Category: Blog

Dec 11, 2022

Do I Need Antibiotics after a Root Canal?

Antibiotics after receiving a root canal are not always a necessity. Following root canal therapy, you need some time to recover entirely. During this period, you must avoid eating crispy or complex foods soon after getting a root canal. Here is what you can expect after getting a root canal near you to eradicate dental pulp infections.

What Should I Expect after Root Canal Treatment?

You can expect some sensitivity following a root canal for a few days. Your body begins the recovery process, and any symptoms you experience are temporary and will subside by themselves in a few days. Your dentist suggests you take over-the-counter pain relievers for comfort for approximately 96 hours after the treatment to help you manage the pain. In addition, you must avoid eating anything until the numbness wears off from the anesthesia you receive when undergoing the treatment. You must not chew on complex foods with the treated tooth until you restore it with a dental crown. You can continue brushing and flossing your teeth as usual after receiving root canal therapy.

How Successful Are Root Canals?

If the treatment was performed by the dentist in 60418, you could expect the treated tooth to last as long as your remaining teeth. However, you must visit the dental team periodically for exams to ensure your treated tooth is in optimal shape.

Rarely a root canal-treated tooth fails to recover and becomes reinfected. In such cases, you might need another round of endodontic treatment or have to get the tooth extracted for replacement with implants or bridges.

Do You Need Antibiotics after a Root Canal?

You must follow your dentist’s instructions stringently after receiving root canal therapy. Occasionally your dentist might prescribe antibiotics but in many cases, hold off. Many people express surprise with information that antibiotics can also cause problems as your mouth bacteria try to resist them. It is to prevent such issues that dentists prefer to wait and see instead of describing antibiotics and monitoring the patient suggesting using over-the-counter painkillers for comfort and fever before suggesting antibiotics.

As a patient, it is essential that you understand the functioning of antibiotics. Antibiotics help re-establish your immune system but are not a cure. In addition, taking antibiotics proactively doesn’t prevent infection, and they are best taken to help fight infections if they occur.

Antibiotics have been around for nearly 100 years and are still undergoing extensive research. Sometimes the fewer antibiotics you take, the better it is for your general health, especially with low-risk procedures like root canals. Please discuss with your dentist their thoughts on the use of antibiotics without hesitating to ask them questions about why they are not prescribing them in your specific situation.

Root canals are relatively familiar, with over 40 million procedures performed in the US annually. The therapy helps remove an infection from within your tooth and helps preserve your natural tooth, which would otherwise need extraction. Depending on your specific case, the dentist might prescribe antibiotics to help with your healing. However, appropriate dental care and not antibiotics are essential after receiving root canals. Therefore you must make efforts not to reinfect your tooth by following your dentist’s instructions and avoiding biting with the treated tooth.

You became vulnerable to receiving a root canal because you let a cavity in your teeth remain untreated or ignored the damage to your teeth from impacts on your mouth. As a result, your mouth bacteria would have worked tirelessly to reach the dental pulp to infect and inflame it and the root canals. If you had received fillings for the cavity or treated the damaged tooth immediately, you wouldn’t have become prone to receiving intensive treatment. The reason that made you vulnerable to this treatment should make it clear you must care for your teeth to ensure you don’t develop infections that require such therapies.

If antibiotics could clear the infection, you would have received prescriptions for them when you contacted your dentist with severe pain and sensitivity in the tooth. The dentist wouldn’t have recommended root canal therapy unless they considered it an essential requirement. Therefore we suggest you follow the same principle and try to prevent infections in your teeth without relying on antibiotics as a remedy against the infection.

Family Dental Care — Crestwood performs multiple root canals frequently without prescribing antibiotics which they don’t consider essential. Therefore, if you need this treatment, you find it beneficial to schedule a meeting with the practice and receive help to save your tooth from extraction without using antibiotics.

Previous Blog Post

What Dental Procedures Are Considered Emergencies?

Dental emergencies can occur in different forms. Every patient might not confront a similar dental problem making most dental procedures challenging to determine as emergencies. However, any issue causing pain in the mouth, bleeding, or exhibiting signs of infection is better considered an emergency to seek treatment from a dentist nearby for relief from the…

Read More

Dec 06, 2022

How Is TMJ Diagnosed?

