Pediatric Dentistry

Despite the myths, endodontic therapy are key treatments that remove the pulp, save teeth and relieve pain. You will learn about root canal therapy and how to care for your tooth after, so you can confidently handle your dental health.

Endodontic Therapy Step-By-Step

Understanding Endodontic Therapy

What Does a Root Canal Look Like?

The endodontic procedure to remove the infected pulp, clean and disinfect it, and fill it to avoid further issues. Root canal pictures often show the before and after of the tooth’s interior, highlighting the clean, filled, and sealed canals.

Root Canal on front teeth - Root Canal Xray:

Root Canal Before and After:

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The Lifespan of a Endodontic Therapy

How long does a endodontic therapy last? With proper dental care, including regular check-ups, cleanings, and good oral hygiene, a treated tooth can last a lifetime. A dental crown after endodontic therapy treatment adds protection and longevity.

Tooth with root canal hurts with pressure? Sometimes, it takes time for the surrounding soft tissues to fully heal after a endodontic therapy. In rare cases, some bacteria may remain in the affected tooth or the surrounding tissues, causing continued discomfort. Pressure on a cracked tooth may cause pain as well if left untreated.

If you're in pain or feeling sensitive after dental treatment, it's a good idea to see your dentist or endodontist for a check-up. They can determine the cause of the discomfort and recommend appropriate treatment to address it.

How long does a root canal last without a crown? The absence of a dental crown can greatly shorten a tooth's life. The crown is essential for protecting the weakened tooth from fractures post-treatment. Without a crown, the tooth is more likely to fail, particularly molars and premolars that handle most of the chewing.

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Post-Endodontic Therapy Care

Immediate Aftercare

Can I drive after a root canal? After endodontic therapy, driving is safe as long as you feel well and have no lingering effects from sedation.

What can I eat after a root canal? What to eat after a endodontic therapy is crucial. Eat soft, easy-to-chew foods to avoid discomfort and protect the treated area.

Managing Discomfort

How to stop throbbing pain after root canal? Over-the-counter pain medication and cold compresses can alleviate pain. If you have pressure pain on root canal tooth or any other persistent discomfort, contact your dentist.

Root Canal Treatment Side Effects

1. Without a crown for protection, the tooth that underwent endodontic therapy may weaken and become more susceptible to breaking. This happens because the procedure removes the tooth's pulp, which can make the tooth less strong.
2. Rarely, but a few folks might get an allergic reaction to the things used in the procedure, such as the filling or anesthesia.
3. Bacteria can cause another infection if it gets back into the tooth filling material. Signs of a re-infection include pain, swelling, and sensitivity.
4. Root Canal Cracked Tooth: Without a crown, the tooth could crack, potentially causing infection and pain.

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Common Questions and Concerns

Endodontic Therapy vs. Dental Implants

When considering root canal vs implant, remember that preserving your natural teeth is always preferable. Endodontic therapy can save the natural tooth structure, while implants replace the entire tooth.

Smoking and Oral Health

Can you smoke after a root canal? We advise against smoking because it can delay healing and raise the risk of complications.

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Enhancing Your Dental Health

Preventing Root Canals

How to avoid root canal? The key lies in preventing tooth decay and gum disease through regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. Addressing issues early with treatments like dental fillings can prevent the need for more invasive procedures.

Emergency Care

What about emergency root canal? When faced with severe pain or a cracked tooth root canal, immediate dental attention can prevent further damage and save your tooth.

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Myths vs. Reality

The Truth About Pain

How bad does a root canal hurt 1-10? With modern techniques and anesthesia, most patients experience minimal discomfort.

Are Root Canals Bad for You?

Endodontic Therapy is a safe and effective way to treat infected teeth. The procedure removes bacteria, protecting your tooth and overall health.

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Advanced Care and Alternatives

The Role of Dental Crowns

Getting a crown after root canal can help your tooth look, feel, and function normal again. A crown will ensure its strength and durability as well for the long term. The dentist will remove the temporary filling after the endodontic therapy, and complete your dental crown.

Exploring Alternatives

While there is alternative to root canal to consider, most of the time it's better to save your natural tooth.

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Conclusion

Endodontic Therapy play a crucial role in dental health, addressing tooth infections and decay to save natural teeth. Knowing about root canals, caring for your tooth after, and preventing more dental issues can keep your smile healthy and free from pain. Remember, the key to a successful dental pulp therapy is early detection, proper aftercare, and regular dental visits. So, embrace your dental health journey with confidence and let root canals be a positive step towards a brighter smile.

