Recovering From a Root Canal Procedure

Recovering From a Root Canal Procedure

rootcanal2014After your root canal procedure, you may feel some discomfort in the gums surrounding your tooth. Tools used to isolate your tooth from the surrounding area may cause the tenderness in your oral cavity. Any soreness you experience should be not that severe and should dissipate within a couple of days.

It is, in fact, common for the tooth to be tender after a root canal procedure. Because the frequent source of pain stems from inflammation of the tissues surrounding the root, over-the-counter painkillers with anti-inflammatory properties such as ibuprofen or aspirin are strongly suggested. Your endodontist may also prescribe a narcotic analgesic that provides a higher level of pain relief. Always consult your endodontist to be sure that any over-the-counter medication you take is right for you.

Wait no more to take your pain medication until your pain is severe. Narcotic pain relievers can make you feel sleepy or dizzy. Refrain from eating anything until the numbness in your mouth does away. Eating when your mouth is numb with no sensation may cause you to bite your cheek or tongue. Do not chew on hard foods on the side until it is completely restored.

In some cases, a root canal procedure can result in an infection that can become severe if left untreated. Most often, endodontists will prescribe a type of antibiotic. Be sure to take the full course of any antibiotic you are given to prevent resistance of happening.

Should you be experiencing any difficulty that seems out of the ordinary, contact your endodontist immediately. A lot of times, you will be informed that what you are going through is routine and can be handled by you with no direct assistance from them.

Contact Toronto endodontist at Dr. Cruz’s office right away if you experience pain that does not lessen with pain medication, or if your new filling feels loose or falls out. Besides that, you should call immediately if your tooth cracks, fractures or hurts when you bite down. Also, if you have pain or swelling that spreads up your gums and cheek. Given their know-how and experience, your endodontist will provide you sound advice for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry

Are you considering sedation dentistry to improve your comfort during an oral procedure? If so, you may have questions. Here are some of the most common.

What is sedation dentistry?

  • Sedation dentistry is any dental procedure performed while under some type of anesthesia. It relaxes the patient so that the dentist can perform therapies while the patient is at ease.

What is conscious sedation?

  • Conscious sedation is the type of sedation dentistry that allows the patient to be relaxed, but still responsive to the requests of the dentist.

Why should I consider sedation dentistry?

  • If you are experiencing any trepidation or fears regarding your upcoming dental therapy, sedation dentistry may be for you. It allows you to undergo necessary dental treatments while you feel comfortable, stress-free and relaxed.

What types of sedation dentistry are available to me?

  • Oral sedation may be achieved using a pill that can be taken an hour before the procedure to calm the nerves. Some dentists prescribe a pill that is to be taken the night prior to the procedure, to ensure restful sleep.
  • Inhaled sedation is delivered utilizing nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. Your dental professional controls the amount of gas you are receiving throughout your procedure. The feeling of inhaled sedation is one of “floating away” and of complete relaxation.

Is sedation dentistry safe?

  • Yes, it is. Your dentist will speak with you regarding any risk factors such as age or medical conditions and will recommend the best, safest type of sedation for you.

If you have questions about sedation dentistry and what type of conscious sedation might be best for you, talk to Toronto dentist Dr. Cruz today. All of the answers you need should be provided. Don’t spend another dental visit full of anxiety or fear; explore sedation dentistry today.

Getting That Perfect Smile

Getting That Perfect Smile

shutterstock_113395447No matter where someone is in life, the chances are that they wish to have a better smile. Do you know that beautiful, bright smiles are possible through a smile makeover? This esthetic dentistry work is the specialty of dentists, who focus on helping you achieve the look you’ve always wanted. They do so by providing many alternatives to make your smile as appealing as possible. Smile makeovers examine all aspects of your smile and suggest ways to improve it. Here are regular treatments that people obtain during smile makeovers.

Dental veneers
A proven way to restore chipped, worn, broken, badly stained, or otherwise damaged teeth are with dental veneers. They are typically made of porcelain. These thin shells prosthetics are fixed to the fronts of your teeth to give you a beautiful permanent smile. Veneers are great as they provide a rapid makeover by giving you a customized, bright new smile.

Invisalign
An innovative new breakthrough in orthodontics is Invisalign aligners. Gone are the days where metal braces are the only option. These clear plastic trays gently nudge your teeth into better positions while avoiding the hassles associated with traditional metal braces, such as noticeable brackets, diet restrictions, and mouth irritations. Invisalign aligners are removable for eating and cleaning, and usually require about a year for complete correction.

Teeth whitening
A rapid method to dramatically improve your smile is teeth whitening. Teeth naturally become discolored with age and stains from foods and drinks, so brightening smiles is a very pleasant smile makeover goal. This will not only make your smile more radiant; it will also give you a more youthful appearance. The perfect technique to whiten your teeth by several shades is through efficient methods performed in your dentist’s office.

