General Dentistry
At Pinetop Family Dental, we care about your oral health. We offer a number of services that will allow you to be pain free and allow you to have good oral health for years to come.
If you have sensitivity or pain on a tooth or would like to have an oral health evaluation please come and see us. Our Doctors are committed to improving your dental health through treatment and patient education.
Teeth Cleanings & Cavity Prevention
Preventing cavities, plaque build up and other potential issues is always easier than fixing your teeth after there’s a problem.
Routine teeth cleanings should be done twice per year. Sometimes it’s hard to see the benefit of frequent visits while you’re young, but our goal is to keep your teeth healthy and functional for your entire life.
Our Doctors can also help you establish habits that will prevent plaque build up and cavities.
If you haven’t had your teeth cleaned in the past 6 months, give us a call an schedule an appointment.
Cavity Fillings
A cavity is irreversible damage to an area on the tooth that develops into a small hole. Once a cavity is developed, it requires a filling to prevent further damage to your tooth. If a cavity is left untreated, bacteria can spread and lead to further tooth decay.
Restoring a cavitated tooth is a simple and affordable procedure that can be completed in a single visit. If you feel like you might have a cavity just give us a call and schedule an appointment.
Symptoms of a Cavity:
Tooth Pain
Tooth Pain is one of the most common signs of a cavity. The pain can be constant or sporadic, dull or sharp. It’s important to know that if you are experiencing tooth pain, infection may have reached a nerve. If this is the case, it’s important to have it fixed as soon as possible.
Heat or Cold Sensitivity
Temperature sensitivity is a common sign of a cavity. Does ice cream or other cold foods cause tooth pain? Do hot foods or drinks cause pain? Temperature sensitivity can be uncomfortable and is the first sign of either receding gums or cavitated tooth.
Dark Stains
Sometimes a cavity can be seen as dark stains on teeth. These dark stains can be caused by stain causing substances such as smoking, tea or coffee. We will evaluate these dark stains for any possibilities of cavities.
Root Canal Therapy
Root Canal Therapy is a procedure that treats a damaged or diseased tooth. Millions of teeth are treated and saved this way each year relieving pain and making teeth healthy again.
Inside the tooth are nerve endings, blood vessels and connective tissue. When these tissues become damaged or diseased ridding the treatment includes removing the tissue and placing a filling on the root canals to prevent any future imperfections.
The procedure is simple, safe and pain free.
How Do I Know If I Need Root Canal Therapy?
Root Canal Therapy is necessary when infection has spread to the pulp of the root canal and the patient desires to save the tooth.
Symptoms of root canal infection also known as an abscessed tooth include:
- Serious tooth pain when eating or when pressure is applied to the tooth.
- Tooth pain or sensitivity to hot or cold. This pain can linger after the hot or cold stimuli have been removed.
- Tenderness and swelling in the gums near the painful area of the tooth.
- Darkening of the tooth.
- A pimple-like bump on the gums, near the painful area of the tooth.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, give us a call and schedule an oral exam.
Does Root Canal Therapy Hurt?
Getting Root Canal Therapy is relatively painless and extremely effective. Most pain will arise when the infection is not controlled by antibiotics first. When a tooth is abscessed and swelling is present an antibiotic is given to control the infection. Once the infection is controlled the patient will make the appointment to have the procedure done.
Dental Crowns After Root Canal Therapy
A dental crown is a cap that’s placed over a tooth. When a tooth has had root canal therapy sometimes that tooth will require a crown depending on the amount of tooth structure that has been lost. Another important factor of placing a crown on a root canaled tooth is the amount of chewing force that’s applied to the tooth.
