Root Canal: Symptoms & Procedure

Root canal treatment is an effective dental procedure that is used to repair and save a badly decayed tooth. If your tooth is badly damaged or infected and you fear losing it, you must see a root canal specialist in San Antonio as soon as possible. In this post, we will go through the symptoms that indicate you need a root canal treatment as well as the procedure.

Signs you need a root canal treatment

  • Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold food & fluids
  • Cracked or chipped teeth
  • Decay
  • Swollen gums
  • Sharp and excruciating pain

The root canal treatment is fairly simple and painless. The nerve and pulp of your tooth are removed and the area inside is cleaned. When left untreated the tissue around your tooth will get infected and start developing an abscess.

Root Canal Treatment Procedure

To determine whether or not you need a root canal, you must visit a professional endodontist in San Antonio. The procedure starts with taking x-ray images of your tooth and the surrounding area. The endodontist will use local anesthesia to numb your tooth and the surrounding area. Now, the endodontist will drill access into the tooth and once the pulp, decayed nerve, and bacteria are removed, the whole area is cleaned using files. After cleaning the area your tooth is sealed. Depending upon your dental condition, your endodontist might choose to wait for a week to seal the tooth. In case there is an infection, your dentist in San Antonio TX will place some medication inside the tooth. And after the access hole is closed using a filling, your tooth may need a crown, crown post, or any other suitable restoration method to protect it from breaking.

Hope you found the post useful. For more information regarding root canal treatment, feel free to get in touch with our root canal specialist in San Antonio.

Reasons Veneers are the Perfect Cover-Up

Have you been feeling self-conscious due to stains, crooked teeth, unpleasant chips and unsightly gaps? Well, dental veneers are your answer. Cosmetic dentistry helps you get rid of your dental flaws with sheer ease and if you have been looking to get rid of any of the flaws mentioned above, you should sure consider dental veneers. Here are the reasons why-

1. Veneers are versatile

Cosmetic dentists say that Cosmetic Dentistry in San Antonio TX has made continual advancements over the years and dental veneers have been around for a while now. They tend to be quite durable and versatile. Veneers are also referred to as laminates and they easily cover minor as well as moderate flaws with sheer ease.

2. Fix a number of problems with veneers

Veneers help fix a number of problems with dental veneers including the following-

  • Uneven teeth
  • Gaps between frontal teeth
  • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • Teeth misalignment

3. Appealing and cost-effective

They are considered to be a cost-effective and appealing solution. If you are looking for a cost-effective and durable cosmetic dentistry solution, then you must surely consider dental veneers.

4. It is a quick procedure

A dentist in San Antonio, TX says that dental veneers do not take long and the entire procedure is pretty quick and painless. The procedure starts with the dentist evaluating your dental health. After having evaluated your oral health and cosmetic concerns, you will be advised about the cosmetic corrections. The whole procedure takes just two visits. During the first one, the dentist will strip away a thin layer of enamel off your teeth. This is to perfectly accommodate an ultra thin veneer. This process is also aimed at promoting a tight bond between your teeth and the veneer. Your dentist takes the impression and prepares a mold to help the technician fabricate customized veneers for you. You do not need to worry as you will be given a temporary set of veneers to wear until your custom veneers are being fabricated in the lab. Your second visit will involve checking the fit and appearance and to secure each veneer on your respective tooth. It is as easy as it could get, right?

5. Improve your smile significantly

Cosmetic dental in San Antonio, TX say that thousands of people get dental veneers every day and they experience a significant positive change in their life. You are advised to get in touch with a professional dentist for cosmetic dentistry in San Antonio, TX to get your oral health examined and to know the best available options for you.

For more information related to dentists in San Antonio, TX; feel free to get in touch with us.

4 Super Easy Tips to Take Care of Your Braces

Have you got dental braces from your orthodontist lately and wondering how to take care of them? Whether you have got ceramic, metal or lingual braces on, you need to take care of them properly. An Orthodontist in San Antonio, TX says that there are a number of ways you can take care of your braces. Let’s take a look at some of those easy ways.

