Root Canal Myths

Root canal therapy is considered to be the most feared dental procedure. Does that surprise you? A survey conducted by the American Association of Endodontists reveals that most people with a fear of the dentist base their fear on someone else's experiences, not their own.

The inaccurate information about root canal therapy prevents patients from making an informed decision regarding their teeth. There are many patients that go as far as requesting that a tooth is extracted, rather than save it with a root canal. Before you believe the hype, take a look at the top root canal myths, and learn the truth for yourself.

Myth #1: Root Canal Therapy Is Painful
Root canal therapy is almost always preformed because a tooth is causing pain from an irreversible condition. Pulpitis, an infected pulp, broken teeth, or a slowly dying nerve are all common reasons for root canal therapy. Root canal therapy is used to alleviate pain. Most people who have root canal therapy admit they did not experience any pain during the appointment and felt better afterward. If you are suffering from pain on the day of your appointment, your apprehension and fear may heighten the sensations you feel during the procedure.

Myth #2: Completing a Root Canal Requires Several Appointments
Root canal therapy may be completed in one to two appointments. Factors that determine the number of appointments necessary to complete a root canal include:

• The extent of the infection
• The difficulty of the root canal
• Whether a referral to a root canal specialist, known as an endodontist, becomes necessary

Restoring the tooth after root canal therapy is necessary in order to ensure the tooth functions properly. The appointments necessary to completely restore the tooth, in essence, should not be considered part of the root canal process.

Myth #3: Root Canal Therapy Causes Illness
The idea that bacteria trapped inside an endodontically-treated tooth will cause illness, such as heart disease, kidney disease, or arthritis, stems from research conducted by Dr. Weston Price from 1910 to 1930 -- almost 100 years ago. Recent attempts to confirm Dr. Price's research has been unsuccessful in proving that root canal treatment causes illness. Bacteria can be found in the mouth at anytime. Even teeth free from decay and gum disease have tested positive for bacteria.

Myth #4: Teeth Need to Hurt Before Root Canal Therapy Becomes Necessary
Teeth that require root canal therapy are not always painful. In fact, teeth that are already dead may require root canal therapy to prevent the tooth from becoming infected. Your dentist will examine your teeth thoroughly during your regular check-up. It is usually during this routine appointment where your dentist will discover a tooth that has died or is on its way. Tests used to confirm a dead tooth include:

• Temperature testing
• Percussion testing
• Using a pulp vitality machine

Myth #5: The Benefits of Root Canal Therapy Don't Last Very Long
A common misconception is that the benefits of root canal therapy don't last very long after the procedure has been completed. This myth originated after patients experienced their tooth breaking months after a root canal was performed on their tooth. When the nerve is removed from the inside of the tooth, the blood supply is eliminated from inside the tooth. The tooth eventually becomes brittle, and depending on the size of the filling used to close the tooth after the root canal, the forces from grinding, eating, and even talking may cause the tooth to break. Failing to have a crown placed on the tooth may cause this to happen. Technically, it is not the root canal that has failed; it is the restoration on the tooth that has failed.

As part of my team,  I have the pleasure of working with Dr. Kevin Gremillion, a dentist whose practice is restricted to endodontics, performing root canals in my office.  Having Dr. Gremillion on site eliminates the inconvienience of having to go elsewhere if a root canal is required during a visit.

What Are My Options For Missing Teeth?

Missing teeth can lead to multiple dental health issues from malocclusion (poor bite), to alveolar atrophy (jawbone shrinkage), on top of difficulty with speaking and eating. When it comes to tooth loss, the consequences can be overwhelming. That’s why my office offers relief with Dental Implants.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is much like other dental restorations in that the crown is shaped and colored to look like a natural tooth. However, what sets dental implants apart from other dental restorations like dental bridges, dentures, and partials, is the titanium rod. This tiny biocompatible piece of the dental implant bonds to the jawbone. The rod allows a dental implant to not only look like a natural tooth, but also feel like a natural tooth. By mimicking a tooth root, the dental implant rod holds the crown in place, giving it strength and stability.

