All posts by AllSmiles

Dental Implant, Porcelain Crowns, Root Canal Treatment

Should I get a root canal and a crown or have the tooth pulled?

I have a tooth that is really broken down. My dentist gave me the option of pulling it or getting a root canal and cap. What will happen with either treatment? – Thanks. Lexi

Lexi – If possible, dental professionals prefer to save your natural teeth, rather than replace them. If you receive a root canal treatment, the pulp of your tooth will be cleaned out. A ceramic crown, often referred to as a cap, will be placed over the tooth to protect it from further damage.

If you decide to have to tooth extracted and the space is left empty, other teeth in the vicinity will eventually drift toward the empty space. And in time, the bone that once supported the tooth will shrink. A missing tooth should be replaced with a dental implant. The structure of a dental implant is the same as a natural tooth. The root form of the implant will prevent the surrounding tooth from moving. The implant will look and feel like a natural tooth.

It sounds as if your dentist did not mention getting a dental implant to replace the missing tooth. If that’s the case, and you want to have the tooth extracted, make an appointment with a dentist who places implants. The implant will help prevent further problems with movement of other teeth.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Dentures, Porcelain Crowns

What does it take to pull all of my teeth and get dentures?

Everyone in my family has bad teeth. I think its in our genes. On both my mother and father’s side of the family. I don’t go to the dentist which is wrong on my part. I am 24 years old and I am afraid that I am going to need dentures before I am 40. I can tell that I have several rotten teeth in the back at least 5 or 6. I do brush my teeth 2 times every day, but my teeth are bad and they are staring to make my breath stink. I want a nice smile. What are the steps for getting my teeth pulled and getting dentures for a nice smile? I heard that  you can get put to sleep at the dentists office to get teeth pulled out just like you would if you got surgery in the hospital. Can you tell me about this?  Thanks for your advice. Nichole from OK

Nichole – Although you don’t go to the dentist, this is an excellent time to change your habits and make an appointment with a dentist.

We will not advise you to get dentures at 24 years old. Visit a dentist to have x-rays taken of your teeth, and to get them cleaned and examined. If you have cavities, they can be filled. If you have teeth that are broken down, it is likely that they can be protected with ceramic crowns, and people will think the crowns are your natural teeth.

Dentures have several disadvantages to other forms of treatment that are available to you. They won’t look as natural as other treatment options. Dentures reduce your chewing efficiency—it is cut in half. Dentures can slip around and even fall out of your mouth. When all of your teeth are missing, eventually, in about 10 to 15 years, your jawbone will begin to shrink. Your face will eventually sink in and make you look older. But slipping dentures and facial collapse can be prevented if dentures are secured with dental implants. At your age, there are other options.

Your dentist will be able to protect your teeth and help you improve your oral hygiene. Be sure to find a cosmetic dentist to do the work and give you a natural-looking result. He or she will tell you the options for preserving your teeth and giving you the beautiful smile you want.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Emergency Dentist, Root Canal Treatment

I’ve had a toothache for a few days

I’ve had a toothache for a few days and I am wondering what I can do. Thanks for your help. – Rob

Rob – At times, a toothache is caused by food that is trapped between the teeth, or between the teeth and gums. If food is trapped, thoroughly flossing may release it and relieve your toothache.

A toothache is often a sign of a tooth infection. If the pulp of your tooth is infected, it will need to be cleaned out with a root canal treatment. An infected tooth should not go untreated. The infection will continue to spread. It can spread into the bone and into your bloodstream.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist to determine the cause of your toothache, along with the appropriate treatment for it.

This post is courtesy of Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Pediatric Dentistry, Pulpotomy, Root Canal Treatment

Does my child really need extensive dental work?

Our dentist is recommending some pretty heavy treatment for our 5 year old daughter. I’m not so sure that a child needs crowns or a root canal treatment. These are primary teeth that she is going to lose, so why put all of that time and money into them? And why should we put our daughter through all of the dental appointments required to get the work done? I appreciate your input. Tia

Tia – The condition and position of children’s primary teeth can affect the growth of permanent teeth. Primary front teeth loosen and erupt between ages 6 and 7. But the eruption of most premolar and molar teeth occurs between ages 10 and 13, depending on the particular tooth in question.

Cavities spread quickly in primary teeth. If you daughter’s primary teeth need to be protected or saved, it’s to ensure the proper development of her permanent teeth. If endodontic treatment (pulpotomy is the term for pediatric root canal treatment) is not performed, the infected tooth could be lost.

Teeth that are infected or decaying can cause discomfort and pain, and they are unhealthy for the remaining teeth. Your dentist is considering your daughter’s long-term oral health.

Parents can help preserve their children’s teeth by avoiding or limiting sugary drinks and snacks, which promote tooth decay. Children’s teeth should be brushed and flossed when they appear. As your child grows and is able to handle a toothbrush and floss, teach him or her to practice good oral hygiene. Many dentists examine children’s teeth as early as age 2 or 2½.