The temporomandibular joint, functioning as a sliding hinge, connects your jawbone and skull. One joint exists on both sides of your jaw. TMJ disorder, a temporomandibular joint malfunction, causes pain in your jaw joint and the muscles controlling jaw movement.

Determining the precise reasons for TMJ disorders is challenging, even for medical professionals. You might experience pain from various factors, including genetics, arthritis, jaw injury, bruxism, et cetera. However, people affected by bruxism may not constantly develop TMJ disorders.

The pain and discomfort linked with TMJ disorders are generally temporary and subside with self-managed care and nonsurgical treatments. If conservative treatments fail, medical professionals suggest surgery as a last resort. However, some people with these disorders benefit from surgical procedures.

What Are Common TMJ Symptoms?

Common TMJ symptoms include discomfort or tenderness in the jaw, pain in one or both the TMJ joints, aching around or in your ears, challenges chewing or discomfort during the activity, aching facial pain, jaw joint locking making it challenging for you to open and close your mouth.

TMJ disorders can also cause symptoms like a clicking sound or grating sensation when opening your mouth or chewing. However, if you don’t have any limitation of movement or pain associated with the clicking sounds, you don’t need treatment for the TMJ disorder.

When Should I Seek Treatment for TMJ Disorder?

You must seek medical assistance if you experience persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw. You help yourself by visiting the dentist in Chicago if you find it challenging to open or close your jaw entirely. The dentist, a TMJ specialist, can discuss possible reasons and therapies for your problem.

Diagnosing TMJ Disorders

When you visit the Chicago dentist, they will discuss your symptoms and examine your jaw. The dentist will listen to and feel your jaw asking you to open and close your mouth. They also observe your jaw’s range of motion and press on specific areas of your jaw to identify pain or discomfort.

If the dentist suspects an issue, they might suggest dental x-rays to examine your teeth and jaw, CT scans to view detailed pictures of the bones in the joint, and MRI scans to identify problems with the joint’s disk and the surrounding soft tissue.

Sometimes TMJ arthroscopy also helps when diagnosing TMJ disorders. When performing TMJ arthroscopy, the dentist inserts a thin tube into the joint space with a tiny camera to view the area and help diagnose.

Surgical or Other Procedures for TMJ Treatment

Sometimes the symptoms of TMJ disorders disappear without treatment. However, if you have persistent symptoms, the dentist might recommend different treatment options, often combined simultaneously.

Medications

Besides nonsurgical treatments, medication options help relieve the discomfort associated with TMJ disorders in many cases. For example, you might receive suggestions for over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories from the Chicago dentist. However, if the medications are unsuccessful in providing relief, the dentist can prescribe prescription painkillers for a limited period.

Tricyclic antidepressants helping with depression also provide relief from TMJ disorders when prescribed in low doses. The antidepressants also help with pain relief, sleeplessness, and bruxism. In addition, the dentist might suggest muscle relaxants for use for a few days or weeks to relieve the discomfort from TMJ disorders that might arise from muscle spasms.

If your situation doesn’t improve from nonsurgical therapies, the dentist might suggest processes like arthrocentesis, injections, TMJ arthroscopy, modified condylotomy, and open joint surgery, especially if your problem is related to a structural defect in the joint when you might need this procedure to repair or replace the joint. Unfortunately, open joint surgical procedures involve more risks than other treatments and require careful consideration after discussing their benefits and downsides.

If the Chicago dentist suggests surgical or other procedures, ensure that you discuss the risks and benefits of the recommendation and inquire about all your options. TMJ disorders, although discomforting, can disappear without intensive treatments like surgical procedures. Therefore you must also look for non-drug therapies, including oral splints or mouthguards, physical therapy, and counseling to strengthen jaw muscles and educate you about the factors elevating your jaw pain and how to avoid them.

Many people are affected by TMJ disorders for unknown reasons, which TMJ specialists find challenging to diagnose. Therefore if you are affected by persistent jaw pain, you must consider all options after diagnosing your situation and seek therapies suitable for your condition.

Family Dental Care — Chicago receives many patients complaining of jaw pain, indicating TMJ disorders. They strive to treat the discomfort patients experience using nonsurgical therapies, keeping surgery as a last resort. If you experience TMJ pain, you help yourself if you contact this practice to consult how you can overcome your discomfort.

