Archives for August 2022

When Can I Whiten My Teeth After Gum Surgery?

Posted on August 31, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I recently had gum surgery to correct receding gums around my upper front teeth. I’m so happy with how my smile looks that I’m now considering whitening my teeth because they are yellow. How long do I have to wait after gum surgery to get my teeth bleached? Thanks. Elijah from UT

Elijah,

Thank you for your question. There are a few things to consider before you brighten your smile.

When Can You Whiten Your Teeth After Gum Surgery?

You can whiten your teeth after your gum tissue heals from surgery. Depending on your dentist’s surgical technique or the graft, you can expect between four to eight weeks for complete healing.

Do You Qualify for Zoom Whitening?

In-office Zoom whitening requires good oral health. Your dentist will examine your teeth to ensure that none of these conditions exist:

Broken or missing fillings
Tooth decay
Active periodontal disease
Remaining calculus clinging to the teeth

Also, gum surgeries must be fully healed. Your dentist will follow this procedure for in-office whitening:

Isolate your teeth with a rubber dam
Place a gingival barrier agent around each tooth to fully protect the gums
Apply the whitening agent, hydrogen peroxide, to lighten the tooth shade while keeping it away from the gums to avoid chemical burns
Use a blue LED light to activate the hydrogen peroxide and speed the process

Zoom whitening

You can expect the whitening appointment to take approximately an hour and a half.

Your decision to correct the recession before proceeding with whitening was wise. The active compound in the bleaching gel must not touch exposed root surfaces to prevent irritation and sensitivity. After your gums heal, you may ask your dentist for an exam to determine if your teeth and gums are ready for whitening.

Monroe, Louisiana accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry Dr. David Finley sponsors this post.

Will I Lose All My Teeth to Gum Disease?

Posted on August 28, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I lost 8 teeth between 2020 and June 2022. Five more teeth are loose. I have feared the dentist for years but talked to my doctor and finally saw a dentist. Last week, the dentist confirmed that I have advanced gum disease and referred me to a periodontist because she said the problem is urgent. My appointment with the periodontist is on September 12, but I do not know what to expect. Can you give me an idea of whether a specialist may recommend that I get dentures? Is it too late to stop gum disease? Thank you. Perry from OKC

Perry,

Thank you for your question. Your dentist wisely refers you to a periodontist. If you have lost eight teeth, your condition will progress without treatment. Dr. Finley would need to take x-rays and examine your teeth and gums for an accurate diagnosis.

Although more than 47 percent of U.S. adults aged 37 and older have gum disease, the condition is treatable. We will explain possible options.

Will You Lose All Your Teeth to Gum Disease?

Whether you lose all your teeth to gum disease depends on several factors:

Restoring your gum loss – You must follow your periodontist’s instructions closely because healthy gums are vital for healing your ligaments and teeth. Your commitment to at-home care and treatment appointments can help save your teeth.
Replacing bone loss – Advanced gum disease deteriorates the bone that supports your teeth. If your bone is damaged, a periodontist may recommend bone grafts to stabilize your teeth.
Controlling chronic illness – Medical conditions that affect your immune response or your body’s ability to heal can affect the success of your periodontal treatment. If you have chronic medical concerns, work with your doctor to manage them and promote healing.
Stop smoking – If you smoke, quit the habit because it will slow healing and can make it impossible for your gums to recover after periodontitis (advanced gum disease).

Will You Need Dentures?

If your teeth are unsavable, you will need dentures; however, removable dentures are not stable and will decrease your chewing efficiency. Still, complete dentures are better than functioning without teeth.

Implant overdentures

Dental implants make it possible to stabilize dentures so they function well and look natural. Two to six dental implants will help your denture stay in place. Denture stability increases with the number of implants you receive.

After a consultation, exam, and x-rays, your periodontist will explain your treatment options and whether you are at risk of losing any more teeth. We wish you a steady recovery.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post.

