Do I really have to get a crown after I have root canal treatment (endodontic)?

In most cases a tooth will need a crown or (coverage) following endodontic treatment. There are very few occasions when the opening to the root canal is very small and a crown MAY not be necessary. Most teeth that require endodontic treatment have been previously compromised by a variety of factors, including decay, cracks and large fillings. A proper restoration, usually a crown, restores the tooth to the proper form and function. A crown also aids in the prevention of fracture and subsequent loss of a root canalled tooth. A tooth that has had the appropriate root canal treatment followed by a proper restoration can last as long as your natural teeth. Root canals are not cheap; a proper restoration not only protects your root canalled tooth, it also protects your investment!

How do I know it’s time for a check-up?

Since no two people are alike, there is no standard answer for this question. We take time to get to know each patient, including their past dental history, present condition, future needs and goals. We then customize a treatment plan for that individual’s particular needs and goals.

Studies show that anywhere from 70-90% of adults have some form of gum disease, requiring more frequent visits to ensure dental health. With new information linking gum disease to systemic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, it is more important than ever to keep your gums healthy. Gum disease is very difficult to find on your own since often it is not painful. While brushing and flossing go a long way towards maintaining a healthy mouth, it is wise to check for plaque that has hardened into tartar; this condition requires a professional evaluation and cleaning.

My Denture Doesn’t Fit!

It’s estimated that around 40 million Americans are missing ALL of their teeth! The most widely used treatment for a patient missing all of their teeth is a denture or dental plate. Patients often tolerate a top denture with fewer problems. The lower denture on the other hand is a different story. Most patients I have polled state that they are not satisfied with the fit of their lower denture. Years ago there weren’t many options for stabilizing a lower denture. Today patients have options that can help with the challenges of wearing a lower denture.

1. Mini-Dental Implants are becoming a popular form of treatment used to stabilize a lower Denture. When possible, 4-5 mini-implants are placed in the lower jaw and the existing or new denture is fitted to go over the mini-implants. The mini-implants have attachments that allow the denture to snap into place.

2. Dental Implants – “Regular” dental implants have a wider diameter than the mini dental implants. A lower denture can usually be stabilized with 2 regular implants as opposed to 4-5 mini dental implants. “Regular” dental Implants do have a tendency to cost more than mini implants

3. Implant supported Bars- This is when regular dental implants are placed and a custom “Bar” is made to fit over the implants. A new denture is made to fit over the connection bar. This technique provides for a very stable denture but is probably the most expensive of the three options listed.

If you or someone you know is unhappy with the fit of your denture you now know that there are options. You can contact your dentist for more information regarding alternatives for stabilizing you denture

Does My Root Canal Really Need a Crown?

All to often a patient presents to my office with a broken tooth that has been endodontically (Root Canaled) treated. The conversation between me and the patient is usually the same. My question, Mrs. Johnson, why didn’t you get a CROWN on that tooth? Answer, My dentist never told me that I needed too. Well Mrs. Johnson, we need to extract the tooth now, it can’t be saved!
I remember back to Dental School and having looooong lectures about crowns. One of the top reasons we were taught to do a crown was to restore a Root Canaled tooth. This lesson was told to us over and over again! It’s hard for me to believe that most dentist forgot this lesson and have elected to not tell patients that their Root Canaled tooth needs a Crown.
For informative reasons, lets discuss what actually happens to a tooth once it is root canaled.

• Often times a large amount of tooth structure has to be removed during the root canal.
• The treated tooth is most often weakened by the root canal
• Over time the treated tooth becomes brittle.
• There is usually not enough natural tooth structure to support the remaining tooth.
• A filling or temporary filling will not adequately seal the root canal from contamination and support the remaining tooth.

So, what does a CROWN do for the Root Canal.

• Simply put, a crown protects the tooth and restores your Root Canaled tooth to normal form and function!

Let’s face it, like everything else Dentistry is expensive, including a root canal. Ok I said it, Dentistry is expensive. I honestly tell my patients before we do a root canal, If you don’t plan to get a crown on this tooth you may as well throw your money out the window, because your tooth will eventually break! A crown not only protects your tooth, it protects you investment.

I HATE THE DENTIST

It’s Monday Morning and like most Americans I’m not quite ready for the week to start. My assistant comes to my office and says, Dr. Chandler we are ready for you in the first room, your first patient is a toothache on the lower left. My assistant also informs me that the patient has several badly decayed teeth. I enter the treatment room and introduce myself, “Hi, I’m Dr. Chandler”. The patient looks me dead in the eye and says, “I just want to let you know, I HATE THE DENTIST! No offense to you Doctor, but I really hate the Dentist.” Well hello to you too!