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Have you ever been looking at tubes of toothpaste at the supermarket and asked yourself how they work? Have you wondered if there is a difference between common types of “whitening” toothpaste? In this article from Enamel Dentistry, we’ll be taking a look at how tooth whitening toothpaste works, and how it can help you keep your pearly whites bright and beautiful. 

Whitening Toothpaste Contains Mild Abrasives to Remove Stains

Just about all kinds of toothpaste contain some sort of mild abrasive, as this helps remove plaque and polish your teeth. However, whitening toothpastes usually have a higher level of abrasive particles. Baking soda is often used, as is silica, dicalcium phosphate, and a number of other abrasives.

These abrasives are usually formulated specifically to be softer than your enamel. This ensures that they do not wear down your teeth, but they can still be used to buff away surface stains caused by plaque buildup, and keep your teeth looking bright and beautiful. 

Some Whitening Toothpaste Contains Peroxide for Enhanced Whitening Power

All toothpastes with abrasives can whiten your teeth to an extent, but for more whitening power, you’ll want to choose a toothpaste that contains peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

These are the same compounds used in professional whitening treatments. Peroxide is very volatile, and it breaks the bonds that hold stains onto your teeth upon contact. This “bleaches” the stains away, and restores the natural white color of your enamel.

If you want the best whitening results, you should choose a toothpaste that contains hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. Repeated use of the toothpaste according to its usage instructions can actually reverse minor teeth stains and yellowing. You can also use whitening toothpaste to keep your teeth white after you have had them professionally whitened.

Choose ADA-Approved Whitening Toothpaste for the Best Results (and Stay Safe!) 

It’s important to make sure that you don’t overuse whitening toothpastes. While some are formulated for everyday use, others are intended to be used only once per day, or on some other treatment schedule. Follow the directions on the tube or packaging to make sure you don’t damage your natural enamel due to overusing the whitening toothpaste.  

You should also choose an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste. These toothpastes have been tested and approved by the American Dental Association, so they are generally accepted as being safe to use. 

Avoid non-ADA approved “whitening” toothpastes, such as charcoal toothpaste. Charcoal is extremely abrasive. Because of this, it can eliminate some surface stains on your teeth, but it also may permanently wear down your enamel. 

To keep your teeth bright and healthy, stick to ADA-approved products with mild, tested abrasives and hydrogen/carbamide peroxide. 

Got Stained Teeth? Whitening Toothpaste May Not Be Enough! 

Whitening toothpaste is great for minor stains and for maintaining a bright smile. But if you have heavy stains due to tobacco use, frequently drinking coffee, tea, or wine, or due to any other issue, whitening toothpaste alone may not be enough. Professional help from a cosmetic dentist may be required. 

Professional teeth whitening in Austin from Enamel Dentistry is the best way to restore your smile if you have heavy stains. To learn more, contact us and schedule a cosmetic consultation today!

Stroll through any drug store, and you’ll find numerous over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whitening products. How do these differ from what’s used at the dentist’s office—and which is better? Isn’t it just easier to whiten your teeth at home?

The Main Difference Between OTC and Professional Teeth Whitening

There are many types of OTC teeth whitening products available, including strips, gels, toothpaste, and bleach kits. While some of these products are pretty good, they all have a much lower concentration of the whitening agent than what’s used at the dentist’s office. You’ll also be applying it to your teeth over a shorter period of time. Essentially, you’ll see less of a change in the appearance of your smile, and it will take much longer.

At Enamel Dentistry, we use a higher-concentrated bleaching gel, which allows us to whiten your teeth by 5-10 shades in a single office visit. It’s much more effective than OTC whiteners! OTC bleaching gels can cause sensitivity and discomfort; we use custom trays and monitor you the entire time to make sure you have a comfortable experience throughout the entire process.

In addition, some OTC whitening products contain charcoal or other substances that can damage your enamel!

What About Convenience?

OTC whiteners are certainly convenient—you just need to grab one off the shelf and use it at home. Believe it or not, professional teeth cleaning can be just as convenient! At Enamel Dentistry, you don’t have to sit in the dentist’s chair to get a whiter, brighter smile. Although that’s certainly an option, we also offer custom take-home whitening kits. While still more effective than OTC products, they’re designed to give you gentler, more gradual treatment than what you’d get with our in-office whitening. This is perfect for patients who’d like a more natural whitening process or don’t have the time for in-office appointments.

Want to learn more about our professional teeth whitening or schedule an appointment? Contact your closest Enamel Dentistry location today!