Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours or until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possible injury to your lips and cheeks. This time interval will also allow the temporary filling to set to a reasonable hardness. We expect your tooth to be sore with chewing and biting pressure so you should avoid

Root Canal Surgery What is endodontic surgery and why would I need it? Diagnosis Blocked Canals Unsuccessful Conventional Treatment Split Root Apicoectomy Other types of endodontic surgery Success of endodontic surgery Options instead of endodontic surgery Diagrams

Root canals are tiny passageways that branch off from beneath the top of the tooth, coursing their way vertically downward, until they reach the tip of the root. All teeth have between one and four root canals. Many tooth problems involve infections that spread to the pulp, which is the inner chamber

Scaling and Root Planing We remove the plaque through a deep-cleaning method called scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar from above and below the gum line. Root planing gets rid of rough spots on the tooth root where the germs gather, and helps remove the bacteria that contribute

Some cases of acute periodontal (gum) disease that do not respond to more conventional treatment and self-care such as flossing may require a special kind of cleaning called scaling and root planing. The procedure begins with administration of a local anesthetic to reduce any discomfort. Then, a small

Scaling and root planing therapy is a procedure that involves removing bacterial plaque and tartar from the root surface below the gumline with instruments and ultrasonics. It may also require removal of diseased tissue within the pocket with a laser. The goal of this treatment is to allow reattachment

Sealant Info Sealants are thin plastic coatings applied in the dental office on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, which are prime spots for cavities. Sealants act as a barrier to prevent bacteria and food from collecting and sitting on the grooves and pits of teeth. Sealants are best suited

Sealants Food trapped in the back teeth in the pits and grooves that are formed on the chewing surface is extremely difficult to eliminate through regular brushing or rinsing. Sealants are stuck to the tooth enamel to keep the food from accumulating. The sealants are a tough material made of plastic.

Sealants are liquid coatings that harden on the chewing surfaces of teeth and are showing a great deal of effectiveness in preventing cavities—even on teeth where decay has begun. The pits and grooves of your teeth are prime areas for opportunistic decay. Even regular brushing sometimes misses these

The pits and grooves of your teeth are prime areas for opportunistic decay. Even regular brushing sometimes misses some of these intricate structures on the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Enter sealants, which are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces designed to prevent the intrusion of

More and more people are avoiding the need for dentures as they grow older, going against the notion that false teeth are a normal part of growing older. In fact, there's usually no reason for you NOT to keep your teeth your entire life, providing you maintain a healthy balanced diet and practice

If you wince with pain after sipping a hot cup of coffee or chewing a piece of ice, chances are that you suffer from "dentin hypersensitivity," or more commonly, sensitive teeth. Hot and cold temperature changes cause your teeth to expand and contract. Over time, your teeth can develop microscopic

Replacing a Single Tooth If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it. A dental implant replaces both the lost natural tooth and its root. What are the advantages of a single-tooth implant over a bridge? A dental implant provides several advantages over other tooth

Sinus Lift The success of an implant is largely dependent upon the quantity and quality of the bone where the implant needs to be placed. A big issue when placing implants in the back of the mouth in the upper jaw is the location of the sinus. Implants need to be placed in bone and they cannot be placed

The Facts About Chewing Tobacco A lot of athletes get hooked before they know the facts about dip and chew. They don't know that spit tobacco: is highly addictive contains nicotine doesn't help performance is not a safe alternative to cigarettes Addiction is one tough opponent.

