Day: August 22, 2022

An endodontist, for the uninitiated, specializes in treating conditions that concern dental pulp. Usually, dentists can perform basic endodontic treatments, and when they feel that the patient needs more elaborate and specialized care, they will recommend seeing an endodontist. If you are visiting a Richmond family dentistry clinic, ask if they offer endodontic care. In this post, we are sharing some key signs that you need to see an endodontist.

1. Pain in a tooth. If you have a toothache that refuses to get better despite taking medicines periodically, you need to check with an endodontist to determine whether the decay is deep inside. This may require a root canal treatment; if that is not possible, the dentist may also recommend an extraction.
2. Continuous pain after professional cleaning. Because professional cleaning removes debris and plaque, you may feel some sensitivity in your gums. However, if there is pain that doesn’t seem normal, consult an endodontist immediately. There may be an undiagnosed cavity.
3. Increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods. While it is okay to feel the brain freeze when having ice cream, continuous teeth sensitivity to hot or cold foods is not a good sign. In some cases, endodontic procedures might be required to fix the concern, and your dentist will do a detailed examination to find the root cause. Besides a deep infection, it could be a sign of weaker teeth enamel.
4. Swelling in the gums. If you have swelling around a tooth or there is inflammation of the gums, you must consult an endodontist immediately. This could be an infection of the tooth pulp, which can only cause more issues if not treated. The infection can even impact the jawbone. Depending on the diagnosis, the endodontist may recommend RCT.
5. Severe discoloration of a tooth. Certain foods, including wine, coffee, and tea, can stain our teeth, but if you find that there is an unusual discoloration of one tooth, check with your dentist. It could be a sign of an infection, which is possibly progressing fast and would eventually end up causing inflammation of the gums.

Timely endodontic care can help avoid an extraction that is likely to be more painful. Also, if you remove the tooth, you will have to go for dental implants or dentures, which are expensive options. Get an appointment with your endodontist today.

If you have malocclusion or jaw irregularities, your dentist may recommend seeing an orthodontist. An orthodontist specializes in treating malocclusion and should not be confused with an endodontist who specializes in treating conditions concerning dental pulp. In other words, an orthodontist will help fix a bad bite, while an endodontist will do root canal therapy when a tooth is infected. If you are visiting an edmond dentist for orthodontic treatments, here’s what you need to know.

Reasons to see an orthodontist

There are various reasons why you may need to see an orthodontist. In most cases, your dentist will make a recommendation based on the symptoms or findings. You may need orthodontic care if you have –

1. Overcrowding of teeth
2. An underbite, which happens when the lower jaw is more pronounced and causes malocclusion
3. An overbite, which happens when the upper jaw is more protruding

What does orthodontic treatment involve?

As the first step, the dentist will take x-rays and bite impressions to get a visual overview of the smile. They will also order other imaging tests if needed. If realigning the teeth is going to resolve the issues that a patient is facing, they will discuss the treatment options in detail. If the symmetry of the face must be altered, and when that seems necessary, the dentist will collaborate with an oral surgeon. Typically, treatments involve the use of orthodontic appliances.

Types of orthodontic appliances explained

The simplest example of orthodontic appliances is those metal braces that people have been using for decades. Of course, times have changed, and today you have invisible brackets too. Metal orthodontic appliances are still useful for many cases, and it depends on the extent of malocclusion. For instance, if you have moderately misaligned teeth, you may benefit from invisible trays, but for more extensive rearrangement of the teeth, metal orthodontic appliances are necessary. There are two broad categories of orthodontic appliances – fixed and removable. The fixed orthodontic appliances must be tightened after a few weeks to get the desired results, and you may have to wear the braces for as long as 30 months. Removable devices, on the other hand, are meant to be removed and are obviously more convenient.

Your orthodontist will create a custom treatment plan based on the initial diagnosis. If you are concerned about the look of metal braces, talk to your dentist to see if other options can be considered.

Have you recently moved to Lawton? Among other things, you must find a dental clinic that you can trust for oral care for the entire family. When you have a reliable team of experienced dentists at your disposal, you don’t have to worry about consistent dental care and emergency needs. It also helps counter dental anxiety, which is a big concern for many adults and most kids alike. In this post, we are discussing what it takes to find a lawton family dentist.

Know your dentist

As a patient, you have the right to ask about a dentist’s qualifications and certifications. They need to have adequate experience. Many clinics in the city have multiple experts, including orthodontists and endodontists, and that could be a good advantage. Ask about specialties and whether there are dentists who practice pediatric dentistry at the clinic. A comprehensive dental clinic is what you need.

Services on offer

Choose a dental clinic and a dentist who can offer inclusive services. Right from basic treatments like teeth whitening and cleaning to periodontal care and endodontic treatments, a dentist should offer everything. A good clinic will provide all dental care services and focus as much on preventative and cosmetic dentistry as restorative care.

Location matters

Look for a family dentist that is close to your location and is easily accessible. Because a bunch of dental treatments require people to go for multiple appointments, it is wise to choose a clinic that’s close to your location. Also, consider other factors that matter. For instance, if you have kids or seniors at home, you may want to choose a clinic that’s accessible through elevators.

Atmosphere counts

Taking kids and fussy patients to a dental clinic can be quite an experience. Many clinics now have child-friendly rooms and activities to keep kids busy, while the staff members often go out of their way to make people comfortable. Check whether the clinic offers a positive environment for its patients, and more importantly, are they catering to the needs of the entire family?

Quality dental health care

Consider the technologies and treatments that a clinic offers. When it comes to quality dental health care, a lot has changed over the years, and it makes sense to choose a clinic that’s more inclusive in its treatments and offers more choices for patients.

Don’t compromise on the services you get from a dental clinic; in Lawton, there is no lack of choices.