Surgical Procedures

[Hefner25]

Endodontist [link removed] can perform surgical procedures to remove infection from your root canals and surrounding areas. Surgery can also diagnose problems that don't appear on x-rays (such as root fractures) and can be used to treat problems in the surrounding bone. Your endodontist has a number of sedation methods that can be used to maximize your comfort including local anesthesia, oral sedation, IV sedation, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas).

An apicoectomy is the most common endodontic surgical procedure. This procedure removes infection or inflammation from the bony area around the end of your tooth. First, the endodontist reflects the gum tissue near the tooth to examine the underlying bone. Next, any inflamed or infected tissue will be removed along with the very end of the root. A small filling can then be placed in the root end to seal the root canal. Within a few months, the bone will heal around the end of the root.

A cracked tooth is a condition involving damage to the hard outer surface of a tooth. Often, the soft, underlying tissue called the pulp is also damaged. Symptoms include inconsistent pain, often while chewing, and sensitivity to hot or cold foods. A cracked tooth is often the result of chewing hard objects such as ice or popcorn kernels, or clenching or grinding teeth. If you have a cracked tooth, prompt treatment is recommended to prevent further damage. This condition will worsen over time and can lead to complete loss of the tooth. If you are diagnosed as having a cracked tooth, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist a dentist who specializes in treating the soft inner tissue of the tooth's roots. There is a range of treatments depending upon the severity of the condition. Unlike a broken bone, a cracked tooth will never mend. Therefore, it is important to support and protect the tooth with a full coverage crown after root canal treatment is completed. But your endodontist can stop the pain and prevent further damage. If your dentist refers you to an endodontist, rest assured you are in good hands.

Dental problems are never any fun, but the good news is that most of them can be easily prevented. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, eating properly and regular dental check ups are essential in preventing dental problems. Educating yourself about common dental problems and their causes can also go a long way in prevention.

[Pariah]

Hi! Interesting sudden post here, Dr Hefner. Where do you practice?

Excellent descriptions! Better than most "Treatment Coordinators!"

Where did you attend dental school? UNC? WA? PN?

Excuse my circling you like a fly at a picnic, but it is just so unusual to see a dental professional in the middle of a SKIN site!

Since you are here, would you please spread the word in the dental field:

1) many of us are allergic to nickel so please make sure you use good stainless steel instruments on us?
2) please remember that the corners of our mouths split easily after some of the chemicals touch them.     
    Your use of vinyl gloves would be nice; many of us are allergic to latex.
3) many of us cannot use regular toothpaste because of the ingredients, so be aware when we come                   
    for cleanings or to get work done.
4) It would be good to have your staff read up on perioral dermatitis a bit. But please feel welcomed to   
    read up on any skin conditions. Many of us are on new drugs that have not been long-term
    tested and they have different effects on different people. Others of us are simply very sensitive to
    any meds...or any thing for that matter!
5) all of us have autoimmune issues - please have only healthy staff members assist you and please 
    practice responsible infection control.
6) please do not medicate us unnecessarily

Thanks for listening! Enjoyed your good post!  Stick around and read a little!  So many health professionals have no idea of the many skin conditions and what we skin patients must tackle to live a day. We would appreciate it if you shared what you can glean from this site at the next clinical meeting you attend with other dentists.

Cheers!
Symiere

     

[Blue Bird]

  Welcome, Hefner25, to the skincell forum.
My husband just got some work on one of his molars, and the brochure he brought home presents the same material you just posted. Good information for everyone.
 
Symiere> How do you know he's a dentist?
Are you jumping to conclustions because he's presenting factual information? Possibly. 

[Pariah]

Thanks, Blue Sky -Yes! I *did* jump to conclusions!


I guess the "professional tone" and concise information -along with a link removed and no additional comments or salutations- wrongly influenced my evaluation of the post. It just seemed extra unordinary to see an informational post on a subject that did not address a symptom or side-effect connected with skin cells.

I apologize, Hefner25! I did not mean any of it in a mean way! I still say "Welcome!" and that I enjoyed your good post!    

symiere
(If anyone knows a dentist tho, please give her/him my list of requests for people who have skin problems, OK?)

[Nick]

I'm afraid that this one does have all the key signs of