Most people grind their teeth and it usual occurs while sleeping. We sometimes don’t know we grind our teeth unless someone tells us they heard it. Teeth grinding does take a toll on the teeth and also on the jaw joint. The teeth can crack slowly causing chipping and pain. Soreness of the jaw joint and muscles can occur.

When I suspect that a patient is grinding his/her teeth I will recommend wearing a nightguard to help alleviate muscle and joint soreness and also prevent any future cracking of the teeth. A nightguard can prevent future damage to teeth. For the cost of a nightguard it’s worth it to have one because restoring damaged teeth due to grinding can be quite expensive.

Nightguards are plastic appliances that cover the biting surfaces of either the top teeth or bottom teeth. The best nightguards are made to fit only the patient’s mouth. Generic nightguards sold in stores are ok but they tend to make the patient chew on the nightguard because most of the generic brands are made of softer plastic. Chewing can cause more pain to the jaw joint. Making a nightguard requires taking molds of the mouth and then a lab will fabricate the nightguard usually within two weeks of taking impressions. On delivery of the nightguard the dentist will adjust the fit and bite of the nightguard to ensure that the patient can wear it comfortably.

The main purpose of a nightguard is to relieve biting pressure on the teeth, relax the biting muscles especially at night during sleep and relieve pressure on the jaw joint. Economically it makes sense to wear a nightguard because it saves the teeth from wear and cracking and it saves the jaw from invasive procedures to relieve jaw pain. A nightguard will not prevent a patient from grinding but it will relieve his/her symptoms. If you suspect that you are grinding your teeth please talk to your dentist about treatment plans.

The root canal is one of the most feared of all dental procedures. Although a competent dentist can usually perform a root canal with minimal discomfort and with a high degree of success, problems can and do occur. When a tooth becomes infected, the treatment options include either root canal therapy or having the tooth removed. In most cases, root canal treatment is the preferred choice, because it is the only way to save the tooth.

Root canal consists of the dentist making a small hole in the tooth and then removing the tiny nerves and blood vessels within the root(s). The roots are then shaped, disinfected, and filled with an inert material. The procedure is usually successful about ninety percent of the time when properly performed.

When a root canal treated tooth is successful, a person will have no pain or other signs of infection. A root canal that is failing will usually continue to cause pain or discomfort, especially when biting down. A root canal can fail if some of the infected nerves and blood vessels are left inside the roots, the inert filling does not completely seal off the roots from bacteria, the tooth is damaged during the procedure, or the tooth fractures within the roots. A root canal is more likely to fail if a permanent filling or crown is not placed to protect the tooth. A root canal can fail within days, weeks, months to even many years after the procedure has been completed. Even if a root canal fails, there are options available. In many cases, the root canal can be retreated. If this is not possible, a procedure called an apicoectomy can be performed. An apicoectomy involves having the tip of the root surgically removed and then placing a filling over the severed root tip. If these measures fail, the tooth may have to be removed.

The success of a root canal is highly dependent on the skill, experience and technique of the dentist performing it.

Now for something fun. Name as many famous people with dentistry in their family. Go…

• Mark Zuckerberg’s father.
• Miles Davis’ father
• Doc Holiday
• Mark McGwire’s father
• Kristi Yamaguchi’s father
• Paul Revere
• Ed Buchanan – actor
• Zane Grey – author
• Amanda Bynes’ father