Archives for December 2021

Pain In My Tooth After a Filling Feels Like Electric Shock

Posted on December 19, 2021 by AllSmiles.

In April, my dentist filled a front tooth with composite. Floss was getting stuck between my teeth, so I told my dentist about it when I had my checkup in October. She smoothed the surface, and the floss did not get stuck anymore. I thought the tooth was a little sensitive, and a few days later, when I was eating, the sensitivity was so intense that it felt like an electric shock. I returned to the dentist for an x-ray, and she told me to take ibuprofen because the tooth looked okay. I waited a month, then stopped taking ibuprofen, and the pain returned. If I return to the dentist, she will probably replace the filling. But the pain makes me wonder if I need a root canal. My dentist seems casual about the issue, so do you recommend a new filling or that I ask for a referral to a specialist? – Thank you. Irena from MS

Irena,

Thank you for your question. We will explain what may be causing the pain and what to do about it.

What Causes Pain After a Tooth Filling?

After getting a new filling, some irritation is typical. But it should improve, not get worse and feel like an electric shock. The decay beneath your old filling may have caused bacteria to get into your tooth fold. The irritation of smoothing the tooth surface so that you can floss may have worsened the condition.

What to Do About Intense Pain After a Filling

If you feel intense pain after a filling and your dentist cannot resolve it, ask to see a root canal specialist (endodontist). You do not need to make an emergency appointment with another dentist. But if you need a new composite filling or a tooth crown, you may want to schedule an appointment with a skilled cosmetic dentist for healthy, natural-looking results.

Preventing Your Tooth from Darkening After a Root Canal

A dentist can prevent your tooth from turning dark after root canal treatment with these steps:

Complete root canal treatment
Remove the root canal filling material from inside the tooth crown
Trim the filling material to ensure it Is below the tooth attachment
If the filling is large and you need a dental crown after root canal treatment, you do not have to worry about the tooth turning dark.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana dentist, sponsors this post. Read about what he and Dr. PJ Henderson do to provide some of the best dental care in Monroe.

Dentist vs. Oral Surgeon for a Tooth Extraction

Posted on December 14, 2021 by AllSmiles.

In 2018, my dentist did a root canal on a tooth that had the filling come out. The dentist put a temporary cap on the tooth, and I never got a permanent one because I dreaded another dental appointment. Now the cap is broken, and the tooth hurts. I made an emergency appointment with a nearby dentist who took x-rays. He said the tooth broke and is infected. He recommended extraction and gave me a referral to an oral surgeon. I asked the dentist if he could complete the extraction, but he says he refers cases like mine to a surgeon who would sedate me and remove the tooth. Then I can return to the surgeon later for an implant, and the dentist will do the implant crown. Is this dentist’s approach a standard that I should expect? Do I really need to see an oral surgeon, or am I opening myself for trouble if I try to find another dentist who will extract the tooth? – Thank you. Mavis from Oregon

Mavis,

Dr. Finley or Dr. Henderson would need to examine your tooth and x-ray, but your extraction may not be within the dentist’s comfort level. Or the dentist might anticipate a traumatic experience for you that an oral surgeon can handle better.

Can a Dentist Extract a Broken Tooth?

A dentist can extract a broken tooth. Dentists with advanced oral surgery training are more comfortable and experienced with certain procedures. Twisted or curvy tooth roots can be challenging for many dentists to remove. If the dentist you saw usually refers cases like yours to an oral surgeon, he is uncomfortable, and it is best not to try to convince him to complete the procedure.

Do You Need Sedation for Tooth Removal?

Diagram of three phases of dental implant, including implant components, placement, and completion

Look for a dentist with advanced oral surgery and implant training

If you have a history of dental anxiety or avoiding dental appointments, you can benefit from sedation during tooth removal. Please don’t dismiss a dentist’s offer for a sedation option that can relax you. Although nitrous oxide might be enough, a dentist may offer oral conscious sedation depending on the complexity of your tooth removal. The medication will relax you. Some patients fall asleep in the dental chair.

So, based on the response of the nearby dentist that saw you in an emergency, either schedule an appointment with an oral surgeon or a dentist with oral surgery experience. If you prefer a dentist, look for one with advanced training in surgical procedures and dental implants and schedule a consultation. Take a copy of your x-ray with you or send it to the office before your consultation.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana dentist, sponsors this post. Dr. Finely is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. Read what Dr. Finley and Dr. Henderson do to offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.

Will Invisalign Help My Small Teeth Look Larger?

Posted on December 10, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I am 32 years old, and my permanent teeth look like baby teeth. I am looking for ways to make my small teeth look larger. Will Invisalign help? – Thank you. Alana from Texas

Alana,

Thank you for your question.

