General Dentistry

Cavities & Fillings

Cavities are very common. The good news is that cavities are also preventable. Brushing and flossing twice a day, avoiding sugary sodas, and scheduling regular dental check-ups should help stop cavities before they start.

How Dental Cavities Form

Most humans love sugar and starchy carbohydrates. Unfortunately, so do the bacteria that live on our teeth. When the bacteria eat sugar and starch, they convert it into acids, which in turn destroy the tooth enamel. Eventually, loss of enamel can cause pain, discomfort, sensitivity, and lead to tooth decay.

Cavities are typically caused by:

• Lack of regular brushing or flossing
• Improper brushing techniques
• Abundance of sugary drinks and foods

Sometimes, even those who brush and floss consistently develop cavities. Genetics, certain medications, and chronic conditions can all lead to cavities.

Treatment for a cavity: Fillings – The best way to restore a damaged tooth that has been compromised due to tooth decay. It is a procedure that removes the decayed portion of the tooth and fills it with a material to prevent the spread of the cavity.

Root Canal

When a tooth is causing you pain, we will do everything in our power to save it, whether via a crown or other dental procedure. However, if the nerve of your tooth is infected, or if you are still experiencing pain after another dental treatment, you may need a root canal. While no one wants to get a root canal treatment, it is sometimes the only way to eliminate your infection and stop your pain.

We understand that root canals can be scary. However, ignoring the problem will cause results that are much scarier! If your infection is allowed to progress unchecked, your tooth will continue to decay, causing you to experience a significant amount of pain.

Here is what you can expect from your root canal treatment:

• The tooth and surrounding tissue are anesthetized so the patient cannot feel pain or discomfort.
• A hole is drilled into the tooth. Dr. Dhaliwal uses tiny instruments to extract the diseased tissue.
• Once Dr. Dhaliwal is sure that the canal is disinfected, the interior of the tooth is filled with an inert material that helps prevent further infection.

If you have any more questions about root canal therapy, why you need it, or what it involves, be sure to give us a call.

Tooth Extractions

As dental professionals, our first priority will always be to help restore, save and repair your natural teeth. However, sometimes a tooth extraction is unavoidable. If it is the case that a tooth cannot be saved, we will do everything in our power to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

Why Would I Need A Tooth Extraction?

• Severe Tooth Damage: Some teeth have such extensive decay and damage that a repair is not possible. Sometimes, we may attempt a repair (such as a crown), and the patient will report that they still feel pain. This is because the tooth is a vast network of interconnected nerves, and a root canal does not totally remove all sources of discomfort.
• Advanced Periodontal Disease: As gum disease, also called periodontal disease, advances, the tooth becomes less and less supported by surrounding bone. In some cases, the tooth loosens to such an extent that extraction is the only solution.
• Malpositioned/Nonfunctioning Teeth: Teeth which are malaligned and/or nonfunctioning (lacking opposing teeth to bite against) may need to be removed. Some orthodontic treatments may also require an extraction in order to create needed space for improved teeth alignment.

The only way we can know for sure if your tooth requires pulling is to examine it in person. If you are experiencing tooth pain, be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. The sooner you stop in, the more likely it is that we can save your tooth!