Archives for November 2021

What If I Don’t Want IV Sedation at the Dentist?

Posted on November 30, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I am super nervous at dental appointments. I know I need help to bring me down a few notches. Still, I am a little afraid to be unconscious at the dentist. Something just doesn’t sound right about that. My sister told me that IV sedation is not general anesthesia, but I could fall asleep. Why do I need an IV for sedation anyway? I saw a dentist two days ago who says he uses nitrous oxide and IV sedation. He recommended IV because my anxiety level is moderate to high. But what if I don’t want an IV? The thought of an IV is making me more nervous than the dental appointment. Thanks. Tyra from VA

Tyra,

Your sister is correct. General anesthesia makes patients unconscious, but IV sedation does not. When you receive IV sedation, a commonly-prescribed sedative is administered through your veins. Many patients fall asleep during treatment. Others are simply deeply relaxed.

Is Dental Sedation Through an IV Your Only Option?

IV sedation is one type of relaxation that dentists offer, but it is not your only choice. Although IV sedation works faster, many dentists provide oral medication to help you relax.

Woman's face with eyes closed at the dentist, perhaps after receiving sedation.

IV sedation is not the only option for dental anxiety

Someone would need to drive you to and from the dental office. You would take an anti-anxiety medication, such as Valium or Halcion, about an hour before your appointment. But during the dental procedure, your vital signs are monitored. So, the dental team will give you proper attention.

You can consider having a consultation with a dentist who offers oral sedation. It will allow you to ask questions, learn more about the procedure, and discuss your concerns with the dentist. The more information you have, the more comfortable and confident you will be during your dental procedure.

David Finley, DDS of Monroe, LA, sponsors this post. Dr. Finley is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry.

All My Porcelain Veneers Have Humps at the Top

Posted on November 26, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I finished Invisalign treatment in September, so my dentist tried bonding on five teeth to conceal some chips and discoloration, but the color was off, and the bonding felt thick on my teeth. So, she said that I would probably be more comfortable with veneers. But after she did the temporary veneers, they left a hump at the top near my gums. I told my dentist that it was unacceptable, so she is going to try again. I’m on the fourth day of wearing new temporary veneers, but they still have a slight hump at the top. I am afraid to switch dentists in the middle of treatment, but I don’t think there should be a hump at my gumline. Thanks for your help. Karter from TN

Karter,

We understand the frustration of straightening your teeth with Invisalign and being disappointed with the finishing touches that dental bonding can achieve. Although Dr. Finley would need to examine your veneers to identify the issue, we will offer some insight.

Should You Have a Hump on Your Veneers?

Porcelain veneers should not have a hump near the gumline. Your dentist should know that the hump has these adverse effects:

Detracts from your smile
Attracts plaque
Causes gum inflammation

What’s Next?

A single porcelain veneer held by dental forceps

Porcelain veneers should fit well and promote your oral health

Your comments show that you lack confidence in your dentist. And we understand that because your dentist’s attempt with dental bonding and porcelain veneers failed.

You’re wearing temporary veneers now, so if you want to give your dentist another chance, you can ask her to redo the veneers without the hump. If she cannot correct the issue, you can look for an accredited cosmetic dentist or a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training.

However, if your dentist does make the correction and you like the temporary veneers, insist on trying on your porcelain veneers before your dentist bonds them to your teeth. If you do not like the veneers, you can continue giving your dentist another chance. Or you can switch to a cosmetic dentist with years of experience in porcelain veneers and get a beautiful smile.

David Finley, DDS, an accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry in Monroe, Louisiana, sponsors this post.

My Jaw Is Swollen and Stiff After Teeth Extractions

Posted on November 22, 2021 by AllSmiles.

Two weeks ago, my dentist extracted six teeth to prepare me for an upper denture. I had severe gum disease, and several teeth loosened and fell out, so I only had six teeth left. The left side of my face was already swollen before the extractions. My dentist said infection from gum disease caused the swelling, so she prescribed amoxicillin for me to take before she completed the extractions. The infection seemed to be getting better, but it got worse toward the middle of last week. I called my dentist, and she said that I needed to keep taking the antibiotics. I’m taking ibuprofen, but it is not helping at all. And the left side of my face feels hard. Should I expect improvement, or does it sound as if something else is wrong? Thank you. Don

Don,

Although Dr. Finley or Dr. Henderson would need to examine your mouth, it sounds like the infection is getting worse. It would help if you let your dentist know that amoxicillin is not working.

Although amoxicillin is often effective for oral infection, sometimes an infection will not respond to it. And lack of improvement usually means that the bacteria is resistant to the medication.

Ask your dentist to switch you to a different antibiotic. Your quick action will prevent your jaw infection from getting worse. As the infection spreads into the bone, they become more challenging to treat and increases your health risk.

Without new medication, your discomfort will increase, and you will delay the process of getting your upper denture. Your dentist will ensure your oral tissue is healthy and not swollen before fitting you for a new denture. Otherwise, the denture will not fit over time, and the pressure of the denture on your gums will cause further irritation.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, LA, accredited cosmetic dentist and Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, sponsors this post.

Does Teeth Whitening Weaken Dental Bonding?

Posted on November 14, 2021 by AllSmiles.

My 15 year old saw a cosmetic dentist last month for teeth whitening. Our daughter is doing some modeling and local TV commercials, so she wanted her teeth whitened. Since the whitening, she began to feel a sharp pain in her left front tooth. My daughter fell and chipped the tooth three years ago, and her pediatric dentist seemed to do a job with using bonding to fill in the chip. Now I am wondering if we should not have gotten the tooth whitened. Did the pediatric dentist do a bad job with the dental bonding, or do teeth bleaching products weaken dental bonding? – Thank you. Leighanne

Leighanne,

Thank you for your question. Although Dr. Finley or Dr. Henderson would need to examine your daughter’s tooth for an accurate diagnosis. But we will provide some general information about bleaching teeth and sensitivity or pan.

Does Teeth Bleaching Weaken Dental Bonding?

Teeth bleaching does not weaken dental bonding. It is doubtful that your daughter’s pediatric dentist is at fault. If the dental bonding on her front tooth is weak, it would probably begin to come off the tooth and not just be painful.

Teeth Bleaching and Tooth Sensitivity

Sometimes, teeth bleaching causes tooth sensitivity. The bleaching process can make teeth porous sensitivity, and as the bleaching gel seeps in, it can irritate tooth nerves.

If any part of your daughter’s chipped tooth is sensitive, bleaching get can increase sensitivity. You should let your dentist know about it whenever you experience lingering sensitivity or pain after teeth bleaching.

Your dentist can coat your daughter’s tooth to resolve the sensitivity. Afterward, your daughter can do touch-ups or get teeth bleaching in the future without experiencing pain. Also, the cosmetic dentist may recommend a lower strength bleaching gel to reduce sensitivity.

David Finley, DDS of Monroe, LA, sponsors this post.

Bayou Dental Group

Comprehensive Family Dentistry

and Award-Winning Smile Makeovers