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With regular dental visits, your hygienists and dentist will often be able to head off instances of deep infection and hopefully address the issue before root canal therapy is needed.

Rootless Fears: Root Canal Therapy Gets a Bad Rap

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root canal

Root Canal Therapy

“Worse Than a Root Canal”

If you’ve lived long enough, you’ve likely heard someone compare the pain they’ve felt to the pain of a root canal. Before many people are likely old enough to even need a root canal, they’ve already formed an opinion about this treatment as something excruciating and to be avoided at all costs. While we do recommend avoiding the need for root canal therapy altogether, we can attest that this treatment in no way deserves its bad reputation, and we’d like to take a moment on this National Root Canal Appreciation Day to dispel those misconceptions.

Just What Is a Root Canal?

What most people refer to as a root canal is an endodontic treatment in which the infected pulp and nerve in the root of a tooth are removed, the root canal is cleaned out, the space is filled, and the tooth is sealed and crowned to restore the tooth to healthy function. Because this treatment preserves your natural tooth structure and bite, it’s much preferred to extraction whenever possible. Despite the bad publicity around the treatment, it functions to immediately alleviate tooth pain caused by rampant infection and often abscess at the tooth’s root. This helpful graphic shows the series of steps the dentist or an endodontist will take in preserving a tooth using root canal therapy.

normal root canal

What Causes a Patient to Need Root Canal Therapy?

There are numerous factors that can play into the kind of deep infection of a tooth that requires endodontic treatment. Oftentimes it is highly preventable tooth decay that makes its way to the pulp and roots of a tooth. In other cases, a patient has had multiple procedures done on a tooth that over time have led to the susceptibility of that tooth’s core to infection. Sometimes a chip, crack, or other injury to a tooth can lead to deep infection. There are even cases when a tooth has no visible signs of damage or decay, but a trauma has lead to pulp damage that necessitates root canal therapy.

What Are the Signs I Need Root Canal Therapy?

With regular dental visits, your hygienists and dentist will often be able to head off instances of deep infection and hopefully address the issue before root canal therapy is needed. But there are times when an infection flares up quite suddenly, and it’s good to know the warning signs so you can alert our office right away. Here are some of the most common conditions associated with infection of a tooth’s pulp and roots:

  • Cracked or chipped tooth
  • Sharp, severe pain when chewing or biting down
  • Tender and/or swollen gums
  • Abnormal bulging or formation of pimples on the gums
  • Darkening or decay of the gums
  • Keen tooth sensitivity to hot or cold

While none of these conditions is a certain indication that root canal therapy is needed, you should always alert us to them right away: Acting quickly can help to avoid further damage, infection, and the need for more extensive (and expensive) endodontic treatment.

Seriously, Will It Hurt?

If you had root canal treatment before modern techniques and anesthetics, it might’ve lived up to its reputation as a painful procedure. Today, however, most patients who undergo the treatment describe it as being relatively painless. We take great care to ensure our patients are fully numb and remain fully numb when a root canal (or any procedure) is performed. Progressing deliberately and skillfully and seeking constant feedback, your provider will keep you as free from pain as any other dental treatment. Many patients claim that root canal therapy was much more comfortable for them than fillings.

How Much Does Root Canal Therapy Cost?

The cost of root canal treatment will vary a good deal depending on the level of infection, the complexity of the case, and the tooth in need of repair. For example, molars are generally more difficult to treat, and the cost therefore tends to more. Broadly speaking, root canal is a much more cost-effective treatment than tooth extraction and replacement, since a bridge or implant will be called for to replace an infected tooth that’s extracted. Everyone’s situation is different, but our office will always be completely transparent and up-front when it comes to costs. For a little perspective, though: As of 2021, the average cost for root canal therapy for a front tooth was around $900, the average cost for a bicuspid was around $1,000, and the average cost for a molar was about $1,600.

References

http://www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/root-canals/myths-about-root-canals-and-root-canal-pain.aspx

http://www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/root-canals/root-canals.aspx

http://www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/what-is-a-root-canal/root-canal-explained/ 

https://www.newmouth.com/blog/root-canal-without-insurance/

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/root-canals

 

periodontitis-chart-web

What Is Periodontal Disease?

What Is Periodontal Disease?

periodontitis chart web

What Is It?

Periodontal disease is another term for gum disease, and it refers to an infection of the tissue that surrounds and holds your teeth in place. There are two distinct stages to periodontal disease: The first stage, gingivitis, involves swelling and reddening of the gum tissue. The second, periodontitis, can mean the gums actually pulling away from teeth, bones deteriorating, and teeth loosening and potentially falling out.

What Causes It?

