General Dentistry In-Depth

Your tooth is a living organ, kept alive by a bundle of blood vessels and nerves in the pulp of your tooth. When these blood vessels and nerves are attacked by infection, your tooth is at risk of “dying” and may require immediate intervention to help save it. Root canal therapy can help save a tooth that has sustained a serious infection by removing the infection and covering the tooth (typically with a crown).

There are many reasons that a tooth may require extraction. While our goals here are often focused on preserving all of your natural teeth, sometimes an extraction is necessary for your best outcome. Reasons we may perform an extraction on one of your teeth include impaction (such as with a wisdom tooth), overcrowding, serious infection, or due to damage to a tooth. A tooth may require either a simple extraction or a surgical extraction. Simple extractions are best when the tooth is visible and whole, but a surgical extraction may be necessary if the tooth is broken or not erupted.

Also known as caps, dental crowns are a type of dental restoration that fits directly over a tooth to help improve its shape and function. They are usually recommended when a tooth has decay that is too severe to treat with a filling, but they can also cover a tooth that has been broken or damaged, teeth that are uneven in size or shape, or teeth that have serious stains or discoloration. They can also cover a root canal, support a fixed dental bridge, or cover a Dental Implant.

When a patient has lost a permanent tooth, they may be a good candidate for a fixed dental bridge. These are a great option for many patients and can look and feel natural, improve your bite force, and make it easier to talk and chew. There are many different types of dental bridges that are available to our patients, but the most common type is called a traditional bridge. This bridge consists of a pontic (the prosthetic tooth) and two crowns on either side of the pontic. By attaching to your natural teeth, the bridge is fully supported and can be strong and durable inside the patient’s mouth.

For our patients who play sports, we always like to discuss with them the benefits of a customized mouth guard. Many people know that helmets and shin guards are vital sporting equipment, but mouth guards often get overlooked. If you ever play a sport that may put you at risk of impact to the face, whether it is from another athlete or sporting equipment or even if you are at risk of falling during your sport, then you could benefit from a custom sports mouth guard. They can help prevent teeth from being broken or dislodged, and can also help prevent a concussion from occurring, as well.

If you have ever been told that you snore, then you may be suffering from a common condition called sleep apnea. Even if you do not snore, if you find that you are waking up with jaw pain, an ongoing headache, and teeth that are chipped or worn down in appearance, then you may be grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep (called bruxism). A nighttime mouth guard can help treat these problems. Not only can they allow you to get a good night’s sleep and wake up without pain, but can also help save your teeth and your health.

Dentures are a popular restoration option for patients with missing teeth. Nearly 40 million American adults are missing all of their teeth, which means the demand for an attractive and reliable dental restoration is high. Dentures can improve your ability to eat and chew comfortably, can help make it easier to talk and speak clearly, and can help greatly improve your self-esteem. This is a non-surgical treatment option for lost teeth and can replace your teeth in a short amount of time, making it a good choice for many of our patients.