Root Canal Therapy
Nothing in dentistry has benefited more from technological innovation in the past 10 years than root canal therapy. What was once the deserving subject of countless jokes is today an extremely predictable, comfortable, straightforward procedure. In 1973, Dr. Taylor wrote his senior thesis on "The Efficacy of One Visit Root Canal Therapy" at a time when the profession favored three to five visits to complete the procedure. Dr. Taylor has performed one-visit root canals routinely ever since with outstanding results, and today all the top teachers in the field advocate a one-visit technique. While Dr. Taylor takes no credit for this, more than 30 years of experience have taught him how effective this technique is.
Since infected teeth are thought to pose significant health risks for heart attacks, strokes, and secondary infection of surgical sites, elimination of infection is Dr. Taylor's first priority when performing root canal therapy. While some infected teeth are painful and swollen, the vast majority are not. We will be happy to help you determine if you have infections and explain the steps that you may take to eliminate them.
Dental Hygiene and Preventive Periodontal Care
Whether you are trying to avoid your first cavity or protect extensive dental work, prevention is of paramount importance. Sealants offer an easy and inexpensive way to largely prevent decay in newly erupted teeth. Educating young and old alike about the benefits of excellent oral hygiene and a good diet is the foundation of prevention. Our hygienist will take the time to demonstrate the proper use of the many products available today to fit each individual need. Electric toothbrushes are a wonderful improvement over standard toothbrushes, and various medications are proving beneficial in the fight against periodontal disease. Non-surgical periodontal care ranges from a basic polishing to comprehensive scaling and polishing with anesthetics to promote comfort.
Our hygienist, Pam Therston, takes great pride in her ability to treat all patients as comfortably and effectively as possible. Since periodontal disease is nearly always painless until the advanced stages that cause tooth loss, early diagnosis and regular preventive care from a skilled hygienist are keys to long-term dental health. Many people do not realize how common periodontal disease is; in our new adult patients, it is second only to decay in prevalence. Make prevention a regular part of your dental routine to protect your overall dental health.
White vs. Silver Fillings
Decay is the number one problem for most patients, and the number one source of decay in adults is old silver amalgam fillings. Dr. Taylor stopped using amalgams ten years ago for several reasons. These fillings leak soon after placement, which inevitably leads to decay later. There is some level of decay under virtually all silver amalgams by the time they are 10 to15 years old, and there is no way to prevent it. Amalgams also expand for decades. This outward pressure cracks countless teeth, frequently leading to the need for more extensive treatment. It is interesting that silver fillings, which are approximately one-half mercury when placed, must be treated as hazardous waste material when they are removed. In addition, these fillings can give an unnatural, unattractive appearance and stain natural teeth.
White, tooth-colored fillings solve these problems. While technically more difficult to place than amalgams, white composite resin restorations nonetheless provide a wonderful alternative to traditional metal fillings. They are bonded tightly to the tooth so there is no leakage. Also, expansion and mercury are not a concern thanks to the advanced materials, and the white fillings are often virtually undetectable in the mouth.
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David Taylor, DDS
Littleton Family
Dental Practice, P.C.
110 W. Main St.
Littleton, NH 03561
ph. 603.444.7761
fax. 603.444.6542