The simplest explanation for what causes periodontal disease is bacteria. The bacteria in the mouth, left unchecked, forms a film on the teeth called plaque that eventually hardens into tartar (calculus). This tartar spreads — sometimes below the gum line — and this infection causes inflammation and damage to teeth, gums, and bone.

What Are Its Risk Factors?

While bacteria is the main culprit behind periodontal disease, there are a number of behaviors or factors that can put a person at higher risk of it developing and progressing. Some of the leading risk factors are:

• Smoking

• Poor oral hygiene

• Diabetes

• Diseases that suppress the immune system

• Medications that reduce saliva production

• Hormonal changes in girls and women

• Stress

• Crooked teeth

• Genetic predisposition

What Are Its Warning Signs?

Some of the most common and obvious signs of periodontal disease include:

• Red/swollen gums

• Tender/bleeding gums

• Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth

• Sensitive teeth

• Pain when chewing

• Changes to your bite

• Pulling away of gum tissue from teeth

• Loose teeth

How Is It Treated?

Once the dentist or hygienist has diagnosed the periodontal disease, the first thing for patients to keep in mind is that the success of any treatment option is going to depend on their willingness to keep up good oral hygiene habits at home. That said, the early stage of periodontal disease — gingivitis — can be treated with regular cleanings from your hygienist in concert with daily brushing and flossing. More advanced periodontal disease might require more aggressive treatment options, such as deep-cleaning of the roots below the gum surface, antibiotics or other medications taken orally or placed below the gums, and even oral surgery.

Additional Facts About Periodontal Disease

According to the CDC:

• 47% of all adults over 30 have some form of periodontal disease

• 70% of adults over 65 have the disease

• Periodontal disease is more common in men (56%) than in women (38%)

• 64% of current smokers have periodontal disease

 

References

https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease/more-info

https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html

https://www.perio.org/newsroom/periodontal-disease-fact-sheet

https://www.lakelandfamilydentalwi.com/blog/Periodontal-Gum-Disease-Treatment/Lakeland-Family-Dental-Is-it-Normal-for-My-Gums-to-Bleed/7100

https://www.sharecare.com/health/periodontal-diseases/what-is-periodontal-disease

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/qa/what-is-periodontal-disease

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10950-gingivitis-and-periodontal-disease-gum-disease

A Dental Crown Blog post image

Why Would I Need A Dental Crown?

Why Would I Need A Dental Crown?

A Dental Crown blog image

Who Needs Dental Crowns?

There are many people who can benefit from dental crowns, including those:

• with teeth that have such extensive decay that fillings are not an option

• with weakened teeth that need protection from breaking or cracking apart

• with teeth that are already cracked

• with teeth that are extremely worn down

• who need to have a dental bridge held in place

• who need to cover a dental implant

• who want to cover or make a cosmetic improvement to their existing teeth

Why Choose Dental Crowns?

A properly fit and placed crown can last for decades, significantly longer than the average filling tends to last. Unlike fillings, a dental crown covers the entire tooth, protecting it against future tooth decay. Crowns are required for covering dental implants, and they are ideal in mirroring the exact color and shape of the teeth they’re replacing. Crowns can hold together cracked teeth and often prevent the necessity of extracting teeth. They can also be employed to close the gaps between teeth and correct minor problems with tooth positioning. Finally, dental crowns can cover stained or misshapen teeth, producing a much nicer smile and boosting one’s self-confidence.

What Does a Dental Crown Procedure Involve?

Tradition Dental Crowns

With traditional dental crowns, a patient needs to come in for at least two separate visits, usually spaced out about two to three weeks. At the first appointment, the tooth to be crowned is examined and prepared. The dentist and his/her assistants will take X-rays of the tooth itself and the bone surrounding to check for the extent of decay or damage. In some cases, a root canal may have to be done before proceeding with a crown. The next step is to file down the top and sides of the tooth to accommodate the crown. If there is extensive decay and too much tooth has to be removed, the dentist will add a filling material to build up the remaining tooth structure. Once the shaping of the tooth structure is finished, an impression is made of that tooth (which will serve as the basis for the new crown), along with the tooth above or below to ensure that the patient’s bite is not affected. The dentist will send off the impressions to a dental lab and place a temporary crown over the tooth at the end of the first appointment — this will serve to protect the tooth during the 2-3 weeks it takes for the lab to create the permanent crown. At the second and final visit, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is checked for fit and color. When these checks are finished, the permanent crown is cemented into place, sometimes with the aid of a local anesthetic.

