Root Canal vs. Extraction

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Root Canal vs. Extraction

The Difference Between a Root Canal vs. Extraction

Tooth decay is one of the biggest problems in dentistry. Lack of good oral hygiene will likely lead to cavities, tooth decay, and tooth infections. If there ever comes a time where you experience excruciating tooth pain, you will need to see an emergency dentist ASAP. The best dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, will either recommend a root canal or a tooth extraction. Keep in mind that Dr. Cody Boals and Dr. Alexa Johnson will do everything in their power to save your natural teeth. If your tooth is beyond repair, your Colorado Springs dentists may recommend a tooth extraction. So, which is better? In this article, we break down the difference between a root canal vs. extraction

Do I Need a Tooth Extraction? 

When it comes to fixing an infected tooth, a tooth extraction may appear to be the simplest alternative. However, tooth extractions are a permanent solution. Most dentists in Colorado Springs will recommend anything else before pulling a tooth. Of course, we want the best for our patients, which is why we will weigh out the pros and cons of each treatment. If you’ve never had a tooth extraction before, here’s what to expect.

The Tooth Extraction Procedure

The Kissing Camels team will use one of our sleep dentistry options during the tooth extraction to ensure the patient is fully comfortable. Our goal is to get your tooth out pain-free. Our dentists should be able to complete your extraction in one visit (unless it’s more complicated). Keep in mind that it’s completely normal to feel some discomfort after the extraction, says Dr. Boals.

What Are the Dangers of Tooth Extraction?

There are some situations where a tooth extraction is absolutely necessary. However, in some cases, an extraction can make the problem worse. After the tooth has been pulled, you will have an empty area in your mouth. Therefore, this can be a breeding ground for bacteria/cavities and cause infections that spread swiftly to adjacent teeth, resulting in a chain of extractions.

Not to mention that a lost tooth complicates matters for the teeth around it. Other teeth will receive any muscular support and may become weak or shift in the mouth. This can lead to congestion, crowding, and misalignment of the teeth. One loose tooth can induce other teeth to follow suit, and before long, all of your teeth may be loose and begin to fall off or become infected. Talk to your dentist in Colorado Springs about what they recommend. It’s okay to get a few opinions about your smile. To help save you a visit to our office, we now offer virtual dental consultations. Find out what our dental professionals recommend!

The Root Canal Procedure Root Canal vs. Tooth Extraction

A root canal has a higher success rate than a tooth extraction because there are few to no long-term consequences. Dentists perform root canals to clean and mend diseased teeth. There is no need to extract the infected tooth with root canal therapy.

The Root Canal Procedure

Root canals are often misunderstood. Many patients have the misconception that root canals are painful. In reality, the tooth infection is what’s painful. Once the tooth’s root has been restored, the pain will disappear. If your tooth is damaged due to decay but is repairable, your dentist will recommend root canal therapy. The process begins with X-rays. Here, we see the severity of the infection as well as the number of teeth infected. Once we’ve determined that root canal therapy is the better option, we will place rubber or vinyl over the neighboring teeth. This is done to keep the infection from spreading.

A hole is then drilled into the tooth. Then your dentist will remove infected pulp as well as any dead tissues. The whole will be filled with a filling or dental crown so that the tooth is fully functioning again. Your dentist may recommend antibiotics or pain relievers post-surgery. 

What Are the Dangers?

If root canal therapy is not performed correctly, the enamel may be damaged. Our friend Dr. Josh Eastham, a dentist Grand Junction, CO, highly recommends seeing an experienced professional. A root canal gone wrong can be extremely painful. 

Which is Better: Root Canal or Tooth Extraction?

A root canal is a superior solution for many dental offices. However, in extreme circumstances, tooth extraction is the only alternative. These restorative dentistry treatments both have advantages and disadvantages, so they will rely on your total oral history and process preference. If you’re experiencing tooth decay, please contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry. We’re happy to take a look and recommend the best treatment plan for your unique smile.

Smile Makeover Giveaway: Part Three

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Smile Makeover Giveaway: Part Three

KC Smile Makeover Giveaway: Part Three

Welcome back to Sam’s Smile Makeover Giveaway! If you’ve been following along, you know that Sam is a local here in Colorado Springs, CO. He has been in the process of getting a new smile with our Colorado Springs dentists. Sam is a pretty special person, which is why we selected him for the Smile Makeover Giveaway. In this article, we share a little bit about Sam’s life. You can also watch the Smile Makeover Giveaway: Part Three interview on our YouTube channel!

