Blog Articles

Robert Scott Nance, D.D.S., M.S., P.A. Blog View all posts
What Teeth Grinding Does to Your Smile

What Teeth Grinding Does to Your Smile
Teeth clenching or grinding (bruxism) can take a significant toll on your oral health, especially if it goes untreated for a long time. We discuss how bruxism can affect your smile and how to recognize the symptoms here. 
Jul 2nd, 2025

5 Ways to Boost Your Recovery After Apexification
If you have to undergo apexification because your infected tooth has an open apex, it can prolong the timeline of undergoing root canal therapy. Learn why this step is sometimes necessary and how to best recover here.
Jun 5th, 2025

4 Steps to Take If You Have a Cracked Tooth
If you’ve cracked a tooth, you may wonder how to care for it before you can get professional care. We provide four practical steps to protect your tooth after cracking it here.
May 6th, 2025

What Happens if a Root Canal Becomes Reinfected?
When it comes to treating an infected tooth, root canal therapy is often the recommended choice over an extraction. Learn how root canals save teeth and what we do if the tooth becomes infected again.
Apr 10th, 2025
My Injured Tooth Is Turning Gray: Can It Be Saved?

My Injured Tooth Is Turning Gray: Can It Be Saved?
If you’ve recently injured your tooth and it’s begun to turn gray, it could indicate internal damage, which requires professional endodontic care. Learn why dental trauma can discolor teeth and how we can help.
Feb 7th, 2025
 I Cracked a Tooth. Can It Be Saved?

 I Cracked a Tooth. Can It Be Saved?
You may have a cracked tooth if you experience tooth pain when you chew or tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Fortunately, broken teeth can generally be saved and normal function restored. Find out how cracked teeth are treated. 
Jul 22nd, 2024
Use These Strategies to Stop Grinding Your Teeth

Use These Strategies to Stop Grinding Your Teeth
Clenching or grinding your teeth unknowingly (bruxism) can cause tooth and jaw pain and damage to your teeth. We offer some helpful strategies for managing bruxism here. Keep reading! 
Jun 20th, 2024

Who Needs Apexification?
If you have a damaged tooth that’s not fully formed, you need a procedure to prepare it for a reparative root canal. Find out how apexification prepares your tooth for a root canal here.
Mar 1st, 2024

What Happens If My Root Canal Fails?
A root canal should save a tooth — but what if it’s not successful? While these procedures usually work the first time, there are times when things don’t go according to plan. Take a moment to learn why and how to spot the signs of a problem.
Jan 19th, 2024
4 Traumatic Dental Injuries and How They're Treate

4 Traumatic Dental Injuries and How They're Treate
If you knock out or break a tooth, you may think that all is lost. Visions of implants or dentures may paralyze you and keep you from taking the actions that can save your tooth. Act fast when there’s a dental emergency to get the treatment you need.
Dec 15th, 2023
Gum Disease and Diabetes 

Gum Disease and Diabetes 
Were you aware that November is Diabetes Awareness Month? Or that gum disease and diabetes have important links that impact your health? How and why are two such seemingly unrelated conditions related? Find out here. 
Nov 14th, 2023
Do All Types of Tooth Cracks Need to Be Repaired?

Do All Types of Tooth Cracks Need to Be Repaired?
Tooth cracks aren’t uncommon, and sometimes, they can be so small, they seem hardly worth worrying about. But even a tiny crack can cause serious problems without prompt care. Here’s why it’s always important to treat a cracked tooth.
Aug 8th, 2023
Yes, Your Failed Root Canal Can Be Fixed

Yes, Your Failed Root Canal Can Be Fixed
Root canal therapy is a very effective treatment for teeth that are badly damaged by decay or trauma. But like any medical treatment, problems can develop — and sometimes, a root canal can fail. Here’s how we can help.
Jul 5th, 2023

Recovering From Apexification: What to Expect
Recovering from apexification is easier than you might expect. You don’t need to worry about pain or time off from your activities. But you do need to take a few steps to protect the treated tooth while it heals. Here’s what you need to know.
Jun 1st, 2023
Gingivitis 101: Can I Reverse Early Gum Disease?

