If root canal treatment has been recommended for you, you’re probably a little nervous. Maybe you’re a LOT nervous, but if you’re thinking about putting off your treatment, don’t. If you need root canal therapy, the underlying conditions that necessitate it will not go away left untreated. In fact, they’ll just get worse and worse over time, causing you more pain and discomfort and potentially leading to more serious complications.
If you don’t treat the infection in your tooth, it will spread. Beginning at your tooth’s roots, it will travel to your jawbone and eventually to your healthy teeth. Your entire jawbone can be put at risk. By treating your infection promptly with root canal therapy, your mouth can be free of infection and you will begin the process of healing.
Serious diseases like heart disease and diabetes have been directly linked to gum disease. During pregnancy, many problems including low birth weight and premature birth can occur as a direct result of infection and bacteria in the mouth. Several types of cancers have all been shown to have a link to poor overall oral health. The mouth is truly the pathway for everything that goes into the body, and if it’s providing a steady stream of bacteria and infection to be spread throughout your body, it’s extremely problematic.
Don’t worry about pain following your procedure. Root canal therapies are meant to relieve pain, not cause it. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel after your mouth is infection-free.
If you ignore your infected tooth for long enough, it may either fall out on its own or need to be extracted. Missing teeth come with a long list of oral issues, including difficulties with bite alignment and speech only corrected with some kind of dental restoration.
Don’t wait to have your root canal treatment. Don’t open yourself up to the myriad of consequences that could result from postponing treatment.
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If you are considering straightening your teeth, you may be looking into various orthodontic options. One treatment for correcting a crooked or overcrowded smile is Invisalign. Invisalign uses a clear set of BPA-free plastic trays called aligners to straighten teeth without the metal and brackets associated with traditional braces. The following are some common questions you may have about Invisalign:
Who is a good candidate for Invisalign? Patients who have healthy teeth and gums are usually good candidates for Invisalign. Adults, teens, and older children whose teeth, including their second molars, have grown in completely can be considered for treatment with Invisalign.
What kinds of problems can Invisalign correct? Invisalign corrects the same dental problems as traditional braces, including simple to severe overcrowding, gaps, crossbite, overbite, and underbite.
How long does Invisalign treatment take to complete? Most Invisalign cases are completed within one year. However, the exact amount of treatment time is dependent on your individual situation.
How long do I have to wear the aligners each day? You will remove the Invisalign aligners when you eat, drink, or clean your teeth. Otherwise, the aligners should be worn for a recommended 22 hours per day to achieve the desired results.
Are there food restrictions with Invisalign? Because you remove the aligners when you eat, there are no limitations to the types of food you can eat while undergoing treatment.
Are retainers necessary with Invisalign? Once you have completed treatment, you will need to wear retainers while you sleep to ensure your teeth stay perfectly straight.
To determine if Invisalign is a viable option for your specific orthodontic needs, you should schedule a consultation with an Invisalign trained dental professional where you can ask additional questions specific to your case. No matter what stage of your life, Invisalign offers a comfortable, state-of-the-art approach to beautifying and improving the quality of your smile.
We treat patients from Ottawa and the surrounding area
Your third molars, or wisdom teeth, are usually the last to make their appearance in your mouth. Some people don’t even have them break through at all. Whether or not they erupt, they can wreak havoc in your mouth if there isn’t enough room for them. If they become impacted, removal becomes even more important.
Your dentist will monitor your wisdom teeth through examinations and X-rays, and will recommend extraction if it appears they may cause any complications. Some dentists suggest removing them even if they aren’t impacted, as they can be difficult to clean and therefore prone to decay. Wisdom teeth may even get infected, requiring immediate medical attention. Symptoms of infected wisdom teeth can include:
- Pain in the tooth and gums
- Gum bleeding
- Gum inflammation
- Swelling in the face and jaw
- Headaches
- Bad breath
If your dentist says you need to have your wisdom teeth extracted, don’t put it off because it is better to have them removed before further complications occur. Usually, you will be referred to an oral surgeon for extraction. If only one tooth is involved, local anesthesia may be sufficient. The removal of multiple wisdom teeth typically requires general anesthesia, and is a day surgery so that you can return home afterwards.
It is important for you to follow your doctor’s instructions after tooth extraction to avoid problems. Your activities might be restricted for the first day or two, ice or heat can be helpful, and care should be taken if stitches are present. You will also be given a list of foods that are suggested during your recovery. If you follow all of your doctor’s advice, you can be expect to return to your normal activities soon and no longer have to worry about any problems those teeth might cause.