What are the benefits of a dental implant?

This tooth replacement will allow you to enjoy your favorite foods without worrying if your restoration will slip out of place or feel awkward. Dental implants also give you the freedom of a normal oral hygiene routine. You can clean and maintain your dental implant like you would your natural teeth, instead of removing them to soak in cleaner at night, or using special interdental brushing methods, as with dentures and dental bridges. In fact, with proper oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings, you can expect your dental restoration to last for your lifetime. One hidden benefit of dental implants is their ability to replace the chewing stimulation to your jawbone, once provided by your missing tooth. This keeps your jaw healthy and prevents alveolar atrophy as well as holds your surrounding teeth in relative position, avoiding malocclusion.

Stop suffering from the effects of tooth loss by making an appointment with my office about your dental restoration options and to see if dental implants are right for you.

Is It Possible To Brush Too Much?

Toothbrush bristles underneath the microscope - notice their soft, rounded edges that make them less abrasive

Yes...it is possible to over brush. I would estimate many of us in this country are overbrushing. We’re obsessed, but we’re brushing incorrectly and we’re brushing with the wrong toothbrush. Everyday I see people in my practice that have brushed away tooth structure and worn their teeth away using a toothbrush. There is absolutely such a thing as too much of a good thing when it comes to brushing your teeth. Think about, for a moment, what a toothbrush is and how it is made. A toothbrush is manufactured by taking a grouping of nylon bristles and inserting them into a molten nylon handle. A machine cuts these bristles to make them all the same height. At this point in the manufacturing process, if you were to look under a microscope with extreme magnification, you would see thousands of little cylindrical nylon tubes with sharp and serrated edges, waiting to scrape away precious dentin and enamel.

Fortunately, there’s another step in this manufacturing process that most (not all) quality toothbrushes undergo. After the bristles are cut to be the same height, they are treated in such a way that the sharp edges of the nylon bristles are rounded into hemispherical, soft domes – this, too, is visible underneath the microscope. This process makes the toothbrush bristles safe to use. After being rounded, they are far less abrasive than when they are freshly cut and safe to use because they don’t scrape away tooth structure. Certain toothbrush manufacturers do a better job of this than others. The toothbrushes made by manufacturers that don’t do a great job rounding the bristles are not safe to use out of the box. This cannot be seen with the naked eye.

The smoothness of your bristles also gets worn away back to its original jaggedness via brushing, which is why you may have heard that dentists recommend you replace your toothbrush often. The key is to throw away your toothbrush before the bristles splay, because by that point, it’s too late. Splayed bristles mean you’ve been using a worn toothbrush that is too abrasive and has been wearing away your tooth structure. I recommend replacing your toothbrush every four weeks for people who brush twice a day. The analogy I like to use is this one: would you wax your car with an old rag with dirt on it? Never, because that would scratch the finish.

The same goes for your teeth. If you use proper techniques in brushing, use a high quality toothbrush, and you throw it away before it becomes this dangerous, abrasive device I’ve described, you should be able to eat frequently and brush frequently without guilt. And remember...you can never floss too much – you can only floss too little!

Safeguard Your Child With Toothprints

One of the greatest fears of being a parent today is either a child getting lost or, worse yet, abducted. Although all states have implemented the AMBER Alert system issuing statewide public alerts about missing children, more on an individual level can be done. As a parent, you play a pivotal role in providing a proven means of identifying your child or, better yet, DNA and saliva samples for tracking them. Each person's set of teeth is unique...even in identical twins.

Toothprints is a simple, cost-effective way of documenting your young child's unique tooth characteristics. Toothprints is an arch-shaped thermoplastic wafer you soften in hot water, and place on the child's lower arch. The child bites into the wafer for 20 seconds. After allowing a 2-3 minute cool-down period in the plastic bag provided. Making a Toothprints bite impression takes only a few minutes. It’s comfortable for young children and will give you, their parent, peace of mind.