Previous Blog Post

Do I Need Antibiotics after a Root Canal?

Antibiotics after receiving a root canal are not always a necessity. Following root canal therapy, you need some time to recover entirely. During this period, you must avoid eating crispy or complex foods soon after getting a root canal. Here is what you can expect after getting a root canal near you to eradicate dental…

Read More

Dec 01, 2022

Is It Best to Get Immediate Dentures or Wait?

If you must have one or more teeth removed due to tooth decay, gum disease, or injuries, the gaps in your mouth appear embarrassing and become a significant problem to confront. Fortunately, you can have affordable immediate dentures to replace the missing teeth and leave the dentist’s office with your mouth appearing natural.

You might not have access to permanent dentures after having teeth extracted for the reasons mentioned above. Permanent dental prosthetics require some time to fabricate, making immediate or temporary dentures a good option while waiting for your permanent prosthetics.

If you must have teeth extracted and plan ahead of time for the removal, you can discuss replacing your teeth with immediate dentures soon after the tooth removal procedure. Dentures in Calumet city fabricate the prosthetics before tooth removal to give you replacement teeth immediately after the procedure.

Do Immediate Dentures Appear Natural?

The Calumet city dentures provider fabricates dental prosthetics to appear natural, making them indistinguishable as best as possible. In addition, the dentist selects the color best matching the color of your natural teeth to help maintain a uniform appearance.

Can Immediate Dentures Be Permanent?

Immediate dentures are intended to function as interim replacements for your natural teeth until you can have a permanent solution for tooth loss. Immediate dentures will provide you with a functional replacement while you wait for the provider to complete your permanent denture.

Permanent dentures require meticulous crafting using durable material to function as a lasting replacement for missing teeth. In addition, permanent dentures require a mold of your mouth taken by the dentist after the swelling from tooth extraction has subsided. However, immediate dentures are created to fit your mouth before tooth extraction and are ready for placement soon after tooth removal.

Which Are Better: Immediate or Permanent Dentures?

As mentioned earlier, permanent dentures are made from durable materials because they are intended to last a long time. Patients getting their teeth extracted prefer using temporary dentures because it enables them to enjoy the functionality of their mouth. Unfortunately, as immediate dentures are prefabricated, they might not match your mouth aesthetics after removing your teeth.

The prefabricated dentures can cause irritation, pain, infection, and other dental conditions in the mouth. Dentists recommend getting permanent dentures from the Calumet city provider soon after they are available.

The fabrication of permanent dentures happens after molds of your mouth taken by the provider match your gums after your mouth has recovered from the tooth removal procedure. The molds help the provider to deliver permanent dentures offering an optimal fit, unlike immediate dentures.

Dentures require good dental hygiene, similar to your natural teeth. If you maintain excellent dental hygiene and get six monthly checkups from your dentist, you can rest assured the dentures will remain in your mouth without problems for years.

The Process to Get Immediate and Permanent Dentures

The process of getting immediate or permanent dentures requires several trips to the Calumet city provider to provide impressions of your teeth and gums to fabricate your dental prosthetics.

Measurements of your upper and lower jaw and the color and shape of your teeth start your initial appointment with the provider. If you have lost a few teeth and indeed getting partial dentures, the provider records your bite during your first appointment. The measurement process entails taking impressions of your teeth for the dentist to fabricate a temporary partial denture.

When you receive your partial, you can return to your dentist to have the teeth removed and get the immediate denture fitted in the Gap in your mouth.

On the other hand, if you must have all teeth extracted, you might find the need for complete dentures. In such cases, dentists initially remove the molars and allow the extraction site to heal for four to eight weeks. After your recovery, the dentist impressions your mouth and orders immediate dentures. The dentist schedules your process to extract your remaining teeth after your complete dentures are ready and installs the temporary teeth in your mouth after making any adjustments needed.

You must keep the immediate dentures in your mouth for at least 24 hours before removing them. You must also prepare for regular visits to your dentist to have your immediate dentures relined because the prosthetics can change during the healing process of your mouth when your gums start shrinking.

Recovery from Tooth Extraction

Expect some discomfort after having all your teeth removed. If you remove the temporary dentures, you might not find relief from the pain. In contrast, it might cause swelling in your mouth, making it challenging for you to fit the temporary appliance. As you transition to permanent dentures, you must give sufficient time for your mouth to heal correctly.

