Root Canals and Extractions
Many cosmetic dentists recommend their patients to specialists when advanced dentistry procedures are necessary. At Dr. Lichorwic’s cosmetic dentistry practice, he is fully equipped to perform many advanced surgical procedures on-site. From an extraction to a root canal and more, our Destin-based practice is a comprehensive surgical facility ready to treat any and all of your cosmetic and general dentistry needs.
Root Canal
A root canal at our Destin practice is an advanced dentistry procedure designed to save a tooth that has suffered extensive pulp damage. Many years ago, extraction was the only option to treat pulp damage. With the amazing advancements in dental technology and procedures, root canals have become viable alternatives to extractions, salvaging the external structure of the infected tooth by removing the diseased dental pulp
The dental pulp, part of the internal structure of the tooth, is the soft tissue extending from the crown of the tooth to the root embedded in the jawbone. This soft pulp contains all the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue of the tooth. When a deep cavity or crack develops in a tooth, bacteria invade the dental pulp and an infection ensues. The soft pulp may swell, becoming painful and sensitive. After the pulp has suffered extensive damage and infection, it dies and physical symptoms subside. This does not mean the condition should be ignored. If left untreated, an abscess, or pus-pocket, forms at the root of the tooth, leading to more severe infections and problems.
When Dr. Lichorwic executes a root canal procedure at his Destin facility, he first drills an opening in the crown of the tooth, which extends down into the pulp chamber. The exposed pulp chamber is cleaned, removing all bacteria and remaining pulp tissue, using tiny, specialized dental instruments called root canal files. Once the pulp chamber is clear, the chamber and root canals are filled and sealed off.
The last step of the root canal procedure is to cap the tooth with a porcelain crown. Traditionally, a patient is referred by a dentist to an endodontist for the root canal procedure, and then the patient returns to the dentist’s office for the permanent crown. At Dr. Lichorwic’s cosmetic dentistry practice, the root canal is performed for Destin and Emerald Coast residents at his office from start to finish, from the diagnosis to the permanent crown. This reduces anxiety and saves time and money, allowing the patient to remain in the comfortable and familiar environment of our beautiful facility.
We constantly strive to be the premier comprehensive dental office in Emerald Bay. Whether you desire cosmetic enhancement services or advanced dental work such as a root canal, Destin and Emerald Coast residents should contact Dr. Lichorwic today.
An extraction refers to the complete removal of the tooth from the mouth and jawbone. Although Dr. Lichorwic only recommends extractions as a final resort, there are several instances that may require this procedure:
- Damage to the tooth is too extensive to be fixed by a crown, filling, or some other treatment
- Tooth is in front of or blocking other teeth trying to come in
- Wisdom teeth that do not have enough room to enter the mouth without crowding the other teeth
- A tooth blocking the path of radiation when a patient is undergoing radiation to the neck or head
- A chemotherapy patient whose tooth becomes infected due to the treatment
There are two types of extraction procedures. Dr. Lichorwic performs a thorough pre-operative exam on each patient to determine the patient’s specific and individualized needs:
Simple Extraction: A simple extraction is preformed when the tooth can be seen in the mouth. Local anesthetic is used and anti-anxiety drugs are optional.
Surgical Extraction: The surgical extraction is reserved for teeth that have broken off or have not surfaced yet. In either case, the doctor makes an incision into the gum in order to reach the targeted tooth. In some instances, the doctor may choose to break the tooth apart to make extraction easier. Incisions in the mouth take longer to heal than elsewhere on the body because the cut cannot dry up and form a scab. For this reason, the doctor may ask you to bite down on a piece of gauze for 20-30 minutes after the procedure.
Extractions are done under local anesthetic, and sedation is optional.
For more information on extractions or root canals, contact Dr. Lichorwic in Destin to schedule an initial appointment today.
