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How Long Can I Delay Wisdom Teeth Surgery?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

How long can I delay wisdom teeth surgery before it becomes an emergency? I am 32 years old and have all four wisdom teeth. I am pursuing new employment and opted to keep medical insurance only when I got laid off in October. My wisdom teeth were occasionally hurting, but within the past few weeks, they have become uncomfortable. I do not want to take time off from a new job, but neither do I have dental insurance to help cover the expense. How long can I wait for wisdom teeth surgery? Thanks. Derek from Galveston, TX

Derek,

Thank you for your question.

How Long Can You Delay Wisdom Teeth Surgery?

Delaying wisdom teeth surgery depends on the position and condition of your wisdom teeth. If you are feeling discomfort, your gums around the teeth may be infected. The infection will spread without treatment.

Impacted wisdom teeth

X-ray of a lower impacted widom tooth, for information on how long you can delay removal

A partially impacted wisdom tooth

Discomfort from impacted wisdom teeth increases with age as tooth roots thicken and jawbone density increases. We recommend getting an evaluation before your wisdom teeth become an emergency.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Without Dental Insurance

Even if you do not have dental insurance, consider these factors:

  • A wisdom teeth emergency will be inconvenient whenever it occurs.
  • At least a portion of oral surgery is often billable as a medical expense, so contact your medical insurance company to ask about plan benefits.
  • Dental insurance from a new employer may not be effective immediately.
  • Ask an oral surgeon about financing options or apply for healthcare financing through CareCredit® or another company.

Please get your wisdom teeth evaluated promptly. An oral surgeon can monitor them even if the teeth do not require immediate removal. But you will need an x-ray to determine whether you can delay surgery.

 

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

 

Can a Dentist Who Sees Emergency Patients Help with Wisdom Teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I know wisdom teeth can be complicated, especially if they are impacted, but if a dentist who sees emergency patients can help, I think I should go. I’ve had issues on and off with all 4 wisdom teeth, but now pain in the lower teeth is intense. Last month, I started whitening my teeth, and I think that the bleaching gel irritated the gums around my wisdom teeth. I stopped using the gel last week. My gums are swollen, and although I am not chewing on the wisdom teeth, eating is painful. I had plans for a long weekend and wonder if a dentist would see me right away and help or if I needed just to skip that and call an oral surgeon to get the teeth pulled. – Grayson from NY

Grayson,

Thank you for your question.

It is good that you discontinued teeth whitening because the gel can irritate already inflamed gums.

Can a Dentist Who Sees Emergency Patients Help with Wisdom Teeth?

Hands placing teeth bleaching gel in custom trays

Discontinue teeth whitening on irritated wisdom teeth

A dentist who accepts emergency visits can temporarily relieve or decrease your wisdom teeth pain, but they will not perform surgery during your appointment. Still, seeing a dentist right away is wise. Your pain and swelling are signs of an infection that a dentist must treat.

After relieving your pain, the dentist will x-ray your teeth and determine what treatment you need. Otherwise, the dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon for teeth removal. Some dentists have advanced oral surgery training and experience.

Why Get Wisdom Removed?

You should consider getting wisdom teeth removed when x-rays show they can not erupt entirely and affect your long-term oral health. Wisdom teeth can be complex when they are impacted and will not emerge. Impacted wisdom teeth can become irritated and form a cyst on the jawbone or damage the roots of nearby teeth.

When impacted wisdom teeth push neighboring teeth out of alignment, it creates the need for orthodontic treatment. Partially erupted wisdom teeth also cause pain, swelling, and irritation. They become difficult to clean and can breed bacteria that lead to infection in your gums, bone, and neighboring teeth. A dentist with surgical expertise or an oral surgeon will recommend treatment.

 

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

 

 

 

Her Dentist Won’t Take Out all the Teeth She Wants Out

Posted on by writeradmin.

I have an infected wisdom tooth and a tooth near it that had a root canal treatment a year ago. I want them both removed but for some reason, my dentist is only willing to take out the wisdom tooth. I’m putting off getting the wisdom tooth removed until I can talk him into doing both. Do you have any tips for getting a dentist to do what you want?

