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Tooth Extraction Vs Root Canal: Which One Is Right for You?

By | Date posted: | Last updated: March 9, 2023
tooth extraction vs root canal

Presented with a choice of either a root canal treatment or tooth extraction can feel daunting. However it is a common situation to be in when your teeth show extensive decay. If your dentist has given you these choices, it will be worthwhile to understand each of them in some detail:

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Root Canal Overview

A root canal treatment is undertaken when the pulp, which is the innermost layer of the tooth, is damaged or diseased. In such cases, a root canal is the only way to save the tooth. The procedure involves numbing the tooth with a local anesthetic and then creating an opening into the tooth. With the use of tools, the damaged tissue is cleaned. The diseased pulp removed & the canals disinfected. The canals are next filled with a material known as gutta-percha. It plays an extremely important role in sealing the tooth against infection. A crown may next be put on the tooth to restore strength.

After the root canal treatment you may feel some discomfort for a few days for which pain relievers will be helpful.

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When Should You Go for Root Canal?

Some of the conditions which might necessitate root canal treatment include:

  • Pain in chewing
  • Cracked tooth
  • Sensitivity in teeth
  • Swollen gums
  • Discoloration of tooth
  • Gum decay

 

Tooth Extraction Overview

Much like a root canal treatment, a tooth extraction also involves numbing the area. Special tools are then used to loosen the tooth and pull it out. Some amount of bleeding is to be expected, for which the dentist will ask you to bite down on gauze for 30-45 minutes. You may experience some swelling for which an ice pack is helpful. It is imperative that you follow the dentist’s instructions till the tooth extraction site heals completely.

Once the extraction site has healed replacing the tooth is a priority. If that is not done, it can impact the other teeth, which could then shift out of place. Depending on your bespoke needs & budget the dentist will be able to recommend whether you should go in for an implant or opt for a dental bridge, for example.

When Should You Go for Tooth Extraction?

Conditions that might make a tooth extraction necessary include:

  • Overcrowding of teeth
  • Periodontal disease on account of build up of plaque & tartar
  • Trauma
  • Severe tooth decay
  • Any milk teeth that haven’t shed & are causing hindrance
  • If the tooth isn’t accessible to perform a root canal

 

Tooth Extraction vs Root Canal: Main Difference

While replacing a missing tooth is easy, there is nothing quite like retaining your natural tooth. If you have a choice between the two, therefore, a root canal treatment is preferred over an extraction. Let us look at some of the advantages that root canal offers over an extraction, besides the fact that it helps save your natural tooth:

  • Even though a root canal has the dubious distinction of being a very painful procedure, in actual fact it is not painful. In fact healing from an extraction takes far longer & is more painful than a root canal. With modern techniques & availability of anesthesia, root canal treatment is virtually painless.
  • A root canal therapy is also time saving if you consider the fact that an extraction has to be followed up with tooth replacement, which involves a certain length of time & sittings.
  • An extraction leaves a gap in your mouth creating an imbalance in the dental structure. The other teeth then move to fill up the gap. Root canal therapy however keeps the teeth in their natural position. This ensures that your bite is normal & the health of the other teeth is not compromised.
  • In terms of cost, while a root canal seems to be more expensive than an extraction, the fact is that an extraction needs to be followed up with tooth replacement, which in the long run can turn out to be more expensive than a root canal treatment. While some people may consider tooth replacement to be unnecessary, the fact is that other than aesthetics it can cause a number of issues such as movement of the other teeth. It is therefore imperative to have a replacement tooth or a bridge in place so that long- term functionality is not impacted. While the upfront cost of root canal treatment is higher than an extraction, the costs with extraction accumulate as tooth replacement costs.

 

To Sum Up

However, that in certain conditions, if the teeth cannot be saved at all even with a root canal, emergency tooth extraction must be resorted to.

While both tooth extraction, as well as a root canal treatment, are safe procedures, your dentist will be in the best position to advise you and for advice and tooth-related problem, you can schedule a dental appointment right now.

 

FAQs

Is Root Canal treatment more painful than an extraction?
No. While Root Canals have a reputation of being painful, with modern technology & the availability of anesthesia, you do not tend to feel pain whilst you get a root canal treatment done. Extractions aren’t too painful either but they will leave the area sore for some days & you are likely to feel pain for which painkillers will be prescribed.