Tell Us a Little About Yourself

“My name is Samuel McNamee. I currently work for an agency that does customer service work for one of the largest tech companies in the world.

What Are Your Hobbies and Passions? 

When I have free time, I love to go hiking, rock climbing, camping, just being outside all the time. You could say that I’m a woods type of person. I also like to make music and being on stage. I like to be able to entertain people. At the end of the day, if I can bring a smile to somebody’s face that’s, that’s powerful to me. This is why I think that’s why this experience has been so great for me as well.

What Inspires Your Passion for Music? 

Music has been inspiring me since I was a kid. My buddy and I used to live in a very small town called Rye. There’s not a lot to do out there, no shops or businesses. So, you had to make your fun. He used to have a guitar, and I would write lyrics. We started this in elementary school. He still has sheets of paper of the songs I wrote back then. Music has been something I’ve always wanted to pursue and follow. It’s kind of my heart, I guess, in the world or the way that I can express myself.

What Do You Value Most and Why?

People, I would say that I value people. Even the people who have hurt you or betrayed you or somebody who said something snide to or let you down. You can learn a lot from that and better yourself from it. And then the people who show you love and try to respect and are there for you give you something to look forward to every day. 

So, you know, when I wake up, I think it’s the very first thing that I look forward to personally is having to interact with people for the day and, overall, learn from all of the experiences that surround me. 

What Made You Choose Kissing Camels Family Dentistry?

So I went to a few different Colorado Springs dental offices before. I’m going to be honest. You know, like I kind of conned into a couple of places. I came in, and my teeth were pretty bad and, it felt like there was nothing I could do about it.

I wanted to get dentures, and it seemed like every place that I called tricked me into getting a consultation or evaluation. Many of them would say that they would be able to do oral surgery onsite and then also be able to, you know, do dentures onsite. Nobody was really honest. If they were honest with me and they would’ve just said like, oh no, we don’t do that onsite. I would have been fine with that. I think it’s the fact that they misled me to get me in their door. The atmosphere is everything to me. So I, I tried it, you know, several places. And when I came into Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, the music was the first thing that caught my ear actually.

I was like, wow, this is something that I listened to. It’s actually really neat. Before I even knew that I was going to restorative dentistry, I was committed here at Kissing Camels because the staff has been so amazing, so wonderful. Think communicating very well, and they make sure you feel comfortable with what their game plan is. If you want to make adjustments to the game plan, they’re open to talking about it with you. So, you feel involved with the process. Again that no bad remarks about anywhere else I went previously. This environment and the way that they cared for me have been the best.”

Contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry

Thank you Sam! Our team absolutely loves having you as a patient at our dental office in Colorado Springs, CO. We hope you’ve enjoyed the Smile Makeover Giveaway: Part Three. Please follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay updated on the latest news. Interested in our dental services? Kissing Camels Family Dentistry is now offering virtual dental consultations! They’re quick and easy. Contact us today to learn more.

Dental Implant Process

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Dental Implant Process

Breakdown of the Dental Implant Process

Kissing Camels Family Dentistry offers a variety of restorative dentistry options. Each treatment can help improve your overall quality of life, giving you the self-esteem and confidence boost. By starting treatment, you are taking the necessary steps to improve your oral health and prevent gum disease. If you’re looking to improve your smile, our Colorado Springs dentists may recommend dental implants as a solution. Below, Dr. Cody Boals and Dr. Alexa Johnson discuss the dental implant process

The following are the steps in a dental implant procedure:

  • Dental Implant Consultation
  • Professional Dental Exam
  • Dental Implant Placement

Dental Implant Consultation 

Your tooth replacement treatment will depend on the number of missing teeth. If you are missing all of your teeth or want to replace your dentures, dental implants may be a good option for you. Kissing Camels Family Dentistry offers virtual dental consultations for their patients. So, you can do your initial consultation online without having to leave the comfort of your own home! It’s super fast and simple. Our Colorado Springs dentists will let you know their recommended treatment plan. From there, you can schedule your next visit at our dental office in Colorado Springs, CO.

Professional Dental Examination

Before starting treatment, we’ll need to see you for a professional dental examination. During this visit, we may take scans or x-rays of your teeth. Dental implants actually require good bone structure. If you’d like to learn more, read our article Are Dental Implants for Me?  Of course, we want the best for your smile, which is why we’ll also show you a 3D model of what your smile will look like after treatment. We’ll walk you through every step of the exam, so you understand what we’re doing and why.

