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Visit our Stanley, NC Dental Office

Upcoming Dental Conferences

Dr. Ronald M. Cox, DDS is committed to continuing education.   This November in Charlotte NC, The Blake Hotel is Celebrating 20th Holiday Dental Conference Anniversary. 
Topics include, but are not limited:

• Tooth Bleaching options and recommendations for the youngest to the oldest patient.
• Hypersensitivity:  Causes and Treatments
• The Art of Restoring implants today:  Abutment to Zircomium - How to get the results you want.
• Achieving natural restorations using a simple technique.

December Conference will be held at UNC School of Dentistry
Topics will include, but are not limited:

• An Endodontics Review (Root Canals)
• Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
• Single -Tooth Implants in Restorative Dentistry
• Update on Composite Resins ( White Fillings)
• Restoring Endodontically Treated Teeth/ Fiber Posts

Visit our Stanley, NC Dental Office

Dental Videos

Because we are committed to improving the oral healthcare knowledge of our patients, we are providing the following selection of dental videos which we hope you will find interesting and informative.  We have grouped the videos into various categories to provide quick access to the topics of greatest interest to you.
See our website to view the Dental Videos.

Visit our Stanley, NC Dental Office

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a type of dental procedure used to treat advanced tooth decay or severe infection to a tooth. The medical term for a root canal is “endodontic therapy” and a dentist who specializes in root canal work and related treatments is called an “endodontist.”

Root canals have a reputation for being painful, costly, and generally something to avoid. It’s true that this type of dental work is more complicated and time-consuming than others. Most people do not look forward to getting a root canal – this procedure has often been the subject of jokes, as in: “I’d rather get a root canal!”

But if you understand the facts about root canal treatment, hopefully the whole process will be more understandable and reassuring. You don’t need to feel afraid of having a root canal – it’s just part of the process of healing your teeth and getting on with your life.

A journey to the center of your tooth…

The “root canal” is the part of the tooth that includes the internal chamber inside the tooth which is full of pulp and nerves. The tooth’s nerve is not terribly important to the day-to-day functioning of your teeth – the main purpose of a tooth’s nerve is to detect hot and cold. But if your tooth pulp and nerve become infected, it can cause big problems for your tooth.

Abscess makes the heart grow fonder?

When a tooth’s pulp and nerve become infected, or if tooth decay proceeds to the point that it affects the interior of the tooth, this is called an “abscess” – you have an “abscessed” tooth. This means that your tooth is basically being infected and/or damaged from the inside out – the exterior of the tooth might appear normal (or nearly normal), but the inside of the tooth is full of pain.

How do I know if I need a root canal?

One of the first signs that you need a root canal is extreme pain in your tooth – a really bad toothache.

Other symptoms include extreme tooth sensitivity to hot and cold; discoloration or darkening of the tooth; swelling, tenderness, or a recurring pimple on the nearby gums.

At other times, root canal work may be needed even if no symptoms are present – this is one of the things that dentists check for during your regular dental appointments.

What happens during a root canal?

Basically, when you get a root canal, the dentist drills into your tooth, removes the infected/decayed pulp and nerves, gives the tooth a thorough cleaning, and then seals up the tooth. The main portion of the root canal work can often be done in one visit, but the dentist might wait a week before sealing the tooth, especially if there was an infection – the dentist will treat the infected tooth interior with medication prior to sealing. The end result of a root canal is often a dental crown or other permanent restoration – you will end up with a fully functional tooth, even if it’s no longer a “natural” tooth.

How painful is a root canal?

Although root canal treatment has a bad reputation for being painful, most patients report that it doesn’t feel much different from getting a regular dental filling. Your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the surrounding area of your teeth and gums. Most patients are able to treat any follow-up discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, and the vast majority of root canal patients are able to return to their normal activities the next day.

So don’t be afraid if you find out that you need a root canal. Far from being the object of jokes, this type of dental treatment can give you many new reasons to smile. Visit our Stanley, NC Dental Office

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What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?

Since teeth whitening has now become the number one aesthetic concern of many patients, there are many products and methods available to achieve a brighter smile.

