Updated 6/15/2020 The very name “root canal” can conjure dreadful notions of pain and suffering in the minds of patients. It’s no wonder that many people put off getting a root canal, fearing both pain during the root canal procedure and the soreness that could come afterwards. Fortunately, thanks to better techniques, improved technology, and...
This piece was originally published on 6/8/2020 and updated on 3/13/2022. It has been said that the most important fashion accessory you can wear is a smile. One way many people choose to improve the look of their smile is through whitening their teeth at the dentist. Teeth whitening is one of the top reasons...
If your child is ready for their first visit to the dentist, or if they have a dental emergency, you may be wondering about the best type of professional to treat him or her. Is it necessary to take your kid to a pediatric dentist, or can you bring them to your current dentist? Some...
Having a piece of a tooth break off and fall out is certainly startling. And if there is pain or blood involved, it is definitely considered a dental emergency. Even if it doesn’t hurt or bleed, a cracked tooth or chipped tooth should be seen by a dentist. The amount of urgency, however, depends on...
It’s hard to ignore a toothache, and even if you can, it’s not always a good idea. Sensitivity or pain in the mouth is usually a sign that there is a problem. It might go away, but if it doesn’t, it could be a dental abscess. A dental abscess is a bacterial infection at the...
With more than 90% of adults suffering from cavities, fillings are the most common type of dental work performed by dentists. They are a safe and effective way to treat tooth decay. But if a doctor suggests an MRI of the head or neck, some people wonder if there are dangers with their metal fillings....
No one wants a crooked smile, but it’s sometimes hard to get clear, unbiased information about the many options for straightening teeth. Two of the more popular options for teeth straightening that people compare are clear braces vs. Invisalign. Sometimes, these two terms are used interchangeably. For our purposes, we use “clear braces” to mean...
Most dental offices have either closed or gone into “emergency only” status during COVID-19 quarantine. So, while it is possible to get emergency dental care in most places, patients might also want to consider “internet only” options for speaking with a dentist online for simple consultations (non-emergencies). This is what is called teledentistry. Teledentistry is...
No one wants spotty, stained, or tarnished teeth to stand in the way of a beaming smile. Many turn to teeth-whitening for help. But for someone who has had dental work such as crowns, it’s not always that easy. People eager to have their smiles back often ask, “Can dental crowns be whitened?” Dental crowns...
As of right now, most U.S. states have suspended elective procedures in dental practices. But this leaves the question: What about dental emergencies? Where should you go, and what should you do, if you have one? (And what counts as a dental emergency, anyway?) While many are turning to their local hospital emergency rooms (ERs),...