Why Dental Technology Matters Today

why dental technology matters Easton PA

Why Dental Technology Matters Today

Dental technology can be helpful to your oral health. You may be wondering if it’s significant enough to switch from your general dentist to a new modern dentist. Below, our dentists in Easton, PA, explain why dental technology matters today. Dental technology advancements favor both dentists and patients.

How Patients & Doctors Benefit From Dental Technology

Many oral health conditions can now be detected early and treated more quickly, thanks to advancements in dental technology. Oral health options are more exciting than they have ever been. Dentists benefit from dental technology because it allows them to treat oral health issues in half the time it used to take. Patients benefit from dental technology because procedures can be completed more quickly, are less painful, and there are more treatment options available. Here are a few examples of dental technology advancements that are used on a daily basis.

Conebeam CT

The ConeBeam CT imaging system is a digital x-ray scanner that rotates once around your head as you stand or sit. The procedure is short, easy, and painless. The resulting scans are as accurate as traditional CT (CAT) scans but use much less radiation. The possibilities in dentistry are endless, says Dr. Dave. These scans are used to provide the right care for dental implants, root canals, and the diagnosis of dental and facial pain. No matter what your treatment is, we can plan and customize it like never before. This type of 3D technology analyzes every issue.

CAD/CAM 

Thanks to the CAD/CAM, our emergency dentists can repair a single tooth the same day. Yes, that’s right! College Hill Dental Group is proud to offer same-day dental crowns to patients in Easton, PA. Following gentle tooth shaping, precise digital images taken by a robot provide us with the data we need to design your new restoration. There is no need for gooey impression fabrics. Within minutes, powerful software combined with our advanced training results in a crown milled from the finest porcelain available. Our dentists will match your new tooth with your existing teeth, giving you a cohesive smile. 

3D Printing

Digital technology is continuing to transform dentistry, and we are excited to share the benefits with you. Easy scans of your teeth are transformed into beautiful porcelain crowns and bridges using advanced software. 3D printing technology offers a remarkable range of oral health solutions. The majority of the restorations and equipment used to repair and secure your mouth are highly customized. Traditionally, these items require hours of hand labor in a dental laboratory.

With the advancement of technology in dentistry, 3D printing is becoming increasingly important, providing unrivaled benefits to you. Furthermore, we can build templates for crowns, veneers, onlays, inlays, and bridges with absolute accuracy using computer-aided design and scanned three-dimensional versions of your teeth. This technology can also be used to create surgical guides for simple, precise implant placement. This technology also helps with dentures, mouthguards, and other types of orthodontic care. All of these intricate processes can now be more precisely monitored than ever before, thanks to sophisticated software. The geometrical design data is sent to our 3D printer once the three-dimensional designs are completed.

Intraoral Cameras

This advanced dental technology is cutting-edge technology that helps our staff to photograph our patients’ teeth and gums. We involve our patients in the process by displaying their problem areas to them. Patients can clearly see their oral problems with the intraoral camera’s 20x magnification function, which allows them to see the smallest information. Our friends at Digital Doc, the makers of the #1 best-selling intraoral camera, states that doctors who invest in quality dental cameras will provide better diagnoses. Therefore, patients can receive the best treatment possible. 

 Find a Modern Dentist Near Me

As you can see, there are many reasons why dental technology matters today. Additionally, both patients and doctors can benefit from using these tools, whether it’s restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, or emergency dental care.

So, if you’re searching for a modern family dentist in Easton, PA, contact College Hill Dental Group! We offer patients all the dental technology above and are happily welcoming new patients. 

Tooth Abscess Stages

tooth abscess stages - easton PA

Tooth Abscess Stages

A tooth abscess is a dental problem many patients deal with at one point in their life. An abscess is a mass of pus that grows within a tooth or the structures surrounding it. Tooth abscesses form as a result of a bacterial infection within the tooth, gums, or jaw bone. Infections of this kind may occur as a result of tooth decay, gum disease, or a mouth injury. A tooth abscess can worsen or spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Understanding what causes a tooth abscess and the tooth abscess stages will help an individual avoid this dental problem. Below, Dr. Moghadam, an emergency dentist in Easton, PA, discusses the different factors of a tooth abscess.

What’s a Tooth Abscess?

