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“Root canal” is one term in dental care that causes more fear than any other! While the phrase might sound scary, root canal treatments are virtually painless procedures performed to alleviate tooth pain and save your tooth. Here are three signs that you may benefit from a root canal treatment:

1. Persistent Tooth Pain

If you’re experiencing persistent and severe tooth pain, it could be a sign that the pulp inside your tooth is inflamed or infected. The pain might be sharp, throbbing, or shooting, and it can worsen when you bite down or apply pressure to the affected tooth. Even if the pain comes and goes, it’s important not to ignore it. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something is wrong, and a root canal might be necessary to remove the source of your dental discomfort.

2. Sensitivity to Temperature

Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures that lingers even after the temperature stimulus is removed could indicate an issue that requires a root canal. If you find yourself wincing in pain or experiencing a lingering twinge when you eat or drink hot or cold items, it’s time to consult your dentist.

3. Gum Swelling & Tenderness

Gums that are swollen, tender, or have developed a pimple-like bump can be indicative of an infection that has spread to the root of the tooth. This infection can lead to an accumulation of pus and cause extreme discomfort. If you notice any unusual changes in the appearance or sensation of your gums, it’s important to seek dental care promptly. Ignoring gum swelling and tenderness can lead to more severe oral health issues.

Root Canal Therapy in Elk Grove, CA

If you’re experiencing any of these signs, it’s crucial to consult a dentist near you as soon as possible. At Villa Vista Dental, Dr. Tin will perform a thorough examination, which might include X-rays, to determine the extent of the issue. If a root canal is recommended, rest assured that advancements in dental technology have made the procedure more comfortable and efficient than ever before.

Dental problems don’t typically resolve on their own and can worsen over time if left untreated. By seeking professional dental care early, your tooth can be saved and your pain can be eliminated.

Any procedure performed around or in your mouth and jaw counts as oral surgery. Surgery can address serious issues, such as tooth loss or impacted wisdom teeth. Many patients will need oral surgery at some point in their life. Here are four ways oral surgery can impact your smile:

Root Canal Therapy Saves Teeth

Root canals are a common oral surgery that allows the outer tooth structure of compromised teeth to be preserved. This procedure treats tooth infections, which could otherwise spread and threaten your overall health. Root canal treatment involves creating a small hole in your tooth and removing the infected or damaged pulp. Once the area is cleaned out, the tooth can be sealed and topped with a restoration, like a filling or crown.

Bone Grafts Strengthen the Jawbone

If you’ve lost density in your jawbone, bone grafting can restore it. Although the surgery itself isn’t painful because of modern anesthesia and sedation, you may experience some discomfort, bruising, and swelling while you heal. Bone grafts have a very high success rate.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Your wisdom teeth sit way back in your mouth. Many patients experience impacted wisdom teeth, which is when the teeth can’t break properly through the gums, or their wisdom teeth grow in crooked. These problematic teeth can cause pain, damage to neighboring teeth, and increase your risk of infection. At Villa Vista Dental, we offer nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation for extractions.

Dental Implants Replace Missing Teeth

If you want to replace a missing tooth (or even an entire arch), dental implants are the most natural tooth replacement option. After confirming you have enough jawbone density, we first implant a biocompatible post in your jawbone. As you heal, this will fuse to your bone and replace your missing tooth root. Once you’ve healed, we can place an artificial tooth like a crown, bridge, or denture on top!

Oral Surgery at Villa Vista in Elk Grove, CA

Our team is committed to your safety and comfort for every dental procedure. Dr. Tin is a member of many associations, such as the International Dental Implant Association and American Dental Association, so you can feel confident in his skills and experience.

Cavities are quite common, and one of the main ways to treat them is with a dental filling. The decay is removed, and then a filling is used to literally “fill” that empty space and protect the tooth’s health and structure. Fillings can be made from different materials and that affects how long they last. On average though, fillings can last for about 15 years. So how will you know when it’s time to replace your filling?

The Filling Is Cracked

Let’s say you bite down on an ice cube too hard or you regularly grind your teeth at night and don’t have a nightguard. In both of these cases, it’s possible that your filling will get cracked. Sometimes you can literally see the crack, and sometimes you just start to notice extra sensitivity in that area. It’s important to replace the filling as soon as possible so that bacteria doesn’t enter through that little gap and cause tooth decay.

The Filling Has Fallen Out

If your fillings have experienced a lot of wear and tear, are old, or were poorly placed, it’s possible that the entire filling can fall out. In these cases, you may notice that your tooth surface doesn’t feel the same when you run your tongue over it because there’s a big gap where the filling used to be. You may even be able to see the space where the filling once was. You’ll want to replace that filling as soon as possible to keep that tooth protected from decay.

The Filling Is Discolored

Porcelain and composite resin fillings are designed to match your natural tooth color. Over time, it’s possible that porcelain or composite fillings may become stained or discolored. This is another sign that it may be time for a replacement. Amalgam fillings are silver in color which makes them noticeable. Some patients choose to replace them for this reason alone.

Composite Fillings in Elk Grove, CA

If you think it’s time to replace a filling, contact us at Villa Vista Dental. We provide dental fillings along with many other services to improve your oral health including same-day crowns, periodontal care, and more. We’re happy to help in any way that we can!