Space Maintainers The loss of your child's baby tooth before the adult tooth has fully developed affects the teeth around it as well as the alignment of the adult tooth. Ensuring that the tooth grows in its proper position is important. The other teeth have to be held in place, which can be done effectively

TMJ - Temporomandibular Joint Information Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, commonly called TMJ, are a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. We don't know for certain how many people have TMJ disorders, but some estimates

Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is often viewed as a harmless, though annoying, habit. Some people develop bruxism from an inability to deal with stress or anxiety. However, teeth grinding can literally transform your bite relationship and worse, severely damage your teeth and jaws over long

Teeth Trivia Sharks have unlimited sets of teeth. Fangs are not found in all snakes, but all snakes do have teeth, usually in six rows. Their teeth are curved backwards like the barbs on a fishing hook, which keeps their prey from escaping. "Long in the tooth," is a phrase meaning old. It was

Teeth Whitening The natural color of teeth is not white. They are typically a shade of either yellow or gray and tooth color varies from person to person.The procedure to whiten teeth is fairly simple but there are some rules that need to be followed to achieve and maintain good results. Why teeth

Whitening procedures have effectively restored the smile of people with stained, dull, or discolored teeth. The darker tissue of your teeth, the dentin, can become exposed as the outer layer of enamel is worn away by the effects of aging or things like caffeine and tobacco. Food particles are naturally

Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and where the intake of harmful foods is controlled. Our program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease. At the initial visit oral

Tips for Parents We always want the best for our children. Below are some links to various topics that relate directly to the oral heath care of children. As always, please ask us if you have any specific questions about the care of your children's teeth. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Baby's First

Dentistry health care that works: tobacco The American Dental Association has long been a leader in the battle against tobacco-related disease, working to educate the public about the dangers inherent in tobacco use and encouraging dentists to help their patients break the cycle of addiction. The Association

Tooth Anatomy This illustration shows the anatomy of a tooth and gums as well as the supporting structures that surround a tooth. Glossary of Terms: Blood vessels carry nutrients to the tooth. Bone alveolar bone forms the tooth socket and provides it with support. Cementum the

Tooth Sensitivity Do you have or do you know someone who has sensitive teeth? If your answer is yes, you will have a true appreciation for the content of this page. What is tooth sensitivity? It can be defined as a painful reaction in one of more teeth triggered by hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods

Simple toothaches can often be relieved by rinsing the mouth to clear it of debris and other matter. Sometimes, a toothache can be caused or aggravated by a piece of debris lodged between the tooth and another tooth. Avoid placing an aspirin between your tooth and gum to relieve pain, because the dissolving

Toothpaste Ingredients Looking at the label on most toothpaste, it would seem that you need an advanced degree in biochemistry to decipher the ingredient names.Propylene glycol, sodium bicarbonate, sodium pyrophosphate, anhydrous dicalcium phosphate and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate are all listed.

Traumatic Injuries People of all ages can traumatically injure a tooth but most traumatic dental injuries occur in children. Injuries may result from bad falls, participating in sports, bike or car accidents, etc. The severity and type of injury will determine the necessary treatment. There are a

Treatment for Adults Adult Services A beautiful smile has the power to improve the appearance of everyone. Some people naturally have wonderful smiles while others don't. That doesn't mean that you can't smile beautifully just because you didn't have orthodontic treatment as a child. Orthodontic

Treatment for Children Orthodontic services for children: Early correction and treatment of misaligned teeth ensure your child's dental health will be addressed at an early age. According to the American Dental Association, a child should visit an orthodontist by the time he or she is seven years

Types of Appliances Orthodontics is a highly advanced and specialized field of dentistry. Orthodontists use many different types of appliances to ensure effectiveness of the treatment to get excellent results for a great smile. The needs of each patient are unique and each treatment plan varies accordingly

Types of Braces  There are several types of braces that can be used to help move teeth into their desired positions. Below are the various types of braces to that we utilize to produce the results that we want. Metal Braces Metal braces are the most commonly used type of braces. Metal braces are

Useful Dental Links Here are some useful links to gather information about various dental fields: American Dental Association American Association of Endodontists American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons American Academy of Periodontology American Academy of Pediatric

Plaque is an insidious substance—a colorless, sticky film—that blankets your teeth and creates an environment in which bacteria erode tooth enamel, cause gum irritation, infection in inner structures such as pulp and the roots, and in extreme cases, tooth loss. Some of the biggest culprits causing