Dental Bridges

Broken or missing teeth can occur for a variety of reasons. For example, trauma to the mouth can fracture a tooth or knock it out completely. In addition, gum disease can cause tooth decay and possibly lead to tooth loss. The good news is at Dr. Ivi Sanguinetti’s Baytown Family and Cosmetic Dentist; we offer restorative services that include dental bridges.

 

A bridge fills in the gap where the missing tooth was. It may be supported by dental implants or natural teeth. A conventional bridge includes two crowns on both sides of the gap. The bridge is attached to the crowns, which act as an anchor and hold the bridge in place.

 

Usually two appointments are needed in order to have a traditional dental bridge placed. The process of getting a bridge will involve preparing the adjacent teeth for the crowns. Preparation involves removing any decay and shaping and filing the teeth. An impression of the teeth is taken so the bridge can be made. While you wait for your permanent bridge to be made, a temporary one will be placed.

 

Bridges are made from durable materials, such as porcelain, gold or alloy. In some cases, a combination of materials will be used. Proper maintenance of a bridge is essential in order to prevent cavities from developing underneath. Regular brushing, flossing and professional cleanings are needed.

Root Canals

When our patients experience pain and extreme sensitivity to hot and cold food or beverages, it is often the result of an infection in the nerves of the tooth. Dr. Ivi Sanguinetti does endodontics, which deals with the nerves of the teeth.  For this type of infection, a root canal, which removes the infection from deep in the root and nerves of the tooth, is typically performed. It sounds intimidating, yet it is a simple and virtually painless process. A root canal is generally done in an hour or less right here in our Baytown, TX practice.

Infections of the tooth or nerves that left untreated can lead to more serious complications, such as an abscess or impacted tooth. A root canal helps clear the infection to prevent it from spreading and avoids these more serious complications. We will numb the area with a local anesthetic, then use a drill to create an opening. We remove the infected tissue from the tooth’s canal and clean it out thoroughly. Then, it is filled with a material called gutta percha, which is a temporarily filling material.

The tooth may be a little sensitive after the procedure, but this will go away in a few days. After about two weeks, our patient returns to our office for a crown placed by Dr. Sanguinetti. This protects the tooth from breaking or cracking after having the root canal performed. Call us today at (281) 421-5950 to find out more about the "not so scary" root canal procedure.