Same-Day Crowns

The process for same-day crowns is the same as for traditional crowns, right up until the point when impressions are taken. With same-day crowns, there is no need for the use of traditional gel tray impressions: A 3D scanning wand is placed inside the patient’s mouth that maps the shape of the teeth and sends this information directly to a CAD/CAM milling machine that will create the permanent crown in under an hour.

How to Arrange Your Own Dental Crown

If you have concerns about decay or damage to a tooth and believe that a dental crown might be the best course, please call our office at 715-842-3933 to set up your consultation with Dr. Bushong, or reserve your preferred appointment time online.

 

References

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-crowns#1

https://www.dental-treatment-guide.com/dental-crowns

https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-crown/what-benefits-dental-crown

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10923-dental-crowns/procedure-details

Toothache Troubles And What To Do

Toothaches can show up at any age. Toothaches can bring only a little pain, or they can be debilitatingly painful. A toothache can be a sign that you have a cavity, abscess, or other dental emergencies. A toothache is often caused by damage to the nerve endings present in the inner tissues of the tooth, called pulp.

If you have a toothache, first rinse your mouth out with lukewarm water–not cold or hot. Then, gently use floss or another interdental cleaner to remove any food particles or other debris stuck between your teeth in that area. Be very careful in doing this so as not to further irritate the area. If the pain continues, call your dentist immediately. DO NOT apply aspirin to the affected area, as that may burn your gum tissue.

If you continue to feel pain in a tooth even after taking these steps, you may have damage to the pulp in your tooth. In this case, call your dentist and make an appointment for as soon as possible.

If you would like to schedule an oral exam at Wausau Smiles, simply call our dentist office in Wausau, Wisconsin, at our number 715-842-3933. Dr. Aaron Bushong and our entire team look forward to making your smile healthy and happy!

Resisting Cavities

Cavities are a threat to your smile and teeth. In fact, cavities can cause your teeth to rot or fall out, which can lead to gum disease and other serious problems. That is why resisting cavities is always a great idea if you can and having the proper knowledge of how to do that will help your oral health for years to come.

Our dentist, Dr. Aaron Bushong, is happy to help you understand more about resisting cavities. That is why our team at Wausau Smiles in Wausau, Wisconsin, is delighted to talk to you about how to keep up with your cavity prevention at home.

To begin, the first step to cavity prevention contains brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day. Brushing your teeth with a toothbrush removes the sticky plaque and bacteria from your teeth caused by foods and drinks we devour each day. The next step is flossing to cavity prevention because it takes off the plaque from the areas around your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Without brushing or flossing, you are leaving your teeth defenseless to oral health calamities.

Mouthwash is another vital step to do to wash away bacteria from your smile. The mouthwash can also protect your teeth with fluoride to keep your teeth healthy. Chewing sugar-free gum is also excellent to produce saliva to prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth between mealtimes. The next step in the process is to remember to visit your dentist every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning. Your dentist can help keep your smile clean and healthy and help stop severe problems from occurring into larger ones.

As you can see, there are things you can do on your own to fight against cavities. If you would like to learn more information, or if you have any concerns about your smile and oral health, please feel free to reach out and contact our team at 715-842-3933 to set up an appointment.

Content Smiles: Tooth Decay

Are you aware of how important it is that you have an effective oral hygiene routine to keep your smile safe? Although various forms of oral accidents and injuries can come along and destroy your smile, underlying risk such as microscopic damage related to acids in your mouth can also slowly tear down your teeth and gums. Because of the risk of tooth decay, it is important to always establish effective risk prevention plans to not only keep your smile clean and free of debris but also limit the effects of tooth decay that begin to arise.

Learning of the risk of plaque buildup in your mouth is one of the key preventive treatments for limiting the risk of tooth decay. Because tooth decay can lead to several oral health problems including eventual tooth loss, you will need to make sure that plaque is not allowed to collect in your mouth. Plaque is a thin layer that rests on your teeth, but it is possible to remove it through the use of brushes and dental floss. By brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing between your teeth once daily, you can drastically lower your risk of plaque buildup. However, if plaque goes untreated, it can eventually turn into a hard substance known as tartar, which can only be removed with the help of professional care.

If you have any concerns about your oral hygiene or your enamel being worn down, speak with your dentist. Furthermore, routine checkups and examinations at your dentist can prove to be extremely beneficial, as knowing your oral health risks is the first step in providing preventive treatments. Be sure to visit your dentist every 6 months for a bi-annual professional cleaning.

Your smile and your oral health care can receive a boost with tooth decay prevention. If you wish to visit the dental office of Wausau Smiles in Wausau, Wisconsin, you can book an exam by calling us at 715-842-3933. Dr. Aaron Bushong and our entire team look forward to providing you with the tooth decay prevention and care you need.

