Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Apicoectomy

For most patients with an infection of the nerves or roots of the teeth, a root canal procedure is enough to get rid of the infected tissue and help save the tooth from extraction. But in some cases, it does not solve the problem, in which a procedure called an apicoectomy is needed.

At Radiance Dental, we provide the apicoectomy procedure for patients who are still experiencing difficulties with their teeth after the root canal procedure is complete. The procedure removes infected tissue while still saving the tooth structure.

We perform the following steps when providing an apicoectomy:

1. X-rays are taken during the consultation to be sure an apicoectomy is needed.

2. The procedure begins by giving patients anesthesia to numb the area.

3. We make a small incision in the gum, lifting it away from the tooth.

4. A drill is used to get access to the root of the tooth, where the infected tissue can be removed.

5. We look for cracks in the tooth to decide if the tooth needs to be extracted.

6. The tooth canal is cleaned and sealed, followed by sutures if needed.

This procedure is very similar to a root canal, with about the same healing and recovery time. Call us at Radiance Dental in Vancouver, WA or call 360-369-6420 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma.

 

 

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Bone Grafting

Dental implants are often provided to people who have missing teeth and are hoping to find a more permanent natural solution. However, implants must have a sufficient amount of jaw bone available for the implants to be placed securely. With some patients this isn’t always the case. If a patient has missing teeth, over a period of time they can experience atrophy of the jawbone.   This makes it difficult for the implant procedure to work properly without intervention.

Today, we have the ability to grow bone through a bone grafting procedure. Bone grafting helps Dr. Sanjeev Sharma grow enough bone at the implant site for placing the titanium post and completing a successful dental implant procedure.

At Radiance Dental, we offer minor and major bone grafting depending on how much bone will need to be grafted. Some patients can get minor bone grafting that helps increase how much bone is present. Others require major bone grafting if they have more significant loss of the jawbone. 

Patients who are in need of implants but don’t have enough bone to install the implant post have a great option in bone grafting when they come to our clinic. If you are in the Vancouver, WA area, call us at 360-369-6420 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma to discuss your bone grafting and dental implant needs. We offer free dental implant consultations.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Periodontal Disease

If left undiagnosed and untreated, periodontal disease can do some serious, irreversible damage to your smile.  Periodontal disease can also compromise your overall health, making you more susceptible to infections, malnutrition and other serious complications.  At Radiance Dental, we’re committed to educating our patients on the risks of periodontal disease and what they can do to prevent its harmful effects.

One of the best ways to stop periodontal disease before it starts is to practice diligent oral hygiene. This includes daily brushing and flossing, maintaining a sensible healthy diet, reducing sugar, alcohol and tobacco, and staying current with regular dental checkups.

It’s also important to be on the lookout for any warning signs that could indicate the early stages of periodontal disease, these include:

  • Bleeding of the gums during or after brushing and flossing.
  • Redness, swelling, soreness and discomfort that affect your gums on a regular basis.
  • Gum recession and exposed portions of the tooth root
  • Bad breath or a foul taste regardless of what you’ve recently eaten or even after you’ve brushed and rinsed.
  • Loose or easily moveable teeth.
  • Changes in bite alignment or the stability of prosthetic dental work

If you notice any of the above symptoms, please contact us at Radiance Dental promptly and arrange a consultation with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma.  We have appointments available to meet your scheduling needs.  Call 360-369-6420 today!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Wisdom Teeth


Not everyone gets their wisdom teeth, but many of our patients see them emerge. Wisdom teeth come in after the last set of molars, near the back of the mouth. They typically appear when patients are in their late teens or early to mid-twenties.

In some cases, wisdom teeth don’t cause a problem, but others need to have them removed. Because wisdom teeth are so far in the back, they are harder to clean and prone to more decay. This can lead to infection and other problems. They might also grow in crooked, pushing against the other teeth causing discomfort and overcrowding.

If the wisdom teeth are pushing against the other teeth causing shifting, pain, or become impacted, we recommend getting them extracted. This is often done under anesthesia so the patient does not feel any pain. It is a routine procedure, but one that needs to be completed by an experienced dentist such as Dr. Sanjeev Sharma or an oral surgeon.

If you have wisdom teeth, call our office in Vancouver, WA at (360) 369-6420 to schedule your comprehensive dental exam and x-rays to determine if they need to be extracted. We are welcoming new patients for wisdom tooth extractions and other dental services.