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Dental crowns are among the most sought-after tooth restoration options for various reasons. For instance, they can be used to treat badly damaged teeth, to seal a tooth following a root canal procedure, or improve the appearance of misshapen tooth structure. Dentistry at Camp Creek dentist Dr. Travon Holt in South Atlanta, GA, uses dental crowns to save and protect damaged teeth and help you achieve a full and healthy smile.
The Problem with Missing and Damaged Teeth
Missing, decaying, and broken teeth can all have detrimental effects on both your oral health and self-esteem. Cracks or chips in your enamel could contain decay-and-disease-causing bacteria that would further contribute to dental and periodontal damage. Left unaddressed, this could result in tooth loss. In this scenario, missing teeth can lead to a bite shift, which, in turn, may lead to issues with your TMJ, or temporomandibular joint. Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about any of these dental problems when you receive dental crowns.
How You Can Benefit from Dental Crowns
Interested in Dental Crowns?
Call Dentistry at Camp Creek in South Atlanta, GA, by dialing (404) 629-9290. Find out from Dr. Travon Holt how dental crowns can address your particular dental concerns.
Your child’s current dental care sets the stage for good oral health later in life. It’s essential, therefore, that you know how best to protect their teeth and gums. In recognition of February as National Children’s Dental Health Month, here’s a short true or false quiz to test your knowledge of proper dental care for your child.
One last thing: Your child’s dental care isn’t entirely on your shoulders. We’re here to partner with you, not only providing preventive and therapeutic treatment for your child, but also advising you on their day-to-day dental care and hygiene. Together, we’ll help ensure your child’s dental development stays on track.
If you would like more information about dental care for children, please contact us or schedule a consultation. To learn more, read the Dear Doctor magazine article “Dentistry & Oral Health for Children.”
Root Canals Drive Away Infection
Many of us will experience dental health woes at some point in our life, ranging from mild cavities to severe decay. Whatever your oral concern, swift intervention is key to restoring and maintaining your healthiest smile.
A root canal is one of the most effective ways of treating an infection in the root of your tooth, and though the procedure sounds intimidating, Dentistry at Camp Creek in South Atlanta is equipped to make your time in our chair as comfortable and quick as possible. If you are suffering from a root infection, let us put you back on the path to oral health.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
Root canals are commonly performed on teeth that have either a deep cavity or a severe crack or fracture. Signs the root of your tooth has become infected due to this damage are extreme sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods or beverages or a sharp pain when biting and chewing. Visual symptoms include swollen, tender gums, obvious damage or decay to your tooth, or dark discoloration of your gums or tooth.
How does a root canal fix my tooth?
At our office in South Atlanta, we use a thorough cleaning process to flush away any bacteria, stopping further decay in its tracks and preserving your tooth. Your dentist will begin a root canal by administering anesthesia to keep you relaxed and comfortable during the procedure.
During the procedure, your dentist will clean out the bacteria that has formed in the root of your tooth. They will next disinfect the area and insert a filling and sealant to restore your tooth to its optimal health as well as a dental crown to protect your tooth.
Don't let a root infection ruin your smile. Call Dentistry at Camp Creek in South Atlanta today at 404-629-9290.
Dentists around the world routinely remove diseased or damaged teeth every day. While some extractions require surgery, many don't: Your family dentist can perform these simple extractions, usually with little complication.
The term simple doesn't necessarily mean easy—as we'll note in a moment, it takes a deft and experienced hand to perform this type of extraction. The term in this case refers more to the type and condition of the tooth: The tooth roots are relatively straight and reside in the bone at an accessible angle. There are otherwise no meaningful impediments to removing it straight out.
The idea of “pulling a tooth” out of the jaw isn't the most accurate way to describe the procedure. A tooth is actually held in place within its bony socket by the periodontal ligament, a tough, elastic tissue between the tooth root and the bone that attaches to both through tiny fibrous extensions. The best method is to first loosen the tooth from the ligament's tiny attachments, for which experienced dentists can develop a certain feel. Once released from the ligament, the tooth will usually come free easily from its socket.
Not all teeth, though, can be removed in this manner. Teeth with multiple roots like back molars, and without a straight trajectory out of the socket, can have a complicated removal. Other dental conditions could also prove problematic for simple extraction, such as brittle roots that might fragment during removal.
For these and other complications, your general dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon for the tooth extraction. But even with the surgical component, these more complicated extractions are relatively minor and routine—millions of wisdom teeth, for example, are removed every year in this manner.
If you have a tooth that needs to be removed due to disease or injury, your dentist will first determine the best way to remove it and will refer you, if necessary, for surgical extraction. And whatever kind of extraction you undergo, the dentist performing it will make sure you remain pain-free during the procedure.
While tooth preservation is usually the best course for long-term dental health, it's sometimes best to remove a tooth. If that should happen, your dentist will make sure it's done with as little discomfort to you as possible.
If you would like more information on dental extraction methods, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Simple Tooth Extraction?”
As the host of America's Funniest Home Videos on ABC TV, Alfonso Ribeiro has witnessed plenty of unintentional physical comedy…or, as he puts it in an interview with Dear Doctor–Dentistry & Oral Health magazine, "When people do stuff and you're like, 'Dude, you just hurt yourself for no reason!'" So when he had his own dental dilemma, Alfonso was determined not to let it turn onto an "epic fail."
The television personality was in his thirties when a painful tooth infection flared up. Instead of ignoring the problem, he took care of it by visiting his dentist, who recommended a root canal procedure. "It's not like you wake up and go, 'Yay, I'm going to have my root canal today!'" he joked. "But once it's done, you couldn't be happier because the pain is gone and you're just smiling because you're no longer in pain!"
Alfonso's experience echoes that of many other people. The root canal procedure is designed to save an infected tooth that otherwise would probably be lost. The infection may start when harmful bacteria from the mouth create a small hole (called a cavity) in the tooth's surface. If left untreated, the decay bacteria continue to eat away at the tooth's structure. Eventually, they can reach the soft pulp tissue, which extends through branching spaces deep inside the tooth called root canals.
Once infection gets a foothold there, it's time for root canal treatment! In this procedure, the area is first numbed; next, a small hole is made in the tooth to give access to the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. The diseased tissue is then carefully removed with tiny instruments, and the canals are disinfected to prevent bacteria from spreading. Finally, the tooth is sealed up to prevent re-infection. Following treatment, a crown (cap) is usually required to restore the tooth's full function and appearance.
Root canal treatment sometimes gets a bad rap from people who are unfamiliar with it, or have come across misinformation on the internet. The truth is, a root canal doesn't cause pain: It relieves pain! The alternatives—having the tooth pulled or leaving the infection untreated—are often much worse.
Having a tooth extracted and replaced can be costly and time consuming…yet a missing tooth that isn't replaced can cause problems for your oral health, nutrition and self-esteem. And an untreated infection doesn't just go away on its own—it continues to smolder in your body, potentially causing serious problems. So if you need a root canal, don't delay!
If you would like additional information on root canal treatment, please contact us or schedule a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “A Step-By-Step Guide to Root Canal Treatment” and “Root Canal Treatment: What You Need to Know.”