Specialty Dental Care
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal treatment is needed for two main reasons. The first is infection. An untreated cavity is a common cause of pulp infection. The decay destroys the enamel and dentin of the tooth until it reaches the pulp. Bacteria then infect the pulp and antibiotics can’t get to infections inside teeth. The inflammation caused by the infection reduces the blood supply to the tooth and can cause severe pain. The reduced blood supply also keeps the pulp from healing.
The second reason for a root canal is damage to the pulp that can’t be fixed. A fracture in a tooth or a blow to the tooth (trauma) can damage the pulp. Multiple filings or other restorations on the same tooth also can damage the pulp.
Root canal treatment eliminates infection, or the potential for infection, by removing damaged pulp from within the tooth and sealing the canal against bacteria. Endodontic procedures require isolation, sterilization and x-rays and may require multiple visits to the dental office.
Full Mouth Reconstruction
At Needham Dental, we treat severely debilitated mouths through an interdisciplinary approach. With our team of on-site specialists, we perform implant, prosthetic and periodontal procedures and give the patients comprehensive therapy they need.
Implants
Dental implants are today’s state-of-the-art alternative to traditional restorative dentistry for replacing the missing teeth. Implants, usually made of titanium metal similar to that used in pins to join fractured bones, are permanent replacements for missing teeth. Part of the implant acts as the root of a tooth and supports a section which extends above the gum upon which replacement teeth may be fixed. There are different types of implants so procedures will vary. Bone integration implants (osteo-integrated) are done in stages.
The first stage inserts implants directly into the jawbone below the level of the gums. The gums are closed and healing takes place over many months. The bone actually heals to the implant on a microscopic level.
In the second stage, access to the implants is attained through small incisions in the gums.
Periodontics & Gum Disease
Two types of Gum disease is common among patients. Periodontitis (a bacterial infection) and Gingivitis (inflammation of gums). Periodontics deals with prevention of these diseases and the bones surrounding the teeth.
At Needham Dental we almost always start patients with non-invasive treatment of gums combined with Scaling (Deep Cleaning) and/or application of antibiotics. If the problem persists, a periodontal surgery is performed. If the tooth structure cannot be repaired, a Dental Implant may be the recommended option for long-lasting results.
TMJ & TMD Care
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is the jaw joint which attach the lower jaw to the skull. TMJ disorder is one of the most common conditions treated by dentists, and it refers to conditions manifested by the pain the jaw muscles. Symptoms can range from frequent headaches to neck/shoulder pain to facial swelling to pain / movement limitation around jaw areas. Many treatments ranging from very conservative to invasive approaches can be used to treat TMJ conditions including creating a TMJ Appliance.