|
 |
 |
 |
| A new patient calls
and has a moderate toothache. The patient is given an emergency "work-in"
appointment for that day. After filling out necessary paperwork, patient
is seen by a friendly, caring team member. The team member builds
rapport and assures the patient something will be done to help with
their discomfort. She then takes a radiograph of the area of concern.
Before leaving the room to get the doctor or to develop radiograph,
she hands the patient a copy of I Hate Dentist. The book is opened
to the page shown below. She then says, "You might want to read
about what your possible problem is before the doctor comes in. The
more educated you are, the better decision you will make." |
 |
 |
 |
Dealing
with Infected Teeth
A standard comedian's punch line is to compare their worst nightmare
to having a r-rroooot canal. Patients tell dentists the joke
backwards:
"I'd rather visit my ex-husband, or go to my class reunion
than get a root canal."
Root canal therapy is a much-maligned dental procedure. Once
the infected tooth is treated with antibiotics, the infection
subsides, and a trained specialist performs the root canal therapy,
the procedure usually goes quite smoothly.
What is an Infected Tooth?
Once decay hits the nerve, a "super-infection" begins.
And once the nerve is infected, bacteria creates a gas which
causes pressure and throbbing, swelling pain that makes you
want to run to the dentist for help. A severe toothache is one
of the most painful human events possible- and an event to be
avoided at all costs.
|
|
Good
News:
Root Canal Tooth with a Crown |
 |
|
The above image shows a good example of proper root canal therapy.
The root is cleaned out down to the very tip and sealed off. |
Bad News:
Root Canal Tooth without a Crown |
 |
| This
image shows a root canal tooth that was never crowned and, as
a result, the tooth broke. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
What
is an Endodontist?
An endodontist does root canal therapy all day long. He or she
is a dentist who has received two additional years of training
following graduation from dental school. Endodontists specialize
in treating the soft inner tissue (the nerve) of a tooth and
treating oral and facial pain.
|
|
The
only option when infection occurs: |
| 1. |
|
Save the tooth with root canal therapy. This therapy replaces
the nerve with a substance that the body will accept. |
2.
|
|
Lose
the tooth by surgical removal. Removal results in an empty space
in the gums, which can cause the bite to collapse and can place
stress on the remaining teeth. |
There are times when teeth cannot be restored and must be extracted.
When a tooth is "too far gone" with decay, is split
down the middle, or has no bone support due to gum disease,
it must be removed. 
Your best choice, whenever possible, is root canal therapy which
will allow you to save the tooth. After treatment, it will be
necessary to crown the tooth to prevent further breakage. Because
the tooth no longer has blood circulation, it will become dry
and brittle.
If your dentist determines that a root canal is necessary, he
or she will perform the root canal procedure. Or if the root
poses a problem or you are medically compromised, the dentist
will refer you to an endodontist.
Root canal therapy in a difficult tooth may be a difficult situation.
You can ask your dentist, "Can you handle this or would
it be best to refer me to an endodontist?" Our recommendation?
In a difficult case, we definitely would opt for an endodontist.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
What is the level of communication now?
How difficult was it for the team member to educate the patient?
How much time did it take?
How much doctor time is needed with an educated patient?
|
 |
|
 If
you feel the "I Hate Dentists" book can help your team
and patients, you will need more than one or two copies. It is best
for each team to have a copy for self study, several are needed
for the reception room, there needs to be a copy in each treatment
room and you will certainly want to give the book to many or your
patients.
|
|
