General Dentistry

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is a "good thing" so there are many reasons why a person should be eager to begin root canal treatment. In certain cases Dr. Lunn begins with steps that can provide instant relief as a part of performing root canal treatment. In the absence of pain and extensive infection the treatment will just go more smoothly.

• It removes bacteria, toxins, unhealthy nerve tissue, and irritants that are currently present in a tooth.

• It fills in and seals off the nerve space inside a tooth so physically there is no location where bacteria and tissue irritants can exist and be out of effective reach of your body's defense mechanisms.

Where precisely in a tooth is its nerve?

While teeth are hard calcified objects, they are not completely solid. In the inner most aspect of every tooth there lies a hollow space which, when a tooth is healthy, contains the tooth's nerve tissue. Dentists use the following terms to refer to various portions of this nerve area:

• The pulp chamber. This is a hollow space that lies more or less in the center of the tooth.

• The root canals. Each tooth's nerve enters the tooth, in generalities, at the tip of its root(s). From this point the nerve then runs through the center of the root in small "root canals" which subsequently join up with the tooth's pulp chamber.

A tooth's nerve tissue plays an important role in the growth and development of the tooth, but once the tooth has erupted through the gums and has finished maturing the nerve's only function is sensory. If a tooth's nerve tissue is present and healthy, then things are wonderful.

However if things go wrong then the first process of a root canal treatment is to remove (as thoroughly as possible) bacteria, nerve tissue, the organic debris left over from the breakdown of nerve tissue.

The problem with teeth and infections is that once a tooth's nerve tissue has started to degenerate and bacteria have taken up residence in the tooth's nerve area, there is no effective way for white blood cells to get at the bacteria to combat them.  It's a place where your body's defensive mechanisms can't effectively get at them. With this scenario, at best your body will only be able to wall off the infection caused by the bacteria living inside your tooth. At worst, this bacterial infection will overwhelm your body's defense mechanisms and pain and swelling will ensue (an acute tooth abscess).

How do you know when your tooth needs root canal treatment?

·        A tooth is currently causing you pain.

·        Hurts while you are sleeping, watching TV or driving in your car.

·        You have noticed the presence of tenderness and/or swelling in your gums near a tooth.

·        Hurts to cold and/or hot foods or liquid for longer than one minute in duration.

A)    Problem teeth identified by x-rays.

The nerve tissue in a tooth can die quietly. It is not uncommon that a dentist will identify a tooth which needs root canal treatment during a routine x-ray evaluation. In the most obvious of these cases the x-ray will show a dark spot at the tip of the tooth's root.

B)    A persistent or reoccurring pimple on your gums.

Sometimes a tooth whose nerve has died will produce a pimple like lesion on a person's gums.

C)    Exposure of a tooth's nerve.

While performing routine dental work, the removal of decay has literally gone straight to the tooth's nerve tissue and can be visualized.  When an exposure occurs then Dr. Lunn may determine that in your situation it is best to go ahead and perform root canal treatment on the tooth now so to avoid possible problems and complications with the tooth later (such as a painful tooth abscess).

D)    Teeth which have been traumatized in an accident.

The health of the nerve tissue in teeth which have a sudden traumatic event (such as being bumped in an accident) can deteriorate, thus leading to the need for root canal treatment. Usually immediately after a traumatic event the outlook for the tooth can be difficult to predict. Usually a follow up one week later will give Dr. Lunn more insight to whether the event caused the tooth’s nerve tissue to begin deteriorating or not.

What additional dental work is needed for a tooth that has had root canal treatment?

After your tooth's root canal treatment has been completed, Dr. Lunn will need to discuss with you what additional dental work will be required so to make the tooth fully functional again. Many times a tooth that has required a root canal treatment is one that has a large filling or else has large portions of tooth structure missing due to extensive decay or breakage. These teeth, in this state, are not as sturdy as they once were and it is common place that Dr. Lunn will recommend that a tooth that has had root canal treatment should be restored using a dental crown in combination with a dental post.

A dental post provides a way for the dentist to securely anchor the filling material core to the tooth. Dr. Lunn will use a dental crown as a means of improving the appearance of a tooth, restoring a broken tooth to its original shape, and/or strengthening a tooth. Additionally, and very importantly, dental crowns create an excellent seal over a tooth. The dental restoration that is used to rebuild a tooth also provides a seal for the tooth. The sooner arrangements can be made to have the permanent dental restoration placed (thus creating the best possible seal) the better.

Composite Bonding 

Bonding on the anterior or front teeth is an excellent method for repairing minor imperfections such as chips and stains. It can also be used to fill gaps between the teeth called diastemas. Although no cosmetic dentistry procedure can take the place of good oral and periodontal hygiene, bonding can brighten your smile quickly and easily.

What are some of the most common benefits of this procedure?

In this procedure, a composite resin material is applied to the tooth and then sculpted and shaped to cover damaged areas or to fill in gaps. This material comes in several shades so it can be matched to the natural color of your tooth. Bonding usually requires only one visit, so it is less time-consuming and less expensive than other tooth restoration methods
 

Aesthetic Enhancements: Bonding & Tooth Colored Fillings
    
 

    
 Is Bonding Right For Me?
No development of metal sensitivity.

Pedo Services

Losing baby teeth and gaining adult teeth are memorable experiences for children.  Most children begin losing baby teeth when they are 6 years old, although some begin even earlier.

• A child has 20 baby teeth, or “milk teeth.”

• An adult has 32 permanent teeth.

• Tooth enamel is the hardest material in the human body.

• Poor oral health has been linked to poor performance in school.

• Dental caries, or tooth decay, is the most common chronic childhood disease.

• Toothbrushes should be replaced every two to three months or after an illness such as a cold or the flu.

• A visit to the dentist every six months will help prevent dental problems.

How cavities occur.

Sweet, sticky and starchy foods form a paste that coats our teeth when we eat. Germs make plaque, which feeds on the stickiness. Acid in plaque can eat away at your teeth.

Please use the form below to chart your brushes for each day!!!!!!

Please look over the tooth below to help you identify where to brush!!!