Root Canal Therapy Aftercare in Brentwood

Patients who undergo root canal therapy are sometimes surprised at how much their pain and sensitivity subside after treatment. To ensure the procedure remains effective and full health and function are restored to the tooth, it’s important to take some temporary precautions. Here are several helpful hints that can provide more comfort and speed up the healing process.

Immediately Following Treatment

When decay and infection reach the inner chambers of the tooth, it can only be saved through root canal therapy. This endodontic treatment involves creating a small opening in the surface of the tooth so the doctor can remove all traces of infected pulp and sterilize the area. After filling the opening, a protective crown is secured to restore function and uniformity to the smile.

Patients are fully numbed and have the option of sedation, so they remain comfortable during treatment. Once the numbing agent or sedation is completely out of their system, patients may experience sensitivity around the treatment area. These symptoms often dissipate after a few days and can be quelled by over-the-counter pain relievers.

What to Do if Discomfort Persists

While most patients enjoy a fully restored tooth a few days after treatment, certain factors can have an impact on a successful recovery. Pain and swelling that doesn’t diminish can be indicative of lingering issues that need attention. Other factors that could require another visit to the dentist are if the temporary crown dislodges, the bite is uneven, or the original symptoms were not alleviated. Anyone who experiences an allergic reaction from medication received for treatment should seek medical attention immediately.

How to Maintain Your Restored Smile

After the post-treatment symptoms have cleared up, maintaining the health and durability of your repaired tooth is no different than that of your other teeth. Brush twice daily and incorporate flossing and rinsing as well. It’s important to note that patients who receive restorative care should commit to regular check-ups, so similar issues don’t develop again.

Contact William D Harrison, DDS Today

Our team at William D Harrison, DDS works to ensure that our quality care for patients who receive root canal therapy extends beyond their initial treatment. If you live in Brentwood or the many surrounding communities and are experiencing endodontic concerns, call our office today to set up an appointment.

Five Ways to Improve Oral Hygiene

When your smile is healthy and attractive, it can provide quite the confident boost. Achieving and maintaining a healthy smile requires dedicating yourself to an effective at-home care routine. The good news for the patients who are unhappy with their appearance is that a multitude of minor improvements that can be made to their daily oral health for trans-formative results. Below are five highly effective practices to improve your daily dental care.

Consider Your Tooth Brush and How You Use It

The type of toothbrush you use can make a significant difference in effectiveness. Dentists recommend you choose a brush with soft bristles that is contoured to reach all areas of the teeth and surrounding structures. Spend a full two minutes gently brushing at a 45-degree angle to remove all traces of plaque, including along the gum-line. By practicing these methods, you prevent excessive wear on your enamel and gums.

Floss and Rinse Every Day

The health of your gums is paramount to optimal oral health. Flossing each day helps remove the plaque from beneath the gums, helping prevent bacteria from spreading and causing the development of periodontal disease. Add rinsing with an ADA approved mouthwash to your daily routine to you remove any additional bacteria from your mouth while also freshening your breath.

Incorporate Healthier Dietary and Choices

The food you eat plays an important role in the health and appearance of your teeth. Consuming an abundance of sugary and acidic foods and beverages leaves you susceptible to the onset of decay. For those who enjoy coffee, soft drinks, or red wine, the darkly pigmented beverages attach to tooth enamel, causing discoloration. Implementing healthier snacks such as raw fruits and vegetables, coupled with drinking plenty of water will improve your dental health in addition to your overall health.

Curb Your Bad Habits

The oral health dangers of tobacco use are severe. Quitting the harmful habit right away increases your chances of avoiding enamel discoloration, gum disease, and potential tooth loss. It’s also important to avoid para-functional habits. These include such tendencies as biting on pens, fingernails or other solid objects, as these habits could cause your teeth to crack and chip.

Maintain Regular Appointments with Your Dental Professional

There are a variety of ways patients can be proactive about their oral health, but the best option for achieving a healthy and beautiful smile is by maintaining regular cleanings and examinations with your dental professional. In addition to top quality care, Dr. Harrison and our team take the time to educate you on the most effective methods for taking care of your teeth and gums. Call our Brentwood practice today to schedule an appointment.

Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces

Many patients suffer from crooked teeth. This condition, known medically as malocclusion, can lead to a host of other problems including more Infection, TMJ, and periodontal disease.

The best solution for malocclusion is carefully orchestrated orthodontic care. Patients are sometimes hesitant to go through with it for fear of wearing unsightly metal braces. They worry about changes to their appearance or speech pattern. Some people wearing braces will occasionally need to give up their favorite foods for a time.

Luckily, there are discreet, more convenient options in orthodontic care.

Clear Braces - There is a method that will straighten teeth discreetly and in less time than traditional metal braces. Invisalign is the clear, invisible alternative to a clunky metal mouth. This method is perfect for those with mild to moderate malocclusion. Invisalign are clear retainers that move the teeth into straight positions over time. Dentists provide these in succession, and the teeth grow straighter with each new pair.

Metal Braces - Traditional, metal-bracket braces take longer and are not discreet. However, they are stronger than retainers alone. Traditional braces can treat severe cases of malocclusion. They are also capable of moving the jaw into proper alignment. Underbites and severe overbites are not fixable through clear retainers alone.

Application

Both methods require a mold to be made of the teeth. This involves biting into a quick-set putty material, and a dentist evaluating the shape to create the orthodontic plan. The next step is where Invisalign and metal braces differ significantly. The brackets of metal braces must be cemented to the teeth. This can leave light spots on the teeth if the original shade is not maintained through the course of the treatment.

It’s impossible to self- remove braces when they feel uncomfortable. Invisalign can be removed at the patient’s discretion. This allows them relief from normal tenderness and the ability to eat their favorite foods.

Treatment Times

Invisalign therapy takes six to eighteen months on average to complete. Braces can take anywhere from one to three years, depending on circumstances. Both methods require continued use of retainers after the primary treatment is complete. For example, once braces are removed, metal Hawley retainers must be worn 22 hours a day for a year, and then only at night indefinitely. Once an Invisalign treatment is complete, the final retainer received must be worn nightly. Either method runs the risk of letting teeth shift into slightly less straight positions if retainers are not worn regularly. 

Invisalign in Brentwood

If you have more questions about orthodontic treatment options, call the office of William D. Harrison, DDS. Our office is friendly, knowledgeable, and always accepting new patients. We look forward to hearing from you!