Monkey Gets Root Canal byTwo Veterinarians and Dentist

A collaboration between a dentist and two veterinarians have made life a whole lot happier for one Allen root canal specialist , Kimberly Lindquist came together to perform a root canal on Noqui, an Allen swamp monkey with a toothache.

Allen Swamp Monkey Gets Root Canal

swamp monkey at Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, MN.  Veterinarian, Louise Beyea, veterinarian Michael Overend and human

 The zoo noticed a lesion on Noqui's face and determined the necessary treatment would be a root canal, just like humans get.

However, the dental procedure posed interesting challenges to the team.  Noqui's root length was extremely long compared to a human tooth, so human instruments were impossible to use.  Specialized tools needed to be located.

The palate of an Allen swamp monkey is very thin and shallow, and the accompanying narrow jaw made the root canal difficult, yet not impossible.  All in all, the procedure went well and was considered a success.  Noqui now lives pain free and able to get back to enjoying the things monkeys enjoy without chronic pain.

Root Canal Technology Has Changed

Root canal therapy to treat a tooth is much different than years past.  Modern dental instruments and techniques give dentists more sophisticated ways to treat teeth in need of endodontic or root canal therapy.  Patients can now get the procedure done in just one pain-free visit.

Let's take a look at some on the new technology.

A. Modern anesthetics allow for easier numbing of the entire tooth.  More fearful patients can request nitrous oxide.

B. High-torque motor hand pieces are faster and enable dentist to better shape root canals.

C. Ultra sonic instruments vibrate to clean the root before a filling is placed.

D.  Modern digital x-rays allow a dentist with less radiation to develop immediate x-rays to check the status of a tooth.

E.  Apex locators help a dentist to clean and fill a tooth to the very end of the root.  The instrument measures the root and finds the apex with sound waves, help guiding the dentist, so infection is not left behind.

F. Dentists use a medicated rinse sodium hypochlorite to wash away leftover debris and infection.  A tooth is then dried with paper points, absorbent paper files.

G. Filling material, Gutta percha is used to fill and seal the tooth from reinfection.

Other than extraction, sometimes a root canal is the only treatment for a badly decayed, toothaches or infected tooth. Root canals in the past have had a bad reputation of being painful, when actually it is usually no worse than having a filling replaced.  The procedure doesn't cause pain, it relieves it.  Saving your natural teeth, when possible is always the best course of action in a dental emergency.

+Kirk Kimmerling DDS and +Verde Pointe Dental Associates want to help you understand a root canal and the lastest technology available.

Shockingly, Your Tooth Can Be Dead!

Did you know people can have a tooth that's dead?  It's true, just because a tooth is in your mouth, does not mean it is alive and well.  The inside structure of a tooth is living and can actually die requiring a treatment from a dentist.  People walk around every day with a tooth that needs attention, because it is dead.  So, let's take a look at the facts.

How does a tooth die?

The answer is multi-fold.  A tooth can die for different reasons, such as a deep cavity reaching the living part of the tooth called the pulp. When the pulp becomes infected with bacteria, it dies and a decaying process begins.

Trauma is another way a tooth can die. A sever blow can sever the nerve at the root tip causing it to die. Sometimes, it dies quickly or takes several years.

Dental procedures can cause a tooth to die.  Although the procedures are necessary, it can add stress to teeth, where it may not be able to withstand the drilling. The pulp inflames and dies.

Another reason a tooth can die is it fractures.  Some teeth crack deep into the pulp and can be repaired.  It is possible for the tooth to be cracked, and the only fix is an extraction.

Facts about a dead tooth are universal.

Generally a tooth becomes abscessed after the pulp dies, and requires a root canal to remove the dead, decaying tissue.  An abscess will form at the tip of the root and a pus pocket appear.  The puss formed in the area of the dead tissue, and if left go, will infect the bone around the root.  Sometimes, people develop a pimple on the gums, allowing the pus to drain.  This can cause a bad taste in the mouth.  The infection can spread to neighboring teeth.

In rare cases, people have died. Dead teeth require either a root canal therapy or an dental extraction.  If you have a dead tooth, see a dentist today!  Your health depends on it says +Kirk Kimmerling DDS.