Reasons for a Root Canal

Oral surgery can be frightful for any patient, especially if they hear the words, “root canal.” A root canal becomes necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. This can be caused by a variety of reasons – deep decay, numerous dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip that lies within the tooth. If you do end up needing a root canal, Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group would like you to know what to expect.

If you’re questioning whether or not you’ll eventually need endodontic treatment, signs to look for include pain, extended sensitivity to hot and cold beverages, and swelling of the tooth and gums. With all of the advances in dental technology, undergoing a root canal procedure is less painful than living with a decayed tooth.  To save your tooth, Dr. Charles Crouch will remove the inflamed or infected pulp of the tooth and carefully clean and shape the inside of the root canal. He will then fill and seal the space. This procedure is usually completed within two appointments. During your second appointment, the doctor will place a crown to fully restore the tooth back to its natural function.

If you have questions or concerns about the root canal procedure, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.summitdentalgroupllc.com for more information. To schedule, an appointment with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group call our Fort Worth, TX, office at 817-294-8505, or our Grand Prairie, TX, office at 972-695-2310.

Preventing and Treating Dry Sockets

Following tooth extractions, the biggest risk facing a patient is a dry socket. We at Summit Dental Group take steps to prevent this, including fully informing our clients about what to do during their recoveries. But dry sockets are still possible, particularly following complicated extractions which required suturing, so we want our patients to know when to seek help.

It is very important that patients inform us of all their medications. Clot formation is necessary to prevent dryness and infection, and the clot will need to remain in place for most of the healing process. Actions such as sipping through a straw and smoking pose an unacceptable risk of dislodging the clot.

If a clot is dislodged, the socket will probably dry out within two days. If patients don’t see that the clot is missing, they will know it by their intense pain. This should be treated as an emergency. We will clean the socket and apply medicated wound dressing to the surgical site. This dressing will need to be changed every few days, which will allow us to more closely monitor the patient’s recovery. We will also provide the patient with necessary medication.

Dr. Charles W. Crouch and Dr. Hai Nguyen operate Summit Dental Group at two locations. For the office at 4769 Barwick Dr, Fort Worth, Texas, 76132, call 817-294-8505. For the office at 838 South Carrier Pkwy, Grand Prairie, Texas, 75051, call 972-695-2310. You can also visit SummitDentalGroupLLC.com and request an appointment. We are open six days a week to serve you.

 

Getting Dentures

The Summit Dental Group offers our patients the latest in prosthetic technology, including dentures. While we always desire to save teeth when possible, there are times when dentures are necessary because it is inadvisable for patients to undergo the implant process. Placing dentures requires teeth to be extracted, so we want our patients to understand that the finished product is a worthwhile trade-off.

Partial dentures replace some teeth but require the surrounding teeth to be reshaped. They can be thought of as removable bridges. Full dentures replace all the teeth in a jaw. Prior to extraction, an impression will be made of the patient’s mouth which will be used as the basis for immediate dentures. When the healing is complete, the denture will need to be relined. Permanent full dentures will also have to be adjusted throughout the patient’s life, but they will substantially improve the patient’s ability to chew and speak as well as their social confidence.

Dr. Charles W. Crouch and Dr. Hai Nguyen operate Summit Dental Group at two locations. For the office at 4769 Barwick Dr, Fort Worth, Texas, 76132, call 817-294-8505. For the office at 838 South Carrier Pkwy, Grand Prairie, Texas, 75051, call 972-695-2310. You can also visit SummitDentalGroupLLC.com and request an appointment. We are open six days a week to serve you.

 

Gum Disease: Periodontitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and is treatable as well as preventable. Periodontitis, however, is a more long-term problem as it can lead to serious health conditions such as increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group wants patients to understand that the mouth is the window to overall health. Like gingivitis, the most common cause of periodontitis is poor oral hygiene and lack of professional cleanings. This is why it’s important to visit us for professional cleanings twice a year, to improve your chances of preventing or treating this problem.