Your dentist starts the process of creating your permanent dentures only after you have recovered. For example, you might require 3 to 6 months for recovery after tooth removal. After you have recovered, the dentist needs many bite impressions to obtain a proper measurement of your jaw and mouth to help fabricate your permanent dentures and ensure they explicitly to your mouth shape.

If you intend to replace extracted or missing teeth with temporary immediate dentures, you can receive the prosthetics from Family Dental Care — Calumet City to ensure you don’t display gaps between your smile. However, you must remember that temporary prosthetics are not intended as permanent fixtures in your mouth and need replacement after you recover from the extraction procedure. However, immediate dentures help prevent embarrassment by closing gaps between your smile immediately after tooth removal.

Previous Blog Post

How Is TMJ Diagnosed?

The temporomandibular joint, functioning as a sliding hinge, connects your jawbone and skull. One joint exists on both sides of your jaw. TMJ disorder, a temporomandibular joint malfunction, causes pain in your jaw joint and the muscles controlling jaw movement. Determining the precise reasons for TMJ disorders is challenging, even for medical professionals. You might…

Read More

Nov 01, 2022

Are Porcelain Veneers Painful?

Dental veneers are the thin shells or covers of porcelain attached to the front teeth area. They help to make them appear even and whiter.

But few people are usually nervous before the dental procedure and feel that it might cause pain. But the reality is that numerous patients report zero discomforts or pain during the treatment.

The entire process is minimally invasive. The only preparation the dentist requires is the elimination of a thin enamel layer from the teeth.

Pain Management of Porcelain Veneers

It is normal to experience pain and discomfort after the veneer procedure. Patients usually feel sensitivity to cold and hot beverages and foods. The teeth need some time to heal after tooth structure removal.

The dentist in Calumet City also advises using warm salt water solution thrice a day to minimize swelling and pain. The professional also advises pain relievers.

What To Expect from the Veneers Process?

Below are the things you can expect during the natural looking veneers
procedure:

  • Consultation 

Fixing a consultation with a cosmetic dentist will help them understand your history and determine if you are the right candidate for the procedure.

  • Remove Extra Tooth Enamel

The dental expert eliminates the soft layer of tooth enamel from the front teeth. It prevents the teeth from appearing bulky and huge.

  • Dental Impression

The expert will take dental impressions and transfer them to the laboratory. The technician usually takes one to two weeks to make the veneer ready.

  • Bonding of Veneers  

The second appointment includes the bonding of cosmetic veneers to the front teeth. Before it, the professional will ensure that they are of the correct size, shade, and shape for your teeth.

They will perform some adjustments if anything does not fit your smile accurately. After that, the professional will clean, polish, and etch the teeth for bonding.

  • Enjoy a New Smile

Once the dentist attaches the veneers to our teeth, they will get rid of excess cement and check your bite. Then, the expert will send you home with a new smile.

Aftercare of Veneers Process

The following care tips will help your veneers last for many years without replacement or repairing:

  • Keep Inedible Things Away from Your Mouth

Do you have a habit of biting your nails or chewing a pen/pencil? Stop immediately. These bad habits can damage your porcelain dental veneers with time.

  • Limit or Stop the Consumption of Stain Causing Beverages and Foods

Restrict the intake of stain-causing drinks and foods like coffee, tea, berries, pasta sauce, etc. It will help you prevent stains on teeth and keep your dental veneer looking new for longer.

The dentist usually advises brushing your teeth immediately if you accidentally consume them.

  • Maintain a Good Dental Hygiene Routine

Like your teeth, cavities can also occur around and beneath the dental veneers. Although dental veneers resist staining better, but unlike enamel, it is vital to follow a good oral hygiene routine regularly.

It includes flossing and brushing as you do with your teeth. Keeping the dental veneers clean will prevent stains and discoloration with time. The dentist will also advise you to use oral care products.

  • Wear a Mouthguard 

Speak to a dental professional if you have a habit of grinding your teeth. They will recommend suitable treatment options or wearing a mouthguard while sleeping. The dental device will protect teeth from damage caused by grinding or clenching of teeth.

  • Choose Foods That Are Easy to Chew

Make sure you consume foods that are easy to chew if your teeth are sensitive. It will help you to heal speedily after the veneer procedure.

