Don’t Let That Blank Space in Your Mouth Fool You

Questioning Dental Patient Hiding The Missing Teeth In Her Smile

So, you had teeth extracted and/or are missing a few teeth? No big deal, right? Do not fool yourself! There are plenty of issues that come with missing teeth in Allen, TX. You lose the confidence in your smile, you can’t chew the foods you use to enjoy, and so much more. Beyond these though, there are also adverse health effects to missing teeth.


What Happens When We Are Missing Teeth?

From gum disease to infection, there are several reasons why you should consider replacement of your missing teeth!

In many cases, the gums where the tooth used to be will get infected which will cause inflammation. This is known as gingivitis, commonly referred to as gum disease. Gingivitis can cause your gums to bleed when you floss, changes in your bite line, pain when chewing, pus to form between the gums and teeth, and other symptoms. This, of course, makes day-to-day life more difficult as the pain from chewing causes great amounts of anxiety about eating and can cause other teeth to loosen or fall out.

Another problem that may occur is weakness in your jaw and other teeth. Other teeth surrounding the missing one have to work harder to chew due to the lack of teeth and can cause jaw pain, weakness, and in some cases temporomandibular joint disorder (TMDJ). Your TMJ attaches your lower jawbone to the rest of your skull and when it is being worked on one side more heavily, it can cause disorders to form which will result in pain when chewing and many other issues.


Fill Those Gaps

To avoid these diseases and others that are caused by the loss of teeth, consider calling us at (972) 954-2275. Contact our office in Allen, TX to schedule an appointment with our doctor, Dr. Rebecca Bork, so we can give you our options to fill in that missing tooth! With years of experience in supporting those like you, we will work with you to find the best treatment option to fit your unique situation. We look forward to helping you!


References

Gum Disease (Gingivitis and Periodontitis), Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/gingivitis

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Disorders, Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/tmj-disorders

Has your Dentist suggested that you have your wisdom teeth removed?

Impacted Wisdom Tooth Graphic

If you’re really feeling worried about undertaking oral surgery in Allen, TX, you’re not the only one. Many people’s wisdom teeth emerge in between the ages of 17-25 and also start to create issues only fixed if they are removed. Understanding what to anticipate for this treatment can ease your dental anxiety and assist you in planning for your surgical treatment. You’ll be back to your daily tasks in no time!

Why do I need my wisdom teeth removed?

Wisdom teeth, also called “third molars”, are the last teeth to establish in the mouth. For most individuals, there is not nearly enough space in their mouth for wisdom teeth. When these teeth start emerging, they commonly move diagonally or horizontally and become impacted. Without treatment, they can hurt nearby teeth, cause infection, and lead to various other issues. If you visit a dental professional consistently, she or he can check your wisdom teeth with regular x-rays and tell you when it’s time to have them removed.

What can I anticipate on the day of my surgical procedure?

In most cases, you’ll just require a single surgery to remove some or all of your wisdom teeth. This surgical procedure is finished while you are under sedation. Different levels of sedation exist, so make sure to talk with your dentist about which alternative is right for your treatment as well as your degree of anxiety. When you are comfortable, your dental professional will use customized surgical tools to delicately remove your wisdom teeth. This surgical procedure generally takes less than a few hours. Afterward, you can relax in the recovery room as long as needed before you have a person drive you home.

How can I help accelerate my recovery as well as recovery?

You’ll need to rest for a couple of days after your wisdom teeth removal. Nonetheless, there are steps you can take to guarantee you have the healthiest recuperation. Try not to consume solid foods or clean your teeth till your dental professional states you can. Avoid intensive exercise and do not smoke. To keep the blood clots undisturbed, try not to drink with a straw or spit. You can delicately rinse your mouth with salt water for the first few days after surgical treatment.

Schedule your appointment

If you’re not experiencing any pain or swelling around your wisdom teeth or back molars, it’s still an excellent idea to have a dental practitioner check their development. Contact our Dental office in Allen, TX to schedule an appointment with your local dentist today and keep your mouth healthy!

What to Know About the Dreaded Root Canal

root canal

Sometimes, when you have a toothache, it is due to the tooth being severely decayed.  If the toothache is causing you severe pain, the nerves on the inside of the tooth may be dying or already dead.  If this is the case, you’ll need to either have the tooth extracted or the nerve removed from the tooth, in order to remove the abscess. Removing the nerve will save the tooth and the procedure is known as a root canal.

Root canals are very common within the world of dentistry, as they represent a known way to save the tooth from dying.  Although many people end up having their teeth extracted, others turn to the root canal.  This dental procedure isn’t preferred by many, as it can take quite a long time, normally around 3 – 4 hours.  If the abscess is severe, it will take longer, as the dentist will have to scrape out all of the dying pulp from inside of the tooth.

Now days, dentists are starting to use machines to do a majority of the scraping and probing associated with root canals.  In the past, the dentist had to do it all themselves, which took quite a bit of time.  Now, with the use of a machine, the dentist can drill the hole in the tooth then let the machine to do the scraping.  This helps to cut down on the amount of time for a root canal, as well as ensure that all the dead or dying pulp has been removed efficiently.

The choice you need to make when thinking about a root canal, is whether you wish to save the dying tooth.  Sometimes, a dentist will recommend the root canal, especially if they think it would be in your best interest to save the tooth.  Other times, he will let you make the decision, and decide if you want to save it or just go ahead and have it extracted.

Although the root canal is a procedure that many fear, it is also a procedure that can save the life of your tooth.  If you have a dying tooth, you should consider this procedure.  Your dentist will walk you through more details of the procedure, if need be. Set up a consultation to make sure you fix your pained tooth as soon as possible.

Tooth Extraction and Dry Sockets

tooth extraction and dry sockets

Many people opt or need to have their wisdom teeth removed either in their teens or early twenties. This is because these rear molars often come with a higher risk of coming in impacted or trapped under other teeth and unable to break through. Dr. Bork and the team at Rebecca Bork Family Dentistry offers tooth extractions to prevent the troubles associated with an impacted tooth. Most extractions go smoothly, but sometimes complications can occur. Dry sockets are one such possible complication with wisdom teeth removal.

How Do Dry Sockets Occur?

When a blood clot does not form properly or becomes dislodged at the site of the extraction three or four days after surgery, a dry socket can form. Symptoms of a dry socket include a bad odor and pain at the surgical site.

What Can You Do To Treat a Dry Socket?

If you notice moderate to severe pain a few days after your surgery, you should contact your practitioner or their staff. You will typically have a follow-up visit to make sure everything is healing properly, but treatment of a dry socket involves proper placement of medication. If you are suffering from a dry socket, Dr. Bork will place the medication at your visit, and that should promote healing of the problem.

Is a Dry Socket Permanent?

No, a dry socket is not a permanent condition, but it may get worse if left untreated. That is why if you notice anything that seems out of the ordinary – such as worsening pain at the surgical site – you should contact Dr. Rebecca Bork. The sooner you get treatment for a dry socket, the sooner your mouth will get back to normal.

Where Can You Learn More?

As with any surgery, wisdom teeth removal does have a risk of complications. Treatment from a qualified professional can lower the risks of these complications occurring, however. To learn more, schedule a consultation today. Our friendly and knowledgeable team at Rebecca Bork Family Dentistry are here to answer any questions you might have about all things dental related. We are currently located in the Allen, Texas area to better assist you with your oral healthcare.