Archives for May 2023

My Bite Is Still Off After My Dentist Ground Down My Crowns

Posted on May 30, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My bite has been off since I got eight zirconia crowns last December. My dentist has tried to correct my bite every month since that time. I think he did some grinding on all ten crowns. I feel so much pressure from the grinding that it has made me anxious. In March the dentist had to stop the adjustment and reschedule me for a date when I could take sedation. Last month I broke out in hives on my face and inside my lips and gums. It’s probably the anxiety. Will I have any zirconia left in the crowns, and is it the zirconia giving me hives now? I dread the thought of replacing crowns with this dentist. Thanks. Henry

Henry,

Having zirconia crowns ground down to correct your occlusion can be uncomfortable because zirconia is a high-strength material. It is unfortunate that your bite is still off. If your dentist has tried to adjust your bite since December, it is unlikely that he will be successful with further attempts.

When your bite is off, it can cause jaw muscle spasms, headaches, earaches, neck pain, and other symptoms related to TMJ disorder. It’s time to get a second opinion from a dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite. Training in how your upper and lower teeth meet and how to achieve a harmonious bite is beyond dental school.

Can Zirconia Crowns Cause Facial and Oral Hives?

See a dentist with occlusion and bite training about your dental crowns and sedation options.

Although you may be allergic to zirconia dust from grinding on the crows to adjust your bite, burning mouth syndrome is probably causing your hives. Stressful dental appointments can cause anxiety that triggers hives. If you were allergic to zirconia, you would have reacted before your dentist began grinding on your crowns.

Schedule a consultation with a dentist with advanced training to examine your crowns and discuss your treatment options. Explain your anxiety and sedation needs. As an experienced dentist gains your trust, your anxiety and hives should decrease.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post. Read about what Dr. Finley and his team do to provide some of the best dental care in Monroe.

Temporary Crown Falling Off – Cheap or Is My Dentist at Fault?

Posted on May 26, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I don’t know if my temporary crown has fallen off because it’s cheap or if my dentist is at fault. I have an appointment with my dentist on June 17 to cement a permanent crown on my upper first molar. I got my first temporary crown on a Tuesday in late March, and it fell off on a Thursday afternoon. I remember the day because I have a Bible study class every Thursday, and the crown fell off while I was there. The office was closed the next day, which I understood, so I was patient. When I returned to the dental office on Monday, the dentist made another temporary crown that came off the same week. The crown fell off twice again, and the last time, my dentist took another impression of my tooth because the lab said the first one was no good. I am wearing a crown that has not come off, but I felt weird last week while eating. I am afraid that the final crown will come off. Should I ask for another temporary crown and wait three months to see if anything happens before I agree to the final one? I fear it will fall off, and I will swallow and aspirate it into my lungs. I don’t know how many more dental appointments I can take without something to calm my nerves. Thank you. Liz

Liz,

We understand your concerns. Your dentist has found it challenging to get your impression right and keep your crown attached to your tooth. If we were in your situation, we would cancel the restoration and look for a skilled cosmetic dentist.

Why Would a Temporary Crown Fall Off?

Dental crown

Although it is not uncommon for a temporary crown to fall off, a repeated problem shows a lack of your dentist’s skill and decreases confidence in his ability. Your dentist may have taken a wrong impression of your tooth or overprepared it.

Tooth preparation

Another dentist can examine your tooth and determine whether your dentist tapered it excessively or too short. In either case, retaining a crown would be challenging for an overprepared tooth.

Tooth impression

A dentist may have problems with a tooth impression for a crown if they have trouble preventing fluid from seeping into the impression and contaminating it. Although a dentist could catch the mistake, sometimes the dental lab catches it.

Questions about your tooth impression and preparation make it wise to get a second opinion.

Can You Switch Dentists Mid-Treatment for a Dental Crown?

Problems with tooth preparation and crown retention are good reasons to switch dentists during dental crown treatment. You can request a refund and get proof of faulty work from your new dentist after they examine and x-ray your tooth. And yes, a loose crown increases the risk of swallowing it and aspirating it into your lungs. Ask your new dentist about sedation options if you need help relaxing to get a new crown.

