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thousand oaks root canal

Dental Questions: Why do I need a root canal if my tooth doesn't hurt?

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Dental Questions: Why do I need a root canal if my tooth doesn't hurt?

thousandoaksfamilydentistry.com

Has a dentist ever looked at an x-ray of your teeth and recommended a root canal? You probably know that root canals are performed to remove aggravated (and painful) tooth nerves. Why would a dentist want to do this procedure on a tooth that has never bothered you? The truth is that root canals are often used to protect teeth with "dead" nerves from future pain and infection. Take a look!

A root canal is a dental procedure where the nerve of the tooth is removed and the resulting empty nerve canal is filled with a sealing material. They are performed on teeth with some type of irreversible nerve damage. This typically stems from bacteria, trauma or deep/extensive dental work. Patients may complain of a painful tooth that throbs or has an exaggerated reaction to cold foods/drinks. These can be clues that the nerve has become so severely agitated that it will eventually wither out and die. Conversely, a patient can indicate that the gums around the tooth are swollen, the tooth is sensitive to biting or that there is a bump or pimple on the gums above a tooth. These types of findings suggest the nerve in the tooth has already died, and is now fueling a localized bacterial infection called an abscess. Either way, these types of teeth will eventually need root canals to solve their issues. 

Why might you need a root canal on a tooth that has never bothered you? A certain portion of the population will have the nerve in a tooth die in response to bacteria or trauma without pain or swelling. These teeth are usually discovered incidentally at a dental exam by visualizing an abscess on an x-ray. In most instances, this does not pose an emergency or cause for immediate concern. However, leaving the problem long term can lead to swelling, pain or the spread of infection.

Dental treatment recommendations can be difficult to understand, particularly when they involve root canals, crowns, implants or other complex procedures. At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we are here to walk you through any difficult or confusing dental situations.  If you would like to know more about root canals, crowns or types of dental plain, please give our office a call!

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Dental Questions: What can I do if I have a cracked tooth?

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Dental Questions: What can I do if I have a cracked tooth?

thousandoaksfamilydentistry.com

Cracked teeth are notoriously painful and difficult to diagnose. They typically present as an ache when releasing your jaw from biting on something hard. The pressure of opening and closing the crack puts stress on the cells deep within the teeth and creates this painful sensation. You may also experience increased sensitivity to cold or a strange pushing or pinching sensation in your gums. 

If you think you have a cracked tooth, your first step is to schedule an emergency dental appointment. Here, X-rays, special lights and probes are used to identify the fracture and determine where it goes. Most often it is impossible to see the actual depth of the crack and the teeth must be treated based on their symptoms. Lowering the height of the tooth (so that the opposing tooth no longer puts pressure on it) is a typical first step. From there, a dentist may use a crown to provide extra coverage to the tooth or refer to an endodontist to take a CT scan or perform a root canal. 

If the crack goes down the length of the root and extends to one of the canals, the tooth is likely not savable. In these instances, we usually suggest an extraction to relieve pain and to prepare for an implant in the near future. For more information on emergency appointments, cracked teeth and dental pain, please give our office a call!

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Specialist Spotlight: Dr. Lee of Thousand Oaks Endodontics

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Specialist Spotlight: Dr. Lee of Thousand Oaks Endodontics

ThousandOaksFamilyDentistry.com

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we are proud of the network of skilled dental specialists we have created. Whether you are in our office or one of our associates’ offices, know that you will be treated with respect, kindness and experience. Today, we would like to highlight Dr. Jonathan Lee at Thousand Oaks Endodontics.

Endodontics is the subspecialty of dentistry focused on treating infections and injuries to the nerve of the tooth by performing root canals. here, the tooth nerve is removed and replaced with a resilient filling material called gutta percha. Endodontist may also perform surgical procedures to patch tooth roots or splint teeth after an injury. In his state of the art office, Dr. Lee performs all these procedures (and more!) with compassion and the highest levels of expertise. 

A Conejo Valley native, Dr. Lee completed dental school at USC and his residency at Temple University in Pittsburgh. If you would like to know more about Dr. Lee's office, root canals or why you are being referred to see a specialist, please give our office a call!

