When you develop a tooth abscess, ignoring it can lead to serious complications. Bacteria may spread beyond your teeth and gums, jeopardizing your overall health. Early diagnosis and timely care can help you avoid the risk of severe pain, potential tooth loss, or more extensive infections. By choosing Dr. Egger in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, you receive personalized attention that focuses on preventing complications and preserving your natural smile.

Understanding a Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is a build-up of pus caused by bacterial infection. It typically forms in the tooth’s pulp or near the root. Untreated cavities, gum issues, or previous dental injuries can create an opening for bacteria to invade. Over time, swelling and pain increase, and you may notice redness, an unpleasant taste, or sensitivity to temperature changes.

Reasons You Need Prompt Care

1. Preventing Infection Spread
2. Without prompt treatment, the infection can travel through your bloodstream, potentially reaching other parts of your body. This can lead to life-threatening complications that extend far beyond oral health.
3. Preserving Your Tooth
4. Addressing an abscess early allows your dentist to remove the infection while saving your natural tooth structure. If treatment is delayed, extraction or more invasive measures may become necessary, increasing both costs and recovery time.
5. Reducing Pain
6. An abscess often causes relentless pain. Immediate care can alleviate discomfort and restore your ability to chew and speak normally.
7. Protecting Overall Well-Being
8. Because oral health is closely connected to general health, treating an abscess reduces your likelihood of developing additional medical problems.

Treatment Approaches

• Draining and Cleaning: Your dentist may drain the abscess to remove the source of infection. Cleansing the area is crucial to reduce pain and inflammation.

• Root Canal Therapy: A root canal can remove infected tissue from within your tooth and seal it to prevent further problems. This procedure helps preserve the tooth and eliminates ongoing discomfort.

• Tooth Extraction: If the abscess causes significant damage, extracting the affected tooth can halt the spread of bacteria. Replacement options such as bridges or implants may then be discussed.

When to Seek Help Right Away

Persistent pain, visible swelling, fever, or trouble opening your mouth are clear signals that you need immediate professional attention. Getting timely care makes a substantial difference in preventing advanced complications and alleviating discomfort.

Act Now to Protect Your Health with Dr. Egger

If you suspect an abscess, prompt treatment can safeguard your smile and overall health. Call Dr. Egger in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, at 989-773-3560 to schedule an appointment and take the next step toward lasting dental wellness.

If you’re experiencing ongoing tooth pain or sensitivity, your dentist may recommend a root canal. While the thought of a root canal can seem intimidating, it’s a routine and effective procedure designed to preserve your natural tooth and enhance your oral health.

Selecting the right dental professional can make all the difference in your root canal experience. Dr. Egger, a trusted dentist in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, is known for providing personalized care using advanced techniques. With years of experience, Dr. Egger ensures each step of the process is handled with precision and attention to your comfort. Dr. Egger’s patient-first approach focuses on achieving long-term results while helping you feel at ease throughout your treatment.

What Is a Root Canal and When Is It Needed?

A root canal is a dental procedure used to treat infection or inflammation within a tooth. The pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth, can become damaged due to deep cavities, cracks, or injuries. This damage often leads to severe pain, swelling, or other complications if not addressed.

The root canal process involves removing the infected or damaged pulp, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the tooth’s interior, and sealing it to prevent future infections. Retaining your natural tooth not only maintains your smile but also supports proper chewing, speech, and long-term oral health.

What Happens During a Root Canal?

Understanding the procedure can help ease your concerns. Here’s an overview of the typical steps involved:

1. Examination and Preparation
2. Your dentist will examine the tooth, often using X-rays to assess the extent of the issue. Local anesthesia is applied to numb the area, ensuring a comfortable experience.
3. Accessing the Pulp
4. A small opening is created in the tooth to reach the damaged or infected pulp.
5. Cleaning and Shaping
6. The removal of the infected tissue occurs atthis stage; the inner canals of the tooth are cleaned and shaped to prepare them for sealing.
7. Filling and Sealing
8. The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material and sealed to prevent further infection.
9. Restoration
10. The affected tooth is often protected with a crown or filling to restore hunction and appearance.

