Dental Implants Archives - Dr. Duane Delaune's Blog

Are a Tooth Post and Core the Only Way to Save My Tooth?

Posted on October 25, 2022 by AllSmiles.

Before my dental appointment last week, I had not heard of a post and core. My dentist says it will save my tooth. I thought a root canal protects a tooth, and I am trying to understand why I might need the extra step. My dentist’s explanation does not make sense. Why would I need a post and core, and what could happen if I decline it? – Thank you. Roderick from Newark, NJ

Roderick,

Thank you for your question.

Your dentist recommends a post and core to preserve your tooth

What Are a Dental Post and Core?

A dental post is a small rod that helps your tooth support a core. A core is a dental filling material for building your tooth to support a dental crown. Dentists use a post and core to strengthen a weak tooth after root canal treatment.

Why Would a Dentist Recommend a Post and Core?

A dentist may recommend a post and core if you lack enough healthy tooth structure to support a dental crown. Sometimes, a dentist must remove so much tooth decay or damage that little structure remains for cementing on a dental crown. A dentist will complete these steps:

Perform root canal therapy to remove tooth decay and infection
Insert one or two posts into the tooth
Fill in the tooth with dental material
Use dental bonding to shape the crown of the tooth
Bond the dental crown to the rebuilt tooth

Will You Use a Your Tooth If You Decline a Post and Core?

Dental implant

If you decline a post and core, you may lose your tooth for these reasons:

Without a post and core, your weak tooth may not be able to support a dental crown in the long term.
If your tooth further weakens, your dentist must remove it.
Replacing a missing tooth is expensive. You can expect to pay $3,000 to $5,000 for a dental implant and crown.

If you are unsure about your dentist’s treatment recommendation for a post and core, you may get a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist. Delaying a post and core can create more concerns with your tooth and result in costly treatment.

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

Will My Face Sag If I Don’t Get Dental Implants?

Posted on August 29, 2022 by AllSmiles.

Upper implant denture

At 44 years old, a severe calcium deficiency has left me with 18 teeth that my dentist says must be extracted, and he recommends dentures. I have two teenagers and prefer not to look like their grandmother after I get dentures. Are implants the only way to maintain my face shape? Thank you. Brienne from Dallas, TX

Brienne,

Thank you for contacting our office. Did your dentist explain why he recommends removing your teeth and replacing them with a denture? Sometimes, tooth removal is less challenging than saving them, and a dentist may not have the skill level or understanding to restore your teeth. Dr. Delaune would need to examine and x-ray your teeth to explain your options and develop a treatment plan.

Does Calcium Deficiency Affect Adult Teeth?

A calcium deficiency can result in various signs and symptoms, including:

abnormal heartbeat
extreme fatigue
muscle cramping
nail changes
numbness and tingling in your fingertips
osteoporosis
poor appetite

Calcium hydroxyapatite is essential for developing and maintaining bones and tooth enamel. According to the American Dental Association, teeth benefit from a healthy lifestyle, including a diet rich in vitamin D and calcium. Frequent snacking and a high-sugar diet promote tooth decay.

How Will Dentures Affect Your Facial Appearance?

If a dentist or an oral surgeon must extract your teeth, your jawbone will shrink if you wear removable dentures. The shrinkage will affect your appearance in ten to twenty years because you lack enough bone to support your facial muscles. Also, you will be unable to retain a removable denture.

Dental implants are the healthiest, most effective solution for replacing missing teeth. Implants have these benefits:

Stimulate the jawbone
prevent shrinkage
Help prevent premature facial sagging

Implant-supported dentures will be stable and improve denture function and fit. Immediate implant placement can halt bone shrinkage and prevent the need for future bone grafting. In many cases, an implant dentist or an oral surgeon will remove unsavable teeth and immediately replace them with dental implants.

We recommend getting a second opinion from a dentist with advanced implant training to determine whether they can save your teeth or if you require extractions and implants.

Metairie, Louisiana dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

My dental phobia is out of control

Posted on January 25, 2022 by AllSmiles.

