Frequently Asked Questions

We have all heard the expression “ I’d rather have a root canal ” and seen the cartoons depicting a dentist shoving an obnoxiously large drill in the mouth of a wide-eyed patient. No wonder root canal treatment is the most feared dental procedure, according to the American Association of Endodontists.

Despite the common belief that root canals are excruciatingly painful, in actuality they cause very little pain and discomfort. In fact, root canals actually relieve tooth pain. Davie Dental is here to help.

What is a Root Canal?

Each tooth has tissue containing nerve fibers that run through the center of the root of your tooth, which are called “root canals.” When this tissue dies as a result of a deep cavity or trauma, root canal therapy is needed. Without treatment, pain gradually worsens and the tooth can abscess and cause swelling.

Root canal therapy is used to remove the dead tissue from the tooth. After numbing the area around the tooth, the Madison Dental team will isolate the tooth and sterilize it in order to protect it from bacteria in the mouth. We will then remove the dead tissue, from the canals. Afterwards, we will sterilize the tooth and place a rubber filling material inside of it. The tooth is then built back up and prepared for a crown.

Years ago, completing a root canal used to take several, long visits to the dentist. Today, root canals can often be completed in less than one hour during a single visit, thanks to recent advances in technology and new dental techniques.

If you are in need of a root canal but keep putting it off, relieve your pain and make an appointment at Madison Dental today.

With Dental Implants, biting forces increase dramatically, for better chewing ability and digestion. Implants also prevent the bone loss that occurs after a tooth is removed. Dental implants have been widely used for over 30 years, and have an excellent success rate.

An effective way to restore lost teeth, Dental Implants can provide a durable, permanent option for oral reconstruction. In this process, titanium frames are surgically placed in your jaw bone. Once the frames are inserted in position, dental implants are firmly attached, preventing the shifting or slipping you might encounter with typical dentures. You are left with a natural-looking, sturdy new smile!

Dental Implants offer a wide range of benefits:

• Your teeth will look and feel natural, providing a confident smile
• Elimination of discomfort or soreness some experience with ordinary dentures or bridges
• No slipping, allowing you to speak and eat normally
• Missing teeth can affect what foods or drinks you can consume, which can lead to poor nutrition and overall health
• Your bite can also be affected, causing your teeth to line up improperly which can lead to possible jaw joint or other bite problems
• Your self-esteem can be reduced as well, if you feel self-conscious and worry about people noticing missing teeth

Healthy gums look pale pink and firm, but they can still look pink even as the disease begins. There are different classes of gum disease, and as you progress to the more serious forms, your damage will become more severe. You are your own first line of defense! It’s important that you know what gum disease looks like in its earliest form so that you can get treatment right away.

Watch for the known warning signs that you are in the beginning stages of gum disease:
• Gums that are swollen around your teeth. Affected gums swell and protrude in all directions around the teeth that have plaque and tartar.
• Gums that are bright red or bruised-looking. The color is a result of the infection deep within the gums themselves. Healthy gums are light in color, but the deep or bright hue shows irritation.
• Receding gums that are pulling away from your teeth, causing your teeth to look longer or larger than usual. Not all gums swell with the disease. In fact, many people report that their gums actually pull back from the teeth, leaving the roots exposed and sensitive.
• New spaces between teeth that used to be pushed together. When your gums are swelling or retracting, your teeth are also likely to move, a sign that is often more immediately noticeable than gum changes.
• Pus-forming or oozing from between your teeth. Whether it is excessive bleeding or pus, liquids that come from your teeth and gums always indicate a problem.
• Loose adult teeth. Your permanent teeth shouldn’t be loose. If you’re experiencing movement or wiggling teeth, you should visit the office right away.
• A change in the fit of your teeth when you bite your jaw together. Even if your teeth only move a little, your bite may be affected, causing your teeth to fit together differently than in the past.
• An ongoing bad taste in your mouth, even if you haven’t eaten. The layers of plaque and tartar on your teeth can cause a long-standing unpleasant taste in your mouth.
• Constant sores in your mouth. Sores are another sign of infection, and being unable to get rid of them is a cause for concern.
• Bad breath that just doesn’t seem to go away. This is also typically caused by the buildup of old plaque and tartar on your teeth and tongue.

It’s always best to have any dental concern checked by a Dentist. We would rather see one of our patients with perfectly healthy gums and reassure that person that everything is fine and worry-free than to discover periodontal gum disease after damage is already done.