I’m sure someone has done a study somewhere listing the most hated professions and I venture to guess that Dentists are in the top 3. Probably just below Lawyers and Proctologist. Like I said, I don’t have any data on this, I’m just guessing. Why is this? I could imagine that the fear of pain probably propels us(Dentist) to the top of the list. Maybe a bad childhood experience at the dentist. The invasion of personal space. I’m not sure. I do know that I hear the term I hate the dentist quite often. It’s almost like people think I get joy out of their fear. For the record I do not. I often ask frightened children that I treat, “Do you think when I woke up this morning I said, I can’t wait to go to work so I could hurt you?” Their response is always, No”. Then I tell them, “Give me a chance, I PROMISE I’m going to do my best to make this as easy as possible”. This usually works every time. It’s not a script, I really mean it.

That reminds me of a 4year old patient I treated recently, He spoke very little English and my Spanish isn’t that great. My assistant explained what we were going to do and we began and finished treatment in about 15minutes. Not a whimper, whine, tear, scream, yell, nothing. I was so pleased with his behavior that I gave him $5 and a toy from the treasure chest. This child was reminder of why I love dentistry. It was refreshing to know that I was able to help someone without them, “HATING”, me. While he is probably too young to appreciate the value of dentistry, I can assure you that he didn’t have a bad experience. It is my hope that this child will have a positive view of dentistry for LIFE!

I know that I personally take every measure to ensure that a patient has a pleasant experience in my office. I’m sure that 99.9% of all dentist across the country do as well. All we ask is that patients give us a chance.

What Do You Think, Why Do People “Hate” the Dentist?

Dr.Michael L. Chandler Practicing Dentistry in Edmond, Oklahoma

www.mlcdental.com

The Cost of a “No Show”

Yesterday I had a referral from another doctor stating that they had a patient that needed several teeth extracted and was in severe pain. I told my Office manager to have the patient come in at 8:30 AM today. 8:30, no patient, 9:00 no patient. The patient was a No-Show. I’ve had No-Shows before but today it really got to me, today was supposed to be an off day for me. I was to stay home with my daughter who recently had her tonsils removed. Instead I brought her to the office with me to take care of a patient who was supposedly in “SEVERE” pain… and he never showed up.

When I speak of cost it’s not necessarily the financial aspect, it is the lost time. When a patient fails to show up for an appointment, it wastes my time, my staffs time and other patients time. The time wasted could have been used on a patient who values their health care and appointments.

I know things happen and there are times in which appointments have to be broken. It just seems that out of respect for my time, or just as a plain common courtesy, that patients would at least call and let us know. We do our best at my office to try to stay on time. All we ask is that some patients respect our time as well.

For our patients that make their scheduled appointments and are on time I would like to say thank you. I really appreciate it.

Dr. Chandler
www.edmondsmiles.com

My Testimonial for Tulsa Institute

Hello, I wanted to share with you all my testimony I wrote for the Tulsa Institute. I encourage you to visit their site by CLICKING HERE. Read my testimony below and let me know what you think:

As a general dentist, I had always seen cases that could have benefited from an implant here or a crown lengthening there, but without someone to refer them to, I never felt like I was giving them my best effort.

The new skills you have taught me at the Tulsa Institute have empowered me to do more for my patients, which of course, have benefited my practice as well. Simple (and sometimes even complex) cases of recession are easily treated in my office. I no longer have to cut down virgin teeto to place a 3 unit bridge. You have given me the knowledge, skills, and most importantly, the confidence to do implant and periodontal surgery that I never thought I’d be able to tackle.

No, I’m not a periodontist or an oral surgeon. And sure, there are cases that I would love to refer, but your method of teaching has really taken the mystery out of all of these surgery concepts. Unlike other “institutes” where I have taken courses, the difference for me is the follow-up and coaching that you give AFTER I leave the Institute. This is an invaluable service; after all, what good is taking the course if you don’t incorporate it into practice? I intend to stick with the coaching program…It is well worth the investment…All of the pre-conceived ideas I had about perio and implant surgery were laid to rest by lunchtime.

Thanks for everything. See you at my next session.

3 Reasons to Whiten Teeth by Berny

Berny is one of our favorite clients.  We asked her to give her three reasons why to whiten your teeth.

1. Feel better about your smile
2. Makes me look younger
3. Makes me stand out in the crowd

Thanks Berny!

WE ALL WANT WHITE TEETH!

Age can steal a smile’s sparkle, and dark foods, staining drinks, or tobacco use can dull teeth, as well.  With professional teeth whitening, we can take years off your appearance and put the pizzazz back in your pearly whites.  Bright teeth create a youthful, fresh smile that conveys your very best. 

At home teeth whitening kits, if used as directed, can yield stunning results in a couple of weeks.  Simply apply the professional-grade bleaching gel to the trays, and wear them as directed each day.  In 10 to 14 days, you’ll notice a dramatic difference.  Some patients may experience mild sensitivity, but that generally only lasts for a short time.  To maintain your gorgeous smile, we advise our patients not to eat or drink foods that stain and to avoid tobacco products.  Use your take-home teeth-whitening kit to touch up your smile as needed.

Do you accept referrals?

Yes.  A referral from an existing patient is one of the greatest compliments that one could receive.  We always welcome new patiens.  Most of our new patients come to us as referrals from our existing clientele who want their friends to have a happy dental home.  Event if you don’t know someone who is presently a client, you are more than welcome to join our dental family.