  • Visit the Dentist to Repair

With time, veneers experience slight stains around their edges. Get in touch with the dentist at the Family Dental Care – Calumet City or a dental clinic to repair your dental veneer.

After several years, you might need replacement or restoration. Speak to the dental professional regarding this.

Fix Your Cosmetic Veneer Consultation Today

Your smile is the “first” thing that most individuals notice. Fixing a consultation with the cosmetic dentist for porcelain veneers can help.

It will help you feel self-confident about your teeth which show when you talk, smile, and eat food.

Previous Blog Post

Is It Best to Get Immediate Dentures or Wait?

If you must have one or more teeth removed due to tooth decay, gum disease, or injuries, the gaps in your mouth appear embarrassing and become a significant problem to confront. Fortunately, you can have affordable immediate dentures to replace the missing teeth and leave the dentist’s office with your mouth appearing natural. You might…

Read More

Oct 26, 2022

How long do full mouth dental implants last?

If you’ve suffered from periodontal disease before, there’s a likelihood that you have loose or missing teeth. Your dentist may recommend you have whole-mouth dental implants to address the condition.

Full-mouth dental implants are ideal for you if you have severely decayed teeth. However, chronic teeth clenching leads to worn-out teeth, and traumatic injury may cause you to lose multiple teeth, which may compel your specialist to perform an extensive full dental implant placement procedure.

After restoring your multiple teeth, artificial teeth are used to replace them. Having undergone proper replacement, full-mouth dental implants can last long.

However, taking care of your dental implants through routine dental hygiene practices is crucial. This article evaluates full-mouth dental implants and their vital role in dental health.

Read more to find out how long dental implants can last.

Who Is A Candidate for Full Mouth Dental Implants?

Once you visit the dentist’s office, your specialist will examine your dental status and determine if having full-mouth dental implants is ideal.

Some of the dental scenarios that may compel you to have full-mouth dental implants include:

  • Missing multiple teeth along the dental ridge
  • Having adequate jawbone structure and mass that can support the implants
  • Healthy gum tissues that can support artificial teeth
  • If you have dentures and need a more permanent solution for replacing your teeth.

Whole-mouth dental implants improve oral health, but you must be committed to taking care of the implants to ensure they serve you for long.

How Can I Make My Dental Implants Last A Lifetime?

The condition of your gum tissues, teeth, and jaw bone will determine how long full mouth dental implants will serve you.

The expectancy of your implants will vary based on various aspects, and they can serve you for about 10-15 years.

Your dentist will provide proper guidelines on your dietary lifestyle, oral hygiene practices, and other essential tips.

It would be suitable if you also made regular dental visits to examine the placed implants’ condition.

How to Get Implants

The procedure of having different dental implants vary, and here’s what to expect while undergoing full mouth dental implant procedure:

  • If your bone mass is inadequate for full-mouth dental implants, you might undergo grafting of the jaw before having the implants.
  • After healing from the bone grafting, your implants are surgically placed into your jaws.
  • Later, your specialist attaches abutments to your implants.
  • Finally, crowns, bridges, or dentures are placed on your artificial teeth.

It’s crucial to undergo consultation before the procedure at the dentist’s office near you to familiarize yourself with the whole process. Some aspects to consider may include your dental and overall medical history.

If you are under certain medication, you may be exempted from the procedure until completion. You are likely to undergo several procedures at a go.

The whole process is painless by using a local anesthetic; however, you might experience discomfort after the procedure.

What’s the Role of Full Mouth Dental Implants

Full mouth dental implants have myriad benefits, and your dentist may recommend them due to the following benefits:

  • Aids in jaw bone regeneration and prevents bone loss
  • Enables you to restore proper dental hygiene practices
  • Artificial teeth can serve you for long
  • Restore your dental functionality
  • Improved dental appearance and quality of life

What Can Cause My Full Mouth Dental Implants to Fail?

Whole-mouth dental implants are vital in enhancing long-term dental sustainability.

However, various risk factors may compromise the implants and cause them to fail, and some include:

  • Underlying health issues like diabetes or cancer
  • Smoking leads to a weakened dental structure
  • Failure to take care of implants as expected
  • Development of gum disease or infection

You need to consult your dentist if you are considering full mouth implants. At Family Dental Care – Oak Lawn, we specialize in different dental implants and select the ideal one for you based on your dental condition.

