The term “root canal” can strike terror into the hearts of some people, but treatment can help relieve painful symptoms, and is little different from getting a filling. Root canal therapy is very straightforward, and can help save a badly infected tooth from being extracted.

Why is Root Canal Treatment Needed?
Root canal therapy is necessary if the pulp of the tooth becomes infected. This is the central part of the tooth, and it is connected to the root canals that extend into the tooth roots. The pulp contains the nerves and blood supply of the tooth which is why the infection can be so painful. Infection can occur if the tooth is decayed, or if it is cracked or has suffered some sort of trauma that has compromised the outer part of the tooth, enabling bacteria to get into the pulp.

Are There Any Common Signs of Tooth Infection?
If the nerves in the pulp have died, there may be few if any symptoms. Otherwise the most common sign of infection is toothache, or feeling pain when you bite down on the affected tooth. It may become more sensitive to hot or cold, and sometimes a small pimple will appear on the gum near the tooth.

What is the Procedure for a Root Canal?
Your dentist in Reno will numb the area before accessing the pulp through the crown of the tooth. Special files are used to clean out all the infected tissue in the pulp and root canals. The area is then thoroughly disinfected before being sealed to prevent bacteria from re-entering the tooth. Your dentist might take x-rays to make sure all the root canals have been treated, and if the infection was severe they can place antibiotics into the root canals before temporarily filling the tooth. Most teeth will need permanently restoring with a full crown.

Is It Possible To Avoid Root Canal Treatment?
If your dentist in Reno recommends this treatment then it will be your best option for saving the tooth. Otherwise your only choice may be extraction. It is always far better to try to prolong the life of your natural teeth for as long as you can.

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A team at University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is working on developing a new test for oral cancer that would provide an accurate diagnosis in about 20 minutes. Dentist would use a small brush to collect cells from a patient’s mouth, place the cells on a chip, and feeding the chip into an analyzer for quick, precise results. Currently, dentists biopsy areas of concern and send the cells to off-site labs for analysis, which takes more time. Clinical trials for the new technology are beginning soon.

With early detection, oral cancer has a 90 percent survival rate, but often the disease is not discovered until late, so survival is much less. In fact, oral cancer kills more people than cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, testicular cancer, and skin cancer. This new technology could help save lives by making detection easier.

Historically, oral cancer occurs more often in more men than women, people over 40, and those with certain lifestyle factors such as tobacco use. People with no risks factors at all, however, do develop oral cancer. Because oral cancer often presents with no major symptoms in the early stages, regular dental visits are an important part of prevention. Your dentist can examine your mouth and look for any unusual areas that may need further testing. If you develop any sores that don’t heal in two weeks, have problems swallowing, or notice any difficulties with your tongue, consult your dentist right away.

Dentist in Weymouth MA

A single missing tooth can make a big difference in your life. Failure in replacing a lost tooth causes loss of bone and the migration of the remaining teeth into the space created by the lost tooth. You may develop an improper bite that can lead to severe problems like TMJ pain. Some individuals develop difficulty in eating and speech.

Dental implants restore the dental health of patients so that they enjoy a fuller life. They are made out of titanium and simulate tooth roots. They are surgically inserted into the jaw and capped. The numerous advantages of dental implants are restoration of function, prevention of bone loss, and a great substitute of bridges or dentures.

Implants – Can I have them?
Your dentist will check your oral cavity thoroughly and then decide if you are fit for dental implants or not. Quality and quantity of jaw bone must be adequate.

How is an implant placed?
Firstly, a titanium screw will be surgically inserted into the bone of the missing tooth. A period of two to three months is allowed for the complete healing and the fusion of implant to the bone. Only after that a crown is placed.

Will my new teeth look natural?
Of course. Dental implants are similar to natural teeth in almost all aspects. The perfect fit of the implant ensures absolute comfort to the patient.