Danny

Dear Danny,

Woman holding her jaw in pain

Before you pressure your dentist, I want you to think about why he would NOT want to extract this tooth. Extracting it makes more money for him. Leaving it does nothing for him To me this speaks volumes. My assumption is he truly doesn’t believe there is anything wrong with the tooth and feels it would be an unnecessary procedure and expense for you. Plus, while you do not have to replace wisdom teeth, you do need to replace other missing teeth. By not replacing it, your bite will shift which risks you developing painful TMJ Disorder.

Now, in addition to the cost of the additional extraction (which makes him money), you will have the cost of a tooth replacement, such as a dental implant (which also makes him money). It sounds to me like you have a dentist with integrity that is trying to give you the best oral health possible without costing you money for procedures you don’t need.

If you still want to extract the tooth, then you can pressure him by saying, “either you extract it or I’ll go somewhere else to have it done.” That may have him extract it or he may tell you to go somewhere else.

Whatever you do, do it quickly. You have an infected wisdom tooth. Tooth infections are considered dental emergencies for very good reasons. Think about how close your jaw is to your heart, lungs, and brain. Tooth infections spread. If it reaches a sensitive area, such as those I mentioned then you put your life at risk. If you still want to insist on both teeth being removed at the same time, I am sure you will find a dentist willing to take the fee.

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

Is My Dentist Just Trying to Scare Me?

Posted on by writeradmin.

I have an abscessed tooth on one of my upper teeth. I called my dentist and asked for antibiotics, but he said he wants me to come in instead. I told him I didn’t want to go anywhere until after the quarantine. He proceeded to tell me he could give me one prescription of antibiotics, but after they run out the infection will return and, if I don’t get it treated, will spread to my brain.

I know most governors have closed dental offices because of COVID-19, except for dental emergencies. Is this just my dentist trying to scare me so he can get some business? I’m sure he needs the business and I understand he’s likely struggling financially, but I don’t want to risk getting this virus so he can make some money.

Mark

Dear Mark,

man grabbing the side of his jaw in pain

This isn’t your dentist’s way of trying to get money. He is trying to protect you though. Dental infections are a bit different in that antibiotics alone are not enough. At some point, the pulp of your tooth dies, which prohibits blood flow from reaching the infected tissue. 

Your tooth will start to feel better for a bit, but then once the antibiotic runs out, it will return. While that doesn’t guarantee it will spread to your brain, I can pretty much guarantee it will spread. Your jaw is close, not just to your brain, but also your heart and lungs. Any one of those can become life-threatening quickly.  That’s just one of the reasons a tooth infection is considered a dental emergency and why even during quarantine it is an allowed treatment. 

To treat an infected tooth a dentist has to get in there and physically remove the infected pulp. This can be done in one of two ways. First, he can do a root canal treatment. Second, he can do a tooth extraction.

It is always better to save a tooth, if at all possible. If not, then you have to add the additional procedure and expense of replacing the tooth. If it turns out your tooth can’t be saved and it does have to be extracted, ask your dentist how experienced he is in dental implants. It is by far the best tooth replacement option available. However, it is an advanced procedure and requires a dentist to have significant post-doctoral training. 

I know you’re worried about Coronavirus, but I can assure you that your dentist doesn’t want it any more than you do. He’ll take every available precaution for the protection of you, his staff, and himself. 

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

 

root canal problems

Posted on by writeradmin.

I had a root canal treatment for an infected tooth. After I finished treatment, my dentist gave me a prescription for penicillin. A week later I was still in pain. He wrote me a prescription for Vicodin and said if it still hurt after another week he’d give me a different antibiotic. I don’t think I can wait that long. Plus, the Vicodin makes me feel weird. What do you recommend?

Barry

Dear Barry,

man grabbing the side of his jaw in pain

Your dentist is missing the boat here. First, the antibiotic prescription. While penicillin can work, it wouldn’t be my first choice after a root canal treatment. Instead, I’d try a stronger antibiotic such as clindamycin.

Second, the amount of time he’s waiting to get you on the correct antibiotic is way too long. You should have been feeling better after a couple of days and he wants you to wait over two weeks! No.

