Dentistry Provided by Interbay General Dentistry

Endodontic Treatments (Root Canals)

An endodontic treatment is done on the inside of the tooth when it becomes inflamed or infected. This treatment is more commonly referred to as a root canal and the procedure is done to save the tooth. There have been major advancements in endodontics in recent years. Teeth that would have had to be pulled just a few years ago can now be rescued. If treating the infection on the inside of the tooth doesn’t work the patient can undergo endodontic surgery to save their tooth. There is a hollow space inside teeth where the pulp chamber lies. The pulp’s main purpose is to maintain the health of the tooth. Root canals inside the tooth lead up to the pulp chamber and in the center is where the nerve tissue runs. Over the years myths have developed as to how painful and dangerous having a root canal is, but these have been extremely exaggerated. The truth is having a root canal is no more painful than getting a filling.

Crowns

Crowns are meant to protect the part of the tooth that is seen above the gum line. They are placed there to strengthen the tooth or to enhance its appearance or size. They are also used to secure a bridge or dental implant. There are a quite few different kinds of crowns available, each serving a specific purpose. Our Seattle dentist can advise you on whether or not you will need a crown depending on the type of treatment you are receiving. Often a temporary crown is put in place until the permanent crown is made. Crowns are made of different substances such as porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, metal or resin.

Treatment for TMJ

The main joint in the jaw is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and it can develop a disorder or dysfunction, which can be very painful. The pain can affect the entire jaw, face and head. In severe cases the pain can spread to the neck and shoulders as well. Although TMJ is the name of this particular joint, but the acronym often refers to the painful disorder or syndrome. A more appropriate term would be temporomandibular disorder (TMD), but the two terms seem to be interchangeable. This painful joint disorder is certainly uncomfortable, but it also causes the teeth to erode slowly.

Extractions

When a tooth cannot be saved or the patient is at risk for developing an infection in surrounding teeth an extraction may be recommended by our Seattle dentist. A tooth with a severe crack may need to be extracted. There are other situations that make it totally impossible to save a tooth and therefore the dentist will be forced to extract it. For most people this would be a traumatic experience, however your Seattle or Interbay General Dentistry dentist will discuss all your options with you so that you can decide which solution would be best for you under the circumstances.

Care for Canker Sores

Canker sores occur in the mouth and can be very painful. They are normally red, but they can also be white. They show up on the gums, inside of the cheek and/or under the tongue. These are not fever blisters, which show up on the outside of the lips and/or in the corners of the mouth. Anyone can get a fever blister since they can be caused by a number of different things including:

• Poor nutrition
• Stress Injury to the mouth
• Food allergies
• Menstrual periods

Our dentist in Seattle can advise you on the best treatment for relieving the pain.