Depending on the severity of the condition, the procedure is typically completed in one or two visits.

Take the First Step Toward Relief Today

Don’t let persistent tooth pain go untreated. Acting promptly can save your tooth and prevent further complications. Contact Dr. Egger’s office in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to schedule a root canal consultation. Call 989-773-3560 or visit this page for more information. Take the first step toward a healthier smile and relief from discomfort today.

A family dentist with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Kenneth Egger understands that no patient likes to hear that they need a root canal.

It’s important to note, though, that root canals are powerful preventative procedures. They can preserve your smile and protect your oral health.

This blog explains why a root canal is more than just a treatment for current pain – it’s an essential protective measure.

Root Canal Basics

You may need a root canal if your tooth’s soft tissue (pulp) becomes inflamed or infected. This treatment involves:

• Carefully removing damaged pulp
• Cleaning and disinfecting the tooth’s interior
• Sealing it to prevent future issues

By preserving the tooth’s natural structure, a root canal can help maintain your bite and the integrity of surrounding teeth.

How Root Canals Prevent Further Oral Health Issues

Root canals offer many preventative benefits. Some of the most noteworthy ones are listed below.

Stops the Spread of Infection

If left untreated, an infection within the pulp can spread to the surrounding tissues. This can potentially cause dental abscesses or affect other teeth. In severe cases, it could even lead to jawbone deterioration or systemic health issues.

Root canals remove the source of infection and prevent further damage.

Retains the Natural Tooth Structure

Tooth retention is essential for maintaining proper dental alignment and function.

When a tooth is lost or extracted, the adjacent teeth may shift. This can lead to misalignment and difficulties with chewing.

Missing teeth can also weaken the jawbone over time due to lack of stimulation. This may cause changes in facial structure.

Saves Money

Beyond the health benefits, a root canal can be more cost-effective than other procedures.

Consider the long-term expenses associated with treatments that may follow tooth loss, such as implants or bridges. A root canal can save you a lot of discomfort, time, and additional dental work down the road.

Schedule a Consultation in Mount Pleasant, MI

A root canal helps maintain your natural smile and protects your oral health. By tackling the problem at its source, you can avoid severe complications and preserve your dental health for years.

If you’re experiencing persistent tooth pain or have been advised to consider a root canal, schedule a consultation with Kenneth Egger, DDS. Call us today at 989-773-3560 or send us a message to discuss your treatment options.

A root canal is a common dental procedure that can save severely decayed teeth.

Identifying the signs that you might need a root canal can help you maintain oral health. It can also prevent further complications.

Early intervention can save you from pain and extensive dental work in the future. Discover some of the most important signs to watch for below.

Signs You Might Need a Root Canal

There are several signs that suggest you may require a root canal. One of the most typical symptoms is persistent tooth discomfort, particularly if it worsens with biting or pressure. Another red flag could be a continued sensitivity to heat or cold even after the stimulus has been eliminated.

Other signs include swollen or tender gums, darkening of the tooth, and a small bump on the gum near the painful tooth. If you experience any of these symptoms, you must consult a dentist promptly.

Why You Shouldn’t Delay the Root Canal

Delaying a root canal can lead to the infection spreading to surrounding teeth, gums, and even the jawbone. An untreated infection can cause the tooth to become abscessed, resulting in severe pain and swelling. 

In extreme cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream and pose a risk to overall health. By addressing the issue early, you can prevent the spread of infection and save the affected tooth while also preventing other complications.

Persistent tooth pain can significantly impact your daily life. Delaying treatment will only prolong your discomfort.

A root canal can relieve this pain by removing the infected or damaged tissue inside the tooth. Post-procedure discomfort is typically minimal and temporary compared to the ongoing pain of an untreated tooth.

Neglecting to treat a tooth that needs a root canal can result in the need for more extensive and expensive dental procedures in the future, such as extractions, implants, or bridges. A root canal is a cost-effective solution that can preserve your natural tooth.

Book Your Root Canal Appointment in Mt. Pleasant, MI

Recognizing the signs that you might need a root canal and acting promptly can save you from more complex dental procedures. Don’t ignore persistent tooth pain or other symptoms; they could indicate a serious issue. 

