Tukwila Emergency Dentist
August 3, 2017
Tukwila Emergency Dentist
When looking for a Tukwila emergency dentist, finding a dentist that can take care of the situation quickly and conveniently is important. Removing pain, smoothing a sharp edge, replacing a crown that fell off, etc are all things that often can’t wait, ESPECIALLY on a weekend or before a special event!
Emergency Dentist Root Canal
While historically the term “root canal” has evoked thoughts or images of pain, the treatment TODAY is usually painless and faster than ever. Most of the pain people associate with root canal treatment from waiting too long for treatment, which can sometimes make getting numb a challenge. Often we must do treatment in more than one appointment so that the treatment is more comfortable. The first visit can alleviate most of the pain, but it may not “feel normal” until treatment is done.
Crown After Root Canal
It should always be pointed out that root canal treatment is only HALF of the treatment. The tooth will be weakened from the treatment and will require a crown to prevent tooth fracture. Much of the time, this two visit treatment can be started at the same time as the root canal treatment, saving a visit. But make no mistake, if a tooth has a root canal and the patient chooses to NOT get a crown, they should expect to lose the tooth at some point in the future (WHEN is the million dollar question. Could be next week, next year, or 10 years later. Usually sooner).
Swelling Around Tooth
Sometimes the first sign that something is not right is when the tissues are swollen. Occaisionally, the swelling is so much that an eye will have impaired vision. This is a VERY serious situation and needs IMMEDIATE attention. Even a visit to the ER should be considered, as the bacteria is very near blood flow that goes to the brain, so there should be no delay.
Emergency Dentist Drain Infection
With swelling that is visible, the first thing to do is often to make an incision and let the infection drain. Antibiotics will be needed as well. If a tooth is hopeless and needs an extraction, the extraction itself will allow drainage, so an incision may not be needed.
What is Cracked Tooth Syndrome?
March 11, 2016
Cracked tooth syndrome is a common reason for expensive dentistry. The pain from an affected tooth can be almost unbearable, and if treated early can avoid root canal therapy. What exactly IS it?
Despite tooth structure being the hardest substance in the human body, teeth flex microscopically. The flex is so small that we cannot feel it. However, if a part of the tooth is removed, it can flex MORE. Even if the missing tooth structure is replaced with a filling, the flex still increases.
Over time, the flex can lead to cracks. Like Nancy Reagan said, say no to crack. Small cracks become big cracks, and big cracks lead to fractures. In some cases cracks and fractures involve the nerve of the tooth, which can kill it. Normally the pain in earlier stages will lead to treatment before the nerve is involved, but sometimes the first sign of a problem is the fractured and dead tooth.
To treat a tooth with Cracked Tooth Syndrome, the cracked part must be removed. If small, an onlay can be placed that covers a single cusp, but the most comon treatment is a full crown. More than just removing the cracked part, the crown directs the chewing forces inward, so any micro-cracks left behind are less likely to propagate.
A more advanced issue is an indication for root canal therapy, but in a small percentage of cases the crack/fracture is so significant that the tooth is hopeless and must be removed. A dental implant is normally the best solution, and a dental bridge a close second..
We all want to be sure we don’t “cry wolf” when a tooth hurts. Many people try to ignore pain and assume it will just go away or get better. This usually doesn’t work and ends up costing more to fix the longer one waits.
When Dental Surgery Goes Wrong…
September 2, 2015
The blame game.
Who do we blame when things don’t go as planned? Does that entitle one to $$? I am not a lawyer, so I am not dispensing legal advice, but perhaps a perspective may help.
Nobody is perfect. Nothing works 100% of the time. Nothing in dentistry lasts forever. Nothing in Dentistry is permanent.
I was asked on another forum, “if dental surgery goes wrong, who is responsible?”
Truthfully, “it depends.” Why is it wrong? Were the porcelain veneers the wrong shade? In some people’s minds, it “went wrong” yet others would say it is just opinion. This usually can be avoided by clear communication DURING the process.
Most of the time, open communication during care avoids “things going wrong.” Often, there are signatures collected along the way permitting the dentist to continue to the next step. When the case is complete, should the patient decide they are not satisfied, they have nobody to blame.
And sometimes things just “happen” with no fault to anyone. Courts of law have established that NOTHING is without risk, and if an event happens (while rare) there is no fault.
Most dentists do their best to make things right, within reason. Refunds are usually pointless, as 99% of the time simply doing the case over satisfies all parties. If a filling doesn’t feel right, let the dentist do it over. If the filling is done 3 times without satisfaction, perhaps something else was the issue. Sometimes a nerve of a tooth should be treated and not JUST a filling.
If dentures are fabricated, it would be considered unreasonable to just demand a refund if satisfaction is not met. Dentures take many visits to do well, and hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars in lab work. To say “I am not satisfied and want my money back,” is considered unreasonable by the juries.
If a crown is placed in a person’s mouth that continues to drink acidic drinks or has decreased salivary flow and does not change their hygiene habits, the crown will not last. Is it the dentist’s fault? While statistics say crowns last an average of 5 years, many crowns last much longer. That would imply that many last much less. Who is to blame?
More often than not, there is no blame to be placed. There ARE cases of negligence or poor care, but those cases are rare. Most “failings” in a dental office are simply due to the many variables involved. There is no fault.
As stated earlier, this is a dental office and not a law firm.