Recommended Toothprints Schedule:
 Initial impression: Age 3 (or after all primary teeth have erupted)
Update: Age 7 or 8 (or after the upper and lower incisors and the first permanent molars have erupted)
Update: Age 12 or 13 (or after all permanent teeth, excluding 3rd molars, have erupted).
The following website provides more info:
http://yoursafechild.com/parents-toothprintsr.html

Vitamins and Minerals For Oral Health

For years, we’ve been told how vitamins and minerals have a beneficial effect on our bodies. For example, how vitamins B1, B2 and B3 supports energy metabolism, the health of your skin, normal vision and aids your digestive system…and how minerals like Iron carry oxygen throughout the cells of the body. But little mention had been given to the fact that both vitamins and minerals can have such an advantageous effect on oral health.

Now, before you run out to your local drug store, vitamins and minerals that promote oral health are widely available in what we eat, so try getting them from natural foods. I have included a chart  which you may find helpful. If you are currently incorporating these foods into your meals…great! If not, it will take very little effort to do so. Not only will your mouth thank you, but it may mean fewer visits to the dentist…and wouldn’t you all love that!

Mom sure knew what she was talking about when she forced you to eat your meals, especially your vegetables, when you were a kid!

Vitamin	How it affects your mouth	Found in these foods
Vitamin A (carotene)	Prevents dry mouth and oral cancer	Broccoli, brussell sprouts, green leafy vegetables (spinach, collard greens, kale, etc.)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)	Prevents soft, bleeding gums, and loose teeth Prevents oral cancer	Citrus fruits, cantaloupe, strawberries, green leafy vegetables, bell peppers
Vitamin D	Promotes strong teeth and jaw bones	Oily fish, milk, eggs, cereals, sunshine
Vitamin E	Prevents growth of thick white patches in the mouth (leukoplakia). Prevents oral cancer	Vegetable oil, nuts, peanut butter, wheat germ
B2, Niacin, B6, B12 Folic Acid	Prevents soreness, redness and bleeding of the gums, cracking and sores in the corners of the mouth and on the tongue	Salmon, beef, liver, chicken, fish, yogurt, nuts and beans. Breakfast cereals, spinach, navy beans, orange juice, pasta, rice.
Calcium Phosphorous Magnesium	Needed for tooth development, prevents loss of jaw bone and teeth, rebuilds hard surface of the teeth (enamel)	Milk, cheese, yogurt, seafood, dark green leafy vegetables
Fluoride	Prevents tooth decay, helps repair enamel	Fluoridated water, black tea, sardines
Zinc	Needed for digestion, healing cold and canker sores	Liver, various meats, eggs, seafood, whole-grain cereals
Iodine	Needed for tooth development	Iodized salt, seafood, kelp, saltwater fish
Copper	Absorbs iron. Helps produce blood and nerve fibers	Liver, kidney, seafood, nuts, seeds, tap water
Iron	Protects against oral cancer and helps the immune system	Liver, eggs, fish, seafood, various other meats, enriched breads & cereals, green leafy vegetables
Potassium	Needed for nerve function and muscle contractions	Vegetables, legumes, fruits, milk, cheese, various meats, whole grains

Setting the Record Straight on Dental X-Rays

The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is taking issue with the findings of a study published this week in the journal "Cancer" that suggests a link between frequent dental x-rays and the risk of developing meningioma, a largely benign brain tumor.

According to the AGD, the study's findings do not apply to modern dentistry, because the study was based upon an examination of outdated radiographic techniques, which produced considerably more radiation than patients would be exposed to today.

"Modern radiographic techniques and equipment provide the narrowest beam and shortest exposure, thereby limiting the area and time of exposure and reducing any possible risks while providing the highest level of diagnostic benefits," said AGD President Howard Gamble, DMD, in a press release. "Today, patient safety is always maintained with the recommended use of thyroid collars and aprons."