Do you suspect that you need a root canal or another dental treatment? If so, call us at 989-773-3560 and schedule an appointment with Kenneth Egger, DDS.

A root canal is a dental operation that can help salvage a badly damaged tooth. It entails eliminating the contaminated or damaged pulp. Dentists will first clean and cleanse the interior of the tooth before sealing it. Knowing the indicators that you need a root canal might help you get treatment on time and avoid future difficulties.

Signs You Might Need a Root Canal

Persistent tooth pain is one of the most common signs that you may need a root canal. This pain can be constant or intermittent. It may get worse when you apply pressure to the affected tooth. It can also affect your jaw, face, or other teeth.

If you experience ongoing tooth pain that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter painkillers, consult your dentist immediately.

Heightened sensitivity to hot or cold foods can also indicate the need for a root canal. If you experience sharp pain when consuming hot coffee, ice cream, or similar items, it could be a sign of nerve damage.

Swelling around the affected tooth can be a sign of infection that may also require a root canal. The gums may look red and tender to the touch. In some cases, a small pimple-like bump, known as a dental abscess, may form on the gum near the affected tooth. This abscess can cause further pain if you don’t treat it promptly.

Pain when you touch or press on a specific tooth could also be a sign of infected tooth pulp. This pain can be a warning sign that the infection has reached the root of the tooth and a root canal may be necessary.

A chipped or cracked tooth can expose the nerves inside the tooth to bacteria. If you have a tooth that is visibly damaged, a root canal can help you to protect it from further damage.

Book Your Root Canal Treatment in Mount Pleasant, MI

Recognizing the signs that you might need a root canal can help you address dental issues before they become severe. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, call 989-773-3560 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kenneth Egger, DDS in Mount Pleasant, MI today.

Is there any dental procedure more dreaded than a root canal? Well, maybe an extraction. But when it comes to procedures people desperately want to avoid, a root canal is at the top of the list.

While Dr. Egger offers skilled root canal treatment at his office in Mount Pleasant, MI, he always encourages his patients to improve their preventative dental care. There are three ways you can help reduce your risk of needing a root canal—are you practicing them now?

1. Book Professional Cleanings Every 6 Months

Professional dental cleanings offer a deeper level of plaque removal than regular brushing and flossing. You also get a fluoride treatment that strengthens your teeth and helps prevent decay and disease.

By scheduling routine teeth cleanings, you can avoid cavities that could eventually cause the need for a root canal.

2. Brush 3 Times a Day

Many people have gotten into the habit of carrying their toothbrushes to work. It’s a good idea! Brushing within 30 minutes of eating or drinking anything but water can lower the risk of cavities or plaque buildup.

Make sure that you brush with an ADA-approved toothpaste for 2 minutes at a time.

3. Avoid Hard Foods and Candy

Hard foods that require a lot of bite force can lead to fractures in your enamel. When this protective layer of a tooth is damaged, bacteria can enter and, ultimately, infect the root. Stick to softer foods that aren’t hard to chew.

Never Ignore Warning Signs

If you experience pain or sensitivity in any of your teeth, it’s a good idea to book an appointment with the dentist. Even minor discomfort can indicate a cavity, and it’s always best to get a filling as early as possible.

Quick intervention can spare you the cost and stress of more extensive dental work, so don’t hesitate to book an appointment!

Get the Support You Need From Dr. Egger

Since 1996, Dr. Egger has operated a solo, family-friendly practice in Mount Pleasant, MI. From general dentistry and preventative care to advanced periodontal disease, he prides himself on helping everyone get the level of dental support they deserve.

If you would like to make an appointment, please schedule a consultation online, or call 989-773-3560.

No matter how well you take care of your teeth, there is always a chance that bacteria can make its way into your teeth. When that happens, you may have to take more serious measures to ensure the safety and well-being of your teeth. In some situations a root canal may be suggested, This dental procedure has been utilized by people all over the world for many years. In this blog, we are going to talk about what root canals are and what problems they address.

What Is a Root Canal? 

