be made from gold,
alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials and is bonded
onto surrounding teeth for support.
Unlike a
removable bridge, which you can take out and clean, a fixed bridge can
only be removed by a dentist
An
implant bridge attaches artificial teeth directly to the jaw or under
the gum tissue. Depending on which type of bridge your dentist
recommends, its success depends on its foundation. So it's very
important to keep your remaining teeth healthy and strong.
Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not
be your only options when replacing missing teeth. For some people,
dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural.
Surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments,
implants fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual
replacement teeth, bridges or a denture.
Implants offer stability because they fuse to your bone. Integration
of the implants into your jaw also helps your replacement teeth feel
more natural and some people also find the secure fit more comfortable
than conventional substitutes.
Candidates for dental implants need to have healthy gums and adequate
bone to support the implant. A thorough evaluation by your dentist will
help determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.
Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues
that support your teeth. Your gum tissue is not attached to the teeth
as high as it may seem. There is a very shallow v-shaped crevice
called a sulcus between the tooth and gums. Periodontal diseases
attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the
attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As
the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket: generally,
the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.
Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the
disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis is a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that
only affects the gums. Gingivitis may lead to more serious, destructive
forms of periodontal disease called periodontitis.
Some factors increase the risk of developing
periodontal disease:
- Tobacco smoking or chewing
- Systemic diseases such as diabetes
- Some types of medication such as steroids, some types of
anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel
blockers and oral contraceptives
- Bridges that no longer fit properly
- Crooked teeth
- Fillings that have become defective
- Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives
Several warning signs that can signal a problem:
- Gums that bleed easily
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- Any change in the fit of partial dentures
It is possible to have periodontal disease and have no
warning signs. That is one reason why regular dental checkups
and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods
depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has
progressed. Good oral hygiene at home is essential to help keep
periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You
don’t have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean
between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental
visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Your teeth are covered with a sticky film of bacteria called
plaque. Following a meal or snack, the bacteria release acids that
attack tooth enamel. Repeated attacks can cause the enamel to break
down, eventually resulting in cavities. Plaque that is not removed
with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth can eventually
harden into calculus or tartar. Brushing and cleaning between teeth
become more difficult when tartar collects above the gum line. The gum
tissue can become swollen or may bleed. This is called gingivitis, the
early stage of periodontal (gum) disease.
Preventing Decay:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
- Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral
exams.
- Ask your dentist about dental sealants, a protective plastic
coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth
where decay often starts.
Dental sealants act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against
decay-causing bacteria. The sealants are usually applied to the
chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where decay
occurs most often.
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