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Archive for the ‘endodontology’ Category

Good dentist, bad dentist

Posted by Dental News Team On February - 22 - 2010

Wouldn’t you like to know whether your dentist is good or bad?

We assume you do, which is why this week we are going to tell you all about what to consider when looking for a dentist and how to find a good one.

As usual, we will provide you with an overview of this week’s main topic!

  1. Good dentist – the cost estimate
  2. Dentists and their teams
  3. Hygiene in the dentist’s office
  4. Explaining procedures
  5. Trouble-shooting

Good dentist – the cost estimate
First of all, does your dentist even bother giving you a cost estimate?
No? Then s/he has no idea what s/he is doing!

If yes, how is the estimate structures?
Did you get a thorough check-up before you got the estimate? You should know what has to be done in your case and what will only be performed to fill the dentist’s pockets. What are we going on about? Well, in order for the dentist to provide you with a good cost estimate, s/he needs to have a good idea of the current status of your teeth and mouth.

If s/he does not bother performing a check-up, then it is likely s/he will only do things that cost a lot, namely implants and crowns.

You can always tell good estimates from bad ones, because good estimates always provide detailed information, which is collected during a check-up (assuming, of course, that your mouth really needs an overhaul, not just one bridge or implant if your teeth and mouth are otherwise healthy, otherwise, what would be the point of collecting data!).

A good cost estimate includes:

  • An anamnesis (medical history) / Patient’s request
  • Findings
  • Diagnosis
  • Recommendations for therapy / Alternatives
  • Description of procedures as needed

This information lets the dentist know what you wish to be done, the condition of your teeth (periodontal status, photos, models of your teeth, …), anything and everything you’ll need to set up a treatment plan.
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The cost estimate should consider all kinds of work, even work which is less lucrative to the dentist. This includes fillings, root canal treatment, operations such as removing wisdom teeth, etc.

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But this is the kind of work which should usually be done first, before doing more complicated procedures – you should make sure the ground is in good shape before you start building houses on it (crowns, implants etc.).

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Summing up, a simple cost estimate can and should tell you quite a lot!

  • If your dentist offers you any treatment without performing a thorough check-up first, then chances are that s/he is only going to do things which cost the most money!
  • If the cost estimate starts out with an extensive check-up, then you’re on the right path!
  • If a cost estimate begins with the least expensive types of treatment (renewed root treatment, removing wisdom teeth, periodontal work, …) with dentures (crowns, bridges) last on the list, then stick with that dentist!

More on this topic tomorrow, and by the end of the week you should be able to tell a good dentist from all others!

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cosmetic-dentistry endodontology general topics implantology oral surgery orthodontics periodontology prostethics
cosmetic-dentistry, endodontology, general topics, implantology, oral surgery, orthodontics, periodontology, prostethics

Using toxins – good or bad?

Posted by Dental News Team On February - 5 - 2010

Using toxins is bad!

But why is it done? The answer is simple: time!

You walk into the dentist’s office with a toohache, but without an appointment, since you cannot plan for a toothache. But getting rid of the pain for good requires thorough root treatment, for which there is just not enough time right then and there. So the tooth is opened up and a toxin injected in the hope that the tooth, and you as a patient, will not cause any more trouble before your next appointment. This process is known as „incomplete“ root canal treatment.
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This need not be a problem, sometimes a dental nerve just cannot be filled immediately, it is necessary to perform intermediate steps. But a toxin should not be administered, as it also ends up damaging healthy tissue, e.g. the bone around the root tip, eventually leading to a root tip resection. Instead of toxins, it is also possible to use medicines such as CaOH – Calcium hydroxide!
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Regular check-ups can help prevent both – toothaches and incomplete treatment!

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endodontology
endodontology

Inflammation of the dental nerve

Posted by Dental News Team On February - 1 - 2010

Dental nerve pain is usually a very bad sign, as it means the tooth requires root treatment!

An initial sign of this kind of inflammation of the dental nerve (=pulpitis) is often a sensitivity towards cold and heat, eventually leading to a constant throbbing toothache.
The tooth is sensitive to the slightest touch. After a few days, these problems usually go away, and you no longer feel any pain! But this is actually a sure sign that the dental nerve should be removed and proper root canal treatment performed, since the nerve is now dead.
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The damaged tissue begins to decay – it rots and even years later it can cause an inflammation at the root tip in the bone, necessitating a root tip resection. During root canal treatment the dentist extracts the dental nerve and cleanses the dental canal in order to then seal it up tightly!
Earlier, it was common practice to open up the affected tooth and inject a toxin into the dental nerve canal in order to kill off the nerve. Tomorrow you will find out why this used to be done and why it is not done anymore!

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endodontology
endodontology

Dental nerve pain

Posted by Dental News Team On January - 29 - 2010

Extract the dental nerve and then perform root canal treatment or kill the nerve using a toxin?

Generally: the longer a dental nerve is exposed or undernourished, the less rosy the future of the tooth!

Toxins should not be used, as they damage not only the dental nerve, but also the surrounding bone. But the tooth should not simply be left open – saliva contains hundreds of different bacteria, which are liable to invade an open tooth and are hard to remove after that.
The problem faced by doctor’s offices is timing. Toothaches appear without due warning, so toothache patients cannot just „make appointments“. This is when dentists resort to toxins, treatment of the „open tooth“, this does not take very long and is easy to squeeze into the ordinary daily schedule of the office! A separate appointment is then made for the actual root treatment.
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However long treatment takes, it is important to use a magnifier (magnifying glass, microscope) and coffer dam. This vastly improves the chances of saving your tooth!

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endodontology
endodontology

Toothache after root canal treatment

Posted by Dental News Team On January - 15 - 2010

Toothache after root treatment – is this normal or is it malpractice?

The tooth aches and needs to be treated, but the ache still does not go away, is this normal?

wurzelbehandlungAfter root treatment it is normal for the tooth to continue hurting for another 2-3 days. This is because the bone around the tip of the root is irritated by treatment, and this can cause pain. But If the pain gets worse, you should inform your dentist.

Here you can see how root treament is performed and what are the triggers to do it ...

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endodontology
endodontology