While gingivitis refers to inflammation of the gums, periodontitis causes the gum and bone to pull away from the teeth, forming large pockets. When bacteria enter these spaces, the area can become infected. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth decay and eventually tooth loss. Gingivitis is reversible, but periodontitis is not because it damages tooth structure. If you notice receding gums, gums that hurt when they are touched or bleeding when brushing or flossing, schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible so we can stop the progression of the disease.

If you have questions or concerns regarding gum disease, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.summitdentalgroupllc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group call our Fort Worth, TX, office at 817-294-8505, or our Grand Prairie, TX, office at 972-695-2310.

Gum Disease: Gingivitis

When you brush your teeth, are you seeing red? If you notice blood in the sink after brushing, this is typically the first sign of periodontal disease, also known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, usually caused by a bacterial infection. This bacterial infection may develop due to lack of oral hygiene. Fortunately, gingivitis is reversible, but Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group would rather you take preventive measures to avoid this condition.

Factors that increase your chances of developing gingivitis include smoking tobacco, having diabetes, having a crooked smile, and or broken fillings. Gingivitis typically occurs when plaque left on your teeth after consuming food and beverages isn’t washed away by brushing and flossing. If you notice gums that are red, tender, swollen or they bleed when you brush your teeth, schedule a professional cleaning with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group so that he can help you step up your oral hygiene routine.

If you have questions or concerns regarding gum disease, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at the practice, visit www.summitdentalgroupllc.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group call our Fort Worth, TX, office at 817-294-8505, or our Grand Prairie, TX, office at 972-695-2310.

Banish Bad Breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be embarrassing and in some cases may even cause anxiety. It’s no wonder you may stock up on mints, gum, and other products designed to fight bad breath. Many of these products, however, are only a temporary solution to a deeper problem. In many cases, you can improve bad breath with proper dental hygiene. To do so, it’s important to schedule professional cleanings and regular dental checkups with Dr. Charles Crouch of Summit Dental Group two to four times a year.

If you don’t brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. Bad breath odors vary, depending on the source or the underlying cause. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum disease. If you have bad breath, review your oral hygiene habits. If your bad breath persists after making changes, visit us as soon as possible to discuss your treatment options.

Drs. Charles W. Crouch and Hai Nguyen operate Summit Dental Group at two locations. For the office at 4769 Barwick Dr, Fort Worth, Texas, 76132, call 817-294-8505. For the office at 838 South Carrier Pkwy, Grand Prairie, Texas, 75051, call 972-695-2310. You can also visit SummitDentalGroupLLC.com and request an appointment.

 

Inflammation around Implants

We’re proud to say at Summit Dental Group that dental implants are one of the most successful types of surgery and ours are no exception. A properly placed implant can keep a patient’s mouth healthy and beautiful for decades. However, as is true for real teeth, implants can fail as well.

The most common reason an old implant would need to be extracted is inflammation around it due to an infection. Our technical term for this is peri-implantitis. Most implants are made from a titanium-nickel alloy because titanium is a metal which is known to fuse very well with bone. The downside is that the alloy can be corroded by the same acids as normal tooth roots. If the connection between bone and metal dissolves, the implant will come lose and have to be removed.

The best ways to prevent peri-implantitis are to maintain daily oral hygiene and to receive a professional cleaning every three to six months. People who suffer from dry mouth are at heightened risk of gum disease and need to keep an especially close watch for signs of inflammation. A deep cleaning could save an implant.

Dr. Charles W. Crouch and Dr. Hai Nguyen operate Summit Dental Group at two locations. For the office at 4769 Barwick Dr, Fort Worth, Texas, 76132, call 817-294-8505. For the office at 838 South Carrier Pkwy, Grand Prairie, Texas, 75051, call 972-695-2310. You can also visit SummitDentalGroupLLC.com and request an appointment.