Dr. Don S. Moore - Clarifying Myths about Root Canals

Dr. Don S. Moore is an experienced and knowledgeable dentist. He was an Associate Professor at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry with the Stomatology Department for eight years, prior to opening up his dental practice in Federal Way, Washington. He and his wife, who is a dental hygienist, co-own Dash Point Family Dental Inc. and provide quality care to their patients in the Seattle, Federal Way, and Tacoma area.

Endodontics is the study of dental pulp, which is the live tissue in the center of a tooth. The most common endodontic procedure is the root canal. The root canal is one of the most feared due to a series of myths surrounding the procedure. Here are three root canal myths clarified.

• Root canal treatment does not actually cause pain; it, in fact, treats it. Root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable than having a filling replaced thanks to modern technology and anesthetics. Root canal treatment was painful decades ago and this myth has survived time.
  
• Another unfortunate myth surrounding root canal treatment is that it causes illness and disease. There is no scientific evidence to back up this myth and the scientific community sees the procedure as safe and effective.
•   Extracting a tooth is not a good alternative to root canal treatment. It is important to keep a person's natural teeth, which is why tooth extraction is not truly a viable alternative to root canal treatment. In fact, root canal treatment is also the more cost-effective option and tooth extraction is more costly.

Dr. Don S. Moore received his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1992 from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. He began working as an Associate Professor at the school immediately after he graduated.

Dr. Don S. Moore - Tips for Choosing the Right Level of Sedation Based on Anxiety Level

Dr. Don S. Moore is a dentist and the co-owner of Dash Point Family Dental along with his wife who is a dental hygienist. They treat both children and adults in the Seattle, Federal Way, and Tacoma area and have been doing so since 2002.

Patients who come in for surgical procedures will usually be put under by a sedative or anesthesia. This can cause some anxiety to patients, especially if it is their first time being put under. Dentists can use different agents of sedation. Some agents are best depending on the level of anxiety that a patient is experiencing. Here are a few tips for choosing the right sedation.

• For patients who are experiencing a severe amount of anxiety, the best method and type of sedation is intravenous sedation. Intravenous sedation is administered through an IV, just like at a hospital. Just like all other sedation, it is important that the patient has someone to pick him or her up and drive him or her home after the procedure.
• For patients with a moderate level anxiety, oral sedation is the best method. Oral sedation is a pill that the patient takes approximately an hour before the procedure is due to take place. Oral sedation relaxes the patient. They will need someone to drive them home.
• For patients suffering a slight amount of anxiety, inhaled sedation is recommended. Inhaled sedation is also known as laughing gas and it is the most common type of sedation that dentists use. The patient inhales Nitrox oxide through a facemask. Patients who undergo inhaled sedation do not necessarily need someone to pick them up because it wears off fast and patients can often return to work or school.

Dr. Don S. Moore - Facts About Periodontal Disease

Dr. Don S. Moore is an experienced dentist who co-owns Dash Point Family Dental Inc. along with his wife Felicia Moore, who is a dental hygienist by profession. They have owned and operated Dash Point since 2002 and provide quality dental services to children and adults in Tacoma, Seattle, and Federal Way. One of the many dental health issues they commonly see is periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is a disease in the gums. It is fairly prevalent in the United States and according to the CDC over half of adults aged 30 and older have periodontitis. Here are a few facts about the cause and treatment of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease causes inflammation in the soft and hard gum structures that support the teeth. Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontal disease and the most serious form is known as periodontitis. Symptoms of both periodontitis and gingivitis are usually simply inflammation in the gums. Both are caused by bacterial infections and variable such as family medical history, smoking, diet, age, and medication can influence the severity of periodontal disease.

There is a wide variety of treatments available to patients suffering from periodontal disease. Scaling and root planning are when the infected gum surface is thoroughly cleaned. There are also surgical options available that are appropriate for treating serious cases of periodontal disease. These surgical procedures will also be performed for cosmetic purposes due to damage cause by periodontal disease.

Dr Don S Moore previously was an Associate Professor with the Department of Stomatology at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Meharry in 1992.
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Dr. Don S. Moore - Three Quick Facts to Know About Dental Crowns

Dr. Don S. Moore is a dentist in Federal Way, Washington. He and his wife Felicia Moore, who is a dental hygienist by profession, co-own Dash Point Family Dental Inc. They provide dental care to children and adults and provide a host of different dental services. One of the services that they provide is dental crown work. Here are three quick facts about dental crowns that patients may be interested in.

• There are a few reasons to get dental crowns placed. They are usually placed to repair and disguise chipped, discolored, decayed, or cracked teeth. Crowns are also used to protect teeth after a root canal or implant procedure. In some cases, dental crowns are also placed as part of a dental bridge.
• There are a few alternative options to getting a crown. The alternatives depend on the condition of the teeth and the dentist. For example, some dentists prefer to use large fillings or bondings instead of crowns when teeth are extremely decayed and damaged. Sometimes, patients prefer to pass over dental crowns and choose a less expensive and aggressive approach.
• It is important that patients take good care of their crowns to increase their longevity. It is recommended that crowns be brushed and flossed at least three times a day while it is also advisable to avoid hard or sticky foods because they can cause damage to the crown. Crowned teeth or normally sensitive so using products specifically for sensitive teeth are recommended. Patients should be aware of how cold and heat affects their crowned teeth.

Dr. Don S. Moore and his wife have owned and operated their dental practice since 2002.