popo

Go see an endodontist for the root canal, they're the specialist. Plus you get a second opinion at the same time.

intecel

That sounds like a plan.. thanks a lot!

UrbanAngel

I have a rather odd dental question. I got my top left wisdom tooth removed about two weeks ago. I had my bottom two removed a year ago and still have my top right one. Well, after the extraction I noticed that I had a wrinkle going from my nose to my mouth (laugh line). After two weeks it still hasn't gone away. It's on the left side of my face. Could this be caused by the tooth removal? I've never had any wrinkles before(I'm 23).

Gabbyness

Popo,

First off, you are the man.

I'm starting to develop a slight gap between my two front teeth, it's nothing terribly noticeable, but it is annoying enough to affect my vanity. Is there any way to close such a gap outside of full-blown bracers? And if so, who would I see to get something like that in order?

__________________
One, two, three, four, fiiiiiiiifth.

newtx

I have 3 spaces between my teeth which seem to catch food. I floss several times a day but still have trouble cleaning out those three spots. I remember the dentist telling me I would have trouble with two of them. Sometimes wake up with slight pain from impacted food that I couldn't quite get out. (at the time I had spent so much money with the dentist that I finally gave up. Didn't think the bills and appointments would ever end.)
If the food is removed within 24 hours am I causing any serious damage to my teeth or gums?

ASU2003

I just had one filling replaced a week ago now with the composite stuff. When I wake up it feels fine, but after I eat and chew with it, it starts to hurt. By the end of the day there is the throbbing pain. Cold stuff hurts, I don't think hot stuff bothers it.

When should I go back to the dentist? He said that this would happen with the composite fillings, but how long should I wait before having it inspected versus waiting the nerves to die off or become used to it? I've read a few of the previous posts here and they have had this problem for weeks.

Second. They used a drill on the tooth and would it be possible that the pain is coming from the vibrations on the root loosening itself from the gums? My previous dentist switched to a type of sand/air blasting. I liked that a lot better. Is this becoming more common?

The pain is decreasing slightly I think, we will see if it continues.

You said that gold doesn't cause any problems with sensitivity before. Would it be possible to get a thin layer of gold and then glue or attach the composite onto it?

Thanks!

ASU2003

I guess it takes about 10 days for the sensitivity to go away after you get a composite filling on a molar. I am still staying away from cold food & drinks, but it isn't bothering me like it was on Thursday.

popo

Hmmm, not sure about this. Your teeth definitely support the soft tissue of your face (think of the old toothless person wearing vs. not wearing dentures). But a single missing tooth (not a bunch in row) won't do it, especially in the back of your mouth where wisdom teeth are. Sorry, I don't have an answer but I strongly doubt the wisdom teeth have anything to do with it.

Sure. Depending on how big the space is and what the dimensions of your teeth are, you could probably get some simple bonding to close the gap. Obviously if your teeth are already wide then making them wider will look funny and braces might be your best bet. Any good general dentist will be able to do the bonding.

Speaking from a gum standpoint, no, but you may not be getting all of it. From a cavity standpoint, yes it still can be harmful. If the spaces are causing food impactions then you need to get them fixed. I understand the cost issue but you should realize that it's a choice between some cost now or potentially much more later on.

Glad to hear that you're doing better. Give it some more time.

Good idea having a gold layer and white material bonded to it. That's how ~90% of crowns are made. A filling isn't done like that though.

WRT your question about air abrasion... some people use it. No one I know. It has it's own problems from what I hear. It's good for very small cavities.

ASU2003

Yeah, that is what it was called. My old dentist switched to that a few years ago, and it worked great. I don't even think that there was a need to numb the area. And there was no drilling noise or vibration making the tooth vibrate in the socket. You should look into it again.

popo

Thanks, but not my field

ASU2003

What is the treatment for when your gums are irritated and sore? After getting that filling two weeks ago, the outside area around the back three teeth around the gum line is sore and sensenstive. This might have been the real problem, not the filling, which was causing the pain after the first few days.

The dentist has said before that I had gingivitis, but would this cause it to get worse, or and there any treatment for it? In April they didn't mention it, but they did in October 05.

Willravel

Have you ever seen the movie Marathon Man with Dustin Hoffman? Do you think that's why people are afraid of dentists?

Zeraph

Last time I went I had them break down the costs. What is with the "exam" cost? I paid $50 for the doc to come in, literally spend 1-2 minutes with me, and say my teeth are fine. I'm sure there are more complex cases where it might be more warranted, but why not have the cost by a case to case basis?

