Root Canals

One of the most notoriously known procedures in endodontics is the root canal. Endodontics focuses on the nerves of the teeth. As you may know, anything that affects a nerve in the body is quite painful. It is vital that steps are taken toward the prevention of ever needing a root canal. We at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, are committed to educating our patients about proper dental hygiene at home and the importance of regular dental cleanings. 

When bacteria infect the root canal of a tooth, a root canal procedure is required to eliminate this bacteria, prevent reinfection, and save the natural tooth. When a patient undergoes a root canal, the inflamed pulp caused by the bacteria is removed, then the inside of the tooth is disinfected, filled, and sealed carefully. If the natural tooth is saved with a root canal, there are many advantages for the patient. Benefits include protection from the other teeth getting worn or stained, normal biting force and sensation, natural appearance, and better chewing.

Signs that you might need a root canal include:

- Swollen or tender gums

- A chipped or cracked tooth

- Pimples on your gums

- Pain while chewing or biting

- Darkening of your gums

- Sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the sensation has been physically removed

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? We will diagnose the problem and get you started on a treatment plan! Bayberry Dental Care is located at 8014 W 171st St. in Tinley Park, IL 60477. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit bayberrydentalcare.com or call 708-802-8300.

 

What is a Periapical Abscess?

One of our specialties at Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park is root canal therapy. This procedure is a means of saving a tooth that has become infected, preventing the patient from requiring an extraction and implant. But if an infection is allowed to go on for too long, the patient will be at risk for one of the most dangerous conditions in dentistry: a periapical abscess.

An abscess is an accumulation of pus, which is a mixture of dead tissue, bacteria, and white blood cells. A periodontal abscess is one that develops in the gum pocket, whereas a periapical abscess forms at the tip of a tooth root where the tooth’s blood vessels exit. Abscesses cause a throbbing pain, swelling, and a foul taste and odor, and are often accompanied by fever. They constitute an emergency and do not go away on their own.

We can safely drain an abscess. We will then carry out a root canal procedure, removing the infected dental pulp and filling in the tooth with a sealant. We will also take x-rays to determine whether the infection has spread. If it has, antibiotics will be necessary. A periapical abscess could develop into sepsis, so don’t wait to come into our office if you are worried you might have a dental pulp infection.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Pulp Infections and Staining

Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park offers services ranging from cosmetic dentistry to root canals, and sometimes, patients are in need of both. Most tooth discoloration is due to stains on the outside of the teeth which may be removed with whitening therapies. But when a stain is on the inside, it could indicate something about the health of the tooth’s pulp.

Intrinsic staining isn’t always pathological. It can be caused by exposure to fluoride or tetracycline antibiotics during the tooth’s formation, in which case the tooth can simply be covered with a new veneer. But inflammation or necrosis of dental pulp could be painful to a patient and the infection that caused it has the potential to spread. In these cases, the tooth would look red, purple, or black. We can confirm an infection through tactile and x-ray imaging tests.

We remove infected pulp by performing root canal therapy. After the interior of the tooth has been cleaned, bleach may be temporarily put inside it to combat staining. But intrinsic stains can sink deep into enamel, so we may have to consider other options, such as a new crown or veneer. Regardless, we want our patients to leave with teeth that are not only healthy, but beautiful.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Types of Teeth

It is our hope at Bayberry Dental Care of Tinley Park that our patients will understand that each of their teeth is a specialized bone that encounters particular issues. We thought we’d provide this guide to different types of teeth so that our patients will have a better understanding of their functions and why different treatments are necessary.

Typically, adults grow sixteen teeth per jaw, with each jaw a mirror of the other. The four teeth in front of the jaw are the incisors and they are the ones used for speaking. Incisors are vertical and flat; in babies, they are the first to erupt and become vulnerable to tooth decay. The canines, or cuspids, are the pointy teeth to the sides of the incisors. They are important for maintaining the shape of the jaw, but the upper ones commonly get stuck and need to be guided with orthodontic therapy.

