Treating Intrinsic Stains

Cosmetic dentistry and root canals are both among our specialties at the Bridge Smiles Dental Group. Did you know that there are some circumstances that require both kinds of treatments? Intrinsic stains are much rarer than extrinsic ones, but when they occur, you want our experienced dentists on your side.

An extrinsic stain is one that develops on the outside of the enamel as a result of something the patient regularly consumes. Intrinsic stains affect the pulp. Sometimes they form due to the circumstances of the tooth’s development, such as when the patient was exposed to high levels of fluoride or tetracycline antibiotics. These would cause a tooth to be brown or black. But when intrinsic stains develop later in life, they indicate an injury. Infected dental pulp will appear black or some shade of red. They also sometimes give off a bad taste and smell and may be especially sensitive.

We’ll do a root canal procedure to remove infected dental pulp and prevent it from posing a further threat to the patient. Although we frequently use implants to replace teeth, it is to a patient’s benefit to save the natural tooth whenever possible. After the root canal, we’ll fill the empty pulp chamber with whitening solution and seal it. A week later, we can remove the solution and fill the tooth in normally, leaving it with a white crown. A veneer may be added, if necessary.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Root Canal Therapy

Endodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on the roots or nerves of the teeth. The most common of these procedures is the infamous root canal. Root canals are a necessary procedure for when a tooth becomes infected. The infection is often located in the roots or nerves of the teeth, and this procedure is the only way to clear out the infection. Drs. Meghadri and Grewal offer root canals to our patients here at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A.

 

An infected tooth is a very serious problem. If left untreated, a tooth can become an abscess, leading to bone loss in the jaw. At the beginning of the procedure, a local anesthetic will be applied to the tooth. Drs. Meghadri or Grewal will then drill down into the tooth to open up the root canal. This allows them to remove the infected tissue. The area will also be cleaned thoroughly as well. After everything is done, a sealant will be applied. A dental crown is often placed on top of the tooth. This not only restores the appearance but helps the tooth heal.

 

With the use of modern technology, root canals aren't the imposing procedure that they used to be. Pain medication and local anesthetics make the procedure almost painless. Any soreness felt afterward is completely normal.

 

Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. is located in two offices, located in Neshanic Station and Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Meghadri or Grewal, visit our website or call. For the Neshanic Station office, call 908-782-4418. To contact the Somerville office, call 908-725-0400.

Smoking and Pulpitis

Smokers are at higher risk for oral infections. We at Bridge Smiles Dental Group hope most people by now understand the connection between smoking and gingivitis and oral cancer. But recently, scientists discovered another harmful impact smoking has: increasing the severity and recurrence of dental pulp infections.

Inflammation is part of the immune system’s response to a disease or injury. When a tooth is infected, the inner pulp becomes inflamed (a condition we call “pulpitis”). This has the benefits of filling the area with white blood cells, restricting the flow of infected blood to the rest of the body, and of making cellular walls more permeable to immune system resources. Among those resources are antimicrobial peptides, which are molecules that attach to pathogenic bacteria and neutralize them.

In a recent study, scientists found that smokers lack antimicrobial peptides in their dental pulp. Because of this, their pulpitis was more resistant to treatment. Root canal therapy is the ordinary way of combatting a pulp infection; it allows us to remove the infected material and replace it with a sealant. But without antimicrobial peptides, small amounts of bacteria in overlooked material can linger. We’ll still do our best to care for patients with toothaches, but it is likelier smokers will need to have a tooth replaced. Some good news is that the study found antimicrobial peptides can sometimes return after the patient quits smoking.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.

 

Intrinsic Stains

We provide care for patients’ cosmetic needs at Bridge Smiles Dental Group, but it is important for patients to understand that intrinsic tooth stains need to be treated differently from other kinds. Extrinsic tooth stains are the ones on the surface layer of the teeth that are acquired from what the patient consumes, and they can be removed with bleach, but intrinsic stains may be too deep for whitening to work.

Intrinsic stains may be acquired or caused by the tooth absorbing dark molecules during its formation. The latter usually happens because the tooth was exposed to tetracycline antibiotics or excessive fluoride, and since these stains do not present a health threat, they can simply be covered with veneers. But the former is due to dental pulp inflammation, which results from trauma or infection. An infection could spread, with painful or deadly consequences for the patient, so the inflamed pulp needs to be removed during a root canal. As part of the root canal, the tooth will be filled and sealed, but the tooth may still require a veneer or a new crown afterward for cosmetic satisfaction.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge ST. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit BridgeSmilesDental.com.

 

Pain from Fillings

Patients suffering from toothaches and decay related to their fillings can be assured of getting the best possible care at Bridge Smiles Dental Group. While it is normal for teeth to be a little sensitive immediately after getting a filling, persistent pain could indicate that the filling was insufficient treatment for the patient’s problem or has outlasted its time.

Fillings are often given in response to decay caused by bacteria, but if the bacteria were in the pulp of the tooth, normal cleanings won’t remove them. In those cases, the patient will require a root canal. A dental pulp infection can also occur if a tooth cracked or continued to decay after getting a filling, allowing bacteria an entry point.

It is also important to note that fillings don’t always last forever. If the seal bonding the filling to the tooth breaks, bacteria may enter the cracks and start causing decay again. Depending on how far the decay has progressed, another filling or a larger kind of restoration may be necessary.

Of course, it is also possible that the filling simply wasn’t shaped well. In any case, the doctors of Bridge Smiles Dental Group can help patients address the source of their problems.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge ST. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit BridgeSmilesDental.com.

 

Rotary Endodontics

Advances in dental technology have allowed us to become more accurate and efficient. In addition, many updates also allow us to improve the process of different procedures. While root canals used to have a reputation of being painful or scary, rotary endodontics have allowed us to perform gentle and quiet root canals. Here at Bridge Smiles Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, we believe that updating our technology allows us to give the best care to our patients.

In the past, performing a root canal included using a manual file. Rotary endodontics is a new and improved system for performing root canals. It uses an electric drill and a more flexible file made of titanium alloy. The added flexibility allows the dentist to go further into the tooth’s root without stretching or damaging the canal. This decreases discomfort during and after the procedure. Rotary endodontics is also much quieter than the manual files of the past, so those who get anxious about hearing the drilling can feel more relaxed. Rotary endodontics also quickens the process of a root canal, which is great for both the patient and the doctor.

Our patients’ health and comfort are on top of our priority list. This is why we have implemented rotary endodontics into our office. To learn more about the technology we use here at Bridges Smiles Dental Group P. A. in Somerville, NJ, call our office at (908) 782-4418 or visit our website, www.bridgesmilesdental.com. 

Why You Might Need a Root Canal

If the cause of your teeth pain is serious decay or infection in the tooth pulp, our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. may recommend a root canal. A root canal is a multi-step dental procedure that involves removing the infected tooth pulp (and sometimes the nerve) from a tooth, and sealing it to protect against future teeth pain.

Not all types of teeth are indications for a root canal. But signs of infection severe enough to require a root canal include: severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure, prolonged sensitivity (pain) to hot or cold temperatures (after the heat or cold has been removed), discoloration (darkening) of the tooth, swelling and tenderness in nearby gums, and a persistent or recurring pimple on the gums.

Root canal therapy helps you maintain your natural smile, continue eating the foods you love and limit the need for ongoing dental work. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last as long as other natural teeth and often for a lifetime.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bridgesmilesdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Bridge Smile Dental Group P.A. in Somerville, NJ, call 908-725-0400.