Dental Implant Placement Process

When you visit Kissing Camels Family Dentistry for dental implant treatment, you can be confident that you will receive the best possible care. First, we’ll make you feel more at ease by utilizing one of our sleep dentistry options. We will extract any teeth that are necessary prior to implant placement if necessary. After those teeth are extracted, we will use a painless surgical approach to insert dental implants in the jawbone and then join the restorations to the implants with a connector called an abutment.

Traditional Dental Implant Placement

In other cases, you and your dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, may decide that a more traditional method of implant placement is preferable. During a typical operation, the freshly inserted implants are left alone for a few months to allow the surrounding bone and soft tissue to recover. During the healing period, the bone grows, and the tissue shapes around the implants to build a strong biological link. Meanwhile, we’ll attach temporary teeth to the implants, so you don’t have to leave the office toothless. 

This six-month interval will allow your jaw to heal and your dentist to design the permanent implant-supported bridge. Don’t worry, says Dr. Dave Moghadam, a dentist in Easton, PA, your temporary teeth will still look and feel like your natural teeth. After you’ve healed, you’ll get your permanent teeth placed. Following the necessary bone remodeling/healing phase, we will attach to each implant a little connecting post known as an abutment. These abutments will support your temporary teeth and, eventually, your permanent replacement teeth.

Permanent Replacement Teeth Manufacturing

Our implant specialists collaborate directly with a well-equipped dental lab to create both your temporary and permanent teeth. We’ll take impressions of your new implants and implant abutments before fabricating your replacement teeth and the underlying components that will be linked to the implants. Furthermore, our dentists in Colorado Springs can assist you in selecting the perfect shade for your new smile. Depending on the treatment selection, the number of lost teeth, and the type of replacement teeth, this surgery can be performed on the same day as the implant procedure or one to two weeks later. Contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry for more information about our dental implant services in Colorado Springs, CO

Benefits of Zoom Teeth Whitening

benefits of zoom teeth whitening - Colorado Springs CO

Benefits of Zoom Teeth Whitening

Three Benefits of Zoom Teeth Whitening

Are you tired of trying over-the-counter whitening strips, toothpaste, and trays? You’re not alone. Many people are frustrated with these take-home teeth whitening results, which is why professional teeth whitening is recommended. At Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, we offer Zoom teeth whitening services in Colorado Springs. With Zoom teeth whitening you’ll have a brighter smile just like that. Read this article to learn about the three benefits of zoom teeth whitening.  

Quick Results 

Unlike at-home teeth whitening, your dentist can give you a visibly whiter smile in under an hour. Zoom teeth whitening, as the name implies, is a rapid cosmetic dentistry treatment that is easy to fit into a busy schedule. For those with severe teeth discoloration, we may need to split the teeth whitening appointment into three sessions that are 15 minutes long. We recommend that you contact your Colorado Springs dentist to see if Zoom whitening is good for you.

If you’re unhappy with your smile, Dr. Boals or Dr. Johnson may recommend porcelain veneers. Although these treatments will create exceptional results, they can be costly. If your teeth are simply discolored, professional teeth whitening may be the best option. Of course, it’s recommended that you visit our dental office in Colorado Springs before starting any treatment. Our Kissing Camels Dentistry team will recommend the best treatment for your smile. 

Can You Whiten Your Teeth At Home?

Depending on the severity of your tooth staining, your dentist may be able to provide you with supplies to try teeth whitening at home. If this is the case, your dentist will make a bespoke whitening tray by taking an impression of your teeth. When you whiten your teeth at home, you can do so whenever it is most convenient for you. 

Ideal for Sensitive Teeth

If you’ve tried over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments, you may have noticed that your teeth are more sensitive. This is a common problem that you can avoid with professional whitening treatments. The whitening gel and varnish we use at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry are precisely made to prevent gum and teeth irritation. While some of our patients feel “zingers,” or small bursts of discomfort during treatment, many are prepared to put up with the discomfort in exchange for brighter teeth. Our friend Dr. Kim, a dentist in Lexington, KY, explains that everyone’s pain threshold is different. Trust us when we say that Zoom teeth whitening results are so worth it! 

Contact Kissing Camels Family Dentistry

Not in love with your smile? Zoom teeth whitening may be the perfect solution for you! Dr. Boals and Dr. Johnson are happy to see you for a consultation. To help you save time, we now offer virtual dental consultations. We can’t wait to help you enhance your smile! Please contact our dental office in Colorado Springs for more information.