Mauck & Ricci, DDS Blog

There are all kinds of dental procedures that make patients anxious, though perhaps none more so than root canals. For some reason, this procedure has a nasty reputation, one that really isn’t earned. The use of powerful anesthetics makes root canal treatment completely painless, and it’s often the least invasive treatment available to patients looking to deal with a serious root pulp infection

However, it isn’t just the treatment itself that patients are concerned about; the matter of aftercare also tends to cause some anxiety. Here’s what you should expect from that process, what you can do to be prepared, and why it shouldn’t scare you.

Root canal therapy is a successful procedure to save an infected tooth from needing to be extracted. The treatment has over a 97% success rate; however, some patients may require retreatment. Not everyone will require a second root canal, but several factors can increase your risk of complications. Here’s when root canal retreatment may be necessary and what you can expect during the procedure.

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Many people have the impression that root canals are painful – one of the most painful treatments you can undergo, in fact. Not only is this not accurate, but it also might prevent you from seeing your post-root canal discomfort as abnormal. There is a threshold that you should watch out for, and if you’re experiencing severe aches, it might be time to revisit your dentist.

Now you’re probably wondering what qualifies for “abnormal” root canal recovery discomfort. To help clear up the confusion, keep reading.

Your dentures should fit snugly and comfortably at their best. That’s only natural – a dental lab customizes them to ensure they suit your mouth. Still, these prosthetic teeth can start to feel “off” over time. They can then cause health issues until they’re corrected. If you think your own don’t fit well, your dental practice can help you find out for sure. Read on to learn four complications of ill-fitting dentures and why to see a dentist for them.

Dentures are a treatment that often restores quality of life. They can not only give back a brilliant smile but also the functionality of your teeth to eat delicious food and talk with loved ones. However, there are times when the prosthetics can be rough on your mouth and cause denture sores.

If you’re dealing with these irritating ulcers, or if you want to prevent them, continue reading. You’ll learn some great tips to keep your dentures comfortable.

Modern dentures are incredibly realistic and durable, so much so that it can be easy to forget that they aren’t actually your real teeth. However, if you want your prosthetic to stick around for as long as possible, you’ll need to take care of them as well as you possibly can.

Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be all that difficult. Keep these few tips in mind, and you should be able to take care of your prosthetic for a long time to come.

Cosmetic dentistry has a long history with movie stars and television personalities. In fact, dental veneers were first used as part of a costume on a Hollywood set. While many people who don’t typically see their names in lights might think that cosmetic dental procedures are out of their reach, advances in dental methods have made these treatments much more available to the general public. Here are a few cosmetic dental treatments that can give the average Joe a movie star smile.

Many people who are frustrated by flaws in their teeth don’t seek our treatment because of anxiety over appointments, cost concerns, or other reasons. If it’s not causing you pain or making your life difficult, it’s tempting to simply live with imperfections. Unfortunately, studies have shown that those with dental problems are more likely to feel unworthy. That means you won’t be doing yourself any favors by procrastinating a smile makeover. Keep reading to learn 3 ways cosmetic dentistry can improve your overall well-being by enhancing your smile!

Franz Kafka once said, “Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” He describes youth in the spiritual sense. How you view the world is how you feel. The same principle can be applied to yourself. If you want to feel young, you need to look young. Cosmetic dentistry can help.

If you want to learn the secrets of de-aging with cosmetic dentistry, continue reading.

If the thought of visiting the dentist’s office makes you apprehensive, sedation dentistry can be incredibly useful in helping you to relax. Sedatives can quell anxiety, suppress physical responses, and make longer procedures much easier to sit through.

However, if you aren’t sure whether those sedatives will fit your budget, that may add more unnecessary anxiety to the procedure. If you want to know more about what budgeting for sedation dentistry entails, here’s some information you may find useful.