Cosmetic Dentistry Ruined My Smile

Posted on August 12, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I think that cosmetic dentistry ruined my smile. My dentist whitened my teeth last December and placed six crowns on my front teeth in February. The crowns are supposed to be ceramic, but they are already turning yellow. Even if I drank coffee or smoked, I don’t think my crowns would be this color. My natural teeth and crowns do not match. Although my dentist says there is only a slight difference between my teeth and the crowns, the color is noticeable when I smile. My sister asked me what my dentist would do about my crowns. People notice my mismatched teeth, but my sister is the only one brave enough to say something. I am getting more embarrassed and self-conscious. I am afraid to ask my dentist to correct the crowns because I do not think she is capable. At the same time, I know she is responsible, and I should not have to pay another dentist for new crowns. What’s your advice? Thank you. Tyson from Oklahoma City

Tyson,

Thank you for your question.

We understand your frustration with trusting a dentist to improve your smile, but now your smile embarrasses you. Although Dr. Finley or Dr. Henderson would need to examine your crowns to determine why they are turning yellow, we will provide insight into what may be the culprit.

Why Causes New Dental Crowns to Turn Yellow?

New dental crowns may turn yellow if they are damaged or if they are a non-ceramic material. Consider these possibilities:

Damage during crown manufacturing or placement – A dentist may grind your crowns to adjust your bite and mistakenly damage the glaze during the adjustment. Also, the dental lab may not have glazed your crowns properly. Dental glazes are glass powders that make crowns look glossy, like natural teeth.
Damage while getting your teeth cleaned – Power instruments that blast sodium bicarbonate on your teeth to clean them will damage the glaze on your crowns. Also, an acidulated fluoride treatment will etch the glaze and discolor your crowns. A dental hygienist can mistakenly use the incorrect tools or chemicals on your teeth.
Crowns made of non-ceramic material – If your dentist placed composite restorations on your teeth and not ceramic crowns, they would discolor. You can ask your dentist for a copy of the paperwork that shows what kind of crowns you have.

Get a Second Opinion

In-office teeth whitening gel being applied to teeth

Skilled cosmetic dentists perfectly match dental crowns to your whitened teeth

Schedule an appointment with an advanced—preferably accredited cosmetic dentist—for a second opinion. You will need an examination by the dentist to identify the cause of your yellow crowns. A skilled cosmetic dentist can restore your smile with new custom crowns that match the shade of your newly whitened teeth.

Dental crowns should last for at least five years, so your dentist owes you a refund. Before requesting a refund, get documentation from your second opinion dentist of the work needed to restore your smile.

Monore, Louisiana, accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry Dr. David Finley sponsors this post.

Should I Wait for Extraction of a Failed Root Canal Tooth?

Posted on August 4, 2022 by AllSmiles.

I saw a specialist last Wednesday for a toothache that I’ve had since June. After the pain and bad taste in my mouth worsened and I began to feel foggy and tired, my dentist sent me to an endodontist. This doctor must be popular because I cannot get the abscessed tooth removed until the end of the month. I asked for an earlier date, but the scheduler said that was the next available appointment.

The tooth is my lower right second molar, and I had a repeat root canal on the tooth in 2016. If I continue to feel worse each week, should I wait until the end of the month for extraction or ask my dentist to refer me to another specialist? I try not to read too much online about my diagnosis, but if I understand it correctly, this infection can go into my bloodstream if it is not already there. Thanks for your help. Tamera from Capitol Heights, MD

Tamera,

Thank you for your question. You need prompt dental care, and we will explain why.

Should You Delay Removing a Failed Root Canal Tooth?

If your failed root canal tooth is making you ill, you should not delay tooth removal unless the endodontist gives you a reason. The American Dental Association confirms that an infection will continue to spread without tooth removal, affecting your jawbone, other teeth, and oral tissue. Although some people may want to rely on antibiotics, the medication will calm the effects of the infection but will not remove it. The scheduler told you that the end of the month is the next available appointment, so you do not need to suffer from the tooth. Find another specialist or dentist quickly.

Who Can Remove a Failed Root Canal Second Molar?

Your doctor can refer you to an endodontist, an oral surgeon, or a general dentist with oral surgery training and experience to remove your second molar. Consider these facts:

General dentists who perform oral surgery could remove the tooth unless the specialist indicates that removal will be complex.
You will get relief from your symptoms after tooth removal.
Without tooth removal, you will get increasingly ill.

Ask your dentist for a referral or schedule an appointment with a general dentist with advanced oral surgery training.

Dr. David Finley, a Monroe, Louisiana dentist and Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, sponsors this post. Read about Dr. Finley’s commitment to providing patients with some of the best dental care in Monroe.

Bayou Dental Group

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