When it comes to your teeth and gums, it’s essential to take good care of them if you want to keep them healthy and strong so you can bite, chew, speak and smile normally. Your daily oral hygiene care and routine professional dental cleanings and exams all combine to help you maintain your teeth and gums for a lifetime of smiles. But should oral problems arise, it’s typically best to try to save your natural tooth or teeth whenever possible, and enlisting the help of an endodontist or periodontist can help you do just that!
Periodontic Vs Endodontic Treatment
Saving your own tooth whenever a problem arises is ideally your first choice because even the most advanced dental implants or bridges aren’t completely the same as keeping a naturally functioning tooth. Periodontal treatment helps your teeth survive and thrive. Gum disease destroys vital gum tissues and bone around teeth.
You might have gum disease if you notice the following:
- Chronic gum tissue inflammation
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums
- Painful gums
- Being unable to chew around those affected areas of gum tissue
It’s often easy to forget that your gums are just as important as your teeth, but they are what hold your teeth in place! Periodontal treatment takes care of all kinds of periodontal disease, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and gingival (gum) recession to prevent losing a tooth. By removing the harmful bacteria deep in the gums through periodontal treatment, your gums can regain their health.
If the tooth needs to be removed, endodontic treatment can often save the tooth by performing a root canal treatment. By removing the injured pulp (soft inner tissue) of your tooth and filling and sealing the space afterward, your tooth can typically go back to its normal function.
Dental Implant Treatment
But what happens if you can’t save a tooth? The next best solution is getting a dental implant if you want the replacement tooth to look and feel like your own. This goes for people who have lost one or more teeth, whether from periodontal disease, accidental injury or infection.
Endodontic treatment saves your affected tooth so you can receive a dental crown or implant. This allows you to once again bite and chew normally and comfortably while also looking the most natural. Replacing a missing tooth or teeth also keeps healthy teeth from shifting out of their proper position by filling that gap that would otherwise ruin your bite alignment.
When it comes to placing a dental implant, the most common type used is the Endosteal implant. With the help of a screw-shaped device placed within the bone, the implant functions as a natural tooth root. Whether you need one artificial tooth replaced or several, a dental implant can anchor them securely. Dental implants are also great for supporting dental bridges or dentures that are removable!
Are You a Good Dental Implant Candidate?
- You must have good overall health as well as good oral health
- Have sufficient bone density to support a dental implant
- Have healthy gum tissues free of periodontal disease
If you find yourself experiencing dental pain, consider enlisting the help of an endodontist or periodontist to take a look and help you with your options. If your tooth can’t be saved with a root canal treatment where we get rid of the injured tooth’s damaged pulp tissues, removing the tooth and placing a dental implant may very well be your best option! You will want to discuss your treatment options with our team to give you the effective smile solution you deserve.
If you need help with your smile, endodontic or periodontal treatments are available to help you! This holiday season, why not give yourself the gift of a healthy smile and to make the most out of your dental benefits. You deserve a healthy smile and our team is ready to help!