Archives for March 2024

Does a Porcelain Veneer Tooth with a Cavity Now Require a Crown?

Posted on March 31, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I had a dental cleaning and x-ray two weeks ago. My dentist says there is a cavity behind the porcelain veneer on one of my teeth, and she says that a dental crown is my only option. How can that be? Is it possible to remove a veneer, treat the cavity, and put the veneer back on? Even if I need a new veneer, I prefer that to a crown. What are my options? Thank you. D. Tucker from Reno

D. Tucker,

Several factors affect a dentist’s recommendation for treating a cavity in a porcelain veneer tooth.

Replacing a Porcelain Veneer with a Crown

When a dentist wants to replace a porcelain veneer with a crown, it is unlikely that the dental laboratory will give you a crown that is an exact color match with the rest of your teeth. Only advanced cosmetic dentists who partner with an expert lab can do this.

Cavity Size

The size of the cavity behind your porcelain veneer can influence the dentist’s treatment options. A dental crown might be your only option if the cavity is large and requires removing most of your tooth structure to remove the decay. However, your dentist likely lacks the training and equipment to remove the decay and use dental bonding to ensure a porcelain veneer will stay intact.

Avoid Replacing Your Veneer with a Crown

Porcelain veneer

If you want to keep a porcelain veneer on your decayed tooth, please do not leave the work to a family or general dentist. A cosmetic dentist with advanced training and an artistic eye understands how to preserve as much tooth structure as possible and bond your porcelain veneer back on or replace it with a new veneer.

How Can You Prevent a Cavity Behind Your Porcelain Veneer?

The area where the veneer meets your tooth is susceptible to decay. However, limiting snacks throughout the day and diligently flossing around each tooth helps prevent cavities.

Schedule a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist to discuss your options for removing the cavity behind your veneer and restoring your tooth.

Best wishes.

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

Can I Take Leftover Antibiotics Instead of Getting a Root Canal?

Posted on March 29, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I had a huge filling on a decayed top left molar early last year. The dentist filled the tooth because I could not afford a crown. Since that time, I’ve only been to the dentist for cleanings because I did not have dental insurance. The tooth with the filling is starting to hurt, and my dentist said I would need a root canal soon. I still do not have dental insurance and cannot afford to pay for a root canal and crown out-of-pocket. I have antibiotics from my primary care doctor that I took for a UTI. If it seems that my tooth is infected, is it okay to use the leftover antibiotics to take care of it until I can get the tooth pulled? If the tooth hurts, how much longer do I have before I need it pulled? I want to save money from a few paychecks for the extractions. Thanks. – Eliana

Eliana,

Diagram with five steps during root canal treatment, including, numbing the tooth, determining canal length, widening and cleaning canals, filling canals, and restoring the tooth.

Only root canal treatment can clear a tooth infection

A dentist needs to examine your tooth to determine if it is infected. You should schedule the exam right away. Antibiotics will not make the infection go away. Root canal treatment removes a tooth infection. And after root canal treatment, antibiotics will keep the infection away. But your dentist will decide if you need antibiotics.

If you do not have dental insurance, look for an emergency dentist who accepts forms of payment other than dental insurance. Many dentists accept credit cards or offer payment plans or financing. Leaving the tooth untreated will lead to more expensive problems, like an infection that can spread to other teeth or your bone.

Even if you are considering a tooth extraction, please see a dentist promptly to discuss your options.

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

How Long Does It Take for a Sinus Perforation to Heal?

Posted on March 26, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I’ve waited almost two months for a sinus perforation to heal, and I still have a headache and fever. My dentist made a treatment plan for me. After healing, the next step is to get my teeth whitened before a second molar implant and crown, but this sinus deal is not going away. Is it too late for my dentist to do anything? Should I ask him to refer me to an oral surgeon? I just want to keep things moving.

Thank you. Gerard

Gerard,

Depending on its size, a sinus perforation should heal entirely within three to eight weeks. When it does not, a root tip or bone fragment in your sinus might delay the healing process. Did your dentist X-ray your sinus? If so, he or she should be able to see foreign objects on the X-ray.

When a Sinus Perforation Will Not Heal After Tooth Extraction

A dental implant with the crown, abutment, and screw labled

Get a second opinion for an unhealed sinus perforation before getting a dental implant

If a sinus perforation does not heal after tooth extraction, you can ask your dentist to refer you to an otolaryngologist (ENT) doctor. The ENT will check your X-ray for tooth root tips or bones that can interfere with healing. What else will the ENT do?

Remove any foreign objects
Close and suture the perforation
Prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection

After treatment from the ENT, you can resume your dentist’s plan for replacing your tooth with a dental implant. Before continuing your treatment plan, ensure that the perforation heals well and that you have good oral health.

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

Will My Son Need Braces for a Missing Lateral Incisor?

Posted on March 11, 2024 by AllSmiles.

My 17-year-old son is missing his top left lateral incisor. After his baby tooth fell out, the primary tooth didn’t grow in. Our pediatric dentist said the tooth behind the missing one would move forward to fill the space. The tooth did grow partially in the space of the missing one, but my son still has a gap. I’m concerned because he is so self-conscious about it and doesn’t want to make it more noticeable with braces. Do we have other options? – Thanks. Nicole

Nicole,

Your son’s pediatric dentist gave misleading advice on two levels. The tooth behind the missing want did not move forward and fill the space. If it had, the result would have looked strange. When the primary tooth came out, a dentist would have replaced a temporary partial denture. Filling the space with a temporary tooth replacement until you were ready for a permanent tooth would have helped other teeth erupt in the correct position.

Dental implant

A dentist or orthodontist must move the canine tooth to the correct position for aesthetics and proper function. Afterward, a dentist can replace the missing tooth with a dental implant. When we chew, canine teeth are thick with long roots to protect back teeth from horizontal stresses. If your son’s canine tooth remains in its current position, he can develop complications later.

Cosmetic dentistry cannot make a smile look pleasing when a canine tooth is displaced. The tooth is too bulky, and altering it with bonding or porcelain veneers will not make it look natural. Invisalign is an alternative to metal braces for moving your son’s tooth. The clear aligners are virtually invisible, helping your son feel less self-conscious about wearing braces. Teenagers’ smiles affect their social relationships, so encourage your son to consider Invisalign or other clear braces.

You can schedule a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist to discuss the options.

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

Bayou Dental Group

Comprehensive Family Dentistry

and Award-Winning Smile Makeovers