Anyways, my actual question is do all dentists charge for this exam? Also the nurse said it was something they had to do by law, is that true?

Thanks.

popo

That is on a case basis. A consult and treatment planning fee can/should run into the hundreds of dollars for a complex case. $50 is nothing for the expertise it takes for him to only need to spend 1-2 minutes with you. It takes alot of years to get there.

Reminds me of an old joke:

Patient: How much will it cost to take out the tooth?
Dentist: $200
Patient: $200 for just a few minutes?
Dentist: I can take it out very slowly if you like...

Ample

For the last few months I have been giving serious thought into getting veneers for my two upper front teeth. One has a calcium deposit from when first came in, and the other tooth half was knocked out when I was a kid, and filling thing has slightly discolored over the years. So my question is I have seen them for 900ish to 1200ish. This would be coming out of my own pocket and a 600 dollar difference is a lot. Why the price flux, do veneers range in quality?

__________________

Her juju beads are so nice
She kissed my third cousin twice
Im the king of pomona

raeanna74

Is it possible to get braces for just one tooth? I have very good alignment in my teeth. All of them. BUT I have one babytooth that may have to come out soon. I have an adult tooth that's just begun to cut through the roof of my mouth just behind the baby tooth. My dentist a while back said that if that adult tooth ever decided to come in we could pull the baby tooth. BUT I know my insurance won't pay much for braces. I never expected to need them. I doubt that this baby tooth will move into the proper hole since it's already started to come through in a different place. I don't want to be an adult with a gaping hole where canine should be. I also don't have to money to handle a full mouth of braces. Are there any cheaper routes to fixing this problem? What can I expect? I will be seeing my dentist again next week but I'd like to hear what options are out there (if there are any different options) so that when he starts telling me what he recommends I can understand what the best choice is.

__________________
"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama
My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

popo

Yes they do range in quality. But the higher price dentist is not necessarily the better one. The price depends on materials the dentist chooses and the expertise of the lab he chooses to actually make the veneers. Labs vary greatly in quality and price and their price very much reflects quality. You can be sure that a dentist that uses a high cost lab will charge for it but one who uses a low cost lab may also charge high prices.

Best advice: 1) ask to see photos of actual patients that got veneers from him. NOT stock photos, real patients. Any high quality dentist will take photos for this purpose. 2) ask to speak to patients who went to him/her for veneers. 3) to reiterate what's been said many times here, go to a local school if you're cost-conscious. You'll get top quality (especially if you ask to be seen by residents instead of students) and the price will be lower than private practice.

Impossible for me to say without seeing the case but in general there's no cheaper option to orthodontics.

Sign up for insurance now or go to a school if cost-conscious.

Shanta

Hi, first time here. Just searched google for a site that may be able to help me solve my 4 year old's grinding teeth habit. In her sleep she tends to grind her teeth quite hard and I an becoming increasingly worried about what damage this is doing to her teeth. She has no idea that she's doing it when I discuss it with her. Is there anything I can do to stop it?

1010011010

What's the sort of shorthand lingo dentists and their assistants use during exams? I just want a quick primer so I can both understand what exactly is being said and also to communicate more effectively.

I.E. "42 buckle" means... what?

__________________
Simple Machines in Higher Dimensions

popo

I have no experience with pediatrics. I'd recommend you see a Pedodontist.

The number will refer to the tooth and the word describes where on the tooth, ie buccal (meaning toward the cheek), lingual (toward the tongue), distal (toward the back), or mesial (toward the front). He may be checking probing depths of your gums or checking for decay/fractures/etc.

genuinegirly

I'm curious...

I'm 23. never had a cavity, brush two to three times per day, remember to floss more often than not.

How long is too long between dentist visits? It has been about two years, just received dental insurance so I'm planning on making an appointment before the end of the year... Still, I'm curious if I'm doing myself a disservice by not seeing a dentist every 6 months.

The other question: Who do I see regarding difficulties with my jaw? For the past 6 years, it has popped out of joint regularly (basically every time i open my mouth wide it pops), and can sometimes be painful. I have mentioned it to dentists and orthodontists in the past, but they have dismissed it as nothing. I would like to have it investigated and dealt with appropriately.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

popo

First off, great investment on choosing to take care of your mouth. Not only will you look and smell good but it'll save you a ton of money later on.

