When root canal treatment is needed

Root canal treatment is only required when dental X-rays show that the pulp has been damaged by a bacterial infection.

The pulp will begin to die if it’s infected by bacteria, allowing the bacteria to then multiply and spread.

The symptoms of a pulp infection include:

pain when eating or drinking hot or cold food and drink
pain when biting or chewing
a loose tooth


As the infection progresses, these symptoms often disappear as the pulp dies.

Your tooth then appears to have healed, but the infection has in fact spread through the root canal system.

You eventually get further symptoms such as:

pain when biting or chewing returning
swelling of the gum near the affected tooth
pus oozing from the affected tooth
facial swelling
the tooth becoming a darker colour
It’s important to see your dentist if you develop toothache. If your tooth is infected, the pulp cannot heal by itself.

Leaving the infected tooth in your mouth may make it worse.

There may also be less chance of the root canal treatment working if the infection within your tooth becomes established.

Antibiotics, a medicine to treat bacterial infections, are not effective in treating root canal infections.

Dr. Banić

Metal-ceramic dental crowns vs Zirconium Dental Crowns

Metal-ceramic dental crowns are the most commonly used crowns in the modern era. They have a frame that’s metallic and it is lined with ceramic. In comparison to plastic or metal crowns, ceramic crowns are much more durable and aesthetic. They also possess a “natural transparency”

But just like the proverbial fly in the ointment, metal-ceramic crowns have their own disadvantages.

They are insignificant, but do need to be mentioned. Over time, the tooth under a metal-ceramic crown undergoes decay and so, the average lifespan of such procedures is about five years. And when the gum sags over time, the metal edge of the crown becomes visible, which doesn’t look very aesthetically pleasing, especially when a person smiles. But if the dentist and the technicians involved perform the installation correctly and ensure that all requisite care is taken, then the crown could last a very long time and offer immense satisfaction to the patient with its attractive and fresh look/appearance.

Zirconium Dental Crowns
The most safe, aesthetic inconspicuous and expensive crowns are metal-free crowns. They are made from Zirconium dioxide or ceramics. In our subjective opinion, today, metal-free zirconium crowns are significantly ahead of metal-ceramic dental crowns across several parameters.

Dr. Banić

Vitamin deficiency

Vitamin deficiency: If your body is short on folic acid or vitamin B-12, your tongue may be red in appearance. Geographic tongue: This benign (harmless) condition causes irregular red patches to appear on your tongue. Scarlet fever: This bacterial infection can lead to strawberry tongue and other distinct symptoms.

Dr. Banić

Why cosmetic dentistry is bad?

Why cosmetic dentistry is bad?
Far from improving the cosmetic appearance of a patient’s teeth, cosmetic treatment can result in the unnecessary damage of perfectly healthy teeth. This can mean more treatment, more expense, and an eventual outcome which may not match a patient’s original aesthetic requirements.

Dr. Banić
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Hairy tongue

The term hairy tongue is used to describe an abnormal coating on the top (dorsal) surface of the tongue. It is a relatively common, temporary, and harmless condition that occurs in as much as 13% of the population. Hairy tongue can occur at any age but is more frequent in older age. Here a small video how to treat quickly a patient with this condition.

Dr. Banić

Dry mouth or xerostomia

Dry mouth, or xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don’t make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Dry mouth is often due to the side effect of certain medications or aging issues or as a result of radiation therapy for cancer.


Treatments


1. Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candies to stimulate the flow of saliva. For some people, xylitol, which is often found in sugar-free gum or sugar-free candies, may cause diarrhea or cramps if consumed in large amounts.


2. Limit your caffeine intake because caffeine can make your mouth drier.


3. Don’t use mouthwashes that contain alcohol because they can be drying.


4. Stop all tobacco use if you smoke or chew tobacco.


5. Sip water regularly.


6. Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes — look for products containing xylitol, such as Mouth Kote or Oasis Moisturizing Mouth Spray, or ones containing carboxymethylcellulose (kahr-bok-see-meth-ul-SEL-u-lohs) or hydroxyethyl cellulose (hi-drok-see-ETH-ul SEL-u-lohs), such as Biotene Oral Balance.


7. Try a mouthwash designed for dry mouth — especially one that contains xylitol, such as Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse or ACT Total Care Dry Mouth Mouthwash, which also offer protection against tooth decay.

8. Avoid using over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants because they can make your symptoms worse.


9. Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.


10. Add moisture to the air at night with a room humidifier.

Dr. Banić

Periodontal abscess

An abscess in the gum is called a periodontal abscess. Dental abscesses are often painful, but not always. In either case, they should be looked at by a dentist. It’s important to get help as soon as possible, as abscesses do not go away on their own.

Dr. Banić