My dental phobia is out of control. I am saying this because I have 2 missing teeth that I want to replace with implants. I think that I also need orthodontics because my teeth are shifting badly. The teeth have been missing for 4 years. I still go to the dentist for cleanings (and I am nervous during that) but getting the thought work done like the implants and orthodontics is making me nauseous. My dentist is not sympathetic or patient with my questions. He keeps telling me that I will be fine, but that’s not helpful. I am frustrated. Typically, how painful is the work that I need to be done? – Lance from Harrisburg, PA

Lance –

Thank you for contacting our office with your question.

Painless Dental Care

The dental treatment you need can be painless—especially if you see a gentle dentist who cares about your anxiety.

A gentle dentist has methods to ensure that any injections you might need are painless. And the dentist will help you relax during your appointment. Your phobia won’t be an issue, and you will have a productive dental appointment. This will help the dentist complete as much work as possible in one appointment.

You will benefit by finding two or three dentists who offer sedation. Request a consultation with each of them. Explain your dental phobia, ask questions about the treatment you need, and take notes. Your interaction with the dentists will help you decide whom you are most comfortable with for your dental care.

You are interested in dental implants, so for best results, look for a dentist with advanced implant and cosmetic dentistry training. It will ensure that you get high-quality implants that look natural.

Comfortable Recovery

Diagram of three phases of dental implants for info about dental anxiety and implants

You can get dental implants despite your dental phobia

You can expect discomfort after dental implant surgery, but your dentist or oral surgeon will explain how to manage it. Follow their pre- and post-operative care instructions to make your recovery as comfortable as possible.

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

My Crowns Look Like the Dentist Used Sandpaper on Them

Posted on December 17, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I already had crowns on my center front teeth. In October, my dentist replaced a missing tooth with a dental implant. I had worn a partial denture for 12 years to replace the tooth. Now, my smile looks worse than before. My dentist could not get the implant crown to match the front crowns and my natural teeth. The color is still off, so my dentist said he would buff the implant crown to get a match. He could not match my teeth, so he also buffed the crowns on my front teeth. It looks and feels like my dentist used sandpaper on my teeth. The crowns feel rough to touch and when I glide my tongue across the front of my teeth. I contact my dentist regularly to remind him that the issue is not over. But I am thinking about how to resolve it. I just cannot trust him to resolve the issue. Will I need a new implant crown and crowns for my front teeth? – Thank you. Felix from Memphis

Felix,

We are sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with your new implant crown and existing crowns.

Why Do Your Dental Crowns Look Dull?

Your dental crowns are dull because your dentist buffed away the glaze on the porcelain. Not only do your crowns look dull, but they are also at risk of staining quickly and turning yellow.

Can a Dentist Restore the Shine on Your Crowns?

Dental crowns photo from Delaune Dental in Metaire, LA

A cosmetic dentist can improve the shine of your crowns

A cosmetic dentist can polish your porcelain crowns to restore the shine as much as possible. A dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training understands how to use diamond polishing instruments, polishing paste, and ultra-fine diamond polishing paste to help your crowns look glossy and smooth.

Be prepared for an out-of-pocket expense if you do not have dental insurance or if your insurance limits your benefits for cosmetic dentistry. But you will get results and feel relieved about your smile.

Choose a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training to avoid another disappointing experienced.

Duane Delaune, DDS, an cosmetic dentist of Metairie, New Orleans, sponsors this post. Read why patients say Dr. Delaune is one of the best dentists in Metairie.

Is Oral Sedation Strong Enough for Tooth Extractions?

Posted on December 6, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I am 27 years old and need three teeth extractions. My dentist is extracting them in the office but says sedation is enough. I have severe dental anxiety and wonder if sedation is enough. Also, after the site heals, I will be getting dental implants too. It’s hard to believe that anesthesia is not an option for extractions or dental implants. – Thanks for your help. Hayden from Denver

Hayden,

Thank you for choosing our office for your question.

Is Oral Sedation Strong Enough for Extractions?

Oral sedation is strong enough for most tooth extraction cases. Although we do not know the circumstances of your case, unless your dentist expects serious complications, there is no reason to give you general anesthesia. Even with impacted wisdom teeth, dentists and oral surgeons use conscious sedation, and patients stay comfortable throughout the procedure.

Anesthesia increases surgery risks. Surgeons and dentists avoid using more sedation or anesthesia than necessary to keep you comfortable and calm. If your dentist recommended general anesthesia, we would advise you to get a second opinion.

