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Dental Implants: A Guide for Seniors

If you are a senior considering dental implants, you may have to worry about issues other dental patients don't have to think about. For example, you may need more time to recover after receiving your implants. My name is Jodi, and I've been working with seniors for years. I decided to create this blog to help the seniors I can't meet in person. In this space, I'm going to post entries on everything related to dental implants and seniors. From tips on flossing implants after arthritis has claimed some of your dexterity, to guiding you through the implants-vs-dentures debate, this blog is designed for you. Thanks for reading. I hope you find what you need!

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Dental Implants: A Guide for Seniors

Why Root Canals Shouldn't Give You Any Particular Cause for Concern

by Jimmy Carter

When dental pain becomes too much to bear, there's nothing for it but a visit to an emergency dentist. While there are many different potential causes for this pain, it's invariably due to inflammation which causes your nerves to become activated. You may be wondering whether you need a root canal, as this is a frequent course of treatment in such situations. What is involved in this type of procedure today?

Who Will Do This?

Many dental practices have the capability to perform this in house, although some will refer you out to a specialist, who is known as an endodontist. If the situation is particularly complex, then you may be given a referral, but you will need to see the general dentist first for advice.

Getting Ready

The good news is that this is one of the most commonplace procedures in the world of dentistry and while it does take a little bit of time, it should not cause you any particular discomfort.

The dentist will begin by giving you a local anaesthetic to make sure that the area is completely numb. They will then place a special piece of latex known as a "dam" around the tooth using a small clamp, to help keep any potential contamination away from the area.

The Procedure

When everything is ready, an incision is made into the tooth, and the source of the infection will be removed along with the pulp. Sodium hypochlorite is introduced at the same time, which will disinfect all the tiny canals that are inside the tooth.

The dentist will want to ensure that no trace of infection is left and will use some miniature files to clean the inside of the tooth wall very carefully. In particular, the expert will want to ensure that the area is ready to receive the filling at the end.

Often, x-rays will be used by the dentist so that they can make sure they have cleaned all the way down to the root ending and that no trace of infection remains. Once ready, the canals will be filled with a specific material and sealed with paste as an interim measure.

Follow-Up

Any tooth that has had a significant procedure such as this may well need reinforcement, especially if it is a molar. In this case, you may have to have a crown fitted to provide the necessary strength and to give the tooth its full functionality. This is something that you have to discuss with the dentist, and it will happen during a subsequent visit.

Getting Relief

You may experience some mild discomfort after the procedure and can take over-the-counter pain medication should this be needed, but you will undoubtedly experience a lot of relief as well. Pick up the phone and make the appointment so that you don't have to suffer needlessly any more.

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