Myths About Root Canal Treatment

Root canal is usually painful
Most people fear that a root canal treatment is usually associated with pain during treatment. Your dentist or endodontist will give a local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. If you are very apprehensive and tense you may need sedation, such as nitrous oxide. This eliminates the pain that is caused due to the procedure. If you have pain while the procedure is being done, tell your dentist about it. Your dentist will adjust the technique to avoid causing pain again or give more anesthesia if required.

As my tooth's nerves are removed, I won't feel any pain
Some people think that after the root canal treatment they won’t feel any pain in the treated tooth. However this is not true. Even though the pulp of the tooth is removed the nerves that surround your tooth can feel pressure and touch. These sensations are transmitted by the nerves in the surrounding tissue. In addition after the procedure you can have soreness in the concerned tooth for two to three days. You may be prescribed pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease the discomfort.

Why should I get a root canal treatment if the tooth may have to be taken out eventually?
A tooth after root canal treatment can last for the rest of your life with proper care. To increase the longevity of your teeth maintain good oral hygiene. To maintain healthy teeth and gums brush with fluoride toothpaste (twice a day) and floss everyday. Go for regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. Root canal treatment has helped to save several teeth that would or else need extraction.

If I don’t have any pain, I don't really need a root canal
It is very much possible that your tooth that needs root canal therapy may not have pain. But remember that absence of pain does not mean that your tooth is healthy. Like an infection of the pulp of the tooth may not cause pain initially. But without treatment it can cause pain and swelling. In some cases untreated infection can cause pus accumulation at the root tip in the jawbone, forming an abscess. Untreated abscess can extend and destroy the bone around the tooth and cause pain. After examination if your dentist recommends root canal treatment get it done even if there are no symptoms.

In root canal therapy the roots of my tooth are removed, or my whole tooth is removed
A tooth has outer enamel, the dentin (main body of the tooth) and soft tooth pulp (in the center of the tooth and in canals also called root canals). Nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth through the end of the root (called the apex) and then pass through a canal inside the root to the pulp chamber. In root canal treatment, the tooth pulp which may be inflamed or infected is removed. After removing the diseased pulp tissue, the space is cleaned, shaped and filled. In root canal therapy the roots of the tooth or the whole tooth is not removed.

  Dr. Claudio A. Sorrentino

  www.dentalpalermo.com.ar

How Does Fluoride Prevent Tooth Decay?

Cavity or tooth decay is one of the most frequently occurring tooth problems these days. This is caused by bacteria which are present everywhere - in our mouths, toothbrushes and even teeth. In teeth, they start accumulating in the form of plaque, saliva and remains of food. After settling on the teeth, these organisms feed themselves on the food particles remaining there and acid is produced as a consequence of their feasting. This acid corrodes the tooth enamel and is responsible for causing tooth decay.

Although human tooth enamel can be repaired to a moderate extent by re-mineralizing, it is not that effective in tooth decay as the rate of corrosion caused by the acid surpasses the rate of restoration.

Fluoride, a natural mineral present in the crust of the earth, helps in reducing the cavity. It is also found in certain water supplies and foodstuffs. It is believed that people who drink fluoridated water can prevent tooth decay up to approximately 67% in comparison to those who do not consume naturally fluoridated water. But the question that arises here is how does fluoride prevent tooth decay?

When we eat something, the acid produced as a result of bacterial activity in saliva causes demineralisation which dissolves the phosphorous and calcium present on the tooth enamel. Fluoride slows down this process that takes place in the mouth naturally.
When the saliva is not much acidic, fluoride adopts the opposite approach of replenishing the phosphorous and calcium levels of the teeth in order to strengthen and harden them. This procedure causes re-mineralsation in teeth. The mineral deposits make the enamel harder and stronger to prevent dissolution in the subsequent demineraliSation stage.
Fluoride also helps in developing and strengthening children’s teeth, leading to hardening up of the enamel of the teeth that have already appeared and also the baby or milk teeth that are yet to grow.

Another important question that arises is how will one make sure that he or she is consuming adequate amount of fluoride content to prevent cavity?

If people do not consume fluoridated water, use of fluoride toothpaste will ensure that sufficient fluoride is provided to children as well as adults.

Another alternative available is fluoride drops or tablets prescribed by the dentists or pediatricians to children as well as to adults.
If the source of water is from public water supply, one can evaluate its fluoride content by calling an officer from the local water supply office.
If the source is a private well or private boring, one can get it tested by an independent research laboratory or by any water testing company that offers these kinds of water testing services.

Some kind of action to prevent cavity is very important. If left untreated, the bacterial acid can even make the enamel hollow from inside thus causing a hole into the pulp and dentin layers of the teeth. Healthy and disease free teeth are not only vital for oral health, they are also important to prevent certain other health problems including those of the heart.

  Dr. Claudio A. Sorrentino

  www.dentalpalermo.com.ar

All about Dental Sealants and how they help prevent Tooth Decay

At times your dentist may place a plastic coating on the chewing (occlusal) surface of the permanent back teeth (the molars and premolars). This plastic coating is known as sealant and it helps to protect the teeth from decay.

Why are dental sealants used on teeth?

The chewing (occlusal) surface of the permanent back teeth (the molars and premolars) has grooves or "fissures." Food particles get deposited in the narrow grooves and it can be difficult to clean them as the fissures can be deep and narrower than even a single bristle of a toothbrush. Plaque (a sticky substance that is formed when bacteria present in the mouth get deposited along with saliva, food particles and other natural substances on the surface of the teeth) gets accumulated in them. The bacteria in plaque break the sugar (carbohydrate) in food and lead to formation of acid in the mouth and can lead to tooth decay if it is not removed. The dental sealants protect the grooved and pitted areas by creating a smooth surface by covering the fissured area.

When are dental sealants applied?

In children a dentist may apply sealant as soon as the molar teeth come fully into the mouth (erupt) to protect them from caries. Application of dental sealant on the chewing (occlusal) surfaces of these teeth helps to protect the tooth from caries.

Can dental sealants be used only on the chewing surface of molar and premolar permanent teeth?

Dental sealants are mostly used to cover the chewing (occlusal) surfaces of the back permanent teeth (the molars and premolars) as they have grooves or pits. The sealant helps to protect these teeth for decay. They may be placed on other teeth if they have grooves or pits.

Can dental sealants be used on teeth of adults?

Yes sealants can be placed on teeth of adults as well. But they are used less often in adults. They are used in adults if they have deep grooves and fissures that do not already have fillings or dental sealants.

What do dental sealants look like?

Various types of sealant are present. They can be clear, white or have a slight tint depending on the type of dental sealant that is used.

How are dental sealants placed?

Your dentist will first clean your teeth with a paste and brush, then rinse and dry your tooth/teeth. An acidic solution will be placed on the tooth to make a fine rougher surface than the surrounding tooth enamel (this rough surface promotes the dental sealant to attach to the tooth). After drying the tooth your dentist will place the liquid dental sealant on the tooth and it is hardened by using a light. After the sealant hardens on the tooth you can chew on the tooth again.

How long does a dental sealant last?

Dental sealants have been proven to be effective in preventing decay on chewing (occlusal) surfaces. They can last for years and can be reapplied if needed.

Is fluoride needed after dental sealant is placed?

Yes, as the sealants protect only the surface they are applied on where as fluoride protects all the surfaces of the tooth from decay and cavities.

  Dr. Claudio A. Sorrentino

  www.dentalpalermo.com.ar