Does Invisalign Help Small Teeth Look Larger?

Although Invisalign will straighten your teeth, the clear braces will not make small teeth look larger. Still, if you are an adult with small permanent teeth, cosmetic dentistry can improve tooth shape and size.

How to Make Small Teeth Look Larger

Dental bonding and porcelain veneers are two ways to make small teeth look larger. How do the options compare?

Dental bonding

Dental bonding is a mixture of quartz or glass with dental resin.

Process – A cosmetic dentist applies bonding directly to your teeth. But it takes an artistic dentist to layer and sculpt the bonding to look completely natural.
Longevity – If you take good care of it, dental bonding can last two to five years before it dulls and stains.
Cost – Although bonding can be two-thirds the cost of porcelain veneers, you will replace bonding more often.

Porcelain veneers

Veneers are customized, thin shells of porcelain that snugly fit the fronts and side of your teeth.

Process – A cosmetic dentist may need to remove a tiny amount of tooth enamel from each tooth. After taking impressions of your teeth, the dentist will make a wax model and temporary veneers for you to try on. A lab makes your final porcelain veneers, and the dentist bonds them to your teeth.
Longevity – High-quality porcelain veneers can last ten to twenty years if you take care of them.
Cost – A single porcelain veneer costs $1,000 – $2,500 depending on where you live in the U.S. and the dentist’s experience, quality of work, and fees.

Schedule a Consultation with a Cosmetic Dentist

Although many dentists claim to be cosmetic dentists, few have the artistic talent needed to produce high-quality, beautiful results. Look for an accredited cosmetic dentist or a dentist with post-graduate and continuing education in cosmetic dentistry.

Schedule consultations with at least two dentists before choosing a provider. Also, ask to see the dentist’s bonding and porcelain veneers patients before-and-after photos. And if you need orthodontic treatment for straighter teeth, you can also discuss how Invisalign can help.

David Finley, DDS of Monroe, Louisiana sponsors this post. Dr. Finley is an accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

My Gums Are Swollen Around My Crowns and Veneers

Posted on December 6, 2021 by AllSmiles.

When I was a teenager, small surface holes developed on my teeth. My dentist at the time applied bonding on ten teeth to hide the tiny holes. Over the years as the bonding got old, the dentist recommended a combination of crowns and veneers. I have veneers on my upper front teeth and crowns on the four teeth on either side. Since 2018, I’ve had problems with swollen gums. Now I have a new dentist who prescribed an antibacterial liquid. My gums are inflamed around my upper and lower dental work, but the upper teeth are worse. I should add that my gums around my natural teeth are not inflamed.

Also, I’ve had the crowns and veneers for so long. Why is this happening now? My dentist says she can trim my gums to see if it calms the inflammation. I declined that treatment because it seems like a guess about resolving the issue. She says we can try it on a few teeth, and if it works, she can do the rest. I want to know what is causing the inflammation. My gums are red and sometimes hurt. Since I am not your patient, I know that you can’t say for sure, but what could be causing this issue? I am afraid I have an infection that will spread throughout my mouth and cause tooth loss. I have always dreaded the thought of needing dentures! Thank you for your opinion. Will from Michigan

Will,

Thank you for contacting us. You are correct. Dr. Finley or Dr. Henderson would need to examine your crowns, veneers, and gums to determine the cause of inflammation.

What Causes Gum Inflammation Around Dental Crowns?

When you have gum inflammation around your dental crowns, the cause depends on how soon you react to the crowns:

Immediate reaction

Excess cement – When the dentist bonded the crowns to your teeth, they may have failed to clean cement around the crowns.
Crown fit – Poor-fitting crowns can irritate your gums
Crown position – If your crowns sit too deep beneath your gumline, it will cause irritation, inflammation, and infection.

Delayed reaction

Allergic reaction – If your crowns have a cheap metal foundation that contains nickel or another base metal, you can have an immediate or delayed reaction. But if you are experiencing the same problem with porcelain veneers, an allergic reaction is unlikely.
Gum disease – If your teeth are inflamed by gum disease, sometimes your overall health makes the condition worse. Unfortunately, many dentists are not attentive to your gum health.

Get a Second Opinion from a Gum Specialist

Your dentist has almost admitted that she does not understand the cause of your gum inflammation. Yet, she recommends trimming your gums. We advise you not to allow your dentist to trim your gums. A periodontist is a gum specialist who can determine the cause of your gum disease, whether a health condition is affecting it, and recommend treatment.

There is no reason that the situation would lead to extractions and dentures. Ask your dentist to refer you to a specialist or self-refer.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post. Dr. Finely is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry.

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