What are the directions for care of implants?
Take care of implants just like your natural teeth. Brush at least twice daily, floss at least once daily, and go for routine dental checkups without fail. This way your gorgeous smile will stay gorgeous always!

Dental implants dentist in Weymouth, MA

Porcelain veneers can work wonders with your smile and you can flaunt it wherever you go! A thin covering of porcelain is fixed to the front part of your teeth. This way veneers conceal the imperfections like gaps, stains or pits and enhance the other attributes like color. Check out the answers to some frequently asked queries regarding veneers.

How do veneers work?
Porcelain veneers are known for their durability and natural looks. Before the fabrication of veneers every detail like the shape of your face, nature of your skin, eyes, height, and even your character are taken into consideration. They are attached steadily to your teeth so that you can smile with poise.

How long does it take to get one?
It takes about four to six weeks for the installation of dental veneers. In the first sitting, your teeth are reduced to accommodate the veneer and the surfaces are roughened. Impressions are recorded to pour out casts of your mouth on which the veneers are custom-made for you. In the next sitting, you have to undergo cleaning and polishing of your teeth to ensure correct bonding of veneers to your teeth. A special high-intensity light is utilized to harden the cement.

How will my teeth appear while I wait for my veneers?
Once the teeth preparation is over, they are covered by special temporary or interim veneers. They protect your teeth and restore the esthetic aspect of your teeth until the original veneers are fixed.

How many years can veneers last for?
Porcelain veneers have a life of about ten to twenty years. The long-lasting effect is due to the physical attributes of porcelain like strength, durability, anti-stain property and wear-resistance.

What are the benefits of veneers?
Porcelain veneers are strongly cemented to your teeth so they act just like any other of your teeth. They mimic the tooth enamel to such an extent that it is difficult to distinguish between the natural and porcelain surface. Veneers act as a protective casing over your teeth so that no more harm is done to the already chipped off or abraded teeth. In a way, they make your smile all the more attractive.

Is your smile in need of a little work? Do you have crooked, gapped or misaligned teeth? Your smile might benefit from a visit to an orthodontist who can put you on a path to a total smile makeover.

An orthodontist can provide you with the means to achieve a straight and beautiful “new” smile. Braces can correct many dental problems, such as crooked teeth. When your teeth are misaligned, they often have bite issues. Teeth that aren’t straight are more difficult to clean thoroughly, resulting in a higher likelihood of food and debris remaining on the teeth and leading to a buildup of plaque and bacteria. This buildup causes tooth decay and disease, and if left untreated, can lead to root canal treatments or tooth extractions. When your orthodontist straightens your teeth, your mouth is more likely to be in good health, and your oral hygiene habits will be easier to perform.

When your teeth are aligned properly, you chew your food more thoroughly, something that greatly improves digestion. Misaligned bites can muddle speech and make eating difficult. A poor bite can lead to headaches or pain in the face, jaw or neck. Making over your smile with braces can prevent or reverse these symptoms.

Straight teeth are also ultimately more durable than crooked teeth. Uneven tooth surfaces can result in an uneven bite, causing damage as the upper and lower teeth come together as you chew or talk. Chips and cracks in the tooth surface can lead to tooth decay and loss.

A smile makeover using braces can result in a beautiful, natural smile that boosts your self-esteem and allows you to put your best self forward in any situation. Talk to your orthodontist to see if a smile makeover using braces is right for you.

Although many people use mouthwash to freshen their breath or help fight cavities and gum disease, mouthwash may do more harm than good. Over-the-counter (OTC) rinses only mask bad breath and don’t really address the cause of the problem. Because one of the main ingredients in OTC mouthwash is alcohol, frequent use can result in dry mouth and other unpleasant side effects like a burning sensation in your mouth or intoxication when ingested. Some people consider mouthwash a substitute for brushing and flossing, which can lead to a greater risk for oral health problems such as cavities and gum disease.

