Your gums keep your teeth healthy and strong. They are the foundation that holds everything together in your mouth. However, several frustrating things can affect your gums’ condition, including bacteria buildup, poor cleaning habits, smoking, stress levels, and, of course, gum disease. Continue reading “How to Prevent Gum Disease: Tips for Healthy Gums and Teeth”
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Why Root Canals Are Needed to Save Infected Teeth
Root canals get a bad rap in pop culture and in your average conversation. You’ve probably seen countless TV shows and movies depicting root canal procedures as incredibly painful experiences. Most people don’t even know why these dental procedures are performed! Despite all the scary stories and rumors floating around, root canals play a huge role in saving infected teeth. They offer numerous benefits that can help preserve your natural teeth and stop painful infections. So next time you see a root canal performed, know that it’s doing a LOT more good than harm!
What Is a Root Canal Procedure?
A root canal treatment focuses on removing infected tooth pulp from inside your tooth. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that help your tooth develop. When bacteria enter this area through deep cavities or cracks, they can cause severe infections. During the root canal procedure, your dentist carefully removes the infected pulp, cleans the inner chambers of your teeth, and seals it to prevent future infections.
The root canal treatment steps are pretty straightforward. First, you’ll receive local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Your dentist creates a small opening in the tooth to access the infected area. They use specialized tools to clean out the infected pulp and shape the inner canals. After thorough cleaning and disinfection, they fill the space with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Finally, they seal the tooth and often place a crown to protect it from further damage.
Stopping Pain and Infection
One of the biggest benefits of root canals is their ability to stop tooth pain dead in its tracks. When your tooth pulp gets infected, it can cause intense discomfort, especially with hot or cold foods. The infection can create pressure inside your tooth, leading to a constant throbbing pain that keeps you up at night. A root canal removes the source of this pain — the infected pulp and irritated nerves.
The treated tooth won’t just feel better temporarily, as the procedure eliminates the infection that’s causing all your discomfort. Without treatment, dental infections can spread to surrounding teeth and even into your jaw. This can lead to more serious health issues and repeated dental procedures down the road. By getting a root canal when needed, you’re putting a stop to the infection before it can cause more damage.
Saving Your Natural Teeth
The best thing about root canals? They help you keep your natural teeth. In the past, the only option for badly infected teeth was extraction. But losing natural teeth can cause all sorts of problems — shifting of remaining teeth, difficulty chewing, and changes in your bite alignment. Root canal treatment gives infected teeth a second chance.
After a root canal, your treated tooth can last just as long as your other natural teeth with proper care. The procedure removes the damaged soft tissue while leaving the tooth structure intact. This means you get to maintain your natural smile and normal bite function. The treated tooth will still be able to handle the daily pressures of chewing and speaking just like before.
Preventing Future Complications
Getting a root canal helps you avoid more complex dental issues in the future. When infected teeth are left untreated, the infection can spread to your jawbone and surrounding tissues. This can lead to painful abscesses, bone loss, and even systemic health problems. Root canals stop this progression in its tracks.
The procedure also helps prevent the need for more extensive (and expensive) dental work later. If an infected tooth isn’t treated with a root canal, it may eventually need to be extracted. This could mean getting an implant, bridge, or partial denture — all of which involve more time, money, and procedures than a simple root canal would have required.
Make the Right Choice for Your Smile With CCED
Root canals might sound scary, but they’re actually one of the most helpful procedures in dentistry. They save infected teeth, stop pain, and help you maintain your natural smile. When you need a root canal, the key is working with skilled professionals who can make the experience as comfortable as possible.
At Center City Emergency Dentist, we perform root canals and other oral surgery procedures with exceptional care. Our team knows exactly how to handle infected teeth and guide you through the treatment process. We’re ready to help preserve your natural teeth and get you back to a healthy, pain-free smile.
How Long Do Crowns and Bridges Last?
Dental crowns and bridges offer life-changing solutions for people with damaged or missing teeth. These custom-made restorations bring back your confident smile and let you eat your favorite foods again. Crowns act like protective caps for weakened teeth, while dental bridges fill the gaps left by missing teeth using strong artificial replacements.
People come in with tons of questions about these treatments. They include things like:
- Will my crown or bridge look natural with my other teeth?
- Can I eat normally with a crown or bridge?
- How much maintenance do they need?
Another common question: how long do these dental restorations last? CCED is here to answer all of them, show you how long dental bridges and crowns last, and give you a few tips on how to maintain their lifespan.