Also, at 27 years old, your jawbone is still somewhat pliable, and not much cementum accumulation is on the tooth roots. Your extractions should be straightforward. It’s a rare case of a 27-year-old with truly difficult wisdom teeth. And if your issue were extraordinarily complex, your dentist would refer you to an oral surgeon who would still likely use oral sedation—not anesthesia.

And it is the same with dental implants. Your dentist will numb your mouth and give you sedation for painless dental implant surgery.

Duane Delaune, DDS, an cosmetic dentist of Metairie, New Orleans, sponsors this post.

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.

What brand of implants should I ask for?

Posted on October 31, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I need dental implants, but I know not to get cheap ones that might fail. What brand of dental implants should I ask my dentist for? Thanks. Martin H.

Martin – Thank you for your question. Patients with an interest in dental implants frequently ask the same question.

Which Dental Implants Brands Are Best?

U.S. major manufacturers all have quality dental implants. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the sale and distribution of dental implants in the United States.

In conjunction with the dental implant standards from the American Dental Association, the FDA also monitors dental implants for safety and effectiveness. The FDA protects and promotes public health and safety, so the dental implant screw, which dentists surgically place jawbone, and the dental crown attached to the implant must meet FDA requirements.

Priorities for a Dental Implant Candidate

As a patient receiving dental implants, your primary concern should be finding a dentist who uses quality fixtures and properly plans for and places your implants with care. A skilled implant dentist will first review your medical history and conduct diagnostic studies to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants.

Choose an experienced implant dentist or oral surgeon for high-quality implant fixtures

Diagnostic studies will also reveal your bone structure and sinuses to ensure your dentist places your implants in the best position for your oral health. Proper placement avoids nerve damage, puncturing sinuses, and damaging other body cavities. A skilled implant dentist will select the correct implant diameter and length for your case.

Before selecting a provider for your dental implants, check their training, experienced, and credentials. Rather than the brand of implants used, your provider will focus on quality implants and quality placement for restorations that will last you a lifetime.

Duane Delaune, DDS, an cosmetic dentist of Metairie, New Orleans, sponsors this post.

Need some advice for a badly decayed first molar tooth

Posted on September 27, 2021 by AllSmiles.

My bottom right first molar is decayed and does not have a second molar behind it. My dentist wants to try to save it with a root canal, and if that does not work, she recommends a dental implant. The tooth is far enough back that I wonder if removing it and doing something like a half snap-on smile would work. I work from home, so I would only need to wear artificial teeth when I socialize. My dentist says that if I want an extraction, I need to find another dentist. She hates removing teeth. Do you mind offering your opinion? Thank you. Tytus from GA

Tytus,

Thank you for your question.

If you have already lost your second molar, removing the first molar would leave you without any lower right molars. We want to help you understand the effects of removing your first molar.

Effect of Lacking Molar Teeth on One Side

If you have no molar teeth on one side of your mouth, it will affect you in these ways:

Chewing – You will not be able to chew on that side of your mouth. And you will add stress to the teeth on the other side of your mouth. As molar teeth on the left side of your mouth wear, you will eventually need to eat soft foods that do not require a lot of chewing unless you get some form of long-lasting tooth replacement.
Temporary replacement teeth – A Snap-on Smile and similar products do not replace the function of molar teeth. Even if you wear it for socializing, it is not durable. You will need to replace it repeatedly.
Tooth misalignment – When one tooth is missing, nearby and opposing teeth begin to drift into the space. Without molars on the lower right side of your mouth, your teeth will start to move, detract from your smile, and create orthodontic issues.

Treatment Options for a Decayed First Molar Tooth

If your molar tooth is damaged, your treatment options likely include:

Root canal treatment – Your dentist can try to save your tooth with root canal treatment and a dental crown. Saving the tooth will prevent surrounding and opposing teeth from shifting. Root canal treatment is less expensive than extraction and a dental implant or dentures.
Dental implant – If root canal treatment fails and your dentist cannot save the tooth, a dental implant can replace it without damaging your oral health. An implant has an artificial root and a crown. It will function as a healthy natural tooth.
Partial denture – Although a partial denture can replace a missing tooth, it must attach to other teeth to stay in place. Over time, the pressure from the clasps of a partial denture weakens healthy teeth.