Which is a cheaper procedure- Root Canal or Extraction
On the face of it extraction is cheaper. However, when you take into account the fact that extraction has to be followed up with tooth replacement, root canal will turn out to be cheaper.

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October is national dental hygiene month – Keep your smile shiny and bright!

By | Date posted: | Last updated: October 15, 2022
national dental hygiene month

While anytime is a good time to pay attention to your oral hygiene, October is designated as Dental Hygiene Month; a time to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene, also to applaud the work done by dental hygienists in order to support not just oral but overall health of millions of people.

Why is National Dental Hygiene Month important?

The foremost reason why there is the need for a National Dental Hygiene month is that it encourages oral health & keeps you away from a whole lot of diseases. Besides it also gives dental hygienists their due. After all, they work extremely hard to keep us healthy.

How can we participate in national dental hygiene month?

This National Dental Hygiene Month you need to sit down to evaluate your current oral hygiene routine and find ways to improve it! The lack of proper dental hygiene can lead not just to tooth decay and gum disease, but also to a wide variety of general health issues.

National Dental Hygiene Month Routine

This National Dental Hygiene Month, here is a reminder of the routines that you need to focus on to keep your smile shiny and bright:

#1. Brushing

It is common knowledge that we need to brush our teeth twice a day. While we may follow this advice, its efficacy also depends upon the technique we follow. Here is a quick overview of the right brushing technique:

  • Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums.
  • Ensure that you make gentle strokes to clean each tooth.
  • Make sure that you address all tooth surfaces.
  • When it comes to cleaning the inner surface of the front teeth, keeping the brush in a vertical position & making up & down strokes, is prudent.
  • Ensure you do not forget to clean your tongue as well.
  • While making the choice of the right toothbrush is important, what is also important is to ensure that your toothpaste is equipped with fluoride. It goes a long way in making the tooth enamel stronger & ensures that it does not suffer from acid damage. In fact, even areas that show acid damage can be re-mineralized and early-stage acid damage reversed.

#2. Flossing

Reaching out to tooth surfaces that your brush cannot reach is possible by way of flossing. It ensures that no food particles or plaque are trapped between your teeth. As for the technique associated with flossing, it is recommended that you curve the floss around the side of each tooth and ensure that you have the floss curved to the right & then to the left as you carry out an up-and-down pass. While it is fine to move the floss a little below the gum line, ensure that you do not go too far.

It is important to remember that if you haven’t been flossing regularly, your gums are likely to bleed for the first week or two. This is on account of the plaque that may be deposited on the gum line. However, if the bleeding continues, a visit to the dentist will be in order.

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#3. Rinsing

Now, this is one activity that has a huge role to play in oral health but is often disregarded. It is important to rinse the mouth after each meal so that any food particles can be removed. The use of an anti-microbial mouthwash can go a long way in fighting bad breath as well as gum disease.

#4. Sugarless Gum

It is prudent to chew sugarless gum after a meal. What it does is it helps generate saliva, which helps fight tooth decay. In fact, chewing sugarless gum can help you with fighting cavities, plaque and more.

#5. Drink enough water

Drinking plenty of water helps with the following:

  • It cleans your mouth and removes any food particles.
  • Ensures there is enough saliva that is produced & dry mouth doesn’t develop.
  • Additionally, the production of saliva keeps gums hydrated.

#6. Kick those unhealthy habits

National Dental Hygiene month is a great time to say goodbye to unhealthy habits such as smoking. Not only does it stain your teeth, but it can also, among other health issues, lead to cancer.

#7. Regular visits to the dentist

Ensure that you make regular visits to a dentist, a habit. These visits ensure that any issues are caught early. Besides regular dental visits can ensure that dental cleanings take place timely & that accumulation of plaque and tartar does not progress to cause bone disease. Typically, it is recommended that you visit your dentist at least twice a year, unless of course if you have any dental conditions, in which case the dentist will recommend a bespoke plan for you. Regular visits to the dentist also ensure that you are screened for diseases such as oral cancer. Early diagnosis & treatment can go a long way in stemming its progress.

To sum up

This National Dental Hygiene Month do sit down to evaluate your current oral hygiene routine and find ways to improve it! The lack of proper dental hygiene can lead not just to tooth decay & gum disease, but also to a wide variety of general health issues.