Our specialists utilize advanced technology and ensure you find a personalized treatment plan, and we provide same-day implants, and all-on-4 implants, among others.

So, visit our dental office today and find optimal results by replacing your missing or loose teeth using dental implants.

Previous Blog Post

Are Porcelain Veneers Painful?

Dental veneers are the thin shells or covers of porcelain attached to the front teeth area. They help to make them appear even and whiter. But few people are usually nervous before the dental procedure and feel that it might cause pain. But the reality is that numerous patients report zero discomforts or pain during…

Read More

Oct 21, 2022

Why are my teeth yellow all of a sudden?

If you’ve been wondering why some teeth are a tad duller while others are pearly white, you need to consider the various aspects that affect teeth.

Ageing and other physiological factors may transform the color of your natural teeth. Our dentist may recommend you undergo several treatment procedures to address the discoloration and yellowing of teeth.

The dreaded yellow hue on your teeth occurs due to extrinsic and intrinsic staining, wearing out of the enamel protective layer, among others. This article provides knowledge on teeth yellowing and various approaches to address it.

What Causes Yellow or Discolored Teeth?

Are your teeth discolored or yellow? You can undergo yellow teeth treatment.

However, before we look at the various solutions for your smile makeover, let’s look at the risk factors and causes of discoloration and yellow teeth:

  • Excessive fluoride exposure – unlimited usage of fluoride leading to extrinsic staining. It’s needful to visit your dental office to undergo an ideal fluoride treatment. Fluoridated water and non-recommended products may contain fluoride in large amounts, and it’s unhealthy for your dental.
  • Enamel erosion – your tooth-protective layer can wear out, exposing the inner layer, the dentine that appears yellow.
  • Pigmented beverages and diet – certain foods contain tannins like red wine, potentially leading to yellow teeth. Also, excessive beverages like coffee and tea can result in long-term discoloration and yellowing teeth.
  • Poor oral hygiene – poor oral hygiene practices cause yellowing of your teeth; however, discoloration or yellowing may occur despite regular teeth cleaning.
  • Smoking – this is one of the leading causes of the yellowing of teeth. In addition, stains from products that manufacture cigarettes are stubborn and lead to discoloration.
  • Certain medical conditions – discolored or yellow teeth may result from illnesses like cancer that compel you to undergo chemotherapy.

Despite having yellow or discolored teeth, several options can transform your smile. Our dentist in 46321 may recommend you undergo professional teeth whitening and other home-based remedies to eliminate stains.

How can you Undergo a Teeth Whitening procedure?

It’s crucial to consult your specialist if teeth whitening is ideal for you. Numerous options can restore your pearly white smile, including home-based whitening gels, strips, rinses, or toothpaste, under precise dental instructions.

In addition, you can transform your yellowing teeth with various techniques, and some include:

Home-based whitening – you can use OTC whitening products, including emulsions, gel, or strips that contain a bleaching agent. The results are visible after a few days, and you need to use recommended products that are non-abrasive.

Some products have adverse effects, including sensitivity and enamel erosion. So, please be cautious while selecting from the wide array of home-based remedies and with your dentist’s instructions.

In-office whitening-It involves professional whitening done in your dental office as follows:

  1. Your specialist applies the whitening agent on your teeth or places a tray containing the agent on your teeth.
  2. A certain duration is needed for the agent to take effect.
  3. The laser is used to enhance whitening.

The severity of your stain determines the time taken for the procedure, and the process can take 30 minutes to two hours before completion.

Professional teeth whitening is recommended since the solution used in whitening is of the right amount since high quantities can adversely affect the enamel and cause teeth sensitivity.

If you are considering whitening your dental, the above options can enable your smile to remain appealing. Yellow teeth treatment is a suitable option, but you need to consult your dentist on the right product for whitening before you begin the procedure.

How to Maintain Whitened Teeth

Once you’ve revamped your white and naturally-looking smile, you must find the right routine to preserve the whitened teeth.

And here are some of the vital tips you shouldn’t miss out on:

  • Observe proper oral hygiene by flossing, rinsing, and brushing regularly
  • Use the right whitening regimen as provided by your specialist
  • Make periodic visits to your specialist for dental exams and cleaning

At Family Dental Care – Munster, we recommend you keep your teeth pearly white by following all the instructions after whitening.

