Archives for November 2021

Will Lingering Sensitivity After a White Filling Lead to an Extraction?

Posted on November 29, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I am afraid that lingering sensitivity after a white filling is going to require a dental implant. Last April, after my dentist filled my tooth, it became sensitive to cold. I returned to the dentist, and she said that the cavity was so deep that the tooth might be irritated. She recommended putting a temporary crown over the tooth and later a root canal if the sensitivity continued. The tooth is still sensitive, but I am hesitant about getting a root canal. If I do not get a root canal, is there a chance of losing the tooth and needing an implant? – Thanks. Dean from PA

Dean,

Thank you for your question.

Will Lingering Sensitivity After a White Filling Lead to Root Canal or Extraction?

Whether lingering sensitivity after a filling requires root canal treatment depends on the status of your tooth. If the sensitivity gets worse, it is probably due to an infection that requires root canal treatment.

What Causes Delayed Sensitivity After a Filling?

Delayed sensitivity after a filling may mean that some decay got into the tooth pulp. Sometimes your body’s defenses will get rid of the infection.

Will You Need an Extraction?

Lingering tooth sensitivity should not lead to an extraction and implant unless you neglect the tooth

You will not need an extraction and dental implant unless the sensitivity worsens and you leave it untreated. You are seeking help, so it seems to be an unlikely scenario for you. Even so, despite what you may have heard, dentists make root canal treatment painless. If you have dental anxiety, ask your dentist about sedation options.

We do not understand your dentist’s work on your tooth or why she placed a crown over a sensitive tooth. But if a tooth is sensitive after a white filling, it is best to give it time to recover. Sometimes, the more you do to a tooth, irritation will increase. If the tooth gets worse, you can give your dentist a chance to resolve it, or you can get a second opinion.

Dr. Duane Delaune, an cosmetic dentist in Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post.

Are My Dental Crowns Making My Teeth Chatter?

Posted on November 23, 2021 by AllSmiles.

My new crowns feel bulky and make my teeth feel dry. My dentist replaced my old, discolored composite with crowns. But since I got the crowns in September, she adjusted the bite six times, and they still do not feel right. The crowns give me a lisp, and I keep chattering my teeth. I don’t know if it’s the crowns or my nerves.

I seem to get relief from Chewing gum, although I have not chewed gum in years. My dentist says the crowns look fine, but they do not look fine, nor do they feel good on my teeth. Should I see another dentist to adjust the crowns, or am I overthinking the issue and making myself nervous? Thank you. Dawn from Chicago

Dawn,

Thank you for your question.

Unfortunately, replacing dental bonding with crowns is an aggressive treatment. Dental bonding requires conservative tooth preparation, but your dentist had to shave your teeth down for crowns. An advanced cosmetic dentist would have replaced the bonding only.

Do Dental Crowns Make Your Teeth Chatter?

If dental crowns make your teeth chatter, it is likely because your bite is off. When a dentist places crowns correctly, they are natural and comfortable. But you said that your crowns have not fit since you received them.

You should not try to adjust to the way your crowns look and feel. Bite issues eventually cause other symptoms like jaw pain, earaches, and headaches—symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

What Can You Do If your Crowns Are Too Large?

If your crowns are too large or bulky and your dentist cannot correct the issues, schedule a second opinion from a cosmetic dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite. The training helps dentists understand how your upper and lower teeth should come in contact when you close your mouth, bite, and chew.

A skilled cosmetic dentist can provide new crowns that look and feel natural.

Dr. Duane Delaune, an cosmetic dentist in Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this pose.

Will Zoom Make My Brown Tooth Lighter?

Posted on November 19, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I have one brown tooth. It’s hideous, and I make sure I don’t show my teeth when I smile. I think the tooth is rotten. Or maybe not. I really don’t know what’s wrong with it. I am wondering if Zoom will make the tooth white or at least whiter? Thanks. Kenneth from Maine

Kenneth – Dr. Delaune would need to examine and possibly x-ray your tooth to determine why it is brown.

Will Zoom Whitening Make a Brown Tooth Lighter?

Depending on the cause of the discoloration, Zoom whitening may make a brown tooth lighter. But sometimes, bleaching teeth makes stains more noticeable.

What Causes Brown Teeth?

Staining beverages, including coffee, tea, wine, and cola, can cause brown teeth. Tobacco products also stain teeth and make them brown. But if only one tooth is brown, something else is probably causing it.

Too much fluoride (fluorosis) when you are young and still developing can give your teeth a patchy brown appearance. Tetracycline stains can also make teeth brown, although the brown usually appears in bands on the teeth.

Visit an experienced cosmetic dentist to examine your teeth. They will determine the cause of the stain and let you know whether Zoom will work.

What If Zoom Doesn’t Work?

If a cosmetic dentist decides that Zoom or any other type of teeth whitening will not improve your tooth color, they will explain your options. Some possible options include:

Dental bonding – A dentist blends and applies dental composite by hand while sitting in the dental chair. Cosmetic dentists select and layer composites to match the color of your surrounding natural teeth.

Porcelain veneer – You can get one customized porcelain shell to fit the front and sides of your tooth. An advanced cosmetic dentist understands how to manipulate porcelain to hide the dark color but still match the translucence of your natural teeth.

Dr. Duane Delaune, an cosmetic dentist in Metairie, LA, sponsors this post.

How Long Is Too Long to Wait for an Abscessed Tooth Extraction?

Posted on November 14, 2021 by AllSmiles.

About a month after teeth whitening and preparing to get porcelain veneers, an upper left molar broke. The tooth has an abscess and is making me tired and foggy. Now the specialist says he cannot save the tooth, so I need an extraction and dental implants. The soonest appointment the office has is two weeks away. I feel sick, and the sluggishness and pain are affecting my concentration. Is it okay to switch to another specialist who can remove the tooth sooner? – Thank you. Krystal A. from NC

Krystal,

Thank you for choosing our office for your question.

If the specialist (we assume an endodontist or oral surgeon) did not give you a reason for waiting two weeks, yes, look for one who can complete the removal and get rid of the infection. Explain to your dentist that your tooth infection is making you ill and you do not want it to linger for two more weeks.

How Long Can You Wait to Remove an Abscessed Tooth?

An abscessed tooth results from an infection. And an untreated tooth infection will continue to spread, even if it does not complicate tooth removal.

A cosmetic dentist can match your dental implant to your whitened teeth

While your body is fighting the infection, your immune system is weak and more vulnerable to other infections. Delaying tooth removal will only make things worse. Also, although many people take antibiotics to minimize the infection, it will not go away without root canal treatment or tooth removal.

Your dentist can refer you to another specialist to complete your treatment. Otherwise, if you have dental insurance that allows you to self-refer, you can see a specialist to remove your tooth an explain when you can receive an implant.

If your dentist does not have advanced cosmetic skills, look for one with training who will perfectly match your implant crown to your newly whitened teeth.

Dr. Duane Delaune, an cosmetic dentist in Metairie, LA, sponsors this post.A