A tooth abscess is a mass of pus that forms within a tooth or the structures surrounding it. They occur as a result of a bacterial infection in one of the following areas of the mouth: 

  • The pulp of the tooth, the innermost portion of the tooth, the gums, and the jaw bone.
  • Tooth decay from untreated cavities is the most common cause of tooth abscesses. They can, however, develop as a result of gum disease or an open wound in the mouth.

Tooth decay stages

An abscess is a form of tooth decay in its later stages. The various stages are as follows:

  1. Enamel decay is caused by damage to the tooth’s outermost layer. Some people have no symptoms, whereas others may have increased sensitivity to heat and cold. White spots on the teeth may be caused by enamel deterioration.
  2. Dentin decay: Degeneration of the layer under the enamel of the tooth. Some individuals may experience pain or sensitivity. In certain situations, a clear hole or cavity in the tooth can exist.
  3. Pulp decay occurs as bacteria penetrate deep into the tooth’s innermost layer. Bacteria in the pulp of the tooth may attack the nerve of the tooth, causing excruciating pain. When a nerve is damaged, a person will experience extreme pain at first, followed by no pain at all.
  4. Abscess Form: An abscess develops in the later stages of tooth decay after the bacteria has reached the tooth pulp or has penetrated further into the gums or jawbone. Pressure near the tooth can be felt, as well as swelling and redness of the gums. Our friend, Dr. Josh Eastham, a dentist in Grand Junction, CO, says a serious abscess can also result in a fever.
  5. Tooth loss: A badly decayed tooth can break or fall out.

Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess

An abscess can cause the following symptoms:

  • Tooth pain that can spread to the jaw, ear, or face swelling of the mouth, face, or swollen lymph nodes around the face or neck generally feeling ill a broken tooth
  • Bacteria from a tooth abscess will spread to the bloodstream if not treated. This may lead to the development of a severe and potentially fatal infection known as sepsis.

The following are some of the signs of sepsis/infection:

  • Chills or fever
  • Rapid heartbeat rapid breathing shortness of breath
  • Dizziness, faintness, fatigue, or disorientation
  • Slurred speech
  • Diarrhea 
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Extreme muscle ache

Causes of Tooth Abscess

Tooth abscesses form when bacteria in the mouth penetrate deep within a tooth or its surrounding structures and grow uncontrollably.

The following are some of the most common causes of a tooth abscess.

Cavities

Many patients experience cavities at some point. When plaque builds, the bacteria in the mouth start to develop plaque. Luckily, plaque can be removed with adequate flossing, brushing, and professional cleanings. However, over time it causes tooth decay. Eventually, an abscess can form if left untreated.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis, or gum disease, is an infection and inflammation of the gums. Periodontal disease will develop due to plaque, tartar, and cavities. Those who experience gum disease can expect their gums to recede, become swollen and sensitive. As a result, bacteria form within the pockets, causing an abscess.

Injuries 

A tooth abscess can also be caused by an injury to the tooth or its underlying structures. These injuries may be caused by surgery or damage to the mouth.

Treating Tooth Abscess

  • Dr. Moghadam will administer antibiotics to destroy the bacteria and prevent them from spreading while treating a tooth abscess.
  • Filling cavities, treating gum disease with scaling and root planing, which cleans below the gumline
  • Replacing missing or damaged teeth with crowns or implants

Preventing Tooth Abscess

To help avoid dental abscesses, the following steps should be taken:

  • Brush your teeth thoroughly and get rid of as much plaque as possible. Pay close attention to the area just under the gum line, where plaque can hide.
  • To help prevent tooth decay, use fluoride toothpaste.
  • Floss your teeth on a regular basis to remove plaque between your teeth.
  • Make routine preventative dentistry appointments to ensure proper cleaning. A dentist may also extract hardened plaque or tartar that brushing alone cannot remove.
  • Treat diabetes, as well as any other underlying medical condition that can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infection.
  • Visit your dentist for treatment for cavities as soon as possible before bacteria can enter deeper structures of the tooth.
  • A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that occurs as a result of a bacterial infection within the tooth, gum, or jaw.

Tooth abscesses may form as a result of tooth decay, gum disease, or oral trauma. The infection can spread throughout the body, so it’s important to visit your dentist immediately if you’re experiencing a tooth abscess. Contact College Hill Dental Group for quality dental services in Easton, PA.