Isn't taking a CBCT after a panoramic X-ray redundant?

They do different jobs. The panoramic is a two-dimensional map of the whole mouth; CBCT is a three-dimensional precision survey of one specific area. CBCT is added when something found on the panoramic needs 3D confirmation.

How much radiation is a dental CBCT?

A small-volume scan runs roughly in the range of tens to around a hundred microsieverts, comparable to several days' to a few weeks' worth of natural background radiation (about 2,400 to 3,000 microsieverts per year) and far below a medical full-body CT. The principle is still to scan only when needed and only the field that is needed.

Can children have a dental CBCT?

Yes when genuinely needed, but children are more radiosensitive than adults, so the indications are judged more strictly and the scan volume and settings are reduced to a child's size.

Why treat cavities in baby teeth if they fall out anyway?

Baby teeth hold the space where permanent teeth will erupt, protect the permanent tooth buds developing beneath their roots, and handle chewing, nutrition, and speech during growth. Early loss from decay can lead to crooked permanent teeth requiring orthodontics, or affect the formation of the permanent tooth itself.

Are there baby-tooth cavities that can be monitored instead of treated?

Yes. Early, arrested lesions confined to the enamel can be monitored with fluoride applications and hygiene management, and a baby tooth that is already mobile and about to fall out may reasonably be left to exfoliate. This is only safe when regular checkups actually happen.

What if a baby tooth was already lost early?

A space maintainer is considered so the gap does not narrow. One simple appliance often reduces the scope of future orthodontic treatment considerably.

Can I glue a fallen crown back on with superglue?

Absolutely not. Household adhesives are toxic to tissue, and once the crown sets in a wrong position, removing it can damage the tooth and make proper recementation impossible. Protect the tooth with temporary dental cement from a pharmacy and see a dentist within a few days.

Can a fallen crown be recemented?

If it came off due to cement fatigue and both the crown and the tooth underneath are healthy, recementation solves it. Decay under the crown, tooth fracture, a damaged crown, or tooth movement from prolonged delay all mean a new crown is needed.

My crown fell off but nothing hurts. Do I still need to come in?

Yes. The absence of pain usually just means the tooth had root canal treatment. Tooth movement and decay both progress painlessly, and every week of delay shrinks the chance of simple recementation.

Where can I find an emergency dentist near Camp Humphreys or Osan Air Base at night or on weekends?

Most Korean dental clinics close in the evenings and on Sundays and holidays, so identify a clinic with extended hours before you need one. The E-Gen portal (e-gen.or.kr) and 119 list open facilities, but night-time listings are often hospital ERs, which generally don't have dentists on duty. A small number of local clinics in Pyeongtaek keep evening, weekend, and holiday hours year-round.

Should I go to a Korean emergency room for a toothache?

Usually no. Korean ERs typically have no dentist on duty and will manage only life-threatening issues — spreading facial or neck swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, suspected jaw fractures — then refer the tooth to a dental clinic. For toothache, broken teeth, or lost crowns, a dental clinic is the right destination.

My child knocked out a tooth — what should I do?

If it is a permanent tooth: handle it by the crown only, rinse briefly if dirty, reimplant it in the socket if possible or store it in cold milk, and get to a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes. If it is a baby tooth: do not reimplant it, as this can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath — bring the child and the tooth to a dentist for assessment.

Can I glue my dental crown back on temporarily?

Not with household glue. Superglue and similar adhesives damage the tooth and make proper recementation difficult. Use temporary dental cement from a pharmacy or simply protect the area, and have the crown professionally recemented within a few days.

Does TRICARE cover emergency dental visits in Korea?

For TDP-enrolled family members, emergency treatment follows the normal claim process — no special pre-authorization is needed to visit a Korean dental clinic. Keep all receipts and ensure the clinic documents care using CDT codes and ADA Universal tooth numbering. Active-duty service members should contact their base dental clinic first when possible, as the ADDP has its own referral rules.

Cavities & Root Canal 보관 - 365 E-LOOK Dental

3D illustration of a tooth cross-section showing root canals during endodontic treatment

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Structure of a dental implant — fixture, abutment, and crown

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Leave a Comment / Cavities & Root Canal, Implants / Dr. Junsang Lee / June 14, 2026

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Leave a Comment / Cavities & Root Canal / Dr. Junsang Lee / May 29, 2026

When I tell a patient they need a root canal, every so often someone asks, carefully: “I read online that root canals can cause heart disease or dementia… is it really okay to have one?” When you’re already dealing with pain, hearing something like that naturally leaves you unsettled. So today I want to calmly

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