Root canal therapy is a painless procedure performed when decay has caused enough damage to a tooth that the tooth is dying or has already died. During treatment, your dentist or endodontist removes the diseased or damaged pulp from the tooth and then refills the tooth cavity. To ensure a successful and pleasant treatment, here are some basic do’s and don’ts to follow:
- Do take any medication your dentist has prescribed for you to take prior to root canal therapy.
- Don’t anticipate pain; be calm and relaxed during your treatment.
- Do expect mild discomfort for 2-3 days following the procedure. Apply an ice pack and sleep with your head elevated to minimize swelling.
- Don’t skip on taking prescribed pain medications, even if you are not experiencing extreme pain.
- Do avoid biting on hard foods or meddling with the affected tooth during the course of treatment.
- Don’t drink excessively hot or cold beverages until the completion of treatment.
- Do continue normal brushing on the root canal treated tooth.
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol within 24 hours of root canal therapy.
- Do eat a soft diet for several days and avoid chewing on the treated tooth until a permanent restoration is placed.
- Don’t delay having the treated tooth capped with a crown or other restoration to avoid fracture or additional damage, causing failure of your root canal therapy.
- Do contact your dental professional immediately should you have any complications or questions during your recovery, and make sure to keep any follow-up appointments scheduled by your dentist or endodontist.
Root canal therapy has a 95% success rate. By following these simple guidelines, you can help to ensure a positive result from your root canal therapy and enjoy many more years of a healthy smile.
Ready to transform your smile? Schedule your appointment today at our Shreveport dental office.
Dental advancements in recent years have made some treatments simpler, more convenient, and less painful than in the past. An example of one innovation is using CEREC technology for restorations like crowns, inlays and onlays. Instead of dealing with multiple appointments and temporary fittings, patients get their permanent restoration in a single trip to the dentist.
CEREC, or ceramic reconstruction, uses specialized computer technology and machinery to create restorations. A 3D imaging camera scans the tooth and provides its exact dimensions to a computer that uses CAD technology to design the restoration. Once the highly accurate design is created, the data goes to a milling machine that forms the restoration out of ceramic. In just about half an hour, the restoration is ready to be permanently installed in the patient’s mouth.
What’s the big difference with CEREC technology compared to traditional restorations? It saves a great deal of time! In the past, the complete process could take as long as a month to perform. A dentist would have to prepare the tooth, place a temporary crown while the permanent one was developed in a lab, and then the patient would need to return for another appointment for the final crown placement. So instead of this long and inconvenient process, CEREC allows the whole procedure to take place in a single office visit.
In addition to saving time, CEREC restorations also avoid wearing uncomfortable temporary fittings for any period of time. The attractive and perfectly fitted permanent restoration is immediately placed in the mouth for enjoyment right away. Its ceramic material is natural looking and very durable, and has minimal risk of dislodgement or loss.
CEREC technology allows patients to restore their smiles in one convenient trip to the dentist. Ask if your dentist provides this technology if you need any type of ceramic restoration to complete your smile.
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Michael Woolbert & Dr. William Hall is accepting new patients from Shreveport and the surrounding area.
No matter how much you want to preserve your real teeth, it’s not uncommon for people to lose teeth. It may occur with age, decay, gum disease, or injury. If this happens to you, there’s no reason to go through life missing teeth in your smile. It’s better to quickly see your dentist for replacement teeth, so that you avoid shifting of your remaining teeth, speech problems, or saggy facial muscles. One solution that your dentist will likely offer to restore your smile is dentures. Here are some tips to help you select the right dentures for you.
Dentist
An important step in the process of getting dentures is making sure you have a qualified and experienced dentist treating you. Most dentists provide dentures as part of their services, or you may choose to go to a prosthodontist. This type of specialist focuses on restorative dentistry. No matter who you choose, make sure that you are confident you will get dentures that meet your specific goals and needs.
Type of dentures
There are several types of dentures available, each with their own attributes. These are the main kinds:
- Full dentures – an acrylic appliance that replaces all of the teeth in your upper jaw. These are functional and replicate your real teeth, and are usually comfortable when fitted correctly.
- Partial dentures – these replace one or two missing teeth using a dental arch. Partial dentures are made of acrylic, metal, plastic, or a combination of these materials. These are attached with a clip that holds them in place in your mouth.
- Permanent dentures – these dentures are permanently attached and require almost no maintenance. They are the costliest of the types of dentures.
Color
Dentures are available in various shades of white so that you can select the color that is most natural for you. Be careful about choosing the brightest white color, which may look unnatural compared to the color of your real teeth. Your dentist will help you find a neutral color that looks best with your smile and complexion.