Website: http://www.thousandoaksendodontics.com/

Phone number: 805 370 0110

 

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Helpful Infographic on Cracked Teeth

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Helpful Infographic on Cracked Teeth

A cracked tooth can be anything from a minor inconvenience to a major annoyance. Many times, small cracks begin showing painful symptoms only after weeks or months of continuous pressure  and abuse. Our friends at the Spear Institute put together this helpful guide on what to do and what to expect when you have a cracked tooth. As with most things in dentistry, the key is early detection and intervention. The sooner we can work on repairing a dental problem, the more likely the tooth can be saved. Take a look!

ThousandOaksFamilyDentistry.com

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Recent changes to our Root Canal Policies

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Recent changes to our Root Canal Policies

Our office recently changed our protocols on finishing root canal procedures done by endodontic specialists. These changes reflect the safest and most effective dental practices known today. As with all procedures carried out at Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we put your treatment, comfort and convenience first!

When a root canal is finished, you are essentially left with a tooth sans nerve tissue and a small opening at the top. This opening is a necessary part of the root canal procedure that allows the endodontist to reach the nerve tissue and roots. Unfortunately, it is also a major deterrent to the long term structural integrity of the tooth. In order to restore strength to the tooth, the opening needs to be sealed with a special filling material called a core and finished off with a dental crown. This core material chemically bonds to the enamel and protects against fractures and cracks. Many times, a device called a post will be added to the core to provide more rigidity when necessary. Posts extend partially down one root and create an additional structural anchor for the core to adhere to. 

Historically, the endodontists we work with would complete the root canal procedure and place a temporary filling into the opening (a "temporary core). This material does not actually bond to dental enamel and only serves to keep bacteria and food out of the inner tooth. It is very easy to remove, allowing for the quick re-access of a tooth if the first root canal was unsuccessful. Patients then had to return to our office, have the temporary filling removed and have a permanent restoration placed. Not only did this create a new opportunity for bacteria to invade the tooth, it caused our patients to spend days to weeks functioning with a severely weakened tooth. 

Currently, our endodontic specialists are placing permanent posts and cores at the time of root canal completion. This ensures the tooth is continuously sealed and structurally reinforced prior to crown placement. While immediately placing a permanent core can make re-accessing the tooth more difficult, the positives largely outweigh any negatives. Very few teeth end up needing immediate re-access, and the continued structural support of the tooth is a far more important factor in long term root canal success. 

If you would like to know more about root canals, posts, cores or any other dental procedures, please call our office. We are always happy and excited to walk you through any part of your dental treatment!

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Endodontists we work with

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Endodontists we work with

thousandoaksfamilydentistry.com

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we take our patient's individual needs very seriously. With this in mind, we have cultivated a network of highly skilled dental specialists to address any and every concern. For our patient who require root canals and other endodontic services, we are proud to work with Conejo-Simi Endodontics and Southern California Endodontic Group.

You may be referred to an endodontis' office to diagnose and treat certain types of tooth pain or resolve an infection. Specialists like Conejo-Simi Endo and So-Cal Endo have technology like microscopes and cone-beam CT scanners that can better visualize cracks, abscesses and root fractures on teeth. If the tooth in question is savable, an endodontist can then perform a root canal to remove infection or stop tooth pain. Their technical expertise shines in treating posterior teeth, where root anatomy can become complicated and difficult to visualize. Nevertheless, our specialists have years of experience and will always strive for the best treatments possible!

We typically refer to out to endodontists following an exam and X-rays. However, certain types of pain will clue us in to your need for a specialist even before looking in the mouth. Our office is positive that you will have a great experience at Conejo-Simi Endodontics or Southern California Endodontic Group. If you would like to know more about the specialists we refer to or why we use them, please give us a call!

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Dental Questions: What is a root canal?

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Dental Questions: What is a root canal?

Before and after X-rays of a completed root canal (rightmost tooth). Notice how the roots have whiter centers once the procedure was finished. 

Before and after X-rays of a completed root canal (rightmost tooth). Notice how the roots have whiter centers once the procedure was finished. 

In today's article, we are going to shed some light on a common (and commonly misunderstood) dental procedure: the root canal. Many patients fear and dread these treatments when in actuality they are painless and routine. We hope you find this information helpful!

Root canals fall under the dental field of endodontics. These procedures may be carried out by a general dentist or at a specialist's office. Then end goal of any root canal treatment is to remove the nerve tissue from the inner tooth, desensitize it and eliminate any bacteria or infection. This process allows us to save and treat many teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted. 