The article, which received attention from many reputable news outlets, could cause the public to decide to limit or even refuse x-rays in an effort to keep their families safe, the AGD noted.

"It is regrettable to think that an article based on outdated technology could scare the public and cause them to avoid needed treatment," said Dr. Gamble. "With the radiography techniques in use today, the amount of radiation exposure is reduced and more controlled than it was in years past."

The Cancer study also contained many inconsistencies and possibilities for error, including the fact that its findings were based upon a population-based case-control study, according to the AGD. This means that it relied upon the patients themselves to recall and self-report past events, many of which were from decades earlier. I don't know about anyone else...but I have a difficult time remembering what I did last week, let alone 10 years ago!

The AGD supports radiographic guidelines provided by the ADA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and agreess with the ADA that dentists should order dental radiographs for patients only when necessary for diagnosis and treatment.

Dental radiographs, or X-rays, are an important part of a thorough dental examination. They can expose hidden tooth decay; reveal a tooth abcess, cyst or tumor; show impacted or extra teeth; and also help determine the condition of dental fillings, tooth crowns and dental bridges and root canals. Dental X-rays can also reveal bone loss from peridontal gum disease, locate tarter buildup, find foreign bodies within the gum or bone, and see if there is enough bone for the placement of dental implants.  These are just some of the many reasons why dentists rely on dental X-rays.

I utilize Digital Imaging Technology in my office which offers the following benefits: It's faster, images can be viewed instantly on a computer monitor, up to 90% less radiation and we avoid the chemicals used in the traditional developing process.  But what our patients love about the digital system is that Digital x-rays don’t require film. Instead, we capture the images via a small sensor placed directly in your mouth. Most people find this technique more comfortable, even when we must take the images at difficult angles.

In addition, the AGD encourages dentists to communicate with their patients and address any unexpressed concerns of radiographic risks in order to reduce fear and promote a better understanding of the benefits and the risks associated with the specific needs of each patient.

Your Dentist is the First Line of Defense In Oral Cancer Detection

The dental community is the first line of defense in early detection of Oral Cancer. According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer every hour of every day in the United States alone. This cancer, found in the mouth, lips or throat, is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated early. Unfortunately, in its early stages, oral cancer can go unnoticed.

Those at high risk for oral cancer include tobacco users, African-American men and heavy drinkers, but anyone can develop oral cancer. According to the Oral Cancer Consortium, 25 percent of people diagnosed with oral cancer have no risk factors. Studies have also determined there may be a link between HPV (human papilloma virus) and oral cancer.

Your dentist and hygienist usually screen you for any signs of oral cancer at your regular checkups, but some symptoms of oral cancer can be invisible to the naked eye. Our office utilizes an FDA approved device to detect oral cancer called a VELscope. The VELscope is non-invasive and uses a bright blue light to emphasize any changes in the mouth that a dentist or hygienist could not normally see.

The problem, for the most part, is that early oral cancer looks like everything else. It looks like a million other injuries and changes in the tissue in the mouth. It's a red spot or a white spot. We see them all the time. But using the VELscope to detect oral cancer can make abnormalities stand out like sore thumbs.

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year alone, with only 50 percent still being alive in 5 years. The problem is much larger worldwide. Even with these statistics, the experts agree that early diagnosis pushes the five-year survival rate to an astonishing 80 percent. Since oral cancer can affect anyone, without regard to age or gender, it is very important to have regular screenings for this deadly disease. Talk with your dentist about the latest developments and technologies for diagnosing oral cancer.

If you have a mouth sore that doesn't go away and is accompanied by unexplained numbness in the face, mouth, or neck and/or problems chewing, speaking, or swallowing, call my office immediately!  Don't let fear keep you from getting a check-up -- oral cancer that is caught early is treatable and curable.