Gingivitis 101: Can I Reverse Early Gum Disease?
Did you know that nearly 50% of adults in the United States show early signs of gum disease? Gingivitis is common and can lead to serious complications. Thankfully, you can turn early gum disease around and preserve your teeth.
May 2nd, 2023
When to See Your Dentist About Bleeding Gums

When to See Your Dentist About Bleeding Gums
You may be tempted to ignore bleeding gums, but this common issue can signify a serious dental issue. Keep reading to learn about periodontal disease and why you shouldn’t wait to treat this potentially serious condition.
Feb 6th, 2023
The Good News About Your Cracked Tooth

The Good News About Your Cracked Tooth
You might think that when you have a cracked tooth, that tooth is lost forever. The good news is that with a visit to your dentist, many cracks can be quickly repaired. Find out how!
Jan 9th, 2023
How to Prevent the Need for a Root Canal

How to Prevent the Need for a Root Canal
Root canal therapy has a reputation for being a difficult and painful procedure. While that’s no longer the case, there are things you can do to care for your teeth and reduce the risk you’ll need to undergo this treatment.
Dec 1st, 2022
How to Prevent a Tooth Abscess

How to Prevent a Tooth Abscess
A tooth abscess probably ranks pretty high on the list of things you don’t want to deal with this year. Who wants to deal with the pain and inconvenience? We’ve rounded up some things you can do to prevent one.
Oct 1st, 2022
5 Important Facts About Apicoectomies

5 Important Facts About Apicoectomies
Apicoectomies are an endodontic procedure that could be exactly what you need to solve your tooth pain and save that tooth from getting extracted. Here’s what you need to know about them.
Sep 1st, 2022
When Should You See a Dentist for a Toothache?

When Should You See a Dentist for a Toothache?
A toothache is a painful, distressing dental problem that can impact your physical well-being. It’s best to visit a dental specialist for a full range of targeted treatment options to protect your oral health and reduce your pain.
Aug 1st, 2022
How Gum Disease Impacts Your Overall Health

How Gum Disease Impacts Your Overall Health
Maintaining excellent oral health is one aspect of your overall health, and it’s an important one. Developing gum disease has an impact on your overall health, and in this post, we consider how and what you should do about it.
Jul 1st, 2022
The Link Between Tooth Pain and Your Sinuses

The Link Between Tooth Pain and Your Sinuses
From runny noses to nagging coughs, a cold comes with a slew of frustrating symptoms. You can also add toothaches to the list. Here’s what you should know about sinus-related tooth pain.
Jun 1st, 2022
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Broken Tooth

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Broken Tooth
Whether you crack a tooth or it breaks off entirely, it’s essential to seek professional attention immediately. Even if the tooth doesn’t hurt, you should still consider it a dental emergency and contact your dentist for detailed instructions.
May 1st, 2022
Bonding Vs. Veneers: Which Is Better for Cracked Teeth?

Bonding Vs. Veneers: Which Is Better for Cracked Teeth?
If you have cracked teeth and wished there was an easy way to transform your smile, you’re in luck. Dental bonding and veneers are both used to fix these issues and give you a smile you’ll be proud to share with the world. Which procedure is better?
Apr 7th, 2022
Is Tooth Infection Dangerous?

Is Tooth Infection Dangerous?
A little tooth pain might not seem like a huge concern. Yet, if it comes from a tooth infection, it could pose a risk to your oral health and your overall health too. Find out just how dangerous tooth infection can be.
Mar 9th, 2022
How Apexification Can Save Your Teeth

How Apexification Can Save Your Teeth
After your permanent teeth grow in, it can take three additional years for the apex, or tip of the root, to close, giving harmful bacteria a chance to infect your tooth. A procedure called apexification could save your teeth. Here’s how.
Feb 13th, 2022
Top Tips for Saving Your Teeth

Top Tips for Saving Your Teeth
Even if your tooth is knocked out, damaged, or severely decayed, there are still endodontic treatments that can preserve your tooth. In this blog, we cover the top tips for saving your natural teeth.
Jan 13th, 2022
Understanding the Components of a Tooth

Understanding the Components of a Tooth
Your teeth are durable, but they aren’t completely indestructible. That is why it is important to know the components of your teeth and how to properly care for them. Read on to learn more.
Dec 9th, 2021
What Is Periapical Surgery?

What Is Periapical Surgery?
Your gums play a big part in the health of your teeth, and gum infections can cause chronic problems that affect the root of your teeth. When root canals aren’t enough to help, periapical surgery might be the solution.
Nov 9th, 2021
I'm Nervous About My Upcoming Root Canal

I'm Nervous About My Upcoming Root Canal
Common misconceptions about root canal therapy can make you anxious if you need this procedure. Find out what’s involved in having this treatment and how state-of-the-art techniques and anesthesia can make your experience virtually painless.
Oct 11th, 2021
Can a Dislodged Tooth Be Saved?