The first step in root canal treatment is to get the tooth in question completely numb. These procedures can be time consuming, so complete anesthesia is absolutely crucial. Contrary to popular belief, modern root canal therapy is virtually painless, with the many patient leaving the office with much less pain than they were in before!

Once the patient is numb and comfortable, a small opening is made in the top of the tooth to access the innermost layer called the pulp chamber. Here, the nerve endings that cause symptoms such as pain and cold sensitivity are cleaned out from the tooth.  This step is continued down the roots of the teeth, where a series of small files are used to clean and shape the root system. Once the pulp chamber and roots are completely cleaned, the tooth is filled with a thick, rubbery material called gutta percha. This step is crucial as it creates a plug against bacteria and recurrent infection.

After the treatment is complete, the top of the tooth is filled and restored, typically with a tooth-colored material. In many instances, teeth that receive root canals will need crowns for optimal strength. This is something the treating dentist will discuss with you and plan ahead of time. 

As with many dental treatments, this article is a general guideline and doesn't cover all aspects of endodontic therapy. If you have been told you need a root canal or want to know more about this type of procedure, please give our office a call. We will be more than happy to ease your mind and point you in the right direction!

 

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Dental Crowns In Thousand Oaks

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Dental Crowns In Thousand Oaks

Check out this new video testimonial from one of our very satisfied patients! Twenty years ago, Jennifer suffered from pain and headaches associated with stress on her temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In solving this, her previous dentist used dental crowns to improve the way her teeth came together and ease her TMJ pain. Although the procedure was successful, twenty years of wear combined with gum recession had affected the appearance and function of these restorations. 

Our main focus with this case was creating a long lasting solution that wouldn't bring back Jennifer's headaches and pain. We also wanted to give her a beautiful and natural smile she could be proud of. In doing this, Dr. Kari Ann Hong replaced twelve crowns on her upper arch and six crowns and six veneers on her lower. She used Emax lithium disilicate material instead of the previous porcelain and metal crowns to improve on esthetics and wear. The result is a spectacular smile that keeps Jennifer happy and healthy. For more information on dental crowns, dental veneers and TMJ pain, please email us at staff@thousandoaksfamilydentistry.com or call our office at (805) 480-9820. 

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Specialist Spotlight- Conejo-Simi Endodontics

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Specialist Spotlight- Conejo-Simi Endodontics

At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we are proud of the network of skilled dental specialists we have created. Whether you are in our office or one of our associates’ offices, know that you will be treated with respect, kindness and experience. Today, we would like to highlight the services offered at Conejo-Simi Endodontics, the office of Doctors Cobin, Bollinger and Stoops.

At Conejo Simi Endodontics, an array of services are provided towards preserving infected or chronically inflamed teeth. Beyond root canals, their office can diagnose internal fractures in tooth roots, retreat failing root canals and more. The end result is relief from pain, removal of infection and a longer lifespan for a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.  

In diagnosing and providing endodontic treatments, Doctors Cobin, Bollinger and Stoops bring together years of experience with state of the art technology. Their office is highly corroborative, and utilizes the doctors’ multiple perspectives and techniques in treating your case. Cone Beam CT scans are used to visualize your tooth in three dimensions while precise microscopes expose nearly every facet of the tooth structure. This technology and clinical skill distills to a better understanding of what exactly is happening in your mouth. Their office can then better work within many different constraints- whether personal needs, medical conditions or timing issues.

Beyond their technology and technical abilities, Conejo Simi Endodontics prides themselves in being an extremely communicative and open environment. They take time to listen to patient needs and respond appropriately. If you are apprehensive, they can help relax you with music, movie glasses or even blankets in addition to conscious or IV sedation. If you need further instructions or referrals, they are happy to walk you through why endodontic treatment isn’t appropriate at this time. Simply put, they want you to feel informed, listened to and supported. On top of patient communication, their staff does an excellent job of corresponding with our office, providing us with clear and informative report of your procedure. This translates to quick and continuous treatment of your dental needs.

In total, we are proud to refer to Conejo Simi Endo because of their compassion, communication and expertise. If you would like to know more about Doctors Cobin, Bollinger and Stoops or any other of our fantastic specialists, please give us a call.  We want our patients to know they are in good hands, whether with us or one of our specialists.

For more information on Conejo Simi Endodntics, please visit their website at: www.conejosimiendo.com

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