Research studies in both Brazil and Australia have identified an increased risk of oral cancer with excessive use of mouthwash. These studies found that mouthwash users were about nine times more likely to develop oral cancer. The ethanol, or pure alcohol, found in many OTC mouthwashes may damage the lining of the mouth and allow cancer-causing agents to more easily cause problems. As well, acetaldehyde, a toxic by-product of alcohol, may build up in the mouth and lead to increased risk of oral cancer. An alternative to OTC mouthwash can be mixing half a teaspoon of baking soda in one-fourth a cup of water.

In some cases, your dentist may prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash or rinse. Patients with more serious problems like extensive decay or periodontal disease may benefit from using this type of rinse. These products differ from OTC mouthwashes because they contain anti-plaque, anti gingivitis, or anti-cavity fluoride ingredients and can only be obtained through your dentist.

We care about your dental health at Comfort Dental – give us a call to schedule an appointment today at our Weymouth MA dental office!

The quality of your smile is a crucial part of the image you portray to the world. If you are unhappy with the look of your smile, people may perceive you negatively and your self-esteem will suffer. Teeth whitening is an easy and effective way to brighten your smile and boost your self-confidence. Before you pursue professional teeth whitening, here are some questions you may want to pose to your dental professional:

• Am I a good candidate for professional whitening treatment? Although most patients are good candidates for professional whitening, certain conditions may preclude you from achieving the results you are seeking.
• How much whitening do you recommend to improve my smile? To appear most natural, the general rule of thumb is to have the color of your teeth match the shade of the whites of your eyes.
• Will whitening treatments damage my tooth enamel? When used properly, professional whitening treatments do not harm dental enamel.
• How will whitening affect my existing dental restorations such as fillings, crowns or veneers? Whitening does not pose a risk to restorations, but it will also not lighten your restorations and could cause them to need replacement to match the new, lighter shade of your teeth.
• How long will the whitening results last? Teeth whitening is not permanent, but with proper care can last as long as two years.
• Will whitening treatments make my teeth sensitive? Sensitivity from teeth whitening usually dissipates within days of treatment. There is no evidence that teeth whitening treatment has a harmful effect on the health of the tooth’s nerve, which would cause extended sensitivity.

Professional teeth whitening is an easy way to boost your self-confidence. Contact our Weymouth MA dental office to find out more about the options for teeth whitening we provide, and you could soon be sporting a dazzling new smile.

Because of a history of negative portrayals of root canal therapies in the media, they are often feared, dreaded and postponed. If you are about to have root canal therapy, don’t be afraid. You can have a comfortable procedure and recover quickly and completely.

Your gum tissue may be sore because of the clips used on the dental dam that protects and isolates the tooth from the surrounding area. It should abate within 48 hours. The tooth itself may be sore, as the tissues that surround the tooth may be inflamed. Treat this pain with over-the-counter medications that have anti-inflammatory properties like ibuprofen or aspirin. If you were prescribed pain medication by your endodontist, be certain any additional medications you take are appropriate.

If you are taking narcotic pain relievers prescribed by your doctor, take them only as recommended. Because they can make you feel dizzy or sleepy, do not drive while you are taking them.

Don’t eat anything while your mouth is still numb. You might bite your tongue or cheek and do damage to your soft tissues. Don’t bite on hard foods on the affected tooth until your endodontist tells you it is fully restored.

Any remaining infection that you have will typically need to be treated with antibiotics. Take each pill as recommended by your doctor. Don’t stop before you have taken them all, or you could leave some traces of the infection behind, putting your root canal treatment at risk of failure.

If you are experiencing a fever or a severe pain that persists beyond your analgesics, talk to your endodontist. If your filling feels loose or falls out, contact your doctor immediately. If you have pain or swelling that extends up your cheek or if your tooth breaks, cracks or hurts when you bite down, you need to call. Your endodontist will give you the advice you need to resolve your particular issue.

Root canal dentist in Weymouth, MA