Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Uh oh, a Root Canal?
The two little words that make everyones skin crawl, makes your
face show the biggest sign of horror, and makes you think, OMG anything but
this!!!
And why does it have such a bad wrap when it's as easy as pie?
Now a days it's the same as getting a filling or a crown prep done. One and a 1/2
to 2 hrs of your time, anesthetic, staying open and 1-2 x-rays. That's
it.
The answer to that question is simple. Many years ago it
used to be a big ordeal. Two or three appointments, 2-3 hrs each, and you could possibly be in pain between each appointment. NOT FUN!!
I assure you it's not the same anymore!
What is a root canal? In order to save a tooth that
otherwise might need to come out, or get you out of pain even if it's a
perfectly fine tooth but something is going on at the apex or tip of the
roots............
Sometimes we need to take the "nerve" out of the
tooth. We do this with a specialized system of endodontic files that gradually get wider. These files help us clean out the pulp chamber & canals. Once we have cleaned
out the nerve canals all the way down to the tip (apex) of the root, we fill it with a
gutta percha (rubbery-like material) Then a temporary or permanent
filling is done. A post & core and a crown can be done in the near future.
What is the reason for the post and crown? Once the nerve is out, the tooth can become brittle and break.
The post helps support the tooth and the crown helps protect the tooth.
For more information about having a root canal or if you think you may need dental treatment, see your dentist or log on to our website for more information.
Smoking and your Oral Health
It is common
knowledge that smoking is a serious health risk. It increases your chance of
heart attack, stroke, and cancer. What is rarely talked about is the effect it
has on your oral cavity including your teeth, gums, bones in the jaw, tongue,
and other oral tissues.
Smoking
decreases your sense of taste and smell. It also causes bad breath, a condition
known as halitosis. A common concern for many is the discoloration of the teeth
from smoking. Whitening will work, but if you continue to smoke, the teeth will
continue to discolor.
That is just
the beginning, smoking poses serious risks related to your oral health. It can
cause inflammation of the salivary glands as well as increased leukoplakia (a
white patch on the oral tissue). Smokers have much higher amounts of plaque and
tartar in their mouths compared to non smokers. This coincides with a smokers
increased risk for gum disease. Smoking interferes with the normal function of
gum tissue cells. This makes them much more susceptible to periodontal disease
which leads to bone loss in the jaw and eventually to tooth loss. Delayed
healing is also a concern for smokers. Nicotine causes narrowing of the blood
vessels, which impairs blood flow to the gums. This becomes problematic in the
healing process after gum treatment or after an extraction, and it may lead to
a painful condition known as dry socket. And of course, smoking can cause oral cancer. Smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancers in the mouth, lips,
tongue, or throat.
Tips: First,
and most importantly, quit. Talk to your doctor, get a support system, make a
plan, and stick to it. Also, be sure to have good oral hygiene. Regular dental
visits are important as well as regular oral cancer screenings. Talk to your doctor or hygienist about an advanced oral cancer screening tool called
Vizilite. And stay informed, know what to look for. White, red, or dark,
patches in your mouth that don’t go away within two weeks, should be looked at
immediately by a dental professional.
For more questions about your smile or any concerns about oral cancer you may have, visit your dentist regularly or log on to our website for more information.
-Levine Dental Associates
8860 N 60th St
Milwaukee, WI 53223
(414)355-0213
With Gratitude
We would like to give a big thank you and shout out to all of our
patients and friends who have generously
donated food and toys to our annual food and toy drive. Every year our patients
have helped families who otherwise would have no food or gifts for the holiday
to celebrate with their families by having food for the season and being able
to share some gifts.
Besides helping one of the local
food pantries and Toys for Tots, this year we had a request to help 3 families from
a local church. We did not want to say no and were able to help all three
families. With everyone’s help we were able to give all 3 families a complete
holiday meal and provide toys for 6 children!! You guys are awesome!
Our office has decided that in 2013
we are going to have more opportunities to give back. February is childrensDental Health month and as always we are one of the host offices for Give KidsA Smile day. This is strictly done voluntarily by our staff and we treat
underprivileged children with any dental needs they have. In Spring/Summer we will be having a
teeth whitening fund raiser to benefit the ‘Make A Wish” foundation and hope to
raise enough money to grant more than one wish. Fall/Winter will again bring
our Halloween Candy Buy Back which supports our troops stationed overseas and
the food and toy drive for the holiday season. Also this year in answer to the
Hunger Task Force being in need of peanut butter we are currently collecting
jars of peanut butter to donate.
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