Archives for March 2022

What’s Causing Radiating Ear Pain After a New Dental Crown?

Posted on March 28, 2022 by AllSmiles.

In August, my dentist replaced a crown on my bottom right molar that is just beneath my ear. Within two weeks, I started feeling pain that radiates into my ear. Before my dentist replaced the crown, I had a little discomfort and a mild earache. It is much worse now. It feels like my bite is off, too. Two weeks ago, dentist took a quick look at the crown and said the problem is probably from a salivary gland stone. He told me to follow-up with my medical doctor. I have an appointment next week. But doesn’t it make sense that if the pain increased, it has something to do with the tooth or my new crown? Thank you. Gerald from Detroit

Gerald,

Thank you for your question.

Your dentist’s explanation about a salivary gland stone sounds like a quick excuse. It is not a reasonable explanation for the symptoms you describe.

What Is a Salivary Gland Stone?

A salivary gland stone is a hardened mineral or calcium deposit that forms in a salivary gland. Larger stones can block saliva flow.

If you had pain from a salivary gland stone, it would be in the soft tissue. And it would not radiate in your ear. Some salivary glands are under the tongue, and one is in the middle of each cheek. A stone may cause pain and swelling and get worse when you eat. Also, the stone would show up in an x-ray.

What Is the Cause of Radiating Ear Pain After a Dental Crown?

A poor-fitting crown can lead to TMJ issues

If you have a toothache and radiating ear pain after getting a new dental crown, your dentist should check the crown and tooth. The dentist should also check your bite and balance it as needed. Otherwise, in addition to the ear pain, you can begin to experience temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, including headaches, neck pain, and jaw stiffness.

It is time for a second opinion with a dentist who has advanced training in occlusion and bite (the way your upper and lower teeth meet when you close your mouth or chew). The dentist will check your tooth for decay or damaged tooth pulp and ensure your crown fits correctly.

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

Can I Trust This Dentist for No-Prep Veneers?

Posted on March 18, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I understand that Dr. [name withheld] [ is a premier Lumineers dentist. His Instagram page is highly active and has thousands of followers, too. And it seems that some people travel to his office for Lumineers. I am researching Lumineers and other no-prep veneers because I do not want my teeth shaved down. I want to go with a brand that is known for preserving my tooth enamel. Do you mind checking the doctor’s credentials and letting me know if I can trust that he has enough cosmetic dentistry training to know how to give me Lumineers or other veneers without tooth prep? I would hate to travel five hours and be disappointed. Thank you, Karson from Georgia

Karson,

Unfortunately, we cannot find evidence on Dr. [name withheld]’s website or otherwise about his cosmetic dentistry training. We even checked for membership with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. If you want to pursue treatment with the dentist, you can call the office or schedule a consultation and ask for information about his post-graduate training in aesthetics. But we have insight to share with you.

Porcelain Veneers and Shaved Down Teeth

We are interested in your concerns that a dentist will shave your teeth down for porcelain veneers. When expert cosmetic dentists place veneers, they preserve as much tooth enamel as possible. Shaving down teeth describes the dental crown process—not porcelain veneers.

About tooth preparation for porcelain veneers

If your teeth require preparation a dentist will remove a fraction of a millimeter of tooth enamel
From a conversational distance, people cannot tell your teeth are prepared
Teeth are only prepared to prevent your veneers from looking bulky and to produce natural-looking results

Results with No-Prep Veneers

Sometimes conversative preparation will prevent bulky looking veneers. Lumineers are known for looking pasty and bulky. An expert cosmetic dentist will explain the result you can expect with or without preparation.

Rather than choosing a brand of veneers, look for an experienced cosmetic dentist. Schedule a consultation with one or two cosmetic dentists and discuss your options.

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

Before and after minimal prep porcelain veneers photos

Porcelain veneers photos of Dr. Delaune’s patient

New Bonding on Canine Teeth Is Yellow – How to Resolve It

Posted on March 11, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I asked my dentist for bonding on my canine teeth because they were noticeably shorter than the teeth on either side. I also wanted my teeth whitened, so my dentist completed it last November before bonding. My appointment for bonding was in January. Although my dentist assured me that she would blend shades to match my teeth, the bonded teeth were yellow when she asked me to look in the mirror and smile. Neither she nor I had time to correct it that day.

I returned to her office later in the month, and she took off the original bonding and replaced it. She kept saying how much I would love the results as she was applying them. I was almost in tears to see yellow bonding again that looked somewhat DARKER than the original bonding she placed. I’ve been fortunate to work from home, so no one I see on video conferences can look at my teeth long enough to notice how yellow the canines are.

My dentist’s office called me to schedule an appointment. I declined, but my dentist called me two days later and said that she might need to replace it with porcelain veneers if the bonding didn’t work this time. I politely told her that I was not getting porcelain veneers. I didn’t reschedule with her because I’m skeptical. Is it possible that my dentist has ruined my teeth by adding and removing bonding, and I need porcelain veneers? Carlton from NV

Carlton,

We agree that you should be hesitant about letting your dentist correct the bonding on your canine teeth. No doubt, the bonding is even more noticeable because your natural teeth are even whiter after getting them bleached. We recommend that you find an advanced cosmetic dentist to do it.

Although you may not be able to legally force your dentist to compensate you for getting the work corrected, you can politely ask her and mention any of the possibilities below—whatever you think might get a response from her:

Hiring an attorney
Complaining to the dental board
Submitting a negative online review

Direct Dental Bonding

Only an artistic dentist achieves beautiful results with direct dental bonding. Any dentist can remove the bonding on your canine teeth and reapply it, but it takes an artist and specific technique to make bonding look natural and blend with the surrounding teeth.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Bonding

Although veneers produce beautiful results, you asked for dental bonding. A skilled cosmetic dentist can lengthen your canine teeth with bonding. It’s doubtful that your dentist ruined your teeth. It’s more likely that she doesn’t understand how to manipulate bonding to match your natural teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry Is an Art

Dental school training isn’t enough – Dentists need advanced training to understand color, translucence, and gloss and achieve natural-looking results with bonding. It takes advanced training to become skilled in cosmetic dentistry, and few dentists are dedicated to refining their skills.
It takes an artist – Most people who become dentists want to fix things, but 95% of dentists aren’t artistic. They often don’t think extra training is necessary. And they are satisfied when the results look okay. However, the artistic dentist wants your smile to look natural and beautiful. Some dentists may not be concerned about yellow canine teeth resulting from dental bonding.
It takes advanced training – Although cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty, it takes time to study it and achieve good results. Artistic dentists aren’t satisfied until you love your smile. They have a lifetime commitment to receive training that helps them refine their art.

How Can You Find a Top Cosmetic Dentist?

Follow the steps listed below to find a top cosmetic dentist who will enhance your smile.

Ask friends or acquaintances for recommendations.
Visit the dentists’ websites to confirm that they participate in ongoing training.
Look for the dentists’ affiliation or credentials with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Find the smile gallery of patients’ before-and-after photos on the website. If the dentist doesn’t have a smile gallery, maybe they aren’t proud of their work.
Schedule a consultation with at least two cosmetic dentists, ask questions, and ask to see photos of dental bonding.

Best wishes for a confident smile.

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

An example from Dr. Delaune of how a cosmetic dentist can product beautiful results with dental bonding.