The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read how Dr. Henderson, Dr. Finley, and Dr. Coughran strive to offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.

Why Do My Gums Hurt After I Eat?

Posted on May 17, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Last week I got in-office teeth whitening, and it looks great. I scheduled the whitening two months ago but did not tell my dentist that my gums had been sore between my upper right first and second molars for the past three weeks. I do not have pain or sensitivity between either tooth. After whitening, the pain is more frequent after I eat. It goes away after an hour or so. I figured that the whitening made it worse. Should I wait a bit to see if the pain improves or schedule an appointment with my dentist? I’m a little embarrassed that I didn’t tell my dentist about the issue before I got teeth whitening. Thanks. Trevor from KY

Trevor,

Thank you for your question, Trevor. Dr. Finley, Dr. Henderson, or Dr. Coughran would need to examine your gums to determine the cause of your pain, but we will provide general information.

What Causes Gum Pain Between Teeth?

A gum pocket or periodontal abscess between teeth can cause pain between your teeth. Food particles lodged between your gums and teeth can breed bacteria and infection. A deep cleaning from your dentist or periodontist may resolve your symptoms.

How Can You Prevent Gum Pain?

When trapped food particles cause gum pain, you can prevent pain with regular flossing. Some people with flossing challenges find a water flosser more effective in flushing away debris from between their teeth. Also, six-month exams and cleaning from your dentist and hygienist help. A hygienist has tools that clean beneath your gumline and remove any debris or plaque you cannot reach.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist to discuss your gum pain and get an exam. Although you did not tell your dentist about your gum pain before your in-office teeth whitening, reporting it now can save you time-consuming and costly care later. If your dentist cannot identify the cause of your concerns, you may get a second opinion from a periodontist (gum specialist). A periodontist has specialized diagnostic tools that are not available from most general dentists.

David Finley, DDS, a and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post. Read about what Dr. Finley, Dr. Henderson, and Dr. Coughran do to provide some of the best dental care in Monroe.

Do you have a question you would like to ask a dentist? Click here to ask a dentist.

What Types of Crowns for My Front Teeth?

Posted on May 11, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My two front teeth have porcelain fused to metal crowns on them. I’ve had root canals on both teeth because of an accident that damaged them. I got the crowns in 2007, and they look old a bulky. What type of crowns should I get? I read about feldspathic layered and that the crowns look like real teeth, but will it be strong enough? Also, I smoke and drink a lot of coffee, so my teeth are yellow. I want to get my teeth whitened and hope for a crown type that is advanced enough to match the color of my teeth after whitening. – Thanks, Jon from San Diego

Jon,

Thank you for contacting Bayou Dental Group with questions about what types of dental crowns you should choose.

What Type of Dental Crowns Should You Choose?

All-ceramic crowns produce naturally beautiful thoughts when you select a skilled cosmetic dentist and ceramics to place them. The crowns are strong enough to withstand the biting forces of front teeth. However, your choice of dentist will affect your results more than the type of dental crown you receive.

We suggest the following:

Consult with a cosmetic dentist about crowns for your front teeth. Discuss your teeth whitening options.

Schedule consultations with an advanced cosmetic dentist with artistic ability and allow the dentist to recommend materials for your crowns.
Check a few cosmetic dentists’ smile galleries to see the kinds of results they produce with dental crowns.
Explain your plans for teeth whitening before getting dental crowns.

e.max Crowns

Many advanced cosmetic dentists use e.max crowns, which contain a strong core of lithium disilicate layered with feldspathic porcelain.

Many expert cosmetic dentists have great success with e.max crowns, consisting of a strong lithium disilicate core layered over with feldspathic porcelain.
If you pick the dental crown material you want but choose a dentist who lacks artistic talent, your crowns will not look natural. You will be disappointed with the experience.
A skilled cosmetic dentist can expertly match your crowns to your newly whitened teeth.

Accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. David Finley of Monroe, Louisiana, sponsors this post.

Bayou Dental Group

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