I know for many of you there is a certain amount of dread when you receive the card reminding you that it is time again to have your teeth cleaned and checked. Most often that dread is because of the possible upcoming discomfort. Sometimes it is because of previous dental visits that did not go well. There are many things we can do to make your visit more comfortable, don't try and be brave and "tough it out!" Please let us know when you feel discomfort. Some of the options we can offer are:
Desensitizing polish paste can be applied at the beginning of your cleaning. This helps many people that are sensitive when the ultrasonic scaler (this is noisy and sprays water) is used.
Warming the water.
Applying topical anesthetic if your gums are extra sensitive.
Nitrous Oxide, Laughing gas is very effective for many people in reducing both anxiety and discomfort.
Blankets are available if you feel cold.
iPods are available and loaded with a wide variety of music for you to listen to.
These are some of the things we can do to help make your visit more comfortable. Regular cleaning appointments are also important to make your visits more comfortable. Smooth teeth free of rough calcium deposits are much easier for you to remove bacterial film or plaque from. It is the plaque that causes the gums to bleed and cavities to form.
During your cleaning we will remove hard calculus deposits and polish your teeth to smooth surfaces and remove the plaque. It is also our goal to observe any areas you are having difficulty cleaning and teach you how to more effectively clean them. So, when you receive that reminder card or call, come on in. Working together we will/can come up with a plan to lessen your dread and you can look forward to a beautiful healthy smile for a lifetime.
Should I Save This Tooth or Replace It
With An Implant?
One of the most common questions we find our patients face
in regards to saving or losing single teeth is whether or not they should spend
their hard earned money (and their time) on doing (or re-doing) a root canal in
order to save the tooth or if they should just remove the tooth and replace it
with an implant. If you are, or if you
have faced this decision you likely know exactly what I am talking about.
There are several factors involved in making this kind of
decision. On this post I will attempt to
address some of them in simple terms.
Longevity
“Which one will last longer . . . a root canal and a crown
or removing the tooth and replacing it with an implant?”
If a root canal has never been done on this tooth before and
a root canal is now needed research has shown that either doing a root canal
and placing a crown on it or removing the tooth and placing an implant can both
last a long, long time. However, if a
root canal has been done previously and needs to be done again it will likely
not last as long as an implant would.
One important factor with longevity is whether or not a
crown is placed on your tooth after the root canal is done. Research shows that if a root canal is done
on a back tooth and a crown is not placed on the tooth you are six times more
likely to have the tooth break. If this
happens you may not have a choice but to remove the tooth and place an implant. Bottom Line: If you choose to do a root canal
on a back tooth in order to save the tooth, put a crown on the tooth within one
month of having the root canal done.
Cost
Neither doing a root canal and a crown nor removing a tooth
and placing an implant are inexpensive.
On average, if you are going to do a root canal and a crown you will
spend between $1500 and $2200. To remove
the tooth and replace it with an implant you will spend somewhere between $3000
and $3500.
Health of the Tooth
In our experience this has been one of the most important
factors in determining how successful a root canal and a crown will be. If a lot of the tooth has broken or if there
is a large cavity in the tooth there will not be very much of the tooth left
for the crown to hold on to. And if
there is minimal healthy tooth structure left the crown will likely break off
of the tooth after the root canal has been done. When this happens usually the only option you
have left is to remove the tooth and replace it with an implant.
Overall Physical
Health
In some cases your health may determine which treatment to
pursue. There are certain physical
conditions that make it ill-advised to remove any teeth and place
implants. In these cases you may have no
choice but to try to save the tooth by doing a root canal and a crown.
These physical health conditions are best evaluated by your
dentist at the Barry Family Dental Group.
Before considering removing any tooth or any other surgical procedure we
will conduct a thorough questioning of your physical health to determine
whether you are healthy enough for the procedures required for dental implants.
Personal Preference
How attached, emotionally, are you to this tooth? Are you the kind of person who wants to keep
every single tooth for as long as possible no matter what the cost or the
hassle you must go through? Or, are you
the kind of person who simply wants the least expensive treatment possible with
the best result possible? Does the
thought of a root canal bother you? What
about oral surgery?
In making this decision this is likely the single most
influential driving factor in making this decision. How attached are you to your teeth?
Conclusion
There are many things to consider in deciding whether a
tooth should be removed or saved. If you
or a loved one are currently facing this decision please call us and set up a
consultation appointment with one of our Dentists. We would be happy to provide you with
information and recommendations to help you with this important decision.
I love being a dentist.I love the opportunities my profession provides me to help people look better, be healthier, and get out of pain.I get to work with good people.I rarely have to sit at a desk in front of a computer.I get to work with my hands in field that incorporates art, science, business, interpersonal relationships, and a variety of other studies.No two days are alike and I never feel bored.The hours are good and I feel well compensated for all of the time, effort, schooling, and debt I’ve put into being a dentist.There’s just one problem:people are scared to death of me and avoid me like they avoid public speaking or the bird flu.
