Posted on October 16, 2018

A common saying is that something is ‘as fun as a root canal’. We immediately recoil as we imagine someone making holes in your teeth with power tools. But is that really what it’s like? What do you really know about root canals? Let’s go into some more detail about this important procedure.

More than 15 million root canal procedures are performed each year on people with an infected or decaying tooth. When this decay takes hold, it spreads everywhere in your tooth, including the pulp, the nerves, and even the bone and surrounding teeth if you’re not careful.

If you experience:

·      Pain when biting or chewing

·      Darkening of the tooth compared to the surrounding teeth

·      Sensitivity from hot or cold

·      Fractures in the tooth

It may very well be due to an infected tooth. The last thing anyone would want is a tooth extraction, so if these signs are caught early on, Dr Wilson is able to perform root canal therarpy, keeping the tooth firmly ‘rooted’ in your mouth!

Root canal therapy consists of administering local anesthesia to the mouth, making an opening in the top of your tooth, and then carefully cleaning out any sign of infected pulp from the tooth. This then reveals a gap within that needs to be filled. Later, a filling compound, such as a special type of resin, is used to fill the space. This filling compound will harden once applied, restoring the integrity of the tooth. Dr Wilson is then able to place a crown on top, restoring function and saving your tooth from an extraction.

Root canals may seem scary and sound painful, but they are an essential procedure for many patients who are able to catch dental problems before they become complications. Indeed, the pain from a root canal is nothing compared to the pain an infected tooth can cause without any intervention.

Dr Gordon Wilson is an experienced dental professional in the Maricopa County area. His skill, knowledge, and experience will help you achieve improved dental health no matter your dental needs. Contact TLC for Gums at (480) 630-4655 to book an appointment today.

Posted on October 9, 2018

We are often told to floss our teeth on a daily basis. Flossing is meant to remove plaque in the hard-to-reach areas of your teeth before it becomes tartar, which is a harder substance that can damage your gums and cause serious issues to your dental and overall health down the road. But really, how effective is flossing, and are there other ways to protect your teeth?

Flossing is known as tartar control, and its aim is to remove plaque before it becomes tartar. It takes about 12 to 72 hours for plaque to start to harden into tartar.

However, there is something that you may not be aware of: flossing only reaches 1 to 2 mm into a sulcus or periodontal pocket, so a deeper pocket will lead to you missing 60 to 80% of the plaque on the roots of your teeth. Once it hardens, the chances for gum disease increase significantly. The effectiveness of flossing to protect against gum disease is severely reduced by this issue.

At TLC 4 Gums, we promote plaque control instead of tartar control. We want to prevent the formation of tartar by preventing the formation plaque; which is extremely effective. We offer revolutionary, minimally-invasive, and effective treatments for gum disease in addition to comprehensive cosmetic and general dental care.

If you are in the Phoenix or Peoria, AZ areas, come and book a consultation with Dr. Wilson to find out the best ways to protect and treat your teeth for your specific needs.

Posted on September 25, 2018

If you want to take the next step in optimising your smile, a cosmetic dental procedure might be the right way to go. But which procedure is best? This week, we’ll take a look at composites.

Fillingis a dental procedure that can often be completed in one visit. If your teeth are chipped or there are gaps that you feel are detracting from your smile, composite bonding may be your best bet. Composite filling works by using composite resin, which hardens after light exposure. Your dentist will locate the chipped or gap tooth and apply a chemical that enables the resin to stick to the tooth. Afterwards, the resin is applied and refined until it is consistent in both smoothness and colour with the rest of your teeth. Composite filling can restore and hide any gaps or chips with ease.

The resin used is durable but not as strong as natural teeth, so it’s recommended to be careful when biting or chewing on hard food. Try not to bite your fingernails or anything that could potentially chip the bonded resin. To maintain the bond, regular brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups are all you need.

Composite filling is an alternative to veneers for those who do not want to have their enamel removed or prefer a non-permanent solution. Come visit us at TLC4Gums to learn more about our cosmetic dental procedures and find out which treatment is the best for your smile.

Posted on September 17, 2018

If you want to take the next step in optimising your smile, a cosmetic dental procedure might be the right way to go. But which procedure? Over the following weeks we will go into more detail about one cosmetic dental procedure. This week, let’s dive in and explore veneers.

If you’re worried about that chip on your tooth or that gap in your front, a veneer may be a procedure worth considering. Veneers (also known as Lumineers, which are one of the many brands of veneer) are applied to your enamel as a thin piece of coating to smooth out any irregularities, chips, or gaps on the tooth surface. They are designed to make your teeth look consistent, giving you that perfect smile. Veneers may also help your teeth look better aligned without the need for orthodontics, though this isn’t recommended for every patient.

Veneers can be made out of porcelain or plastic. Depending on the quality of the material, your veneers can last for many years or even decades. They are very durable and are designed to withstand normal teeth use, such as eating, brushing, and flossing.

As a cosmetic dental procedure, it’s important to research whether your insurance plan covers such procedures. Come visit us at TLC4Gums to learn more about the veneer procedure that we offer and whether or not it’s the ideal method of smile optimisation for you!