What is endodontics?

Unless you’ve needed a specialty dental procedure in the past, you probably haven’t heard of endodontics. So what is endodontics, and when might you need an endodontic procedure?

Endodontics is the branch of dentistry concerning dental pulp and tissues surrounding the roots of a tooth. “Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.” Dentists who are trained in endodontics, like Dr. John Dougherty go through additional training and take continued education that focuses solely on the study of the dental pulp, and the treatments and procedures, such as root canals needed to keep gums and teeth healthy

The goal of endodontic treatments is to help you maintain a healthy, natural smile. Through endodontic treatment of the inside of the tooth, the dentist can help save a diseased tooth that would ordinarily need to be pulled.

Many people get fidgety just from hearing the word root canal, but often it is the only way to relieve severe tooth pain and treat infection, while saving the tooth. If infection is left untreated, not only can it continue to be extremely painful, the infection can spread from inside the tooth to the jawbone and can cause more serious problems including an abscess, bone density loss, and eventually, tooth loss.

During a root canal, the diseased inner tooth material is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and treated, and then the tooth is sealed up to prevent further infection in the future. The procedure has a very high degree of success, up to 90%, and can help relieve your pain and keep your smile healthy and beautiful.

In addition to root canals, other endodontic procedures include apexification, which stimulates a tooth to continue to grow in a child that has suffered a traumatic incident, like a fall, that causes growth to stop. Doctors with training in endodontics also perform endodontic surgery and are specially trained to diagnose the cause of tooth pain, and put together treatment plans for tricky or specialized cases. In more extreme cases, Dr. Dougherty and Dr. Adhikari may recommend a patient consult with an endodontist if the issue requires surgery.

If you are taking care of your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing and dental check-ups, you are taking steps that will reduce the chances of ever needing an endodontic treatment, but if you ever find yourself with severe tooth pain, you will be glad to have a dentist with training and experience in this area

At Artistic Dental, we are proud to be able to offer endodontic services in house, as well as cosmetic and family dentistry, and orthodontics. If you are experiencing tooth pain, or have questions about a dental procedure, call and make an appointment today!

How affordable dentures can transform your smile

Dental implants are a great option for some people with missing or broken teeth, but they don’t work for everyone. Affordable dentures allow you to completely transform your smile even if implants aren’t an option.

Implants can be expensive and may not be fully covered by insurance plans. They also aren’t a great fit for everyone, especially people with unhealthy gums or brittle jawbones.

When people think of dentures, it often brings to mind visions of clunky, ill-fitting and obvious dental inserts. But as with many other aspects of dentistry, the technology behind dentures continues to improve greatly every year. New materials are now being used to improve the fit and provide increased comfort and a more natural look.

Wearing dentures will allow you to enjoy a wide variety of foods again, and will restore your confidence. Not only will dentures give you a bright, healthy smile, but they can also improve your appearance by adding shape and definition to your face that can make you look younger.

Quality and customization are key considerations when being fitted for dentures, as improperly fitted dentures can cause irritation, and which can lead to even more dental issues later on. If dentures fit well and are well taken care of, they can give you a beautiful, healthy smile for many years.

Come in and see us at Artistic Dental today or call (602) 840-5400 to set up a complimentary consultation to see if dentures are the right choice for you.

Everything you need to know about getting a root canal

Many patients ask us, “What is a root canal?”, concerned that it is a complicated and dangerous procedure that they may need. Getting a root canal can be daunting, however, it could save your tooth and prevent a lot of pain in the long run. A root canal is basically the process of taking out infected pulp inside the root of a tooth and cleaning the canals to prevent further infection. This infected pulp can be painful and may be caused by gum disease or something as simple as a chipped tooth or a cavity.

Root canal process

The first step of a root canal is getting an x-ray from your dentist. This will help determine whether or not the tooth is infected and where the infection is located. Local anesthetics will be applied after examining the x-ray and an opening is made in the crown of the tooth all the way down to the roots. Small tools are used to remove the infected pulp, clean the roots and reshape them. After the roots are given shape, the space is filled with a rubbery-like material called gutta-percha. The tooth is then sealed off with a cement adhesive and typically will be capped with a temporary filling. You will then come in for a second visit with the dentist in order to have a permanent crown put on and to check the tooth and gums after the procedure.

Misconceptions

A common misconception about root canal treatment is that it’s a painful process. Rest easy, the dentist will manage any pain and make sure patients are comfortable throughout the procedure. Also remember, a root canal relieves pain from a toothache. Many patients will say that they feel no pain from the procedure and that it feels similar to getting a filling. Another misconception is that root canals can make you sick or cause infection. It has been proven that a root canal is the best option to save a tooth from possible extraction and there is no evidence that a root canal will cause illness.

Additional Information

Over 40 million root canal treatments in the U.S. are performed a year, making it a fairly common procedure. Root canals are almost always successful in saving the tooth from extraction and most last a lifetime after undergoing a root canal procedure.

To prevent ever having to get a root canal it’s important to keep up with dental hygiene. This means brushing and flossing three times a day and regular visits to the dentist. It’s also important to get cavities filled, otherwise they could become abscessed and require a root canal.

The staff at Artistic Dental are experts in root canal procedures and will make sure to treat patients as they would their own family members. If you’re suffering from tooth pain, call and make an appointment for a complimentary consultation with one of our dentists at 602.840.5400.