Even though you take such good care, I'd still suggest you get a professional cleaning every 6 months or so. Stuff naturally builds up after a while and it's covered by your insurance so you're paying for it anyway. Because you have such a low caries index (tendancy not to get "cavities") you probably need x-rays only once/year. But I'd still get things cleaned up twice/year. Ounce of prevention and all that...

As for your TMJ problems, ask for a referal to a prosthodontist or oral surgeon who deals with a lot of this in their practice. There are options outside of surgery like making a splint to fit your teeth that might help.

Good luck.

genuinegirly

Thank You!!!! You're a great resource.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

Ch'i

I brush twice a day, floss before bed; and rinse with Listerine.

About 3 weeks ago my gums started to turn red a swell, and ever since it has become increasingly difficult to floss. My gums will commonly bleed now when I brush & floss. It appears to be gingivitis, but I'm not sure why I'm getting it if I brush/floss regularly, and rinse with a mouthwash said to fight gingivitis specifically. I wear a positioner (had to stop because of swelling) if that makes any difference.
Any idea on what might be going on?

jill

have really horrible teeth and i would like them extracted and then implants put in their place. Would this be possible and would a denist be prepared to do this even though my teeth are prefectly healthy?

izzzzy

I had my top teeth extracted about a month ago and I've got a lot of bone spurs under the flesh in my gums . The dentist said its common and they will likely cover over with flesh or work their way out .they only bother when I'm putting in or taking out my dentures . How long can I expect this to last before they are healed or come out? I plucked a couple out, and there feel like theres about three more that want to break through the skin. Any way to speed up the process? She seems reluctant to extract them for me. Thanks in advance for any advice.

popo

As I understand you, it's a single localized area. Sounds like there's an irritant in your gums, probably a piece of food... popcorn is common. If it hasn't healed by itself after a week or so, see your doc. They can get it out.

You say that your teeth are horrible but yet perfectly healthy.... not following you.

If your teeth are beyond repair, yes they can be replaced with implants, but you need to know why your teeth got to this point. If lack of home care was the problem, you need to know that implants are not permanent. They are expected to last a long time *with proper home care* but without it.....

Regardless, as it sounds like a large case I would seek treatment from a prosthodontist, rather than a general dentist. As this is my field, ask any implant questions you have.

This should not be happening. It sounds like you're right... she doesn't want to extract them. Ask for a referral to a periodontist or oral surgeon to do it for her. That'll get her attention.

Elphaba

Popo, we have two dental related questions going on in General right now that I would appreciate you input. You can find one of them here:

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=108914

and I am having trouble finding the one Cynthetic posted concerning a 5 yo that would appear to have been over medicated prior to dental work.

Jozrael

Heyas, I take generally good care of my teeth (brush several times a day, hopefully after each meal) though I fail to floss. Never gotten a cavity, so I consider my teeth generally strong. Oh, and I have drank milk like nobody's business since I was a kid - I'm in college now and drink about 4 glasses a day.

At the end of this summer I was working on a construction job and accidentally smacked my mouth incredibly hard with a socket wrench. My top 2 front and bottom teeth hurt like hell for a couple days, but I figured it was just the nerves regrowing. A couple days later, though, my gf pointed out that one of my teeth was fractured. There's a 'bullet' fracture in roughly the center with 4 hairline cracks going up down left right. They're incredibly difficult to see, I had examined my mouth in a mirror in bright light previously and failed to see them - no one else is going to notice (no one else is near my mouth).

I just wanted to know if it is cause for alarm - I think it's just the enamel that is fractured, but is there a good chance that it extends past that?

Oh, and there hasn't been any pain for a good month now.

Thanks!

popo

Not being in pain is a good start but yeah, it's possible that goes deeper than enamel. And with any blunt trauma, it's possible that the blood supply to the tooth has been damaged, necessitating a root canal. The tooth will start to turn gray. A quick exam and an xray will tell all though sometimes it's questionable.

nmoline

I had 3 white fillings 9 days ago and for the past 9 days I have had what I would call severe sensitivity to cold on my rear bottom left molar which happened to cause the most pain when drilled. The dentist did remark that this one was not the deepest. However, I can not let anything remotely cold touch that molar without causing a lot of pain. I have read that with the white composite fillings it can be normal to have sensitivity anywhere from a week to a month. I guess what I am wondering is since it is only sensitive to cold and not hot or sweets should I be worried and call my dentist in 3 days when he opens up, or should I just give it another week or two to run its course and do my best to avoid cold food and beverages? By the way I have a great fear of serious dentistry such as root canals and I think I would have to find a sedation dentist to do this kind of work if that is what you think I may need.

stevie667

Hey there popo,
I have a molar, bottom back left, second 'big' molar if it makes any difference. About 6/7 months ago i needed a filling, and went through all the procedure. Since then i've been brushing twice a day with mouthwash, laying off the overly sugary stuff and drinking plenty of milk, but i've noticed a little black spot on the tooth (similar to, but smaller, than the one i saw before i got my filling).