Are dental issues holding you back? Take control of your oral health by booking an appointment with our experienced team at our Shreveport dental office.
CEREC reconstruction is a method used by dental professionals to restore a tooth that has been compromised by damage or decay. Utilizing advanced computer technology, a CEREC trained dentist can design and create crowns, bridges and veneers onsite allowing them to be placed in just one office visit.
While there are many advantages to CEREC technology, there are a few disadvantages you may want to consider when making a decision about your dental restorations:
- CEREC restorations may not last as long as traditional all-metal versions. Ceramic restorations are not considered as strong or resistant to fracture as other materials.
- Because the restoration is cut from a uniform block of ceramic, it is more difficult to achieve an exact color match to the surrounding natural teeth. A milled crown may not appear as natural as restorations made from other types of ceramics, making CEREC more appropriate for less visible teeth.
While disadvantages to CEREC reconstructions exist, the advantages are many. You are custom-fit with a long lasting, aesthetically attractive restoration in just one visit. A good CEREC dentist will spend the time necessary to stain and glaze the ceramic in a way that makes the restoration as natural as possible. For this reason, it is wise to do your homework and find a dentist who is well trained in CEREC technology. Because the CEREC process is highly technical, it should only be conducted by a dentist who has ample training experience with the process to ensure the results you desire.
To find out more about CEREC restorations and determine if it would be a good option for you to restore or replace old fillings, or correct damaged or uneven teeth, contact a CEREC certified dentist for a consultation.
Dr. Smith is a Fresno sedation dentist that offer CEREC
Do not let another day go by without taking care of your dental needs. Request an appointment now at our Shreveport dental office!
It’s part of life that your teeth will likely become dull and yellowed as you age and consume foods that contribute to teeth staining. However, you don’t have to go through life with a tainted smile. There are many options available these days for either at-home or professional teeth whitening. If you choose to brighten your smile, you’ll want to make sure you maintain the look as long as possible. Eating certain foods can help you naturally achieve the goal of a dazzling smile.
Citrus fruits:
Lemons, oranges, pineapples and other citrus fruits contain natural acids that help whiten teeth. Their tart flavor also promotes saliva in your mouth, which creates a natural rinse and polish over your teeth.
Strawberries:
Rich in vitamin C, strawberries can help prevent gum inflammation and other periodontal issues. They also contain malic acid as well as ellagitannins, which are antioxidants that help banish bacteria in your mouth.
Apples:
Chewing crunchy fruit like apples helps scrub your teeth to get rid of plaque and germs. Apples also have lots of malic acid, an ingredient in some toothpastes, which increases saliva to clean teeth and remove stains.
Pineapples:
An extra benefit of pineapples is bromelain, a compound that has cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps eliminate unsightly stains naturally.
Cheese:
Mineral ingredients like calcium and phosphorus give cheese an edge in strengthening your teeth. Cheese also contains protein that protects tooth enamel, and lactic acid that protects against tooth decay. Hard cheeses promote saliva production to clean your teeth.
Broccoli:
High in fiber, broccoli can help lower inflammation in your mouth and body. Crunching on raw broccoli cleans and polishes your teeth, and the iron content helps protect your teeth from damaging bacteria and acid.
Do you live in Shreveport or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.
Cosmetic problems with your teeth can make it embarrassing to show your smile. Thanks to dental veneers, you can erase flaws and create a brand new look that will make you want to show off your pearly whites instead of hiding them.
Veneers are very thin shells that are usually made of porcelain. They are custom-made to fit right on top of the fronts of your teeth. The veneers are securely bonded in place so that you can feel confident and comfortable with your smile. The porcelain is matched to the same color as your natural teeth, or a few shades brighter if you’d like to whiten your smile. This material reflects light in the same way that real teeth do, so that others can’t even tell the veneers are there. Porcelain is also very durable, and will not stain like real teeth.
Dental veneers hide many different kinds of problems with your teeth. Some of the most common reasons that people choose to recreate their smiles with veneers include:
- Teeth damaged from injury or decay, including chips and cracks
- Unsightly gaps between teeth
- Stains or discoloration that isn’t corrected with teeth whitening
- Misshapen teeth that do not match the rest of your smile
Veneers are a quick and painless solution. Your natural teeth will be slightly prepared so that the veneers attach properly, but the process is not uncomfortable. Once your veneers are placed, you can expect them to last years without needing to replace them. Maintenance involves routine brushing and flossing just as you would normally, and keeping regular checkups with your dentist.
Do not wait any longer. Book your appointment now and achieve the smile you have always wanted. Dr. Michael Woolbert & Dr. William Hall is accepting new patients from Shreveport and the surrounding area.