The premolars and molars are the teeth in the sides and back of the mouth with multiple cusps. Adults grow two pairs of premolars and three of molars, the last of which are the wisdom teeth. They are used for chewing. Premolars have a single tooth root, but lower molars have two and upper molars have three.  Our own Dr. Kathleen Falsey is exceptionally experienced performing root canals on these teeth.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit Bayberry Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Intrinsic Staining

Bayberry Dental Care offers a wide range of cosmetic procedures to fight even the deepest stains. While bleaching is a powerful tool, the etiology of extrinsic and intrinsic stains is different, and sometimes, different methods are needed to get rid of intrinsic staining.

Extrinsic stains are the ones on the outer layers of the teeth caused by smoking and drinking dark liquids such as cola, coffee, and red wine. They are the kind whitening procedures are meant to reduce. Intrinsic stains are caused by the use of tetracycline antibiotics, overuse of fluoride, and inflammation of dental pulp. While intrinsic stains can be covered with veneers or bonding, tooth inflammation is a serious health hazard which must be addressed for the patient’s comfort and safety, as much as for aesthetic reasons. The Panorex machine in our office can be used to detect the location of an infection in preparation for a root canal. Following the root canal, patients may opt for the tooth to be reshaped and given an entire new crown.

Kathleen M. Falsey, D.D.S., operates Bayberry Dental Care at 8014 West 171^st St, Tinley Park, Illinois, 60477. To schedule an appointment, call 708-802-8300 or visit BayberryDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Rotary Endodontics for More Gentle and Quick Root Canals

In the past, root canals had the reputation of being painful. This made patients nervous and want to avoid seeing the dentist. These days, Bayberry Dental Care is excited to share that root canals are no more uncomfortable than having a cavity filled. In our Tinley Park, IL dental practice, we use equipment that helps us provide quicker and gentler root canals.

To understand why this technology helps, it may be helpful to first know how a root canal is performed. We first make an access hole in your tooth to access the center of the tooth. We use a dental drill to drill into the center and remove the infected pulp. We then fill the tooth with a sealant and seal the access hole. In the past, the files used were made of steel and the drilling was performed manually. These days, we use nickel titanium alloy files that are much more flexible. This means that they will not stretch the root canal or cause damage; which decreases pain during and after the procedure. In addition, we use dental drills with these files, so the process is much gentler, quieter, and quicker.

If you are nervous about receiving treatment for an infected tooth, do not wait any longer. Rotary endodontics have provided us with a more gentle and quick way to perform root canals. To schedule your appointment with Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, call us at (708) 802-8300. To learn more about us, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com. 

How Root Canal Therapy Works

Infected teeth are painful and can be dangerous to your overall health. At Bayberry Dental Care in Tinley Park, IL, we perform root canal therapy for patients with infected teeth. New technology allows us to perform this quicker and more comfortable than ever before.

Root canal therapy is necessary to clear out an infected tooth so it can heal and function healthily again. In the past, root canals got a bad reputation for being painful and scary. These days, thanks to rotary endodontics, the process is usually no more uncomfortable than receiving a filling.

Your dentist will first drill an access hole into the tooth. A flexible file is inserted into the tooth with an electric drill. The decayed dental pulp is cleared out and the root canal is scrubbed clean. A sealant will then be applied to fill the empty space. A filling will be placed on the access hole. The tooth is now decay-free and nerves that were once irritated have been removed. The tooth can now heal from any damage caused from the infection.

Infected teeth can cause damage to the gum and bone tissue in the area. It can also be dangerous for someone with a compromised immune system. If you are experiencing irritated gums, a sensitive tooth, or pain while chewing, come see us. To schedule an appointment in our Tinley Park, IL office, call Bayberry Dental Care at (708) 802-8300. For more information about root canal therapy, visit our website, www.bayberrydentalcare.com.