We recommend talking to your dentist about your concerns with root canal treatment. If your tooth is healthy enough, root canal treatment is the best way to save it and avoid a series of temporary solutions that require replacement.

Best wishes.

Duane Delaune, DDS, a cosmetic dentist of Metairie, New Orleans, sponsors this post.

I Paid for a Crown But Now the Dentist Says I Need a Root Canal

Posted on September 15, 2021 by AllSmiles.

The filling in my lower left second molar cracked, and the tooth cracked. My dentist removed the filling and put a crown on the tooth in June. I felt pain most of the appointment. When my dentist checked my bite, it hurt. Within three days, I returned to the office because it hurt to chew with the tooth and floss between it. The dentist asked me to return early last month for a new crown. When I went in for the crown, the dentist said I needed a root canal after all because the tooth had a periapical abscess. I was upset because the dentist never told me that I might need a root canal eventually. I do not want a root canal, but the dentist says my other option is extraction. Should I have to pay for the extraction, and should I request a refund for a crown that I will lose along with the tooth? – Marco from GA

Marco,

Thank you for contacting us about your case. Yes, your dentist’s work was sloppy. A cracked molar and filling mean that the tooth is already weak. Putting a crown on the tooth without checking its condition is careless. And your dentist should have mentioned root canal treatment. Then you returned to the office for an attempted second time, but you had a periapical abscess. We understand your frustration and not wanting any more treatment from this dentist. But why not consider root canal treatment?

Reasons to Consider Root Canal Treatment

A periapical abscess is a sack of pus from an infection that settles at the tooth roots. And it means the living tissue inside your tooth is dead. A dentist can drill into your tooth, remove the dead pulp, and refill the tooth—and it will be painless. So, root canal treatment would not hurt, but extraction can be traumatic.

Effects of tooth extraction

Root canal treatment is more manageable than extraction for other reasons. Consider the effect of tooth extraction:

Surrounding teeth will drift toward the space of the missing tooth
Your tooth alignment and bite will change
You will need a dental bridge or an implant to replace the tooth and prevent other teeth from moving
Without tooth replacement, you can also develop TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder, including jaw pain, earaches, neck pain, headaches, and more

Ask for a Refund

You agreed to a dental crown to restore your tooth, but it didn’t work. And now, instead of a second tooth, you need root canal treatment. It is appropriate to ask your dentist for a refund. If your dentist does not admit his mistakes, explain that you received faulty work—not a solution.

You can see a cosmetic dentist for a second opinion. Afterward, you can use the results of the visit to ask your dentist for a refund. Best wishes for a fair resolution.

Duane Delaune, DDS, a cosmetic dentist of Metairie, New Orleans, sponsors this post.

Boxing and Dental Implants

Posted on July 17, 2021 by writeradmin.

I’m a boxer and recently lost a tooth. Before you ask, yes, I was wearing a mouth guard. Sometimes those hits are just too hard for the guard. I keep hearing that dental implants are the way to go for tooth replacements. I’m just wondering if that is true for boxers. If so, are there any precautions I need to take?

Leroy

Dear Leroy,

That is a great question. Under normal circumstances, I would say get that dental implant. It is the BEST tooth replacement. It is. However, you are in significant risk of having that same implant ripped out again. If that happens, it will take the bone with it and can do some serious bone damage. Because of your unique situation, here is what I am going to recommend.

First, get the dental implant root form but do not have the crown placed yet. This will preserve the bone. Be certain that you get a dentist who has post-doctoral training in dental implants. This is an advanced procedure and it is not taught in dental school. That training will be necessary.

Second, get a temporary tooth replacement for the crown (the visible part of your tooth) to use while you are still boxing. This way if you have another hard hit to the mouth, your jaw will not be affected. Two good options are a dental flipper or a removable partial denture.

Third, once you are done boxing, that will be the time to get the permanent crown secured to your dental implant.

This plan gives you the best of both worlds. You get the best replacement with the implant form, but the safety of the temporary tooth in case of injury.

I would go ahead and get started on this. It won’t take long for your other teeth to begin drifting or tipping into the empty space you have now.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane Deluane.