5 fun alternatives to Halloween Candy

Going trick-or-treating is a highlight of the year for most kids and, let’s be serious, many adults too. After it’s the one night of the year where you get to wear a cool creative costume and fill up on Halloween candy to your hearts content (or until Mom says, “No more.”)

Unfortunately, eating too much candy can build up plaque, which leads to cavities and other health problems. The American Heart Association recommends that children eat or drink less than 25 grams of added sugar a day. On Halloween, the average trick-or-treater takes home candy that contains more than 600 grams of sugar! That’s nearly three cups of sugar being consumed in a very short amount of time.

In a previous blog we discussed how to limit Halloween candy and other preventative measures to help maintain oral hygiene during the sweets-filled holiday season. It’s especially important to begin educating children at an early age about how much sugar is in food and the damage it can do to their teeth. Offering healthy alternatives can keep your family from reaching into the candy jar or bag, and increasing the chances for those dreaded post-Halloween cavities. To help prepare for the holiday here are five alternatives to Halloween candy:

Make fruit and veggies fun

Halloween candy doesn’t have to be the only Halloween treat that’s fun! Get creative with fruits and vegetables and watch people line up for your spooky creations. Make a veggie skeleton with carrots, celery, bell peppers and broccoli. Use the curve of the chopped bell pepper for ribs, celery for legs, broccoli for feet and a cup of ranch dip for the skeleton’s face. Try apple slices with peanut butter and mini marshmallows. Place the marshmallows in-between two apple slices to create a tasty grin. This treat can also serve as a reminder to brush your teeth after eating sweets!

Give away toys

Buying a big bag of Halloween candy for trick-or-treaters often becomes a temptation that has you sneaking several pieces for yourself. To keep the sneaking of sweets to a minimum consider giving out something other than candy this Halloween. Inexpensive options include temporary tattoos, fake bugs and glow sticks.

Host a pumpkin decorating contest

Decorating pumpkins is a fun activity for all ages and it can be a great alternative to trick-or-treating. Make it into a competition and see who can paint or carve the most creative jack-o-lantern. Offer prizes and serve your fun fruit and veggie creations for hors d'oeuvres.

Build a homemade piñata

Making a homemade piñata may sound like a lot of work but with some paper mache skills and a little paint, anyone can do it! Blow up a balloon and use it as your base of the piñata. Use paper mache mix and newspaper to cover the balloon, wait for it to dry and then pop the balloon from the bottom. You can then paint it to make a ghost, a pumpkin or anything else you can imagine. Fill the piñata with Halloween toys or confetti and get the blindfold and stick ready.!

Visit a pumpkin patch

There are pumpkin patches with a variety of outdoor activities and plenty of healthy food alternatives, like apple stands. Spend time walking through a maze or feeding animals at the petting zoo. Being outdoors in the fresh air is a great distraction from sugary Halloween temptations.

Seeking out alternatives can save your teeth from decay, while creating new family traditions. And if you do decide to indulge from time to time, don’t forget to brush your teeth after eating and visit your dentist regularly.

The Many Payment Options Of Artistic Dental

Many Americans are faced with a common health care concern: finding affordable health insurance. According to a Reuters poll, health care costs are a top concern for voters, with 62% of Republicans and 67% of Democrats unhappy about the presidential candidates’ positions on health care affordability. Why are we bringing this up? Well, as voters and health care professionals ourselves, we understand paying for quality health care can be daunting and difficult to do.

We also recognize most Americans don’t have dental insurance due to its high cost. The National Association of Dental Plans found only 64% of the U.S. population had dental benefits through an employer or group program like AARP in 2014. This may not seem like a low percentage, but of the 205 million Americans with dental coverage, approximately 114 million Americans have no dental coverage.

That’s a significant amount of people when you consider most people with dental insurance are more likely to go to the dentist, thus improving their dental and overall health. The outliers, however, are 67% more likely to have heart disease; 50% more likely to develop osteoporosis, and 29% more likely to have diabetes for not visiting the dentist on a regular basis.

At Artistic Dental, it’s our mission to make dental care as affordable as possible, which is why we have many payment options available for patients who do not have dental insurance. We also have a financial policy in place to help maximize the insurance benefits of patients with dental coverage. Ultimately, our goal is to help you receive exceptional dental care at a reasonable rate.

Currently, we accept the following insurance plans:

·         CIGNA

·         Aetna

·         Delta Dental

·         Blue Cross Blue Shield

·         Humana Dental

·         Guardian

·         Connection Dental Network

·         United Concordia – FFS

We accept most dental insurance programs, including non-managed care, indemnity (traditional) and PPO out-of-network. However, we do not accept programs included in a managed care network (HMO). If you don’t see your dental insurance on the list above, call the office to discuss your dental plan; we may be able to accommodate your specific policy.

In regards to our payment options, we accept cash, personal check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. If you would like to set up a payment plan with Artistic Dental, you may do so with CareCredit, Compassionate Finance, or Prosper Healthcare Lending upon approval. You’ll need to fill out an application with one of the financing entities before you schedule your appointment. Once your application and credit are approved, you can choose a financing option that is right for you and pay for your services using a healthcare credit card.

If you have questions about our financing options, please call our office at (602) 840-5400. We look forward to hearing from you!