1. Use a soft toothbrush for proper cleaning

You must use a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth after every meal, regardless of whether you wear braces or not; however, it becomes even more important when you have braces on. Pesky food might get trapped between the brackets and it can certainly cause problems if not got rid of. You must brush those hard to reach areas with a good toothbrush. If you prefer using an electric toothbrush, you can use it as well.

2. Use the right brushing technique

The best orthodontist in San Antonio says that using the right brushing technique is extremely important. You should start brushing with your gum line by holding your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle. The brackets of your teeth must be cleaned as well. You are advised to brush after every meal if you are wearing braces.

Also use a good mouthwash to keep bad-breath at bay. Always use a mouthwash that is devoid of green or bright red dyes as it can discolour the metal materials of your braces. Always make sure that you follow each and every instruction provided by your orthodontist.

3. Do not ignore flossing

Truth to be told, flossing with braces on can be difficult, but it is highly recommended to get rid of small food particles that are stuck between your teeth or braces. You can use floss threaders which are available at almost every supermarket. Flossing at least once a day will suffice.

4. Avoid chewy and sticky foods

Your orthodontist will advise you to stay away from certain food types and you should never ignore their advice. Avoid consuming sticky, chewy or hard foods. Do not consume sugary foods and drinks as they will stain your brackets and also cause decay.

You should also get rid of certain bad habits such as nibbling on your nails or chewing pen lids as continuing to do so may bend the braces. Hope you found the post useful. For more information related to affordable braces in San Antonio or dental braces in San Antonio, TX, feel free to get in touch with our dentist in San Antonio, TX.

Top 4 Reasons You Must See a Pediatrician

One of the first doctors you will visit when your child grows up is a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists specialize in providing professional dental care to your children and teens. As you know children have to undergo a series of changes before they turn 18 and they need proper health care which includes dental health as well. It becomes important to help your child establish good oral practices and who else other than a dentist can do that. Here are the top reasons why you must take your child to a pediatric dentist.

1. Calmer, happier and healthier kids

Visiting a pediatric dentist in San Antonio may seem stressful at first, especially for your child as he or she doesn’t know what to expect during the visit, but you or your child doesn’t need to fret at all. Pediatric dentists are professionally trained medical experts who know how to create a comfortable environment for your child.

2. Get rid of old bad habits

Most of the parents complain about their child’s bad habits such as thumb sucking and teeth grinding. Such bad habits can lead to dental issues later in life. If your child is not able to get rid of such bad habits, you must see a children’s dentist in San Antonio as he or she will help your child establish good oral habits.

3. Development of mouth is monitored

Your child’s body undergoes a number of changes until he or she reaches the age of 18. The sooner your child sees the best pediatric dentist in San Antonio, the more you give the pediatric a chance to identify any oral issues that might be present. Giving your child an early start is always advised by professional dentists in San Antonio, TX.

4. Minimize pain and fear

Cavities are always on the cards and you want a professional and well-trained expert of children’s dentistry in San Antonio to monitor your child’s development and oral health related issues.

For more information related to children’s dental care, feel free to drop us a line.

Top 5 Tips for Maintaining Oral Hygiene with Dentures

With dentures, now that you have no or fewer teeth you may think that your oral hygiene routine is much relaxed. However, even with the best dentures in San Antonio, you need as much oral care as you needed with your real teeth. Denture wearers have to properly clean and maintain their denture teeth as well as ensure that their jaws remain healthy because gums are the foundation for your denture teeth. Any bacterial infection can cause irritation and sores on your gums which will make wearing dentures uncomfortable for you. If you are new to dentures and are wondering how to care for your oral health with dentures, read on!

1. Brush your denture teeth daily

Like you would do with your real teeth, even your denture teeth require daily brushing to keep them clean and hygienic. Brushing your dentures daily will help in ensuring that bacteria and plaque do not build up and cause irritation and stains. You should use a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner and should gently brush your dentures. Do it very gently so that you don’t damage the denture plastic or bend attachments.