Can a Dislodged Tooth Be Saved?
When you were a child, a wiggly tooth meant a visit from the tooth fairy. Now that you’re an adult, it’s much less exciting. Fortunately, our experts can save your teeth if you act fast.
Sep 13th, 2021
Tooth Sensitive to Hot or Cold? It Could Be Cracked

Tooth Sensitive to Hot or Cold? It Could Be Cracked
A sudden shock of tooth pain after eating a spoonful of ice cream or sipping a cup of hot tea often means you have a cracked tooth. Read on to learn more about tooth sensitivity and why a cracked tooth needs quick treatment.
Aug 8th, 2021

Why You May Need an Incision & Drainage Procedure
An abscess in your tooth, gums, or alveolar bone is no laughing matter. The infection and swelling of an abscess may cause immediate pain, but also jeopardizes your health. Incision & drainage removes the infection to keep it from spreading.
Jun 11th, 2021

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore an Abscess
Abscesses are more than “just” an infection. Left untreated, they can cause life-threatening complications. Here’s how to tell if you might have an abscess and why it’s so important to have it treated as soon as possible.
May 7th, 2021

Top 5 Reasons to Seek Emergency Dental Care
Proper oral hygiene usually involves seeing your dentist every six months. But what happens when you've got a tooth emergency? Find out the most common reasons that you may need to see your dentist urgently.
Apr 1st, 2021

When Is Internal Bleaching Appropriate?

A root canal can save your tooth, but it can also leave it looking discolored. We can help! You can keep your tooth, and also enjoy it looking great.
Feb 7th, 2021

Complications of Untreated Gum Disease
Recognizing the early signs of gum disease can help you avoid painful complications and extra visits to the dentist. From bad breath to bleeding gums, it’s vital that you react quickly to the progression of gum disease before it leads to tooth loss.
Jan 1st, 2021

Am I a Candidate for an Apicoectomy?
Most of the time, a root canal is the only treatment needed for infection and decay in the interior of a tooth. But if your infection and pain persist, you might need an apicoectomy to relieve your condition and save your tooth.
Dec 1st, 2020

Effective Treatments for a Cracked Tooth
If a cold drink or biting sends a shock of pain into one of your teeth, it could be a sign of a cracked tooth or another dental problem. Even if your pain is intermittent, you should get it checked out before the situation worsens.
Nov 10th, 2020

How to Prevent (Another) Root Canal

Your teeth are important, for lots of reasons. That’s probably why you decided to have that first root canal — to save your tooth. In this post, we discuss how you can protect your teeth and avoid having another root canal.
Oct 2nd, 2020

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Tooth Trauma
While teeth are meant to last a lifetime, they’re not indestructible. Despite proper oral care, injuries to your teeth, called tooth trauma, can cause serious damage or loss. Find out how treating tooth trauma can help protect your oral health.
Sep 4th, 2020

5 Common Causes of Tooth Pain
Whether caused by gum disease, an abscess, or decay, it’s difficult to keep smiling when you’re suffering with tooth pain. Learn five common causes and how to get help right away.
Aug 12th, 2020

Abscessed Tooth? We Can Help!
Tooth pain isn’t a laughing matter. Should one or more of your teeth develop a painful abscess because of a bacterial infection, discover how to start smiling again in no time.
Jul 13th, 2020

What to Expect During An Internal Bleaching Treatment
A root canal restores the integrity of your tooth, but it may leave you with a yellow enamel that makes your smile less than ideal. Don’t just live with it – explore your options for internal bleaching.
Jun 18th, 2020

What Is Apexification?
Just like a tree relies on strong roots, your teeth need fully developed roots to stay stable and healthy in your mouth. With apexification, your dentist can ensure you have the tooth root you need.
May 22nd, 2020

Cracked Tooth? We Can Help!
If you’re feeling pain when you chew or bite down on food or feel sensitivity after a cold drink or hot coffee, you may have a cracked tooth. Don’t ignore it or risk oral health complications. Read on to learn how we can help.
Mar 18th, 2020

Who Needs an Apicoectomy?
Do you still experience pain even though your infected tooth has had a root canal? You might be able to clear the infection and save the tooth with an apicoectomy. Here’s what you need to know about this minor surgical procedure.
Feb 7th, 2020

5 Signs That You May Need a Root Canal
Are you having pain in a tooth or sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure? Have you noticed one of your teeth is discolored, or your gums are swollen? If so, you might need a root canal. Read on to learn more.
Dec 18th, 2019