In the tradition of my favorite late night talk show host, I’d like to present . . .
The Top 10 Reasons People are Scared of Coming to the Dentist:
10. Pop Culture.Television and movies have not been kind to dentists.If you are familiar with this, this, or this, I bet these scenes cross your mind every time you cross the threshold of a dental office.Pop culture hates me and is out to make me look like a barbarian.
9.Past Memories.Kids today don’t know how easy they have it.Ask any Baby Boomer about their childhood dental office and they’ll tell you horror stories of ungloved hands, gigantic drills, stern and uncaring personalities, scary hospital environments, and abundant tears.Even though today’s dental scene is significantly more kind and inviting, old memories, especially bad ones, die hard.
8.Smells and Sounds.My wife remarks nearly every day when I come home to hug her “go change, you smell like a dental office.”Although I’ve grown almost completely desensitized to that antiseptic/fluoride/dead tooth smell, I definitely remember it distinctly from the days when I came to the office solely as a patient.Additionally, who can hear the high pitched whine of a dental handpiece and feel completely at ease (besides dentists, of course)?It’s been determined through several studies that sounds and smells, trigger memories better than other senses, so if any of those memories are unpleasant, they can be a real deterrent to visiting the dentist.
7.The Flossing Lecture.Dental visits can be stressful and embarrassing enough without hygienists and dentists piling on with their lectures on hygiene.When I was in high school, I left a Provo dentist for this very reason.I still have bad memories of his doom and gloom outlook toward my teeth (which were always pretty good, by the way) and his apparent desire to appear smart in front of me.The traditional authority model of “I’m the doctor and you’re just a patient; do what I say” is not pleasant to endure.
6.The Time Requirement.Almost everyone will agree that regular checkups and visits for treatment are important, but why must it be so inconvenient to schedule?Most dental offices are only open during normal business hours—basically when you are at work or school.Vacation time is sometimes hard to take for fun things, let alone for something you really don’t enjoy doing.Then there’s the issue of waiting; how frustrating is it when you call hoping for an appointment next week and all that’s available is a slot two months away?
5.The Cost of Dental Care.Spending time on something you’d rather not do is one thing, but even more frustrating to some is spending money on an unpleasant experience.Dentistry, like any type of health care, is not cheap.
4.The Value of Dental Care.Cost and value are different concepts.Yes dental treatment can be expensive, but to anyone who values good health, aesthetics, and the ability to eat a steak, it is a great value.Many do not place such a premium on dental care, or simply do not value it at all.I learned this lesson early while in dental school in Louisville, Kentucky when patients in their 20’s asked me to pull all their teeth because “my dad had dentures, my grandpa had dentures, and I just want to get rid of these teeth so I can get my dentures”.Unfortunately, some patients only come around when they are in severe pain; one by one, teeth are pulled and dentures are the ultimate result.In most of these cases, valuation of dental health is the issue.
3.The Uphill Battle.“Another cavity!I just had three at my last checkup six months ago.I promise I’ve been brushing and flossing.”Unfortunately some individuals seem to be very susceptible to dental decay in spite of modest preventive efforts.Most of these individuals need almost perfect hygiene and diet modification to stay cavity-free but, unfortunately, many are not willing to put forth that kind of effort (or don’t understand what is needed).Hygiene habits are hard to break and the result can seem like an unwinnable fight.
2.Pain.If you’ve ever had a painful emergency situation, you’re well aware that a dentist can be your best friend, but for anyone else, going to the dentist = pain.In spite of using very effective anesthetics, some teeth can be “hot” (resistant to numbing medicine) and what is enough anesthetic to tranquilize one individual might be the equivalent of a throat lozenge for another.Even though we strive to avoid it, there is sometimes pain involved in dental care.And to be perfectly honest, it’s probably not even the pain that’s the worst part, it’s the anticipation of pain.
1.The Needle.By far the scariest instrument in a dentist’s arsenal (yes, even more than “the iron hook”) is the dental syringe.The needle has probably warded off more dental treatment than all the above items combined.And what do dentists call it?“Just a little pinch.”What follows the needle is probably even better.Who doesn’t love that nice numb feeling that persists hours after treatment is complete?
From my perspective as a dental patient I can identify and agree with most of the items on this list.I fully understand that coming to see a dentist isn’t your favorite thing in the world.There is some fear and anxiety involved.Fortunately, most people are able to deal with the small or moderate amount of anxiety that comes with the experience, but for those with a true dental phobia or strong aversion to one or more items on my list, the experience can be truly horrifying.At Barry Family Dental, we strive to make each patient comfortable and minimize the discomfort and anxiety you may feel.In spite of how dentistry was in the past or how it is viewed in cinema and television, an experience at our office is much more comfortable than you may think it would be.Compassion, understanding, and kindness are ideals that we strive to live each day, with each patient that comes through our door.With iPods and headphones, free nitrous oxide (laughing gas to help patients relax), and use of the latest dental technologies and techniques, we attempt to minimize the sounds, smells, and discomfort of dental treatment and make your visit as quick and relaxing as possible.We are providers with most dental insurances and offer various payment options to help our patients obtain treatment.Although we are busy, we have extended business hours (open until 6:00 on some days and open almost every Saturday) to help accommodate your schedule and will always make time if you are need urgent care.We hope you value dental treatment and will do our best to answer questions and provide education in a non-condescending manner where it is needed.If you or someone you know is apprehensive about dental treatment, we’d love to help.Dentists really aren’t as bad as you think we are.