All teeth have roots that are anchored to the jawbone. Within these roots are nerves and blood vessels that are transported through canals to the pulp, which is the center of the tooth. The problem arises when bacteria makes its way to the pulp of the tooth, either through a crack in the tooth or if the tooth is decaying. Bacteria can make their way through the roots to the gums, which can cause major toothache.

A root canal procedure can help address this issue. By using local anesthetic and nitrous oxide, a hole is drilled into the tooth and dead pulp and bacteria can be extracted from the tooth. The inside of the tooth is cleaned and the roots that lead down to the base of the tooth and blocked with dental putty. To finish the operation, either a dental crown or dental filling is placed upon the tooth for preservation.

Symptoms of Tooth Infection 

• Severe throbbing in the tooth that can spread to the jawbone
• Pain or discomfort with food or drinks that are hot or cold
• Pain when chewing or biting
• Swelling in the face or cheeks
• Bad breath

Get Your Root Canal With Dr. Eggers 

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you may need a root canal. The treatment can drastically improve your symptoms and ensure the safety and integrity of your teeth. If you are interested in learning if a root canal can benefit you, Dr. Kenneth Eggers in Mount Pleasant, MI is here to provide you with world-class dental care. With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr. Egger has the skills and experience to make sure that your root canal procedure is handled with precision and care. Contact us today at (989) 7773-3560 or visit us online at mountpleasantmidentist.com to schedule your consultation.

When you come in to see us for a regular cleaning and exam with Dr. Egger and our team, our talented hygienists do some “scaling” on your teeth to remove plaque and tartar all the way down to the gumline and across the entire surface of each tooth. This keeps your teeth and gums healthy.

But if your home hygiene hasn’t been quite up to snuff, or if you haven’t kept up your twice-yearly exams and cleanings, plaque and tartar could have started to work their way up under your gums. This is the beginning of gum disease. At this point, the plaque and tartar are probably just irritating your gums, but the issue needs to be addressed to keep things from spiraling downward toward full-blown periodontitis.

Dr. Egger will now need to do a little work under the gumline. This is called root scaling and root planing. It sounds kind of scary, but these two procedures are linked together and are really not a big deal. Plus, they keep our patients from Mt. Pleasant and the surrounding areas from moving into the more involved treatments necessary for later stage gum disease.

When does a patient need root scaling and planing?

Root scaling and planing are non-surgical procedures whose job is to address and cause periodontal disease to retreat. Healthy gum tissue fits tightly around each tooth. The accepted measurement from the top of the gumline to where the gum attaches to the tooth should only be from one to three millimeters in depth. The problem comes when plaque and tartar accumulate around and under the gums, below the gumline. This is the start of periodontal disease and deeper pockets will form around the teeth. These harbor even more bacteria, worsening the situation. The depth of these pockets can now be four millimeters or more. Root scaling and planing is the first option to treat the advancing gum disease.

How root scaling and planing are done

The goal is to get the gums to heal and reattach themselves firmly to the teeth, as they did when they were healthy. The first step Dr. Egger uses is root scaling. If possible, Dr. Egger uses a diode laser for both scaling and planing. This is done below the gumline on the roots of the teeth. All plaque, bacterial toxins, and tartar deposits are removed. Next, root planing is done to smooth all the rough areas on the surfaces of your roots. When these surfaces are smooth, bacteria, plaque, and tartar don’t adhere to the root surface, allowing your gums to heal.

Afterwards

After a period of time, you’ll be asked to return so that Dr. Egger can ascertain the effectiveness of our efforts addressing your periodontal disease. He checks to see if your gums that were red and swollen have become firm and pink again. Bleeding should be reduced, and the pockets that were growing should have shrunk back down. If these signs all point to good progress, you may not need any additional periodontal work, but if the conditions have become more severe, Dr. Egger may need to enlist the services of a periodontist to intervene to halt the progression of bone loss.

Obviously, the way to avoid all of this is to practice good home dental care, and to keep your twice-yearly exams and cleanings with Dr. Egger. Is it time for your next appointment? Call us at (989) 773-3560 to schedule your time.

There’s no shortage of misinformation thrown around these days. Whether it’s outright lies on Twitter or false news stories circulated on Facebook, it’s hard to know what’s the real story.

