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Procedures Root Canal Therapy | Extraction | Crowns & Bridges | Overdentures | Implant | Partial Dentures | Sealants
Contrary to popular belief, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Most importantly, you can save your tooth and your smile!! There are a number of reasons why you may need to have a tooth removed (a tooth extraction). Some of these reasons are if your tooth has decay and is infected, fractured, severe gum disease, or if you do not have enough space for your teeth at the back of your mouth (impacted wisdom teeth). Once the tooth is extracted, your dentist or dental assistant will review post extraction procedures to follow, in most cases a small amount of bleeding is normal. Before you have your tooth extracted it is important to discuss with the dentist all the different options that you have to replace the tooth.
A dental crown/bridge is a cap like restoration used to cover a damaged tooth. Crowns and bridges can give support to deformed or badly broken teeth and permanently replace missing teeth to complete a smile or develop a better bite pattern. During preparation for crowns and bridges, the tooth (or teeth) must be reduced in size so that the crown or bridge will fit. After the tooth structure has been reduced, the dentist will take an impression and determine the shade of the crown or bridge to match the color of your existing teeth. The impression and shade will be sent to a dental lab for fabrication of crown or bridge. A temporary crown or bridge will be placed to protect the prepared teeth while the crown or bridge is being made. When the permanent crown or bridge is completed the temporary is removed and the new crown/bridge is cemented over your prepared tooth or teeth.
Many times it is necessary to have a "training or temporary denture" constructed until the healing is complete and adjustments are made as needed. After healing, attachments are placed in the remaining roots, and a second and final denture is constructed containing an internal metal framework, which adds strength, facilitates retention and allows for any changes not desired in the temporary. During the interim healing phase, the gum shrinks away from the denture as the body heals. As this process occurs the denture will increasingly become looser. A chairside soft reline will be done on this temporary denture as healing takes place. Dr. Snyder will periodically adjust the height of the remaining root tips as they seemingly become longer as the gum heal. Until the attachments are placed you will essentially be wearing a complete overdenture but without the benefit of any attachments to aid in making it secure. When Dr. Snyder has determined that healing is complete (usually 4-6 months), the root tips are prepared, attachments placed and the denture either relined or a new final denture constructed to accommodate the new soft tissue levels and attachments. Over time, the nylon attachments in the denture will need to be replaced. How often is dependent on a multitude of factors. There is a nominal fee for this and it is usually accomplished chairside. Occasionally the metal attachments in the root may also wear out, become loose, need to be remade or in rare cases fracture the root and require extraction and a relining of the denture. Even with these potential problems, overdentures usually perform well for several years with little maintenance required.
A sealant is an adhesive material that bonds with the tooth to give a physical barrier or shield from threats to the health of teeth. Sealants are usually applied to permanent back teeth that have just erupted. In same cases, sealants can be applied to baby teeth and to adult teeth. During the procedure, teeth are first cleaned and isolated. The teeth that are chosen for sealants are etched, (a chemical that helps the sealant bond to the tooth) rinsed and dried. Sealants are applied to teeth with a brush, tiny sponge, or syringe-like applicator. An ultraviolet, handheld device will be used to harden the sealants. Any excess sealant is removed, and then the sealant is checked for hardness. Sealants are usually long-lasting if the seal remains intact. Harsh foods such as candy, ice, or sticky foods, can damage sealants and should be avoided. It is very important to apply sealants as soon as the permanent teeth erupt. Decay will not start under a sealant because bacteria are deprived of the food and oxygen they need to flourish. Zoom is an in-office tooth whitening system used to achieve immediate results in only one appointment. A Zoom consultation is necessary to determine a start shade, procedure length and expectations and limitations of the patient. Dental impressions are also taken at this time, in order to fabricate custom-fitted whitening trays for at home touchups. Patient’s taking certain photo reactive medications may not be candidates for the Zoom procedure. Donning protective goggles and isolating the soft tissues is necessary before the Zoom session is started. The patient has the option of listening to cd’s or watching T.V. during the procedure. Tingling and sensitivity may occur during or after the procedure.
Veneers can get you the smile you've always wanted, but were not blessed with. Thousands of people who want to look and feel better about themselves have chosen to correct their smiles with Veneers. Veneers can correct the following: • Tooth Discoloration Veneers are thin porcelain shields that are bonded to the front of your teeth to create dramatic changes in your smile. Veneers typically require only two dental visits. Please ask about how Veneers can change your smile during your next visit. A new patient is generally scheduled with a hygienist for a full set of diagnostic radiographs (x-rays) and comprehensive exam (by Dr. Snyder). This appointment is used to determine the periodontal status, restorative needs and joint/muscle health of the patient. An oral cancer screening is also performed at this time. The information is compiled and a treatment plan is devised and reviewed with the patient. In some cases, models of the teeth are made so that they can be studied and the best treatment for the patient can be formulated. The periodontal status will determine whether the patient’s dental hygiene needs are prophylactic or therapeutic in nature. Procedures that are prophylactic (preventive) include polishing and applying sealants and fluoride to the teeth. These procedures are for individuals who have no gingival inflammation, periodontal disease or decay. Therapeutic treatment includes a series of appointments to debride and disinfect areas of periodontal inflammation and infection. A procedure called full mouth debridement and/or root planning and scaling is performed to remove bacteria, plaque, biofilm, tartar, and calculus from the teeth and periodontal pockets. Topical or local anesthetics are used to alleviate any discomfort. Antimicrobial, antibiotics, or prescription fluorides may also be introduced or recommended. |
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© 2008 Kevin G. Snyder, D.D.S., P.A.
6173 W. Gulf to Lake Highway,
Crystal River, Florida 34429
352-795-1074 Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. All rights reserved.
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Years ago, the only solution to diseased or damaged teeth were to remove them. Now, with a special dental procedure called root canal therapy you may save the tooth. Inside each tooth is the pulp, which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth; it runs like a thread down through the root. When the pulp is damaged, the pulp tissue dies. If you don’t remove it, your tooth becomes infected and you lose it. During root canal therapy the dentist removes the pulp, cleans out the canals and then seals the tooth for protection. The dentist then places a post and crown over the tooth to help make it strong.
Crowns and bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be removed by a dentist.
The word overdenture means that the complete denture fits "over" the remaining roots in the mouth. This procedure though not always possible is usually preferred to complete dentures wherein all the teeth are removed and the dentures rest completely on the gums or soft tissues. In contrast, an overdenture rests on soft tissue as well as retained roots. These roots have had root canal therapy and are later fitted with special attachments that help retain or hold the denture into its position once healing from surgery is complete.
Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only options when replacing missing teeth. For some patients, dental implants offer much more than a smile that looks and feels very natural. Surgically positioned below the gums, over a series of appointments with an oral surgeon, implants are fused to the jawbone and serve as a foundation for individual replacement teeth, bridges or a denture. Single teeth or a full arch of teeth, which have been extracted due to injury or disease and replaced with a removable bridge, can be replaced with dental implants. The teeth can be replaced by a non-removable, fixed bridge or by an overdenture that may help with facial support. Implants are very durable, will last many years, and require the same "maintenance" as real teeth, including brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups.
A partial denture is a removable appliance that replaces missing teeth. It is held in place by your existing teeth. It is important that these teeth be healthy in order to support your partial that is why they may need treatment (crown and bridgework) prior to making the partial. Removable partial dentures usually consist of replacement teeth attached to pink or gum-colored acrylic bases, which are connected by metal framework.
Zoom Whitening
Veneers can give you a beautiful smile without removing any tooth structure!