Start of School Year Exams

Dentists recommend that children get check-ups and professional cleanings every six months. If yours haven’t been recently, now’s the time for it. At Dr. Dipika Shah’s office, we provide comprehensive care to prevent children from having problems with tooth aches and misalignment later on in the school year.

Children are the demographic that is most likely to suffer tooth decay in the form of caries—bacterial infections which make little cavities in the teeth. Caries are painful and can have a devastating impact on the child’s well-being. Pain may slow their speech development and cause them to be unable to sleep, making them irritable and unfocused. It may also interfere with their chewing, affecting their diet, (as can misalignment). Caries will not improve on their own; they require a dentist to clean out the decayed material and fill them in.

Fortunately, if your child is at risk for caries, it’s still early enough in the year to treat them before they take a major toll on their education. This will also give us a chance to monitor wisdom tooth eruption and plan for orthodontic treatment which may require time out of school.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit DentistNJ.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Does Your Tooth Still Hurt After a Root Canal?

If you’re still experiencing pain after a root canal, you may be wondering why. Aren’t root canals meant to take your pain away? There are many reasons why your tooth may still be hurting. It is possible that the base of your tooth root (periapical) is still slightly tender or that your pain is caused by a temporary filling that is a bit too high. In these cases, taking OTC painkillers, preferably ibuprofen, may be all you need to alleviate your pain while your root canal heals.

However, if you’ve had a root canal at our practice in Holmdel, NJ and are still experiencing pain that is severe or persistent, you should call our office immediately. The dentist may need to prescribe you an antibiotic to make sure the infection does not remain, or she may need to perform retreatment.

At your follow-up appointment, Dr. Dipika Shah will want to know what type of pain you are experiencing. Is your tooth sensitive to hot and cold? Is it the tooth root that is sensitive or the gums that are over the tooth? Is it a constant ache, or does it only hurt when biting? Is there any swelling, drainage or pus? The answers to these questions will give Dr. Shah the information she needs to diagnose your pain.

Root canals don’t always work, and there are many reasons for this, including fractures of the root, convoluted or twisted root structures and failure to protect the root canal after the procedure. If this occurs, you may need further treatment. If the root canal was successful, it should feel normal most of the time.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Shah in Holmdel, NJ, call 732-264-8180. For more information about the dentist and her services, please visit www.dentistnj.com. 

Dr. Dipika Shah Performs Tooth Extractions

If decay has reached too deeply into one of your teeth or if an infection has damaged too much of the supporting bone or tissue, you will need a tooth extraction, and in Holmdel, NJ, Dr. Dipika Shah can provide the extraction you need to restore your oral health.

Before the procedure is performed, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the extraction site. During a simple extraction, the tooth is then loosened with an elevator and extracted with forceps. Once removed, Dr. Shah may choose to smooth and contour the underlying bone. When she is finished, the gums are sutured.

After the extraction, it is critical to keep the area clean to prevent infection. A dry, sterile gauze will be placed over the gums to limit bleeding. You must make sure to keep it in place for 30 to 45 minutes while the blood clots. During the 24 hours after the procedure, you should not smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously or clean the teeth immediately adjacent to the extraction site. Strenuous activity, hot liquids and straw drinking should also be avoided. A certain amount of pain and discomfort accompanies an extraction, so a painkiller may be prescribed.

If you are suffering pain from decay, infection or impaction, Dr. Shah can determine if a tooth extraction is required to save your smile. Schedule an appointment at our practice by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.

Dr. Dipika Shah Can Save Your Tooth with a Root Canal Procedure

If the root of your tooth becomes infected, it is important to first try and save the tooth rather than extracting it and replacing it with an artificial restoration. This is because restorations, such as implants or bridges, are both expensive and not as beneficial to your oral health as having your own root supporting your tooth.  To avoid extracting a tooth, Dr. Dipika Shah performs root canal procedures, which can effectively save your tooth and relieve your pain in Holmdel, NJ.

Root canals can be performed with new 3D technology and rotary instruments that provide improved quality and efficiency and less pain. During the procedure, Dr. Shah will remove the infection by first applying a local anesthetic to the area and then creating an opening in the canal. With her rotary instruments, she is able to remove the infected tissue and clean the area before filling the canal with a sealant to protect from further infection. Teeth that have root canals performed on them also usually require a crown to protect it from fractures, as well as improve the appearance and strength of the tooth. Once the procedure is complete and any soreness subsides, you will be able to eat without pain and sensitivity.

If you’re in pain, you can stop you’re suffering by scheduling an appointment with our office in Holmdel, NJ. Call 732-264-8180. For more information on Dr. Dipika Shah, please visit www.dentistnj.com.

Dental Crowns

Crowns are used to protect and strengthen teeth that have become extremely weak, decayed or fractured. Covering your affected tooth and restoring it to its original shape and size, dental crowns (sometimes called caps) can help reduce pain, save your tooth from needing to be extracted and keep your smile beautiful and functional. At our office in Holmdel, NJ, we can see if a crown is necessary to save your smile.

Over time, as your teeth begin to weaken, they become more susceptible to problems, including decay, cracks and discoloration. Crowns are usually only necessary if decay has reached the point where the tooth structure is compromised. When a crown is installed, the decay is removed from the tooth and a core build-up is used to insulate the nerve and create a surface to bond the crown to. An impression is then made of this surface so that crown can be custom fitted. Usually made of porcelain, gold or porcelain fused to metal, the crown is fabricated in a lab and then cemented onto the current tooth. This fabrication process can take between two to three weeks.

Crowns are made incredibly strong to protect the remaining tooth structure, and the custom fit ensures that the seam between tooth and crown is miniscule, which helps protect the tooth from further decay.

If you’re experiencing pain in one of your teeth, stop by our office to see if a crown can save your smile. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Dipika Shah by calling 732-264-8180. For more information, visit www.dentistnj.com.