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In spite of what you may have heard, there’s no reason to dread a root canal. The truth is that it sounds way worse than it actually is. Most people report that the procedure itself is no more painful than having a filling placed. Your comfort – before, during and after any procedure – is always a top priority. If you have a tooth that is badly decayed or infected, we may recommend endodontic (root canal) treatment. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp found inside the root’s canal are removed. The inside of the tooth is cleaned and then sealed. We will use local anesthesia to numb the area near the tooth. Endodontic treatment is one of the most effective approaches for restoring the health of infected or badly damaged teeth.

Approximately 67 percent of adults snore and close to 20 percent are thought to suffer from sleep apnea. With more and more frequency, individuals are turning to their dentist for relief from these sleeping disorders. Dental sleep medicine is a new discipline of dentistry for treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Dr. Scott helps patients overcome these challenges with the use of oral appliance therapy. This specialized therapy benefits patients by reducing the severity of sleep apnea or eliminating it all together. It also can eliminate most of the snoring problems people have.

We are pleased to offer surgical services at our office. Dr. Craig, Dr. Scott and Dr. Tim perform minor oral surgery, using local anesthesia. When the need for advanced oral surgery arises, we are happy to help you coordinate appropriate treatment from a qualified oral surgeon.

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are located on both sides of the face in front of the ears, connecting the jawbone (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone). They are the most complicated joints in the human body. These joints pivot and slide, allowing us to open our mouths wide and move our jaws from left to right. When your TMJs aren’t working properly, you may experience jaw clicking, popping or locking during movement. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can cause significant pain, make chewing difficult and adversely affect your bite. Some patients also experience swelling on the side of the face, toothaches, headaches, neck aches, earaches and hearing problems. Dental Health by Herre can diagnose TMD and develop a comprehensive plan for treatment that will correct the problem and alleviate your symptoms.

If you are one of the thousands of individuals who rub and/or grind your upper and lower teeth during sleep, we can provide fitted plastic or hard acrylic night guards, worn in your mouth at night or even during the day. These appliances minimize wear and tear and unnecessary damage to your teeth. Regular use of these effective dental appliances protects your teeth and reduces the need for future restorative dental work. If you are diagnosed with TMD, we may recommend that you sleep with a bite splint, a fitted appliance that reduces joint pain and promotes improved jaw joint alignment.

If you are experiencing unexplained pain or uncomfortable symptoms that other medical professionals have been unable to diagnose, we may be able to help. Chronic pain in your upper back or shoulders, headaches, migraines, as well as painful facial or neck muscles may be caused by problems with your dental system. Dental Health by Herre is focused on optimizing your overall health, wellness and quality of life. Call us for a comprehensive evaluation.