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.

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a frustrating condition for many sufferers.  In addition to nightly snoring, sleep apnea can also increase your risk of developing other serious health problems.  High blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, daily fatigue, drowsiness, and liver problems can all develop or worsen as a result of sleep apnea.

 

Fortunately, there are ways to treat sleep apnea at our practice.  While CPAP is commonly used as an effective sleep apnea treatment, many find the device to be uncomfortable.  We offer custom oral appliances as an alternative treatment, preventing respiratory obstruction and ensuring oxygen flow throughout the night.  Many of our patients have found oral appliances to be a more comfortable and convenient sleep apnea treatment.

 

If you or someone you know may be suffering from sleep apnea, contact our Vancouver, WA practice for more information on how to protect your health and request a free consultation today.

Dental Implants

If you’re considering dental implants for your smile restoration, you’re making a smart choice. As a tooth prosthetic, dental implants provide a unique set of benefits over other smile restorative options.  While bridges, partial and full dentures are all reliable options for smile restoration, dental implants deliver a real look, feel and longevity unlike no other.

 

When weighing the advantages of dental implants over other dental reconstructive options, consider the following:

• If you are an adult, your age alone won’t restrict you from dental implants.  From teens to seniors, dental implants have been successfully used to replace a missing tooth or teeth.
• They can be used in both your top and bottom jaw, at multiple sites and can even be used to restore your entire smile.
• Other healthy teeth do not need to be modified or disturbed for your implant placement.  There’s no need for wires, external framework, adhesives or support that affect neighboring tooth.
• Dental implants look and feel natural.  They will not affect your speech, eating and appearance.
• With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime and do not require replacement or adjustment.
• Dental implants require no additional maintenance beyond brushing, flossing and regular periodontal care.
• Because of their placement that’s similar to the natural root of the tooth, dental implants reduce bone loss and prevent atrophy of the jawbone.

While these advantages sound ideal for just about anyone in need of a replacement tooth, the very best way to determine if dental implants will be the most successful option for your smile restoration is to arrange a free dental implant consultation with us at Radiance Dental in Vancouver, WA.

TMJ Disorders and Their Treatment

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is what connects your lower jaw to your skull, and it is susceptible to temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which has symptoms that range from teeth grinding and trouble chewing to headaches and pain when opening or closing your mouth. Causing both pain and damage to your teeth, TMD should not be ignored. If you’re experiencing pain or trouble chewing, Dr. Geetika Chawla can treat your disorder and help alleviate your pain at our office in Vancouver, WA.  

 

The disorder is often associated with stress and the unconscious clenching of the jaw or grinding of the teeth. After time, these activities can cause pain, lock jaw, headaches or ear pain and popping or clicking sounds when opening your mouth.

 

Teeth grinding is an especially worrisome activity associated with TMD because it can lead to more than just problems with your TMJ. If grinding is not addressed, the enamel of your teeth may wear to the point that your dentin is exposed, increasing sensitivity to heat, cold and decay.

 

Dr. Chawla can work with you to relieve your symptoms at Radiance Dental with pain relievers, hot and cold compresses and night guards to cut down on grinding. While surgery can be required in more severe cases, usually changing the way you use your jaw muscles is enough.

To schedule an appointment, call (360) 369-6420. For more information, visitwww.radiancedentalnw.com.