The Expected Lifespan of Crowns and Bridges
With proper care, dental crowns and bridges can last 10-15 years. Some patients keep their restorations for over 20 years when they maintain excellent oral health habits. The materials used make a big difference. For example, porcelain-fused-to-metal and all-ceramic crowns typically show great durability. For dental bridges, the strength of the abutment teeth (the natural teeth supporting the bridge) plays a crucial role in longevity. Modern materials and techniques have dramatically improved how long these restorations serve patients with missing teeth or tooth decay.
The Biggest Contributing Factors to Your Restoration’s Lifespan
Plenty of daily habits and conditions impact how long your crowns and bridges last. Teeth grinding puts extra stress on dental work, potentially shortening its lifespan. Poor oral health habits can lead to gum disease around your restoration. What you eat matters, too, as very hard or sticky foods might damage crowns and bridges over time. Your bite alignment affects how evenly pressure gets distributed across your dental work. Regular dental check-ups help spot any issues early before they cause bigger problems.
Taking Control of Your Crown and Bridge Care
You have more power than you might think over the length of time your dental restorations last. Good habits can make a real difference in protecting your investment in oral health.
Your Daily Cleaning Routine
Maintaining proper oral hygiene starts with brushing your teeth twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Pay extra attention to the areas where your crown or bridge meets your gumline. Thread floss carefully around your restoration and use interdental brushes to remove trapped food particles. Complete your routine with an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce harmful bacteria and keep your gums healthy.
Protection During Sleep
Your dental work needs protection while you rest. Using a custom-fitted night guard creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing damage from grinding or clenching. Position your head slightly elevated during sleep to minimize acid reflux that could harm your dental work over time.
Smart Food Choices
Making thoughtful decisions about your diet helps protect your dental restorations. Avoid extremely hard foods like ice and hard candies, which could crack your crown or bridge. When eating chewy or tough foods, take smaller bites and chew carefully. Reduce your intake of sugary sodas and acidic beverages, which can compromise the strength of your natural teeth and potentially affect your restoration’s stability.
Regular Professional Care
Professional dental visits are key to maintaining your restorations. During these appointments, your dentist will thoroughly clean around your crown or bridge, take necessary X-rays to check the fit, and examine the surrounding teeth and gums for any signs of problems. These check-ups allow for the early detection of potential issues before they become serious complications.
Quick Response to Problems
Being proactive about potential issues helps extend the life of your dental work. Contact your dentist if you notice any changes in how your crown or bridge feels when biting down, experience new sensitivity, or spot signs of wear. Addressing minor problems quickly prevents them from developing into major complications that could require the replacement of your restoration.
Protecting Your Smile Investment
Your crowns and bridges play an important role in your daily life, helping you eat, speak, and smile confidently. At Center City Emergency Dentist, we offer premium dental restorations designed to serve you well for many years. Beyond crowns and bridges, we provide solutions for missing teeth, including dental implants and custom dentures. Want to protect your smile or explore restoration options? Book your visit with CCED today, and let’s keep your dental work looking and feeling great for years to come.
What to Expect During Your Dental Implant Surgery
Missing teeth can really knock your confidence and make daily activities like eating and speaking a real challenge. Dental implant surgery offers a permanent solution by placing artificial teeth that look and work just like natural teeth. You might feel nervous about getting dental implants — that’s totally normal! Surgery of any kind can be scary, but knowing exactly what’s coming up can make the whole experience much easier to handle. This guide will show you what you can expect from dental implant surgery. Continue reading “What to Expect During Your Dental Implant Surgery”
Temporary Dentures vs. Permanent Dentures
You’ve probably heard about dentures — those replacement teeth that help millions smile with confidence. But what do you really know about them? There’s more to dentures than meets the eye. Did you know they can help you eat better, speak clearer, and maintain your facial structure? Or that they come with different lifespans and comfort levels? Continue reading “Temporary Dentures vs. Permanent Dentures”
Common Teeth Whitening Myths Debunked
That bright, white smile you see on others can really catch your eye, right? We all know that feeling when we spot someone with brilliantly white teeth. It’s magnetic and instantly boosts your happiness and confidence. Professional teeth whitening has become super popular as a way to achieve that dazzling smile, but like many dental procedures, it comes with its share of misconceptions. We’re here to clear up some common teeth whitening myths that might be holding you back from getting the smile you’ve always wanted. Continue reading “Common Teeth Whitening Myths Debunked”