In addition, you need to ensure your dentist recommends all home-based products. Visit our team today, undergo yellow teeth treatment, and transform your smile.

Previous Blog Post

How long do full mouth dental implants last?

If you’ve suffered from periodontal disease before, there’s a likelihood that you have loose or missing teeth. Your dentist may recommend you have whole-mouth dental implants to address the condition. Full-mouth dental implants are ideal for you if you have severely decayed teeth. However, chronic teeth clenching leads to worn-out teeth, and traumatic injury may…

Read More

Can a root canal tooth get reinfected
Oct 16, 2022

Can a Root Canal Tooth Get Reinfected?

If your tooth is infected or severely decayed to the pulp, you need to undergo a root canal. The therapeutic option safeguards your tooth and bone from further deterioration.

It’s rare for a tooth that has undergone root can be reinfected or decay. However, some scenarios may compel the dentist to perform a root canal again.

Some of the reasons why your tooth gets reinfected include:

  • Delay in the placement of a crown that would protect the tooth against further decay allowing bacterial infection
  • The original cover for the pulp cavity wasn’t sufficient to prevent the entry of bacteria.
  • Disinfection of the pulp chamber wasn’t thoroughly done.

Why You May Need Retreatment After a Root Canal

Whilst you’ve undergone a successful root canal procedure, your tooth might experience hypersensitivity or reinfection. Various factors contribute to the failure of your root canal to heal appropriately, including:

  • Missing out on tiny or hidden canals during the initial root canal may leave bacteria inside, leading to reinfection.
  • Delay placing permanent fillings and using temporary fillings might heighten the chance of reinfection after a root canal.
  • Entry of bacteria under the dental fillings before placing fillings leads to reinfection.
  • Failure to maintain proper hygiene leads to decay and the formation of cavities after undergoing a root canal.
  • The dental crown or fillings placed on your tooth may become loose, break or have cracks making the tooth vulnerable to infection.

Retreating a root canal with an infection can alleviate the risk of undergoing extensive dental procedures. A root canal removes infected pulp and addresses immensely decayed tooth roots.

The pulp holds the tooth’s connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels; once damaged, your tooth doesn’t find nourishment like before.

Endodontic therapy preserves your natural tooth from permanent loss or extraction. Retreatment also alleviates pain that results from an infection or tooth decay.

How reinfection Occurs

A successful root canal procedure is when all the microbes available at the pulp are expelled. However, your tooth is made of tiny root canals, and the tooth’s anatomy is complex.

Therefore, some microbes might remain after disinfecting the tooth, triggering reinfection.

Below are the risk factors for root canal reinfections:

  • Missing root canals- during the endodontic treatment, tiny and curved root canals may be unreachable. Bacteria that remain breed leading to reinfection. However, with technological advancement, a microscope-assisted root canal can help minimize the risk of recurring infection.
  • Delay in placing protective fillings- Root Canal Therapy involves using specialized drills and other tools to access the infected pulp. Upon cleansing, your tooth has to be covered with fillings. However, before the permanent fillings are fabricated, temporary fillings are provided. The delay in having a permanent solution can lead to reinfection, and you require retreatment.
  • Saliva entry-saliva may enter the pulp before treatment is complete, and saliva contains bacteria, leading to reinfection.
  • Poor oral hygiene- Your specialist can perfectly accomplish root canal treatment. However, failure to maintain a proper oral hygiene regimen may lead to microbial invasion. Therefore, you need to observe appropriate hygiene after undergoing a root canal.
  • Worn out, cracked, or loose fillings or dental crown-protective seals may have chips or cracks or may become loose for various reasons. Thus, bacteria are likely to infiltrate the tooth and cause another infection.

Retreating a root canal with infection is the surest way to prevent the infection from spreading and protect your tooth from further damage.

What You Should Know About Reinfected Root Canals

You can easily identify a reinfected tooth that has undergone the endodontic process since the symptoms manifest as before.

For instance, you can locate reinfection if you experience the following:

  • A sensitive tooth with temperature variations
  • Persistent pain or pressure
  • Presence of lumps on your gum

If you face such symptoms, you need to visit the dentist near you for root canal therapy.

Final Word

A root canal is an ideal procedure for preventing infection. At Family Dental Care – Evergreen Park, we provide quality root canal treatment to prevent infection and decay from recurring.

