DENTAL PROCEDURES - Princess Dental Center

Because dentists believe the best teeth are your own teeth, modern dental offices perform hundreds of different dental procedures to make sure you keep your teeth.

Your dentist may recommend a procedure for one of several reasons: • Prevention - to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as they are now.
• Restoration - to treat damaged teeth and gums and replace lost teeth.
• Cosmetic - to improve the appearance of your teeth.

Some of these procedures are straightforward, while others are more involved. The information in this section has been provided to help you understand the different procedures available to keep your smile healthy.

Only your dentist has the skills, training and expertise to identify and address all your oral health care needs. The information on this section is intended for informational use only and does not substitute the professional care of your dentist. If you have a question or concern that is not covered in this section, please contact CDA or ask your dentist.

What is Root Canal Treatment?

Also called endodontics, root canal treatment is the process of removing the infected, injured or dead pulp from a tooth. Teeth are made up of three hard layers:

1. enamel
2. dentin
3. cementum

There is a space inside the hard layers of each tooth. It is called the root canal system and it is filled with soft dental pulp made up of nerves and blood vessels that help the tooth grow and develop. Once a tooth is fully-grown, it can survive without a pulp. If the pulp of a tooth becomes infected, a root canal (or endodontic treatment) is needed. When this treatment is performed, the pulp is removed.

During your regular check-up, your dentist checks for infection and damage to teeth, even though you may not notice any signs of tooth trouble. If trouble is spotted and you need a root canal, your dentist may do it, or refer you to a dental specialist with at least two years of extra university training in this area.

Root canal specialists are called endodontists. If your child's baby (or primary) tooth is damaged, your dentist may refer you to a pediatric dentist. If you notice a problem with a tooth, do not wait until it hurts. Call your dentist as soon as you injure a tooth or notice a cavity or loose filling. If you get attention quickly, there is a better chance that damage can be prevented and the tooth saved.

Crowns

If your tooth is damaged but not lost, a crown (also called a cap) can be used to cover the damaged part of your tooth. A crown protects your tooth from further damage. You may need a crown if:

• you have a root canal;
• you have a large filling in a tooth;
• you have a broken tooth; or
• your tooth is badly stained, not the right shape or out of line.

Crowns can be made of different kinds of metals, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. They are strong and last for about 10 years, if you take good care of them. Brush and floss your crown, just like you clean your natural teeth.

But crowns and replacement teeth may not be as strong as your natural teeth, so:
• do not bite down on hard objects;
• do not use your teeth to open or cut things; and
• do not do these things with your natural teeth either.

How a crown is made:

Step 1

Your dentist may make a mold (or an impression) of your tooth to fit a temporary crown. It protects your tooth until the final, permanent crown is ready. Temporary crowns may not have the same shape and colour as permanent ones

Step 2

Your dentist gives you freezing (called a local anesthetic). He or she then files down your tooth to make room for the crown.

Step 3

Another mold (or impression) is taken of the filed-down tooth and nearby teeth. Then the temporary crown is placed over your tooth and you are sent on your way.

Step 4

This mold is sent to a dental lab, where your permanent crown is custom-made. The mold of your tooth is used to make a model. A filling (or restoration) that is the same size and shape as your tooth is built based on the model.

Step 5

On your next visit, your dentist takes off the temporary crown and puts on the permanent one. Then he or she checks to make sure the crown is the right fit, shape and colour. If it is, your dentist cements the crown into place. Your tooth will look and work very much like a natural tooth.

These are the steps dentists most often follow in making a crown, but your tooth may need special care. You may need orthodontic treatment or gum treatment. It may take more than two visits to your dentist or your visits may last longer.

CARE AFTER MINOR ORAL SURGERY

Sometimes, after minor oral surgery, you may have pain, bleeding and swelling. This section offers some advice on dealing with these problems. Your dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon will give you advice too.

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dental specialist with at least four years of extra university training in this area. If you have any questions about your treatment, or about your care after surgery, ask your dentist or oral surgeon

IMPORTANT

If you have any of the following problems after oral surgery, call your dentist or oral surgeon right away:

if you are bleeding a lot and it has been four hours, or longer, since your surgery

if you have the feeling that you are going to throw up (nausea)

if you are throwing up (vomiting)

if you have a fever

if you have pain that does not get any better, and it has been one full day (or longer) since your surgery

if your swelling is still getting worse, and it has been two days (or longer) since your surgery

Your dentist or oral surgeon will tell you exactly what to do.