There’s a good likelihood you still have a dental infection because something was missed here. You don’t want the infection to spread any more than it already has.

Where to Go From Here

I think you need to see a root canal specialist and have this re-treated. When you call the office, let them know what is going on so they can get you on the right antibiotic.

To give you realistic expectations here, a root canal re-treatment is usually successful only in 50-75% of the time.

If it turns out, the re-treatment doesn’t work, you may need to extract the tooth in order to get rid of the infection. If that happens, you’ll want to discuss your tooth replacement options with your dentist. If you want the top of the line replacement, then getting a dental implant is the best bet. Your next best option is a dental bridge. However, it does require crowning the two adjacent teeth.

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

When a Tooth is Knocked Out

Posted on by writeradmin.

I was at the playground and saw a boy who was hit in the mouth and lost a tooth as a result. His mother just tossed it because it was a baby tooth, but it got me to wondering. What would I do if it was an adult tooth?

Melissa

Dear Melissa,

a hockey player with a knocked out tooth

Whenever a tooth is knocked out, it’s a dental emergency whether it’s a baby tooth or an adult tooth. Even though the baby tooth doesn’t need to be saved the dentist needs to check the pulp of their tooth to make sure no damage was done which will affect the adult tooth underneath.

With an adult tooth, it’s even more serious. You have about 30 minutes to try and save the tooth. Call your dentist right away and let them know what happened. They’ll be available and ready as soon as you get there.

If you don’t have a dentist, you can do an internet search for an emergency dentist. These are general dentists who will see non-established patients in cases like yours. Again, let them know you’re trying to save a tooth so they’ll be prepared. Time is of the essence.

You’ll only want to handle the tooth by the crown (the part which is visible when you smile). Try never to touch the root. Additionally, you’ll want to keep it moist. If you can, put it in a glass of milk. If that’s not available, you can just place it between your gums and your cheek.

If Your Tooth Can’t be Saved

There are times when a tooth can be saved. In that case, you’ll have options for your replacement. Ideally, you’d want a dental implant. That’s almost like having a natural tooth. However, if it’s a teenager or child you’re talking about an implant isn’t possible. Their jaw has to be finished growing.

After a dental implant, the next best option is a dental bridge. This suspends a false tooth between two crowns. There are other options as well if neither of those work for you such as a removable partial denture or a dental flipper. A flipper is only meant to be temporary though, while you are waiting for a better replacement.

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

Did the emergency dentist blow off a possible infection in my tooth?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’m completely put off by the emergency dentist I just saw. I’m partially to blame for the situation I’m in because I’ve blown off getting a filling for about a year on one particular tooth. When I called, I told them about that tooth, but also explained to them that I thought the tooth next to that one also needed a filling. I was assuming they would schedule enough time for the dentist to take care of both. It was one of the last appointments of the day, and when I finally got in the chair, he basically took a few minutes to look in my mouth and proceeded to tell me I needed a filling – but only on the tooth next to the one I already had a cavity in. I questioned him on it and he changed his tune and said I did need two fillings, and that I’d have to come back to have them done. Seriously? I am in pain and now I have to wait even longer! What’s the point of seeing an emergency dentist? It feels like this guy just wanted to get out of there so he hurried me along. He looked at my teeth so fast that now I am wondering if he missed an infection or something more serious. — Jackie

Jackie,
Here’s the thing about cavities… they can be very painful depending on how deep they are in the tooth. It doesn’t always mean there is an infection or a need for a root canal (which is usually pretty obvious had you had a full-blown exam and x-rays).

Dentists perform “tests” to try and figure out what tooth/teeth are bothering you so they can offer the best diagnosis and treatment plan. Teeth often refer pain to neighboring ones and even a cracked tooth can cause a lot of pain. Sometimes things can be missed even if there are x-rays.