I am incredibly loathed to go back and get it redone, with proper care will a tooth 'heal', or am i just going to have to accept the inevitable and go to the dentist again?

__________________
Office hours have changed. Please call during office hours for more information.

popo

It really depends on how bad it is. Yes, sensitivity could occur for up to a few weeks but if it's debilitating then maybe you shouldn't wait that long. I wouldn't want my patient to be in severe pain while I tell them to just wait it out. And it might not need anything more than a minor adjustment for you to feel better.

The black spot isn't likely to be decay as it'd need to be pretty damn big to be visible by you. It could be that the filling fractured. I dunno. Whatever it is, have your doc take a peak.

Paq

word to the wise

i finally went to a dentist bc i cracked yet another

bottom line, 2 extractions, 4 root canals, 4 crowns, fix several old fillings (silver to composite) fix new cavities...$8K estimated...

__________________
Live.

Chris

stevie667

Its probably about the size of a pinhead, so teeny tiny.

But, cheers for the advice, off to the dentist with me.

__________________
Office hours have changed. Please call during office hours for more information.

dorkette1980

Hi, I'm a new poster but I've been following this thread for a while and am glad to see it's still active. Before I start with the questions, I just want to say yet again that it is very cool of you to be doing this Popo! There aren't many people who would take the time to answer so many questions on an internet forum.

Anyway, here's my situation. Two of my bottom front teeth are a little loose and have been for several months now and I am not sure what is causing this. I'm very anal about my teeth and brush and floss daily. They aren't so loose that I feel them when chewing or when my teeth are clenched. In fact, the only time I notice the looseness is if I hold the teeth and wiggle them. There's no pain or discomfort whatsoever.

I went to my dentist and told him about my concerns. After examining me he declared that although there was some movement it is nothing to be concerned about. He said it's probably because of my bite and that the front upper teeth are putting a bit of pressure on the lower teeth which is causing the slight movement. Have you ever heard of such a thing happening? I'm not comfortable having loose teeth in my mouth and I'm considering getting a second opinion.

popo

Good for you for not being comfortable with any change in your mouth that doesn't feel right. Most would wait until it's too late.

Yes, it's fairly common for your bite to cause tooth mobility but that doesn't mean it's fine to watch it. The good news is that once dealt with your teeth will firm up. The bad news is that your bite is a problem. It can usually be dealt with conservatively by grinding down your teeth to make them "fit" better. Don't worry, it's very little and anesthesia is not even needed.

Tell your doc that you'd like him to take care of it. If he still resists then get a 2nd opinion. In the meantime, stop wiggling your teeth with your fingers!

dorkette1980

Thanks so much! I'm due for my 6-month checkup soon so I'll ask my dentist to do something about it then. And although it's hard, I'll stop with the teeth-wiggling . Thanks again, Popo!

Montanas Heart

Sure Ill bite... no pun intended... lately I have noticed that when I brush I am bleeding particularly around the front teeth. I brush twice a day as has been my daily routine for years. The toothbrush is the same, soft adult bristles, the toothpaste has been the same now for about a year, colgate total (or is it complete?) but now for about the last month or so I have been bleeding bright red... I dont brush hard or agressively... Im not under undue stress... not sick, not taking any meds that I havent been taking before... nothing has changed... I do grind my teeth at night however. And I do have some extreme jaw pain right now... could the two be connected? Ok youre the expert you tell me...

Siege

My dentist said that I had a cavity inbetween 2 of my teeth last check up. Weird thing is, last time I had a cavity, I totally knew I had one (I could feel pain). Right now, everything feels fine. Is that normal?

__________________
"Your name's Geek? Do you know the origin of the term? A geek is someone who bites the heads off chickens at a circus. I would never let you suck my dick with a name like Geek"

--Kevin Smith

This part just makes my posts easier to find