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Originally Posted by CookieCutter
I've been told I need braces to correct my bite (I have no canines to guide my bite and the only real contact between my upper and lower teeth is between my back molars), what I don't understand is how braces could possibly fix this?? Its understandable that crooked teeth can be corrected with braces, but mine aren't crooked!
Also, because of my bite I am developing TMJ, every morning my jaw is sore and clicks out of place in such a way that I can't open my mouth. So, I started wearing a night guard two nights ago and it has worked wonders for the TMJ...however this morning I woke up and one of my front teeth hurt, almost like the night guard was trying to move it, like braces would move a crooked tooth. Is it possible for a night guard to cause teeth to move over time?
I know these are more ortho related questions, but any help would be appreciated!
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Yeah, a guard can move your teeth slightly. If you feel that it's happening, your dentist can adjust it very easily and quickly to relieve the area that's putting pressure on the tooth. Braces don't just move teeth sideways (horizontally), they also move teeth vertically (up and down). So, move some teeth up, some down and soon your bite will be better.
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Originally Posted by Sharon
I'll add another completely pedestrian question - I just got an electric toothbrush. How long should I be brushing with it for? It seems a LOT more efficient than a manual one.
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Still 2 minutes, I think there's even a timer on most models.
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Originally Posted by LoganSnake
I woke up yesterday with a numb pain in my 14th tooth on the top left. The pain would let go if I didn't put any pressure on it, but would come back once I would bite down on it or chew on that side. I went to the dentist without an appointment and they took a look at me as an emergency case. X-rays were taken and the dentist said that my filling is very close to the nerve. On top of it all, my nerve appears to be dying and that's what's causing the pain. She prescribed me Amoxicillin and Ibuprofen with a note that if the pain does not let go in a couple of days, to make an appointment for a root canal.
I really don't want to get a root canal. Is there anything else I can do?
Also, what is the procedure like for the root canal? A quick answer would be appreciated since the pain is still present.
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It sounds like you may have a cracked tooth and/or a diseased pulp (nerve). One doesn't necessarily come with the other but without seeing the xray I can't say much about that. If needed, a root canal basically goes like this: teeth have a blood supply with a nerve. If it gets infected or inflamed beyond a certain point, it can't heal on its own. It needs a root canal treatment. What this means is that the root canal system (blood vessels & nerve) are removed and the canal is sterilized and then packed & sealed with an inert material. It's not complicated, just very technique-sensitive.
Here's a tip: If it's really #14 that's getting done, ask your dentist how many canals he found and make sure the answer is 4, not 3. Personally, I would have it done by someone who limits his practice to root canals. This can be a general dentist or an endodontist (a root canal specialist).