Restorative

• Fillings
• Crowns
  Once you resume eating and drinking, avoid chewing or biting on the treatment area until your permanent restoration is placed. The temporary filling or crown placed immediately following root canal treatment is usually a soft composite that is vulnerable to fracturing (cracking).  For this reason, it is important to avoid chewing on hard substances such as peanuts, pretzels, hard candy, ice cubes, etc. You may experience increased sensitivity prior to the placement of the final restoration.  You will need to see a restorative dentist within a month to have a permanent crown or filling placed.  Please contact your restorative dentist to make an appointment at your earliest convenience.  Waiting longer than a month increases the chances that the temporary will fracture or that decay will develop in the affected area.

Endodontics

• Root Canal Treatment
  Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the dental pulp inside of a tooth. Within the dental pulp are the tooth nerves. When a tooth is compromised, the inside can be susceptible to decay. An endodontist treats the inside of the tooth in order to save the tooth structure.
• Apicoectomy
  In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the infected root tips or apex and the nearby tissue. This is known as an apical surgery or an apicoectomy. The area around the apex of the tooth that is infected is cleaned, and the tip of the root is resected and sealed. Sutures are placed and an ice pack is applied. Medication is prescribed to help alleviate any pain or discomfort and it is best to plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Most patients will have some minor swelling and occasional bruising with some numbness.

Implants

• Dental Implants
  Dr. Ramon Hernandez graduated with a DMD degree from Universidad Metropolitana in Barranquilla. He was a research associate in the area of dental implants at the Institute for Facial Aesthetics in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania from 1989 though 1997. He earned his certificate in Endodontics from Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia in 1992. After graduating as an Endodontist he continued at Temple University as a faculty member until 1997 and also earned his DMD degree in 1995. Dr. Hernandez has published many articles and lectures in the fields of Dental Implants and Endodontics nationally and internationally. He is a past President of the Brevard County Dental Society and is a member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the Central Florida District Association, the Florida Association of Endodontists, the American Association of Endodontists, the Southern Endodontic Study Group and the International Association of Dental Traumatology. He is also currently on staff at the dental department of Holmes Regional Hospital in Melbourne, Florida.