In addition, our endodontists perform retreatments after a root canal to preserve your tooth from infection. Please visit our experts today and safeguard your tooth from decay and infection.

Previous Blog Post

Why are my teeth yellow all of a sudden?

If you’ve been wondering why some teeth are a tad duller while others are pearly white, you need to consider the various aspects that affect teeth. Ageing and other physiological factors may transform the color of your natural teeth. Our dentist may recommend you undergo several treatment procedures to address the discoloration and yellowing of…

Read More

Oct 11, 2022

How Many Times Can a Tooth Be Bonded?

An imperfect smile may be debilitating, and there are various cosmetic dental procedures that the dentist may recommend.

Cosmetic dental bonding is one of the options that involve covering tooth chips or cracks and revamping your smile. Bonding involves using composite resin material that’s tooth-colored to resemble the shade of your tooth and prevent dental flaws.

The same-day procedure is non-invasive and is ideal for addressing most of your cosmetic needs. Dental bonding can last for about ten years before replacement.

There are various aspects to consider in enhancing the longevity of bonding material. Read on to learn more about dental bonding and its role in addressing your dental flaws.

How Long Does It Take to Bond A Tooth?

Dental bonding at a dentist’s office requires about one hour.

However, they are various factors that involve the duration of bonding and how long the bonded tooth will serve you, including:

  • The material selected for your tooth
  • Where the bonding material will be applied
  • Condition of your teeth that need bonding and how they’ll impact durability
  • Various habits like biting nails, teeth clenching, and eating sticky or hard foods

While bonding is done to repair your damaged tooth and seal cracks or stains, it lasts five to 10 years. The procedure combines composite resin material and curing light.

Can Dental Bonding Be Redone?

Dental bonding isn’t a permanent dental procedure, and several reasons compel your dentist to repair your bonded tooth, including:

  • The bonding material is vulnerable to staining and requires replacement.
  • The composite resin material isn’t as robust as the natural tooth, and it’s predisposed to wear and tear if you eat hard foods.
  • If you clench your teeth or face oral malocclusions, you will likely bite down on the bonding material, causing chips or breakage.

The reasons above may necessitate cosmetic dental bonding to be redone by your dentist.

You’ll easily identify changes on your bite, or the material may become loose. You need to visit your dentist for an immediate replacement to safeguard your bonded tooth from further deterioration.

How to Enhance Durability of Bonded Teeth

Following good oral hygiene practices can prolong the bonded material on your teeth. You need to take care of the resin material like your natural teeth.

If you follow all the instructions provided by your dentist on aftercare of bonded teeth, it can serve you for a long. You can find better results with bonded teeth, and some of your dental functionalities are restored.

Some of the vital guidelines you need to follow include:

  • After teeth bonding, avoid pigmented beverages and food that cause staining, including tea, coffee, and smoking.
  • Avoid chewing hard food like candy and ice, and wear night guards if you clench your teeth.
  • Use the ideal flossing techniques to avoid hurting the bonding material. It’s crucial to consult your cosmetic dental bonding specialist on the recommended flossing techniques.
  • Brush your teeth regularly by using a soft-bristled toothbrush. To maintain high hygiene standards, replace your toothbrush after three months. Brushing too vigorously would damage your bonding material.
  • Visit your general dentist for regular checkups to ensure dental exams and cleaning is done and any underlying issues are detected and addressed on time.
  • Undergo replacement if you notice unusual signs on your bonding material, like staining or damage.

Can Dental Bonding Be Removed Without Hurting Your Teeth?

The removal of the bonding material is non-invasive and painless. However, if bonding has been done on the tooth enamel or dentine layer, your tooth has to be etched before applying the bonding material.

Thus, a small portion of the enamel may be removed. You can also undergo dental bonding after Invisalign treatment if your teeth are stained.

The dentist’s office near you uses advanced techniques to remove the bonding material without damaging your teeth.

Your cosmetic dentist ensures your smile makeover is perfect, and at Family Dental Care – Crestwood, we guide you on the ideal cosmetic procedures before undergoing one.

During your appointment, we discuss your cosmetic preferences and enable you to select suitable treatment options for your dental.

Our cosmetic dentist further provides you with vital guidelines on how to preserve your bonded teeth.

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