If you are uncomfortable with your pediatric dentist’s recommendations, consider getting a second opinion.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive teeth caused by exposed roots

Many of my teeth are sensitive. They have roots exposed so it hurts to brush them, and toothpaste for sensitive teeth doesn’t work. Do you have a suggestion as to what I might try? – Britney

Britney – Tell your dentist about the problem and request a prescription for fluoride toothpaste. Use the toothpaste for six weeks. If the prescription toothpaste doesn’t help the sensitivity, after your teeth are cleaned, your dentist can apply a fluoride varnish to the root surfaces of your teeth. It’s unlikely that your dental insurance will cover the treatment, but you will probably get relief from it. Relief is temporary, so the application of fluoride varnish will need to be repeated after each six-month dental cleaning.

If you continue to experience sensitivity, white composite filling can be applied to the exposed root surfaces of your teeth. The procedure is painless.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

 

Dental Bridge, Dental Implant, Root Canal Treatment

Should the tooth be extracted or should I receive a root canal?

Last year I had a filling replaced in tooth for the third time. About 4 months later I had pain in the tooth again. My dentist gave me a root canal and put a cap on the tooth. Every thing was ok until last month when the tooth started hurting again. Now my dentist says I need another root canal treatment. Should I have just gotten the tooth pulled? – Greg G.

Greg – An endodontist specializes in root canal treatments. So visit an endodontist for advice on whether or not a root canal treatment is best, or if the tooth should be extracted. If the tooth can be saved, it will be less expensive to preserve it than to extract it and replace it with a dental implant or a dental bridge.

The empty space from an extracted tooth should not be left that way. When a tooth is missing, adjacent or opposing tooth will drift into the space and cause additional oral health issues.

The second opinion from an endodontist will help you make an informed decision.

This blog post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Nutrition and Teeth

Diet soda and your teeth

Most people are aware that regular soda contains large amounts of sugar that are damaging to your teeth. Did you know that diet soda can also cause tooth decay? Sorbitol, mannitol, and saccharine are sugar substitutes that are found in diet soda.  Bacteria in your mouth feed on both pure sugar and sugar substitutes. The sugar becomes acidic in your mouth; acid causes tooth enamel to erode.

Additionally, the acid that soda contains erodes your tooth enamel and promotes tooth decay. Sugary drinks are not limited to soda. Fruit juice, energy drinks, lemonade, and the like all are damaging to your teeth.

Instead of drinking soda or other sugary drinks throughout the day, sip on water. If you can’t completely eliminate soda from your diet, try limiting the amount of soda you drink. If possible, rinse your mouth with water to neutralize the acid from a sugary drink, then brush and floss your teeth.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Teeth whitening

Why aren’t teeth whitening strips helping?

I spent $40 on whitestrips for the second time but my teeth are not white like I want them. Which brand of whitestrips do you recommend to get my teeth really white? – Gina

Gina – Your experience is common. Although whitestrips contain peroxide gel, the gel is only a fraction of the strength of the teeth whitening gel you can get from a dentist. If the whitestrips work at all, they will only remove surface stains from your teeth.

The teeth bleaching gel available from a dentist will penetrate your teeth and break down the stains in them, producing a brilliantly white smile. There are other reasons to get your teeth whitened by your dentist.

Depending on the cause of the stains in your teeth, bleaching them may make the stains more noticeable. In some cases, porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns are the best way to conceal the stains. Your dentist will examine your teeth and be able to determine the results you will get by bleaching them.

Your dentist can monitor the progress of your teeth bleaching. He or she will provide you with customized trays that are specifically for your teeth. Customized trays make the bleaching process more effective, and they prevent you from wasting gel.

In-office treatment from your dentist will whiten your teeth in about an hour. If you choose a take-home kit, you will see brilliant results in about two weeks. Your dentist will instruct you on how to do touch-ups after in-office treatment, and how to get the best results with a take-home kit.

This blog post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy. Read about her free teeth whitening refills.

 

Teeth whitening

What is fast way to get my teeth whitened?

My sister’s wedding is less than 3 weeks away. I’m busy helping her with the planning, and I don’t have a lot of time for myself. What’s the fastest way to whiten my teeth? Thanks – Bekki

Bekki – In-office teeth whitening treatment is a quick way to a brilliant smile. Zoom!® whitening treatment is completed in about an hour.

Your dentist will retract your lips and protect your gums. The bleaching gel will be applied to your teeth, and the Zoom light will be shined on them to activate the gel. The treatment will be applied in three to four 15-minute sessions. When the treatment is completed, you’ll have the dazzling smile you want.

You will receive a take-home kit for touch-ups to keep your smile its brightest.

This blog post is sponsored by the office of Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.