This October when you visit your dental hygienist, a word of appreciation will go a long way in telling them of the good work they are doing in keeping everyone healthy. If you are from Pleasanton, San Jose, Livermore, or nearby areas then you can reach out to Dr. Sharda Patel who provides general dentistry services and cosmetic dentistry services to make your smile bright and to improve your overall health!

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Top tips to select the emergency dental office

By | Date posted: | Last updated: December 19, 2022
Emergency Dental Office

Research shows that approximately 20 percent of people face some kind of trauma to their teeth at some or other stage in their lives and are in need of emergency dental care. It could be an accident where you land up losing your tooth or it could be a painful abscess.

In such a situation, it is imperative that you get to an emergency dental office without any delay. Below are some handy tips to be able to find the right emergency dentist. However, it isn’t a great idea to wait to locate a dentist when there is an emergency. It is best that you are prepared ahead of time. That way in case there is any emergency you will not land up wasting precious time. Also, importantly, regular dental check ups can go a long way in safeguarding not just your oral but also your overall health.

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Tips to select the emergency dental office

1. Conduct a thorough search

It is best to undertake detailed research for a competent emergency dentist. It will be prudent to speak to friends in the vicinity. It is essential to know if they have had personal experience with the dentist and if so, what the exact emergency was. Dental emergencies, for example, can include a broken tooth, tooth abscesses, broken braces, lost crown, swelling, bleeding, and more. You need to ensure that the dentist is equipped to handle a wide range of emergency services. It will also be prudent to check for options for anesthesia available in the dental clinic.

Checking for emergency dentists online is yet another option. In doing so, look for their credentials and overall experience. The professional association that they belong to, is yet another aspect to check for. The best dental clinics are members of the American Dental Association & are bound by the ADA code of conduct.

Checking for online reviews is another important aspect. Armed with all the details on the dentist’s credentials and reputation, you will be in a good position to take an informed decision.

2. Wait Times

Whether you are seeking details from a friend or looking up a dentist online, the one aspect to pay attention to is the wait time. In an emergency you sure do not want to wait long hours for the dentist to attend to you. If anything, this can further complicate the issue. You therefore need an agile team that can attend to you without any delay. Do take a note of the dentist’s hours. Ensure that they work extended hours and weekends- after all an emergency can strike at any time.

3. Location

It goes without saying that the dentist needs to be in your vicinity. You will certainly not have the luxury of a long commute in times of a dental emergency. Do ascertain the time it will take you to drive or be driven to the clinic.

4. Check for the ages they treat

Ever so often you may identify an emergency dentist. Only when you rush to the dentist when your seven year old breaks a tooth, you realize that the dentist treats adults only. It is important, therefore to enquire about the age they cater to.

5. Comfort

Ideally, it will work well if you consider visiting the dentists you may have shortlisted to be able to choose the one that you think works best before any emergency strikes. Some of the things to watch out for while you are there at the dentist’s office are to see how professional and kind the staff are, what the hygiene levels are, and more. In times like now, it will also be prudent to check for what their COVID protocols are.

Also make sure that you check for their follow-up protocol. The urgent care needs to be followed up with any issues that may arise later.

6. Pricing

Last but definitely not the least ensure you have an idea of the pricing of the services. It will also be good to find out if they fall under your insurance plan. If not, remember to check on any financing options that they offer. Needless to say, however, that pricing shouldn’t be your sole criterion. The credentials of the dentist have to be the deciding factor.

Other handy tips while choosing emergency dental office

While you use the tips above to make the right choice of an emergency dentist, here are some handy tips to follow in case of a dental emergency:

  • In case a tooth or pieces of tooth are dislodged, ensure you gather them before heading to the emergency dentist. Ensure that you handle the tooth from the crown only and do not wash away any remaining tissue. It is advisable to place the tooth in warm water with a pinch of salt. The chances that the dentist will be able to restore a lost tooth will be greater.
  • If you have a bitten lip a cold compress works well till you are able to reach the emergency room.
  • Similarly with a broken or fractured jaw, applying a cold compress en route to the emergency clinic will be of help.
  • In case a loose wire from the braces gets stuck in the cheek, tongue or gums, do not attempt to pull it out yourself. Instead seek immediate dental care.

You can contact Dr. Sharda Patel for emergency dental care services. She is member of the American Dental Association and provides anxiety-free environment at her dental office. She provides dental care for adults and children as well. You can call us directly on 925-846-4491 for any kind of dental emeregency.

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Top Tips to Tackle Your Dental Anxiety to Keep Your Smile Healthy!