Professional teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel, and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.  Over-the-counter products are also available, but they are much less effective than professional treatments and may not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, eventually revealing a darker or yellow shade.  The color of our teeth also comes from the inside of the tooth, which may become darker over time.  Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and wine may also contribute to tooth discoloration, making our teeth yellow and dull.  Sometimes, teeth can become discolored from taking certain medications as a child, such as tetracycline.  Excessive fluoridation (fluorosis) during tooth development can also cause teeth to become discolored.
It’s important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you’re a good candidate for bleaching.  Occasionally, tetracycline and fluorosis stains are difficult to bleach and your dentist may offer other options, such as veneers or crowns to cover up such stains.  Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is also important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. before bleaching begins.  Once the bleaching is done, your dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth.

Since teeth whitening is not permanent, a touch-up may be needed every several years to keep your smile looking bright.

The most widely used professional teeth whitening systems:

Home teeth whitening systems: At-home products usually come in a gel form that is placed in a custom-fitted mouthguard (tray), created from a mold of your teeth.  The trays are worn either twice a day for approximately 30 minutes, or overnight while you sleep.  It usually takes several weeks to achieve the desired results depending on the degree of staining and the desired level of whitening.

In office teeth whitening: This treatment is done in the dental office and you will see results immediately.  It may require more than one visit, with each visit lasting 30 to 60 minutes.  While your gums are protected, a bleaching solution is applied to the teeth.  A special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent while the teeth are whitened.

Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity after having their teeth whitened.  This sensation is temporary and subsides shortly after you complete the bleaching process, usually within a few days to one weak.

Teeth whitening can be very effective and can give you a brighter, whiter, more confident smile!
Contact us at http://coxdds.com/ or call today at  1-704-263-8845

How often should I visit my dentist?

People are busy. Life is getting more hectic all the time. It seems like we all have too many demands on us and too few hours in the day – so how can we find time to fit in a dental appointment along with everything else? Why do we have to go to the dentist, and how often should we go?

The short answer is: every six months.

The long answer is, well, longer…

Modern dentistry evolved in the past 50-60 years starting after World War II. One of the challenges faced by the U.S. during World War II was that the American military leaders discovered that many of their new Army recruits did not have very good teeth – in the “olden days,” the practice of dentistry was more focused on fixing problems (mainly: pulling teeth) than it was on preventing dental problems and maintaining overall dental health. Most Americans, especially those in small towns and rural areas, never saw a dentist unless they had a painful toothache, which usually led to having a tooth (or multiple teeth) pulled.

In the years since World War II, American dentistry has shifted its focus from “pulling teeth” to “preventing problems” – before they develop into more harmful, painful and costly oral health issues.

So this is the reason why you need to see your dentist every six months: even if you have good teeth and rarely have any problems with your oral health, your dentist needs to check up on your teeth just to make sure everything is OK. Your dentist is there to help maintain your overall oral health and prevent problems before they come up.

Even if you’ve never had a cavity in your life and you brush and floss every day, your dentist can detect problems with your teeth that you are unable to see. Your dentist can look for the signs of tooth decay and other warning signs so that if a problem with your teeth does start to develop, it can be fixed before it reaches a stage where it is more costly and difficult to correct.

Another benefit of going to the dentist every six months is to receive a thorough teeth cleaning from a dental hygienist. Most of us cannot come even close to getting our teeth as clean as they feel after a good scrubbing by the hygienist – and your dental hygienist can also help check for signs of trouble – whether it’s receding gums, bleeding gums or other potential warning signs.

In fact, for some patients, every six months might not be often enough. If you have a history of oral health problems, or if you are going through a particularly stressful time in your life, your dentist might want to see you more frequently. For example, pregnant women are often at higher risk for gingivitis – and severe gingivitis can be a risk factor for pre-term delivery and low-birthweight babies. If you are one of these “high-risk” dental patients, you might need to see your dentist even more often than every six months.

So that’s “the long answer!”

Even though we’re all busy and it’s hard to get excited about “yet another” appointment on the calendar, keeping your six-month appointment with your dentist is a good investment of your time – and money.

Visit our dental office:  http://coxdds.com/

September Smile of The Month

I think oreo's and milk are wonderful!  Especially with a smile like this.

Miss Layla has the September Smile of The Month.

We love kids!

http://www.coxdds.com/
Family Dentistry of Stanley, NC
1-704-263-8845
(picture submitted by local patient)