2. Soak your dentures overnight

This is a very important step in maintaining oral hygiene with dentures. Leaving your dentures in your mouth when you sleep could do more harm than good. Wearing dentures at night time could increase the saliva levels in your mouth which could be a perfect breeding ground that accelerated the growth of bacteria. Moreover, dentures serve no purpose during sleep hours. Wearing it overnight will not give your gums the much-needed break from the constant rubbing of dentures which can cause irritation, sores, and infection. The bacteria growth could evolve quickly into gum disease, stomatitis, and even pneumonia and the constant rubbing might encourage jawbone loss. Besides, soaking it overnight in clean water or denture cleaner can thoroughly clean your dentures.

3. Rinse dentures with clean water every time you eat

It is important to rinse your dentures every time you eat. A quick rinse will help get rid of the trapped food particles and will prevent stains and bacteria from building up. If food gets trapped and left unchecked, it can cause irritation, sores, and even increases the risk of gum disease. To ensure that your mouth stays clean and your dentures last longer, you shall incorporate daily rinsing and brushing in your oral care routine. Just remember to never rinse with hot water as it could affect the denture plastic and can cause it to warp.

4. Care well for your whole mouth

If you have partial dentures, you will take care of the rest of your teeth as much as possible. But you should also look after your gums as they serve as the base to your dentures. You should ensure that no food gets trapped in between your gums and dentures. Cosmetic dentists in San Antonio also recommend regularly massaging your gums to alleviate irritation and stimulate blood flow.

5. Regular dental checkups with your cosmetic dentist

Paying a visit to your prosthetist regularly is a part of maintaining your oral health with dentures. Your prosthetist will ensure that your dentures are fitting and functioning well. Visiting a dental clinic specializing in cosmetic dentistry in San Antonio twice a year is recommended to maintain your dentures and keep your oral health in good shape.

If you have more queries or concerns regarding getting dentures in San Antonio, you can arrange an obligation-free consultation with our experts.

Should I Extract My Tooth Or Save It?

When you have severe tooth pain or if your tooth has caught an infection, it might seem easy to pull the tooth out than dealing with the pain. Extraction may seem to be the easy choice at that moment but is surely not the best choice for you. Nothing functions like your natural tooth and so before you decide to pull or save your tooth, we want to make sure you know the facts and you are well-informed. You can always discuss it extensively with your general dentist in San Antonio, TX and you might reach a conclusion as to what is better.

Benefits of Saving Your Natural Tooth

Strength

Your natural tooth will have better strength than the artificial one. No tooth replacement options could function the same as your original tooth. Besides, you could maintain the natural structure of your jaw and mouth. Our dental clinic in San Antonio does offer the best tooth replacement options like dental implants but nothing is as strong as your original tooth.

Maintain a youthful appearance

Once you extract the tooth, the tooth root that supports the jaw is also gone. The bone surrounding that tooth will cave eventually which will make you look older.

Confidence

As the extraction takes a toll on your smile and appearance, you tend to lose confidence in freely passing that smile of yours. Patients tend to start smiling less and in a hesitant manner which negatively affects their lives.

Much less painful

People think that pulling the teeth will be less painful than restoring an infected tooth through a root canal or any other restoration procedure. However, the fact is there are chances of dry sockets after tooth removal which could be much more painful. Not to mention, other oral health issues like teeth shifting and plaque formation in the surrounding areas might follow.

Affordable

Saving your natural tooth is a cost-effective option than any other tooth-replacement methods. Moreover, you also have to bear extra maintenance costs along with future treatment costs in case if anything goes wrong.

When to pull out your natural tooth?

There are many good reasons to preserve your natural tooth but there are times when extraction is a better option. Cracked tooth below the gum line or tooth decayed to a level where it cannot be restored or several cracks in the tooth, then an extraction will be necessary. When the tooth becomes too weak that it is more of a threat to the health of the surrounding teeth and your overall oral health, then you shall get it extracted without any doubt. You shall consult your dentist and seek professional help before you jump to any conclusion.