ADVANCED PROCEDURES
Cheyenne Mountain Dental Group offers many advanced procedures
that can be performed in the office such as crowns, implants, root canal
treatments, bridges and TMJ treatments.
CROWNS
Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth
that is likely to break, or is too broken down to be restored with a
filling. They are most commonly done after root canal treatment, or when
a large filling wears out. The larger the hole made by a cavity that has
to be treated, the more likely a crown will be needed. Even after a
filling is put in a large cavity, a tooth is more likely to break. Keep
in mind that the jaw muscles are the strongest in the human body. Teeth
are subjected to tremendous pressures. Crowns ride over the weakened
tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against breakage. A
broken or cracked tooth is a far more serious matter and much more
difficult to treat. Crowns prevent this, as well as making for a nice
smile.
It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. In the first
any decay is removed from the tooth and it is shaped to accept the
crown. Then an impression is made of the tooth for use in fabricating a
crown. Between the two visits the crown is made, usually of
high-strength porcelain over gold alloy, all ceramic material, or gold.
During this time a temporary crown is worn. In the second visit this
temporary is removed. Then the permanent crown is adjusted as needed and
then cemented in place.
IMPLANTS
A dental implant is an option to replace a missing tooth. In this
procedure, a small titanium shaft is surgically implanted into the bone
and allowed to set. The bone grows around it forming a tight connection,
which additionally slows or stops the bone loss that occurs when the
root of a natural tooth is missing. Once the implant is firmly set in
the mouth, the dentist then works to attach the replacement tooth onto
the top of the shaft. This permanent solution has the advantages over
bridge work that it does not stress the surrounding teeth for support,
and, should the tooth wear out, another can simply be replaced on the
shaft.
Implants can also be used as support as part of an implant bridge. This
is an alternative to partial dentures, and has several advantages.
First, there is no adjustment period to acclimatize the patient who,
once the work is done, only feels teeth, not metal supports intruding
into the mouth. Second, this slows the bone loss occasioned by missing
teeth. Third, there is no discomfort or difficulty in eating. And, best
of all, of course, they don't have to be taken out all the time.
.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or
endodontic therapy) is made necessary when a cavity is allowed, through
neglect, to reach all the way to this pulp. (Regular cleanings and
checkups prevent and detect problems early) Sometimes deep restorations
or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it
needs root canal therapy, also. Once this occurs the pulp becomes
infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away
at the surrounding bone (this is an abscess). By the time the pulp is
infected it must be treated, and cannot heal on its own. It can even
weaken the entire immune system. This is dangerous, not to mention very
painful. Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include
sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or
pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, no symptoms
are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup.
A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp, and
disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment would be to
extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are
filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually a core build-up and
crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal
therapy.
BRIDGES
This is an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth. It
is formed to look like the missing tooth, and it takes its place in the
mouth. The sides of a bridge use the two surrounding teeth for support,
hence the name. A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally
and cosmetically. Bridge work is as much an art as it is an exact
science. The materials used may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to
metal alloy, or all ceramic material. The choice of material depends on
requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.
It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for
several reasons. If not treated the teeth surrounding the gap begin to
shift inward, creating a whole chain reaction of bad things. Teeth use
their neighbors for support, and, with one missing, they start to
"fall." As this worsens the bite changes in response to the pressure.
This can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw, e.g. TMJ.
The surrounding teeth deteriorate and it is just a matter of time before
they, too, are lost. Gum disease becomes a serious problem, with the
difficulty of treatment increasing as the neglect continues.
TMJ TREATMENTS
TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, as in temple area of
skull; mandibular as in mandible, or lower jaw; joint as in it's where
the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a
misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension. Aside from
the two bones that meet there, cartilage buffers them and five muscles
are involved in the area. If something goes wrong a good deal of trouble
can result.
Problems in this area can cause:
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Trouble/soreness in opening and
closing the mouth
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Pain in the jaw muscles
- Soreness in the area, sometimes
extending to the face
Dental treatments for the condition can
include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, adjusting the bite,
filling gaps between teeth, etc. There is no one solution that is right
for all cases. Sometimes a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent
clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem. If untreated
and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged
joint.
 |