It is strange that your dentist missed the second cavity until you called him out on it. It’s understandable that you felt hurried along or maybe even misdiagnosed. Get the fillings done as soon as you can – and maybe find another dentist to do it. Dentists don’t always schedule time for the actual work to be done – especially if they haven’t done a thorough exam. It’s simply too difficult to know the exact course of treatment or how long it will take. If you try a different dentist, be sure to let them know your diagnosis and recommended treatment from the emergency dentist at the time you make the appointment. This should help the office in determining if the dentist can set aside the extra time to do the fillings in addition to the initial exam.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Is pain and tenderness around my implant an emergency?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I had an implant placed about three months ago and the healing process has been great – up until last night. Something felt different and now this morning there’s tenderness and pain that is radiating into my jaw. It hurts enough that I can’t really eat. Of course it’s the weekend, so I’m not sure if this is something I should be worried about having looked at immediately by an emergency dentist or wait until Monday. Any advice? — Gabrielle

Gabrielle,
It’s probably a good idea to see an emergency dentist. From what you’re describing, you likely have an infection at the implant site since the pain is getting worse and spreading to your jaw. Not being able to eat is also a concern and worthy of a visit to the dentist, too.

Oral infections can spread quickly if not taken care of. They can even become deadly if it attacks the heart or brain. Infection can also lead to complete implant failure and significant bone loss. If that happens and your implant needs replaced, bone grafting will need to be done before placing a new post. Early treatment with an antibiotic can stop this from happening.

If your regular dentist has an answering service, try calling there first.  If they don’t have an on-call line or they don’t respond in a timely manner, look up your nearest emergency dentist and get an appointment as soon as you can.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

I’m embarrassed to tell my dentist I had fillers injected

Posted on by smiles4u.

My tooth is in serious pain, but I’ve been holding off on going to the dentist because I recently had Juvederm injections in my laugh lines. I know a lot of people do it, but I’m kind of embarrassed to admit it to my dentist. I’m afraid if I don’t tell him the filler will move if I try and have my tooth fixed. So, I just keep waiting hoping I can make it at least two weeks (which is what my post op instructions stated). The longer I wait, the more it hurts and the the more of an emergency situation this becomes. Help! — Sara

Sara,
You definitely don’t want to apply pressure to any areas where filler has been injected for at least a couple of weeks. But, if your tooth is continuing to get worse, you should be seen and you definitely don’t need to feel embarrassed to tell your dentist about the injections.

Call your dentist and get in as soon as possible so he can x-ray and examine the tooth. Once he knows you have the fillers, he’ll be extra careful about applying pressure and you’ll probably feel most uncomfortable trying to open your mouth – simply because the fillers cause tenderness and swelling. If it was just a regular check-up, you could easily put it off a few weeks, but this toothache could quickly become very serious and visiting the emergency dentist will not affect your fillers.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Will “DIY” tooth fix while on vacation come back to haunt me?

Posted on by smiles4u.

Wouldn’t you know that while I was on my dream beach vacation, the crown on my front tooth broke and split in half! Since I was out of the country and still had a few days until going home, I panicked. I had no idea how to go about finding a dentist and was afraid it would cost a fortune, so I did the easiest thing I could think of – I bought some super glue for a quick fix and got back to the beach. It totally worked, but now that I’m home and need to see my dentist, I’m afraid I’ve caused a big problem. Will my dentist be able to get it off to replace it? — Leon

Leon,
Let’s face it… nobody wants to look in the mirror at a broken tooth – especially on vacation. But while DIY may be your specialty for home projects, it’s really best to leave any tooth “fixes” to the professionals.

It can be intimidating when you’re away from home to try and find an emergency dentist (even more so when you’re out of the country and you’re dealing with a possible language barrier, not to mention possible insurance hassles). But here’s the deal: an emergency dentist could have temporarily re-attached the crown properly so you could get by a few days until heading home. Try not to worry too much because your dentist will be able to get the crown off. Most bonding agents and cements he uses are stronger than any super glue you could buy. However, there’s no guarantee that it will come off in once piece, so you should be prepared in case you need to have it completely re-done. If you ever find yourself in this predicament again and you can’t get into your dentist right away, check at your local drug store for over-the-counter dental cement. It can be tricky to use and it will be temporary, but it’s a much better choice if you have to do a quick “DIY” fix.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.