We treat patients from Ottawa and the surrounding area
Severe dental phobia can cause people to completely avoid dental examinations and treatments. Anxiety about dental treatment can develop for many reasons, including fear of pain, the feeling of not having control, fear of needles, a strong gag reflex, or a history of bad dental experiences. If you suffer from extreme dental fears causing you to neglect necessary oral care, sedation dentistry may be the answer to your problem.
A trained sedation dentist can offer a variety of options to address your situation:
- Minimal sedation in the form of nitrous oxide allows you to be awake but relaxed during dental treatment and may be a good option for cleanings, routine examinations, or minor procedures. Your dentist is able to control the amount of sedation you receive.
- Oral conscious sedation also allows you to remain awake during procedures, but may cause you to feel drowsy and will keep you from having much memory of the treatment. A stronger dose can be given to produce more moderate sedation, in which case you may fall asleep but can easily be awakened.
- IV sedation is when a sedative drug is administered through a vein. This type of sedation works rapidly and also allows your dental professional to adjust the level of sedation during treatment.
- General anesthesia provides deep sedation through medications administered that cause nearly complete or total unconsciousness. With general anesthesia you cannot be awakened until the effects of the drugs have dissipated.
Sedation dentistry can be used for any type of dental procedure, from routine cleanings to more complicated, invasive procedures. Thanks to advances in sedation dentistry, you no longer have to fear the dentist and avoid necessary oral health care.
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One of the most recent innovations in modern orthodontics is Invisalign. These unique clear aligners are becoming increasingly popular for improving smiles without the stigma associated with traditional braces. Invisalign aligners straighten teeth by placing gentle pressure on them to move into better positions. This solution offers distinct advantages to some of the other options in orthodontics.
Hidden appearance:
One of the most obvious benefits of Invisalign is that the clear plastic is practically invisible in your mouth. The subtle appearance of the retainers is much less obtrusive than traditional metal braces. For patients who want to diminish the fact that they are undergoing orthodontic treatment, Invisalign in the perfect solution. Personal and professional relationships are not at risk of embarrassment due to being self-conscious about your smile.
Easy removal:
You will remove aligners from your mouth when eating or performing oral hygiene tasks. There are no impacts to your diet during Invisalign treatment, since you take out the aligners anytime you eat. Brushing and flossing are performed normally without having to worry about cleaning food debris out of intrusive wires and brackets. This can have positive impacts on your oral health as well.
Increased comfort:
The lack of metal pieces in the aligners means a more comfortable experience. Traditional braces have a reputation for poking the mouth or breaking. Invisalign offers a clear advantage of being very comfortable when worn.
Boosted confidence:
No matter if you are a teenager or an adult wearing braces, it can be embarrassing to have a mouth full of metal in your smile. The invisible quality of Invisalign eliminates those self-conscious feelings, giving you the confidence to smile, laugh and eat as usual even while undergoing treatment.
If these benefits of Invisalign sound appealing to you, schedule an appointment with a qualified orthodontist who provides this type of treatment. It may be the winning route to your beautiful smile.
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Invisalign Teen is a revolutionary way to straighten your adolescent’s teeth without the hassle of traditional metal braces. Invisalign utilizes a system of clear, removable aligner trays that are custom fit to your teen. The aligners are worn over the teeth and changed for a new set every two weeks. Over time, your teen’s teeth move into place, resulting in a beautiful, straight smile. If you are considering Invisalign Teen, make sure you learn the facts.
- With proper use, Invisalign is capable of treating mild to more extreme orthodontic problems. This includes underbite, overbite, gaps, and excessive crowding.
- Because they are removable, Invisalign allows your teen the flexibility to play sports without worrying about damaging the appliance. Musicians are also able to play their instruments without wires and brackets getting in the way.
- Your teen can continue to enjoy favorite foods with Invisalign, unlike traditional braces that come with a long list of foods that should be avoided.
- Invisalign aligners are easily removed for cleaning and tooth brushing and flossing.
- The normal treatment time is approximately the same or less as with metal braces, but will depend largely on the condition of your teen’s teeth.
- For optimal results in the least amount of time, it is recommended that your teen wears the Invisalign aligners 20-22 hours per day. Invisalign Teen has a built-in indicator that alerts your orthodontist if the aligners are being worn the minimum about of time required.
- Your teen will enjoy less time at the orthodontist’s office with Invisalign. Traditional braces require routine adjustment and also often have broken brackets and wires that need repair. With Invisalign, your teen only needs an office visit every 4-6 weeks.
- Most adolescents who need orthodontics are candidates for treatment with Invisalign. Your teen should be evaluated by an orthodontist who is a qualified Invisalign provider.
Contact your orthodontist to find out if treatment with Invisalign Teen is offered so your child can start enjoying the benefits of a perfect new smile.
We treat patients from Ottawa and the surrounding area
