The Truth About Root Canals

Root canals sound much worse than they are. In fact, they are a great way to help decaying teeth get healthy again and stay healthy. What would someone even need a root canal? Trying to keep each tooth clean and healthy can be hard work. Regular brushing can help prevent ordinary, surface tooth decay.

Excessive build-up of bacteria can cause decay and infection all the way to the root. If decay and infection reach that far, no amount of brushing will prevent the spread of infection. The tooth may even require extraction if the nerve endings are affected and the tooth’s nerve endings die. Some teeth just may not be able to survive without the help of a root canal. But a dying tooth can be saved by a root canal.

How does a root canal work? The dentist will remove the decay and unwanted bacteria from the root area. Once the infected area is completely cleared away and the root area cleaned, your dentist can seal it with a biocompatible material and perhaps a temporary crown or filling. Eventually, the dentist will put in a permanent filling or crown.

Still don’t like the sound of root canals? Consider that an infected tooth can permeate the gum area and jawbone, causing the infection to spread and irreparable damage to the tooth. A tooth area that once needed a root canal but was neglected can cause more severe dental issues. Consider the alternatives. Conditions such as fistulas (puss or blood- filled bumps on your gums), abscesses or chronic pain when eating or drinking hot or cold substances could develop if the infected tooth goes untreated.

So What Is The Truth About Root Canals?

A root canal can not only resolve current infection but prevent any further infection in that area. The truth about root canals is that they can save you and your dentist a whole lot of frustration and extra dental work in the long run.

Getting the Most out of Your Invisalign Treatment

Has your dentist recommended an Invisalign treatment to help correct your smile? It is an effective and comfortable way to achieve a transformed smile while improving your health. Our team at Ramona Dentistry near you offers a wide range of cosmetic and restorative services, including Invisalign treatment. Like any treatment, it only works if you put in an effort. Continue reading on to see how you can get the most out of your Invisalign treatment. Below are a few easy and helpful tips that will ensure a successful treatment process:

  • Wear them for at Least 22 Hours a Day. Invisalign aligners were created to put constant pressure on the set of teeth. This means an individual must wear them consistently in order for them to work properly. They should only be removed for eating and cleaning purposes and be left on throughout the day and night. The more you wear your aligners, the quicker your treatment will be.
  • Keep your Travel Toothbrush handy! A major benefit of Invisalign aligners is that they can be removed prior to eating. This means no restrictions on what you can and can’t eat throughout the treatment. However, we recommend keeping a small travel toothbrush with you at all times in order to keep your teeth clean and fresh.
  • Clean Your Invisalign Aligners Every Weekly. Your aligners are constantly pushed up against your teeth and gums. Regular cleaning of the aligners is therefore essential in protecting your oral health and lowering the risk of decay. How can you keep your Invisalign aligners clean? Brushing your aligners with cold water and a toothbrush will help to get rid of debris and bacteria. We also recommend using a cleaning tablet for a more thorough clean. Add a tablet and your aligner into a glass of water and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Doing this just once a week will ensure a clean and fresh smile during your treatment.

Contact our Ramona Dentistry team today for more information on the services we offer or to schedule your next appointment.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Dental Implant?

To replace one or more missing teeth, dental implants are a very effective solution. They restore the function to a tooth and offer more stability than other solutions, such as bridges or dentures. Because of these reasons, you may be considering this treatment for yourself, but are you a good candidate? Most likely, the answer will be yes.

Most people – of any age – are good candidates for dental implants. As long as you are in good health, you can receive dental implants. Because they are inserted directly into the jaw bone, your dentist will also check to make sure that you have sufficient bone density to support the implants. Even if it is found that you are lacking, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to receive the treatment. It may just mean that you will require a bone graft prior to the implant procedure. This additional procedure takes bone from another source (either from your own body or from a donor) and applied to the jaw to build up the bone in that area. Once the graft has fused with the natural bone, the implants can be placed.

Dental implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, several consecutive teeth (instead of dentures or bridges), or even a full set of teeth (instead of dentures). They are usually topped with a dental crown to fully restore the aesthetics of your smile. Because they are fused directly into the jaw bone, implants provide the same function as the natural teeth and can last a lifetime.

A dental implant procedure can sound daunting, but it is considered by many dentists as the gold standard of tooth replacement, and if it’s performed by an experienced dentist, you have nothing to worry about. If you would like to learn more about the procedure or your candidacy for it, be sure to book an appointment with your dentist for a consultation. He or she will assess your mouth, including the health of the gums, bone support, and overall general health. A treatment plan will then be created to suit your specific needs.

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