Invisalign®️ Clear Aligners Offer Discreet Orthodontic Treatment

We invite you to consider the amazing benefits of Invisalign®️ if you are interested in receiving orthodontic treatment that has the power to shift your teeth without being an obvious presence on your teeth. Over the years, braces and aligners have moved forward to provide cosmetic systems that are more appealing for your smile. Below we offer a review of Invisalign clear aligners and how their impact on your smile differs from that of metal braces.

The clear material that makes up your Invisalign aligners turn your appliance virtually invisible so that it is hard to detect in your smile when worn. The process of straightening your teeth can be completed without the same cosmetic concerns as braces and the appearance of your smile. Your Invisalign aligners are highly capable of improving your smile by straightening your teeth as long as you care for the aligners and your teeth properly.

Invisalign offers several of the same benefits as traditional orthodontic treatment, but it also has many unique benefits of its own. For example, while braces require food restrictions to prevent damage to the appliances, the removable nature of Invisaligns means you can eat whatever you want without worry. Remove your appliance before eating, and then clean your teeth and place the aligner back over your smile.

We encourage you to contact Wausau Smiles at 715-842-3933 today to schedule your consultation with our dentist, Dr. Aaron Bushong, if you would like to learn more about Invisalign in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Dentures and Teeth Lost to Dental Trauma

Sports injuries and automotive collisions can sometimes impact the mouth with such force that it causes severe dental trauma. Some of these cases are so severe that a dentist like Dr. Aaron Bushong simply cannot save the affected teeth with a root canal or crown.

In a case this severe, the dentist might need to perform an emergency extraction to remove the tooth. This will help to alleviate the pain and prevent further complications. After the gums have fully healed Dr. Bushong can help you understand your options for restoring or replacing your missing teeth. If you are averse to the oral surgery required for a dental implant or an implant-supported bridge, Dr. Bushong and his team might recommend a partial denture. A partial denture is a removable dental appliance that will be designed to effectively mimic the appearance and function of your missing teeth. It will be firmly set into a pink base that is designed to match the natural shape and appearance of your gum tissue. The partial denture might also include hardware to lock it in place with the adjacent teeth.

If you live in the Wausau, Wisconsin, area and have just suffered a severe dental trauma, you should not delay in calling 715-842-3933 to seek treatment at Wausau Smiles.

Peak Oral Health Levels: Healthy & Unhealthy Foods to Eat

Do you continually think about which unhealthy foods you’re eating and take the necessary steps to eliminate them from your diet? Similarly, do you think about healthy food options for not only your waistline but also your gumline? If you have not done so already, it is important to implement an effective dietary plan that regulates unhealthy and healthy foods to eat.

Be aware that several products can not only do damage to your teeth and gums, but they can even stain your teeth. This can include wines or coffee, which can slowly cause tooth stains and discolorations to occur. Fortunately, they can be eradicated if you visit your dentist for a professional tooth whitening treatment. However, some forms of foods and drinks can do further damage, as extremely acidic products, as well as those that are high in sugar or carbs, can produce harmful acids that will chew through your tooth enamel.

As an alternative to unhealthy foods, look for foods that can produce additional saliva in your mouth. Saliva is essential for washing away debris and neutralizing harmful acids that may be present. Foods that have been shown to produce additional saliva include sugarless chewing gum and crunchy foods with a high water content such as apples or pears.

For additional help with your oral health care, please call Wausau Smiles at 715-842-3933 to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Wausau, Wisconsin. Dr. Aaron Bushong and our expert team look forward to helping you soon!

Teenage Teeth Difficulties

Life as a teenager can be difficult. The big game. Prom. Social pressure. Wisdom teeth. All of these comes with their own stresses. Though we can’t help you win the big game or find a date to prom, we can give you some information about your teeth that will help you through this time in your life.

Social pressures can be intense at this point in your life. Unfortunately, peer pressure can lead to some ruinous oral health habits. These include choosing to use drugs, smoking, chewing tobacco or tobacco products, playing contact sports without the proper safety equipment, and wearing dangerous mouth jewelry (like lip and tongue rings) that could easily chip and crack teeth.

Wisdom teeth are designed for chewing, though they often grow in wrong. This can lead to a variety of bad bites, including crowding other teeth. Sometimes the wisdom teeth do not fully break the gumline. This increases your risk of tooth decay and infection.

Schedule and attend regular check-ups with your dentist to make sure your teeth are growing as expected. If they aren’t, your dentist can help you decide which route to take to correct the problem.

To schedule an appointment in Wausau, Wisconsin, call Wausau Smiles at 715-842-3933. Dr. Aaron Bushong and our team look forward to seeing you!

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