That slimy wet watery substance
found in your mouth is actually one of your best friends.Saliva is very important for many different reasons.It plays a necessary and vital role when
eating and chewing.We don’t recognize
how important it is until you lose part of it and find your tongue sticking to
the top of your mouth.Think back on
those times when you have a really intense situation or your adrenaline kicks
in and you can’t pull your tongue off the roof of your mouth.It can be really annoying and hard to talk or
eat anything.
Saliva also helps in keeping the
teeth healthy and strong.It washes away
food and debris from the teeth and gums.Some of the minerals found in your saliva can actually help fight cavities
by replacing those that are lost when a cavity first develops.Some people have a condition where they are
always like this.It is called
xerostomia, or dry mouth.This condition
is not a disease but a symptom caused by a myriad of different reasons.
What causes dry
mouth?
In the
majority of cases xerostomia, dry mouth, is a side effect of using some types
of medications.These medications
include antihistamines, diuretics, blood pressure meds, muscle relaxants and
painkillers just to name a few.Up to
400 different medications have this side effect.When taking a new medication it is important
to look at the list of side effects to see if this condition is listed.
Other
causes of xerostomia are head and neck cancer, head and neck radiation therapy,
stress, Sjodgren Syndrome, endocrine disorders, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes,
stroke and AIDS.Dry mouth can also be
the cause of some hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause.
What are the
symptoms?
Here is a
list of some of the symptoms of xerostomia.Read down this list and see if you have one or more of these:
-a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth or throat
-limited saliva that seems thick or stringy
-a burning sensation in the mouth
-trouble in chewing, swallowing, or speaking
-an altered sense of taste
-a rough dry tongue
-cracked lips, sores or split skin at the corners of the
mouth
-an infection in the mouth
-increased plaque (a thin film of bacteria), tooth decay
and gum disease
-bad breath
Dealing with dry mouth, JADA, Vol. 136,
May 2005, pg 703
Treatment for
Xerostomia.
There are
some things that you can do if you are experiences a dry mouth.In some cases if it is a side effect of
medication you can ask you doctor if there is another type of medication that
you can take that doesn’t cause dry mouth.In most cases the medications are too important to switch or stop.In that case there are some saliva
replacement options available.Alcohol
free mouth rinses, such as Biotene, are available over the counter and some by
prescription.Taking frequent sips of
water or using sugar free candy or gum can increase the secretion of
saliva.Most important is the need of
proper oral hygiene.Tooth decay can run
rampant in a mouth that is dry.Brushing
and flossing after every meal and more frequent dental cleanings can help to
keep your teeth cavity free.
If you are
experiencing any of these conditions please make an appointment and let us
help.We want your mouth and teeth to be
healthy and cavity free.
Do You or Someone You Know Have Problems With a Denture or Partial Denture?
Dentures and Partial Dentures can be difficult to get used to.If you or a loved one has ever had, or has, a denture or partial denture you probably know what I mean.They tend to fall out of your mouth easily, food can easily become trapped under the appliance, and if the partial denture is attached to your teeth it can cause decay on the teeth or cause them to become loose.
And those are just the functional problems.
Often a partial denture will have metal wires or clasps that are visible when you’re speaking or eating causing embarrassment, or even worse, changing social habits and altering self-confidence.
Overall, dentures and partial dentures can be unsightly and uncomfortable.Fortunately, with dental implants, many of these difficulties can be, and have been, overcome.
Dental Implants Can Help
After a dental implant is placed in the jaw in the correct position and after it has healed for an appropriate amount of time it can be attached to either a denture or to a partial denture.When a removable appliance is attached to a dental implant if offers several advantages:
1. Because the implant is fixed in the bone the partial or the denture that is attached to it becomes much less mobile and stays in the mouth much more easily;
2. If the implant is attached to a partial denture less stress will be transferred to the existing teeth thus extending their life expectancy;
3. If the implant is attached to a partial denture we can often get rid of the unsightly metal wires and clasps that often accompany partial dentures.
In short, placing an implant under a partial denture or a full denture can be one of the most cost effective ways to replace missing teeth.The appliance is much more stable in the mouth and kind to the adjacent teeth.
Come See If We Can Help!
If you are or someone you know is suffering from a loose denture or ill-fitting partial denture please come see if dental implants are the right option for you.We have seen them improve the fit and comfort of many peoples’ full dentures and partials and we’re hopeful they can do the same for you.
