New Albany Dental Blog

There can be many signs which indicate the need for a root canal on one of your teeth. Lasting hot/cold sensitivity, swelling in the gum tissue, a draining abscess in the mouth, or pain when biting can be indicators that the nerve inside the tooth is damaged and needs to be removed. Contrary to many patient beliefs, the roots of the teeth remain intact, but the nerve inside the crown of the tooth and the tooth roots is removed alleviates the associated pain. A dental crown is typically placed over the tooth after root canal therapy which protects the tooth and allows the patient to use the tooth normally.

The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends seeing your dentist for regular cleanings and exams every 6 months. In cases of patients with periodontal disease, more frequent vists are required to keep the disease from causing further destruction of the bone supporting your teeth and your soft tissue. Patients may be recommended to visit 3 to 4 times per year instead of only 2.

We use Opalescence Go take home whitening trays in either sets of 10 for aggressive whitening or sets of 4 for maintenance. We also have in office whitening available. For in office whitening, a patient would schedule an appointment and the process takes 45 minutes to an hour, but results are immediate. If you would like to schedule your whitening appointment, please call us at 812-850-2206.

Dental Implants are a great solution for missing teeth and are rapidly becoming more and more affordable. It is important to note, however, that even though and implant and crown isn’t a real tooth, they must be cared for in the same manner as your natural teeth. This includes attended regular cleanings and exams at our office, brushing, and flossing. If you are interested in an implant, first a consultation would take place and a 3D scan of your jaws will be taken to determine adequate bone for placement. In some cases, a bone graft is needed to get the desired width to accommodate an implant. On surgery day, the dentist will make hole in slightly increases sizes and then place the implant. The implant would then take 3-4 months to integrate into the bone and become solid. Once the dentist determines your implant is ready to be restored, an impression is taken and an abutment and crown are fabricated by the lab. Once ready, the dentist screws your crown and abutment into the implant. The overall process can be lengthy, but it is necessary to ensure the greatest chance for long term success.

Yes! Most people are familiar with Invisalign clear aligner orthodontics. In many cases, this a suitable alternative to traditional bracket and wire braces. The process begins with taking a scan or impression of your upper and lower teeth. A 3D generated progression video is sent back to us and is shown to the patient to give an idea of what the end result can be. If the plan is acceptable, a series of clear, rigid, plastic trays are made and then fitted onto the patient. Patients will wear each set of trays for 2 weeks at a time, visiting the dentist every 3-5 sets of trays to monitor progress. The trays require much self discipline and must be worn 22 hours a day. If this treatment is of interest to you, please call us at 812-850-2206.

True dental emergencies, such as swelling or a tooth that has been knocked out, require a quick response. If such events occur after regular business hours, please call us at 812-850-2206 and leave a message. Dr. Larson will get back to you promptly to discuss what needs to be done. If other unfortunate circumstances arise, such as a lost temporary crown, chipped tooth, or pain, please call our office. Someone will respond and determine the issue and what actions need to be taken. It is our priority to make you comfortable as quickly as possible.

Often times, oral surgery procedures require minimal down time and usually the patient can return to work after the appointment or the following day. Dr. Larson strives to be as conservative as possible when performing oral surgery which minimizes pain and swelling and the need for prescription narcotics. 95% of cases require only tylenol or ibuprofen and rest.

We offer applications for CareCredit for those with extensive treatment plans in order to help with finances. Please call us to inquire about how to apply.

Use an ADA approved fluoride toothpaste at least 2 times per day, in the morning and at night, and flossing after meals can help remove plaque and debris which made lead to tooth decay. We also recommend seeing us for your xrays and exams two times per year. Regular exams allow the dentist and hygienist to monitor the state of your teeth and comes in order to prevent the need for treatment over time.