Dental implants
For anyone with missing teeth, dental implants provide a great way to permanently restore both the appearance and function of your smile. It involves surgically inserting an artificial tooth root made of titanium into your jaw, where it fuses with your bone in a process known as osseointegration and can then support a crown placed on top, resulting in a comfortable and strong tooth.

Toronto dentist Dr. Cruz

How to Prepare Your Child for Wisdom Teeth Extraction

If your teen is scheduled to have wisdom teeth extraction surgery, you might be feeling stressed-out about the procedure and how you can best prepare for what’s to come. Surgery can be frightening. As the adult, it’s your role to get the information you need and to educate and calm your teen so that you both have a feeling of confidence and safety during all steps of the oral surgery.

Don’t mislead your teen about the procedure or recovery time. Talk about the reasons the wisdom teeth need to be extracted; be honest about the issues. Talk about the oral surgeon and his or her qualifications and why this particular surgeon was chosen. Help give your teen a sense of trust in the surgeon, to help calm his or her nerves.

Listen to everything your child has to say regarding the surgery. Validate all your child’s feelings and statements and offer any guidance you can from your own life’s experiences. Be open to allowing a conversation between the surgeon and your teen. Your oral surgeon has experience in dealing with fearful patients and can often remedy fearful thoughts and feelings more efficiently than a parent.

Reassure your child that you won’t be far away during or after the procedure. Even though your teen may be already in college, surgical procedures can be frightening and you might be surprised at how much your teen may lean on you, emotionally and physically during this time.

Answer any of your child’s questions honestly. Go over any parts of the surgery that are confusing to your teen. This knowledge can restore a sense of control to the patient, and allow the patient to feel prepared to recover.

Your teen’s oral maxillofacial surgeon wants your teen to be comfortable during the surgery. Sedation dentistry options may be offered as early as the night before, so that the patient can be well-rested and calm for the procedure.

 

Dentist in Toronto

Caring for your New Dental Implants

Caring for your New Dental Implants

Dental-Implant-MPOPatients who have recently completed dental implant surgery want to ensure that their new implants are successful and that they last for years to come. Follow these tips to care for your new dental implants:

Once you’ve returned home following your oral surgical procedure, get some rest. Allowing your body time to heal is the best first step you can take toward successful dental implant treatment.

Keep a close eye on your dental implant site. Dental implants are at risk for peri-implantitis, an inflammation and infection of the bone that holds the implant in place. Untreated peri-implantitis can lead to implant failure. If you suspect a problem with your dental implant, contact your oral surgeon immediately for advice.

Once your dental implant is in place, you must continue – or develop and maintain – a routine of good oral hygiene. Flossing once a day, brushing twice daily and rinsing your mouth following meals can keep all of your teeth healthy, not just your dental implant. Continue to see your dentist twice a year for regular checkups and professional cleanings.

If you are a smoker, you need to stop. Smoking can seriously affect your overall health, and it can contribute to implant failure. If you need assistance quitting smoking, ask to your dentist for tips.

Avoid chewing hard foods such as ice, hard candies or nuts following dental implant surgery. Hard foods like these can damage your dental implant and your natural teeth.

 

Are You Considering a Smile Makeover?

Are You Considering a Smile Makeover?

healthysmileIf you are unhappy with your smile and are considering a smile makeover, you will find the choices of procedures and treatments available to be vast and possibly overwhelming. From orthodontics to implants to veneers to teeth whitening and much more, it is important to consider your dental issues as well as your goals when considering options for your smile makeover.

Dark, stained, or discolored teeth age your appearance. Teeth whitening can quickly and easily improve the color of your natural teeth. Old silver fillings and restorations can also be replaced with tooth-colored composite material to improve their appearance.

Uneven, cracked, chipped, or out of proportion teeth can affect the balance of your smile. These issues can be corrected with cosmetic bonding or veneers to restore the harmony of your face. Uneven spacing, gaps, crooked or missing teeth can be corrected with implants or orthodontics to greatly improve your facial aesthetics.

Missing or worn down teeth can cause your face to change shape, making you appear older. This problem can be corrected through orthodontics or oral surgery to fill out the cheeks and face and create a more youthful appearance.

Even a “gummy” smile that causes your teeth to look shorter can be corrected, creating the appearance of longer, more youthful teeth. The proportion of your teeth is important in creating a younger, more appealing overall appearance.

In cooperation with your dentist, all of your dental concerns should be taken into consideration while planning treatments and procedures that are customized to fit your smile makeover needs. Your smile makeover plan may include a combination of cosmetic and restorative treatments to achieve your desired results. With careful consideration, you can soon be on your way to a more beautiful smile!