Pros and Cons of Saving vs. Extracting a Tooth

We’ve all had that dreaded dream of losing teeth in our sleep. What happens when we are truly faced with this situation? While we may not want to think of needing to have a tooth extraction, there are many circumstances that can require this treatment. Traumatizing events can happen in the blink of an eye. A piece of workout equipment lands on our face and knocks out a front tooth. You bite down on a hard candy and hear a crunch that crumbles your tooth. You hit a tooth with a fork while eating a salad. These are all real-life Read More →

Root Canals vs. Extractions: Pros and Cons

When tooth pain strikes, our instinct is to get relief quickly. Toothaches seem to happen at the most inconvenient times and can put a damper on our plans. But often, there are options, such as root canals and extractions, to treat a tooth that is causing severe pain. If a tooth has been injured from previous trauma, dental work or decay, your dentist will assess the extent of the injury and determine whether the tooth is savable. If there is enough tooth structure left and the tooth hasn’t already been previously treated with a root canal, your dentist may recommend Read More →

The Truth About Root Canals

A root canal may not be a dream day at the dentist, but sometimes it is necessary. In some cases, it is needed when a cavity is too deep and extends into the nerve of the tooth. A root canal may also be needed if a tooth has a crack that extends into the nerve. Both of these issues can cause a nasty toothache, which you’ll want taken care of quickly. What is a Root Canal? A root canal is a process in which the top of the tooth is opened and the nerve is accessed. The dentist or endodontist Read More →

How to Relieve Tooth Sensitivity

The number one concern of patients in my hygiene chair is sensitivity. It comes in all forms, caused by cold, hot or sweets. Simply brushing can also cause a feeling I describe as a “zing.” It can be frustrating, and even life altering, when tooth sensitivity prevents enjoying the things we once could – like ice cream! It is important to bring up any tooth sensitivity at your dental appointments. The majority of sensitivity comes from exposed root surfaces (recession). Sensitivity can also come from tooth issues such as cracks or nerve issues. Describing your symptoms and the location gives Read More →

Do You Have a Cavity?

Have you ever awoken with a toothache and feared it was a cavity? You may not have even known that a cavity had been forming on your tooth because not all cavities are visible to the naked eye, and do not always show signs and symptoms right away. We asked our Licensed Dental Assistant, Jamie, to help us understand signs, symptoms, and prevention. The most common signs to look for are: Pain when biting down Pain when eating or drinking something sweet Pain while eating or drinking something hot or cold Holes or pits on the biting surface of your tooth Read More →

What is a Cavity?

We asked our licensed dental assistants to tell us about the signs and symptoms of cavities and what we can do to prevent them. A cavity (known as tooth decay or caries) often begin with no symptoms at all. Early signs of a cavity may include discoloration (typically brown, black, or chalky white) and sensitivity to hot, cold, pressure, or sweets. Enamel is the first layer of our teeth, it is white in color, and is the hardest substance in our bodies. It is the outer protective shell for many layers within the tooth. Bacteria, food particles, and saliva work together to form plaque and Read More →