Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Wisdom Teeth Extractions
At Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, wisdom teeth extractions are a fairly common procedure. Your last set of molars to come in, wisdom teeth usually emerge when you are between 17 and 21 years old. Since wisdom teeth can often become impacted, which means they come in at an angle rather than straight through the gums, it is many times necessary to remove them before they cause pain or begin to push on your other teeth.
 
If a wisdom tooth is impacted and can only emerge partially, it is possible for an operculum to form over the tooth. If this flap of skin forms, the tooth will be hard to clean and can be infected. This infection is called pericoronitis.
 
When a wisdom tooth is in danger of causing such problems, Dr. Christopher Emuedue will extract the tooth. It is often necessary to remove all four at once. This is done either by using a local anesthetic or a general anesthetic, based on the preference of the doctors and patient and how far the wisdom teeth have emerged. After the anesthetic is applied, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth is cut and the tooth is loosened and pulled out. If necessary, the gums will be sutured for healing.
 
After the surgery, rest is required, and you will need to change the gauze applied to the incision. To see if your wisdom teeth may need to be removed, schedule an appointment with us by calling 903-455-6701. For more information on our practice, visit www.GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Root Canals

Root Canals
While the thought of having a root canal usually fills patients with dread, it is a necessary procedure for those whose teeth become infected in the nerves. Besides causing pain, infections, if left untreated, can become abscesses, which are much more serious and result in a loss of bone mass in the jaw bone. Here at Greenville Family Dentistry, Dr. Christopher Emuedue can relieve your pain with a root canal.
 
Although root canals do not sound pleasant, they are well worth it to stop your pain and improve your oral health. While there may be a little soreness after the procedure, it is only temporary and usually nothing over-the-counter painkillers cannot take care of.
 
During a root canal, Dr. Emuedue removes the infection by applying a local anesthetic to the area and drilling into the tooth to create an opening in the canal. Then he is able to remove the infected tissue and clean the area. Once the infection has been removed, your tooth will be filled with gutta percha, a sealant, and then fitted with a crown to protect it from infection in the future. The crown also helps improve the appearance and strength of the tooth.
 
Once the procedure is complete, you will be able to eat without experiencing pain and sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure. If you’re in pain, you don’t need to suffer. Schedule an appointment with our office by calling 903-455-6701. For more information, visit www.GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com