In the dental world, root canals are the topic of misinformation. There’s more skewed information out there about root canals than news about so-called “elections” in the old Pravda newspaper in Moscow. Everyone believes a root canal is such a painful procedure that they’d rather avoid it at all costs. In fact, many people deal with the real pain caused by the infection in their tooth, rather than face the perceived pain of the root canal.

Since Dr. Egger performs his own root canals at his Mt. Pleasant practice, rather than sending you to an oral surgeon, we’d like to set the record straight.

It starts with plaque

This whole process starts with bacteria. When we eat, tiny food particles lodge on or between our teeth. If you don’t brush regularly or efficiently these foods break down into sugars and attract bacteria. Those bacteria are in the film on the teeth called plaque. Left to its own devices, the bacteria eventually begin to cause decay as they create acids that begin to penetrate the enamel of your teeth. If those acids eat through the enamel, the bacteria are now into the interior of the tooth, the pulp. Now your tooth is infected.

And that can be really painful. That’s because your tooth is full of nerve endings.

At this point, there are only two things to do, extract the tooth or do a root canal. A root canal will let you keep your natural tooth. Plus, you won’t have to deal with filling the gap left by your extracted tooth with either a bridge or an implant.

Root canal procedure

In a root canal, after the area is completely anesthetized Dr. Egger makes a small hole in the top of the tooth to access the infected pulp. He removes all the infected matter and the tooth root, which usually is also infected. Now the tooth is completely empty, and it has no feeling, as the nerves in the root have been removed. Everything is disinfected and then the tooth is filled with a rubber-based material called gutta percha. Then the hole is usually filled with composite resin and capped with a crown. Your excruciating pain from your infection (not your root canal) is gone and you can happily keep your tooth, maybe for the rest of your life.

And how painful was the root canal procedure? Most people equate the pain to that of having a routine cavity filled.

So, let’s get past the rumors and urban legends. Root canals aren’t any more painful than having a routine filling placed. It’s the pain necessitating the root canal that made you want to scream.

If you think you have an infected tooth, give Dr. Egger at (989) 773-3560, and let’s get onto the business of saving that tooth with a root canal.

Root canal. Mention those two words in casual conversation with someone and watch the reaction on their face. It will probably involve some look of discomfort, maybe even horror! Ah, root canals, the dental procedure right out of medieval torture.

Puhleeeeze. The reality of the modern root canal performed by Dr. Egger is far different than the preconceptions. Modern root canals don’t involve any more pain than having a typical cavity filled. And they will usually save your tooth.

Let’s get past the myths about root canals.

Myth #1 — The treatment is painful.

It isn’t true that a root canal is painful. This misperception of the procedure and the pain “supposedly” involved must come from long ago when anesthesia and dental practices weren’t as advanced as they are now.

Usually, people now associate the pain PRIOR to having the root canal with the procedure. This pain is coming from the infected pulp inside the tooth and this is what the root canal seeks to remove. An infection in a tooth can be very painful because the infection has progressed far enough to impact the nerves in the tooth root. A root canal removes the infected/decayed tissue, including the nerves in the tooth, and relieves this extreme pain. Modern technology has made it possible for a root canal treatment to be almost “painless.”

Myth #2 — Tooth extraction is a good alternative to a root canal procedure.

Extraction used to be a viable alternative, but those days are long gone. Dr. Egger strives to keep the natural tooth if at all possible, and a root canal procedure can do that. By keeping your natural teeth, you can continue to eat whatever you want. Also, root canal treatment is a cost-effective method of treating a tooth with infected pulp. The success rate in keeping the tooth, if there is enough healthy tooth remaining, is very high with root canals.

Myth #3 — The procedure causes illness.

This is nothing more than a dental “urban legend.” There isn’t a shred of evidence that root canal treatments cause various illnesses in the body. It is a safe and effective procedure that eliminates bacteria, prevents reinfection, and salvages your natural tooth. The fact is, if you don’t remove the infection in your tooth, then the infection can spread to other areas of your body.

If you have serious pain in a tooth, you may need a root canal to remove the infected pulp and save the tooth. Call Dr. Egger at (989) 773-3560 and let’s check it out.