Grove's Blog

Grove's Blog

Posts for tag: Root Canal

March 07, 2011
Category: Endodontics

Root Canal Therapy at Grove DentalMany people feel immediate hesitation when they learn they need root canal (endodontic) treatment, often because someone they know has had an unpleasant experience or they've had a bad experience in the past. The truth is, root canal treatment doesn't cause pain; it relieves pain.

Root canal therapy is necessary when a cavity has progressed well into the interior of the tooth. The infection can spread deep into the roots of the tooth, causing an abscess. Left untreated, an infection in the root canal of a tooth can cause swelling of the face and head and even bone loss. Saving your tooth, if possible, is always the best solution, and root canal therapy is an option that restores the natural tooth to its normal function and natural appearance.

Restoring the Root Canal Reputation
There are many misconceptions surrounding root canal treatment. Understanding the facts and discussing your fears with your dentist is the best way to dispel root canal misconceptions and move forward with safe and effective treatment.

Myth #1: Root canals are painful.
Fact: The reality is that most root canal procedures are performed because you are already suffering tooth pain. Today, with modern dental technology and improved anesthetics, root canal treatments are no more painful than having a filling. Performed by endodontic specialists, your root canal surgery will eliminate the source of this pain, and enable you to resume a normal life within a few days.

Myth #2: It's better to pull the tooth than suffer through a root canal.
Fact: Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is always the best dental option. If you have your tooth properly restored, maintain good oral hygiene and visit your dentist for regular checkups, your natural tooth could last a lifetime.

Myth #3: Root Canals may cause illness or other health complications.
Fact: Root canal treatment is a safe and effective procedure. The whole purpose of root canal therapy is to remove infected tissue and prevent it from spreading into surrounding areas. If you have any concerns about root canal treatment, or have a preexisting medical condition, always discuss it with your dentist or physician.

Grove's on-staff Endodontists specialize exclusively in root canal therapy to ensure a positive, gentle, tooth-saving experience for all of our patients. Remember, delaying treatment for an infected tooth may lead to serious consequences and make treatment more difficult. Keep up with your regular dental visits - it's your best dental insurance!

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June 07, 2010
Category: Dental
Tags: Root Canal   Endodontist  

With the summer months ahead of us and another school year coming to a close, it's time to start thinking about your kid's summer plans. And while vacations, sports, jobs and long days at the pool are probably ranked high on your teen's list of things to do, you may want to start thinking about his or her wisdom teeth.

Root Canal Therapy at Grove Dental Wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are the last adult teeth to erupt in the mouth, typically making their appearance in young adults between the ages of 17 and 25 according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Certain people never develop wisdom teeth, while others may see up to four, one at each end of the upper and lower gums.

Do I really have to have them Removed?
Wisdom teeth typically cause problems because there is not adequate space in an individual's mouth for the third molars to grow into a normal position. As a result, the molars are impacted, or trapped, within the jaw. Wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and may even cause gum disease. When the wisdom teeth come in misaligned, they can shift or damage adjacent teeth, or worse, cysts can form that can destroy nerves, the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the molars is recommended to prevent serious damage, pain and other possible health problems.

Through the use of digital x-rays, the Grove doctors will monitor the wisdom teeth of all teenage and young adult patients. Not everyone's wisdom teeth need to be extracted, however. If the third molars are aligned, healthy and functional, dentists may let the teeth remain, but continue to monitor their movement. Patients experiencing jaw pain and/or inflammation should have their wisdom teeth evaluated.

Early Extraction for Short Recovery
In order to maintain proper alignment of the teeth, it's generally recommended that patients have their wisdom teeth removed before the third year molars have a chance to emerge. Removal of the wisdom teeth is easier for younger people because the tooth roots are not fully developed and the bone is less dense, making extraction easier. This allows for shorter recovery time.

At Grove Dental, we have Board Certified Oral Surgeons on-staff specially trained to take care of wisdom teeth and all oral surgery needs for patients of any age. Many Grove Dental patients have given testimonials regarding how gentle the oral surgeons are and how pleasantly surprised the patients were regarding the comfort of their treatment. You can be assured that the Grove general dentists and oral surgeons work very closely together to coordinate all of your care.

If you have not done so already, visit Grove to learn more about your teen's wisdom teeth. Regular dental visits are an important part of monitoring the development of the third molars and helping dentists make an appropriately timed recommendation for their removal, should it be necessary. Allow Grove to guide you on the best treatment options and if necessary, schedule your teen's wisdom teeth removal before school starts back in the fall!

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April 19, 2010
Category: Dental
Tags: Root Canal   Endodontist   Pain Free  

Grove Dental endodontists make painful root canal treatments a thing of the past

Root canal therapy (endodontic therapy) has earned a misleading reputation for pain and is considered to be the dental procedure feared most by patients. Not surprising, right?

Unfortunately, inaccurate information about root canal therapy prevents patients from making informed decisions regarding their oral health. Saving your tooth, if possible, is always the best solution, and root canal therapy is the only option that restores the natural tooth to its normal function and natural appearance.

Putting an End to Your Tooth Pain
A root canal is the channel that runs inside the root of the tooth, containing the pulp and blood vessels. When the canal becomes diseased, root canal therapy is necessary in order to remove the infection, eliminate the pain and preserve the natural tooth.

The Grove Advantage
If you, like many patients, cringe at the thought of a root canal, you'll be pleased to learn that painful root canal therapy is a thing of the past. Thanks to advances in dental technology, root canal therapy has become more precise, less invasive, and ultimately, less painful. The key to ensuring a positive patient experience is finding the most qualified dental professional to perform your procedure- a Grove Dental endodontic specialist.

At Grove Dental, we have three experienced, on-staff endodontists who specialize exclusively in root canal therapy; Dr. Milton Davenport, Dr. Daniel Kaplan and Dr. Chad Wiersema. Here's what Dr. Davenport has to say about root canal treatment.

“Very early on I learned that even the most feared dental procedures can be quite comfortable when performed by a well-trained dentist who follows one simple rule: treat every patient as if he or she were your best friend. With my training and commitment to gentle dentistry, I can honestly promise every patient that their root canal will be comfortable and pain-free."- Dr. Milton Davenport.

Visit a Grove Dental Endodontist if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Moderate to severe toothaches that are often disruptive
  • Prolonged tooth sensitivity to touch, pressure and temperatures
  • Discoloration of the tooth
  • Swollen Gums
  • Pain in a tooth previously treated by root canal therapy

It's important to visit an endodontist when symptoms of an infected tooth first emerge. The endodontic experts at Grove Dental are fully qualified to offer you the best in root canal therapy, restoring the tooth's natural appearance and function that can last a lifetime.

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Dentist - Downers Grove, Grove Dental Associates, 6800 Main Street, Third Floor, Downers Grove IL, 60516 (630) 969-5350