By | Date posted: | Last updated: October 6, 2022
how to get rid of dental anxiety

Mortified of being in the dental chair? You are not alone. Research shows that as many as 36 percent of people worry before a dental appointment & There are many who go to the length of avoiding regular checkups, giving in to their fear of the dental chair.

Reason Behind Your Dental Anxiety

Come to think of it, there are several reasons why you might fear visiting the dentist. Some of these could include:

  • A past hurtful experience that has left a mark on your psyche. Odds are it could be attributed to your childhood
  • Fear of pain
  • Fear of dental tools, machines and sounds
  • Loss of control. Many feel trapped while they are on the chair & have the dentist working inside their mouth.
  • Embarrassment, especially if you think your oral hygiene isn’t up to the mark.

Effects of Avoiding Dental Appointments

No matter where your fear stems from, the fact is that if it comes in the way of dental appointments, it can have an adverse effect not just on your oral health but also your overall health. Some of the ill effects of avoiding dental appointments can include:

  • Cavities
  • Plaque & Tartar
  • Gum disease
  • Infection
  • Bad breath
  • Loss of teeth

In addition, if oral issues aren’t addressed early, there is a possibility that the infection in the gums can spread through the bloodstream to other organs. In fact, gum disease is known to affect the heart, cause infection in the lungs, lead to osteoporosis, arthritis & more.

Let all of this, however, not add to your dental anxiety. In fact, here are enough & more tips to fight that anxiety & ensure that your teeth get the attention that they deserve.

Tips to Fight Dental Anxiety

#1. Find the Right Dentist

First things first, look for a dentist who is empathetic & works well with patients suffering from dental anxiety. Schedule a visit to get a feel for the place. Also, meet the dentist in person to see how you feel & if he helps allay your fears. In fact, be vocal about your apprehensions & see if the dentist comes up with a plan suited to your needs. Do not hesitate in asking any questions that may come to your mind. You will also benefit from meeting the staff & see for yourself how receptive they are to your needs. Overall, once you find the atmosphere of the dental office to not be intimidating or judgmental that will give you the much-needed confidence.

#2. Use Distraction to Your Advantage

It will help to listen to some soothing music on your earphones as you wait for your appointment. Alternately watching your favorite show or carrying your favorite read can also do the trick.

#3. Go with a Friend or Relative

It will work well to go for your first dental appointment with a trusted friend or relative. It will be comforting to know that someone is waiting for you as you step out of the procedure. Ensure that the person you take with you, does not suffer from dental anxiety himself to be able to offer you support.

#4. Ensure That You Have Time to Acclimatize

It will work well to arrive with some time at hand to acclimatize yourself with the place. However, do not arrive too soon as that could lead to your imagination running wild as you see other patients enter the dentist’s chamber. Pro tip- As far as possible keep your appointment for the morning hours. That way you will not spend the entire day dwelling on your appointment. Remember what gets your focus, grows. Ensure, therefore, that your focus isn’t on your fears.

#5. Use Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques such as meditation or controlled breathing can go a long way in handling stresses & strains of life effectively & dental appointments are no exception. The relaxation techniques that you practice can go a long way in calming you during the dental procedure. Visualization techniques can also come in quite handy. Imagining a calm & peaceful place will help you get through the procedure without any hitches.

#6 Ask Your Dentist for Appropriate Sedation Options

It will help to discuss possible sedation options with your dentist in advance. This will give you the confidence to go through the procedure. Your dentist will be in the best position to advice which sedation option- local anesthetic, nitrous oxide or oral or IV sedation will work for you. Armed with the information that you will be sedated you can put your fears to rest.

#7. Reward Yourself

Having gone through the first appointment successfully, remember to celebrate your win & to reward yourself. Not only do you deserve the reward, it will also go a long way in associating dental visits with positive happenings as opposed to any hurtful associations that you may have built in the past.

To Sum Up

These seemingly small tips can go a long way in allaying your fears & get you that much-needed oral treatment & keep you in good overall health. To add to these reasons to work on your fears, it will also help to know that research has shown that children with parents who have dental anxiety are twice as prone to it themselves. Working on your own fears is therefore likely to have far-reaching benefits.

At Dental oasis, family dentistry, we take care of you during dental treatment so you don’t feel anxious. If you want to know about anxiety-free dental procedures just schedule a dental appointment now.

Here’s to conquering your fears & to good health!

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