You could be a candidate for a root canal if decay or damage has allowed bacteria to infect the pulp inside your tooth. A root canal could also be the right treatment for you if you prefer to preserve as much of your natural tooth as possible instead of extracting both the healthy and infected portions of your tooth. For more information about root canals and whether they are right for you, schedule a dental exam and consultation at your earliest convenience.
If you decide to undergo a root canal, the first step in your procedure will involve a local anesthetic. Once your tooth root is numb, the diseased portion of your tooth pulp will be removed and potentially treated for bacterial infection. The tooth will then be sealed and filled before being restored with a crown.
After a root canal, post-treatment care involves managing initial inflammation and potential sensitivity in the days following the procedure. Despite this, regular oral hygiene practices, including brushing and flossing, can typically resume immediately once the treatment and restoration are complete.
Your dentist assesses the tooth to determine if you need a tooth extraction. This procedure is typically considered when your tooth is so badly decayed that normal treatments like fillings or root canals won’t work anymore. In some cases, extractions are also recommended for orthodontic reasons. Trust your dentist to guide you on the best course of action for your specific situation.
If you and your dentist decide to extract one or more teeth, you will be scheduled to return for oral surgery at a later date. Your dentist will give you a local anesthetic to prevent pain during the procedure, and they may prescribe medications to help manage pain in the hours following your extraction. Depending on the nature of your extraction and other factors, such as whether your teeth are impacted, you may also be sedated during your procedure.
Post-operative care following a tooth extraction is essential for healing and preventing complications. You will be instructed to avoid certain foods and also keep the surgical site clean at all times. If your dentist prescribes an antibiotic, it is important that you complete the course of treatment to prevent infection. Finally, you may be advised to avoid smoking or drinking through a straw, as doing so may delay the healing process and cause a condition known as dry socket.
If you’re concerned about misaligned or crowded teeth impacting your confidence or overall oral well-being, Invisalign might be the ideal choice for you. Schedule a consultation with an orthodontist to explore whether you’re a good match for this subtle orthodontic solution, offering discretion and an effective alternative to traditional braces.
You won’t require Invisalign trays once your treatment is complete. Instead, you should use a daily retainer to preserve your newly achieved smile. It’s essential for maintaining the teeth’s alignment. Regular dental check-ups and biannual cleanings with your dentist are crucial not only for your oral health but also for ensuring the lasting success of your treatment
You will wear your aligners nearly all of the time, with the exception of about two hours per day.
Invisalign treatments are different for everyone, but most patients can achieve their ideal smiles within one to two years. During that time, you can expect to make occasional dental visits to monitor your progress.
*Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.
You may be a candidate for professional teeth whitening if you are experiencing discoloration, but otherwise, have healthy teeth and healthy gums. Schedule a consultation with a dentist to find out if tooth whitening could be right for you. Some patients, such as those who are pregnant or sensitive to whitening agents, may not be candidates for professional whitening.
Teeth whitening consists of a thorough cleaning and polishing of the teeth, with all debris carefully removed. Your dentist will then protect your gums before applying a whitening agent to the surface of your teeth. The product will be activated and left on the teeth for several minutes before being washed off with water. Your results will vary according to the natural shade of your teeth and the degree of discoloration, but it is normal for patients to experience a lightening of several shades in a single visit.
You may experience some tooth sensitivity following a professional whitening treatment. Your dentist may instruct you to avoid consuming highly pigmented beverages for at least 24 hours to prevent the teeth from becoming stained again. Examples include tea, coffee, and wine. Depending on your results and long-term teeth whitening goals, your dentist may send you home with an at-home whitening kit for later use.
Yes. Dentures are removable prosthetics that will need to be cleaned and brushed daily. You should also brush your gums daily to prevent infections caused by bacteria.
Your dentures should be kept in water when they aren’t in use to prevent them from warping. Keep in mind that it may take some time to adjust to dentures as you learn how to use the muscles in your cheeks and tongue to keep them in place. But over time, you should begin to feel more comfortable with your new prosthetics.
First, your dentist will extract any decayed or damaged teeth. After a period of healing, they will take an impression of your remaining gum structure and the roof of your mouth. This mold will be sent to a dental lab for denture fabrication. When the complete dentures are finished, you will return to your dentist for a final fitting.
You may be a candidate for dentures if you are missing one or more teeth and are in need of an affordable prosthetic solution. Most denture wearers find that partial and full dentures can restore much of their original tooth function – not to mention create a beautiful, natural-looking smile. To find out if dentures are right for you, schedule a consultation with your dentist.
If you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed, but still intact, a dental crown may be right for you. If your tooth is missing, but its adjacent teeth are healthy, a dental bridge may be the solution for you. Schedule an office consultation to determine whether you could benefit from crowns or bridges.
When getting a crown or bridge, your dentist will begin by gently trimming or reshaping your teeth to ensure a proper fit. They’ll then take an impression of your bite to create a mold for your new crown or bridge. If you opt for porcelain, your dentist will match it to the color of your other teeth. While the dental lab crafts your permanent restoration, you may receive a temporary one, which stays in place until the permanent crown or bridge is ready for placement.
Your teeth will need time to heal following the crown and bridge placement process, so it is normal for you to experience some sensitivity – especially to hot and cold. Additionally, you may experience soreness in the gums surrounding your restorations, though this is usually manageable with ibuprofen and should subside within a few days.
Dental veneers may be right for you if you are looking for an alternative to crowns and caps. Veneers can help you if you have gaps between your teeth or broken, chipped, irregularly shaped, or misaligned teeth. To find out more about whether dental veneers are right for you, contact a cosmetic dentist to schedule a consultation.
Dental veneers don’t demand any special care, allowing you to resume your normal brushing and flossing routine promptly. However, it’s common to experience sensitivity, usually occurring between the first and second visit when teeth have been gently trimmed for bonding preparation. If you encounter discomfort, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, as directed by your dentist, can provide relief.
First, your dentist will prepare your teeth for bonding with dental veneers. They’ll start by administering a local anesthetic for your comfort and then gently remove around half a millimeter from the tooth surface. Next, they’ll take an impression of your teeth using a mold. Your veneers will be custom-made in a dental lab based on this impression. Once ready, you’ll return to have your veneers fitted, bonded, and adjusted by your dentist to ensure they match the right shape and color.
The process of placing dental implants spans 6 to 9 months and involves multiple steps. It starts with a surgical procedure, where the dentist positions a sturdy titanium post in the space where a natural tooth root used to be. They stitch the gums closed over the implant, and it remains there for several months to heal and fuse with the surrounding bone. The procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours, and the dentist administers sedation and anesthesia for your comfort. After the healing period, you’ll return for the fitting and placement of permanent crowns.
Post-treatment care for dental implants is relatively straightforward. While you may experience some discomfort after the procedure, including bruising and swelling, this is entirely normal and can be managed with over-the-counter medications. In most cases, you’ll be advised to stick to soft foods for about two weeks to allow the surgical site to heal. Dental implants typically don’t demand special care beyond this initial recovery period, allowing you to resume your regular oral hygiene routine.
You may qualify for dental implants if you have missing, broken, or severely decayed teeth and are in relatively good overall health. The only way of determining your eligibility for implants is to consult with an oral care provider to identify whether you have adequate bone support and healthy gums for the new tooth structure.
For over 25 years, Dental American Group has provided exceptional dental services to friends and family members in South Florida. Our three convenient locations (Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, and West Flagler) provide a comfortable atmosphere where patients feel at home. Our highly-skilled team of dentists are always available to answer questions and assist you with your visit.
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