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Dental Emergency

Can’t drink hot chocolate-my tooth hurts

We’ve finally gotten to the cold weather and my tooth hurts like crazy. I can’t even drink my coveted hot chocolate. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this pain?

Sara G. – Utah

Sara,

When your tooth is sensitive to heat, it means the pulp inside your tooth is so inflamed that it is about to die.  This is something that needs treatment fairly quickly.  You’ll need a root canal treatment and a dental crown.

You’ll want to get seen before any infection spreads elsewhere in your body.  Explain to your dentist what is happening. If you’re still haveing trouble getting in quickly, there are dentists that will see you the same day in those situations. Just tell them what is going on and they will fit you in.

Don’t put this off. I want to reiterate that it is important to deal with this before things get worse.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert, AZ Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Sedation Dentistry

The BEST way to go to the dentist

Here is a letter a colleague of mine received. I can’t think of a better endorsement for sedation dentistry anywhere.

For years I have avoided the dentist (sorry about that), but not anymore. I have found the best way to go to the dentist. If you have any other chicken patients maybe you can tell them my story and they will find the help I did.

Dear Fellow Dental Chicken,

I understand how you feel. Whenever I thought about going to the dentist my whole body would tense up.  Who wants to pay for that kind of pain? The problem was I was starting to be in pain all the time.  I was getting cavities. Those cavities turned into tooth infections.

Even with the infection, I was still finding excuses to avoid the dentist. One evening, when I was in an abundance of pain, my friend Terri told me that if I didn’t take care of my tooth infection that it could spread. In a worst case scenario, it can even spread to my brain!

I don’t have to tell you that she put me in a little bit of a panic.  She told me about sedation dentistry and my life hasn’t been the same since.  I took a pill before my appointment. It relaxed me completely. To be honest, it relaxed me so much I don’t remember a whole lot about the dental appointment.  What I do know is that my infection is gone and I felt NO pain during my appointment.  Since then, I’ve been back twice to take care of all that dental work I have neglected over these years.

I hope this helps.

This blog has been brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

CEREC crowns

Crowns without a temporary

I needed to get a dental crown. My temporary crown has fallen off. Of course, my know it all sister told me if I’d have gotten a cerec crown I wouldn’t have needed a temporary to begin with.  I’m sure she’d correct (she always seems to be), but can you tell me what this cerec thing is?

Nate- Boston

Nate,

I have a sister like that. As much as I hate to tell you this, she is right. CEREC crowns are milled at your appointment by a computer. They’re generally ready in about twenty minutes.

Because they’re done by computer, they generally will fit better as well.  You’ll have to find a dentist who uses CEREC technology.

Hopefully, your current dentist took care of your temporary crown.  You don’t want to leave that off because it can throw off your bite and your permanent crown won’t fit.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

 

Sedation Dentistry

Tooth pain versus dental fear

I’m in a lot of pain, but I have a horrible fear of being in a dental chair. I can’t decide which is worse. How do I find a dentist who doesn’t cause pain?

Drew B.- San Antonio

Drew,

You are not alone in your dental fear.  A large number of Americans share your feelings. There is a way you can get your tooth ache dealt with and stay out of pain in the dental chair.

What you need is a sedation dentist. There are different levels of sedation. It sounds like your fear needs something stronger than nitrous oxide. Call around and see who will do at least oral conscious sedation.

This is a pill you take shortly before your appointment. You’ll need someone to drive you to and from the appointment, because you’ll be pretty groggy. What you won’t feel, is pain.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

CEREC crowns

CEREC verses Porcelain Crowns

Which crowns are better, cerec or porcelain crowns?

Elaina- Bayonne, NJ

Elaina,

CEREC crowns are a type of porcelain crown.  I wouldn’t say that one is better than the other. The biggest benefit to a CEREC crown is really in its convenience.  Because they are milled by a computer, you can have your CEREC crown done the same day as your initial appointment, saving you coming in a second time. You also won’t have to wear a temporary crown.

If you decided not to get a CEREC crown, you’ll want to make sure you get all porcelain crowns and not porcelain fused to metal crowns.  Because of their metal foundation, those type of crowns have to be made a little opaque.  They also develop a gray line at your gumline over time.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Invisalign

Protruded teeth

I have teeth that protrude and wondered what my options are for fixing them?

Amanda B.- Cincinnati

Amanda,

When it comes to dealing with protruding teeth, you have three general options:

  • Traditional Braces: These are the same wire and metal brackets that people think of when braces come to mind. They take about 2-3 years. I would go to an orthodontist for this type of treatment. If your teeth are very protruded, you might need surgical orthodontics.
  • Invisalign: These use clear aligners to straighten your teeth. They’ll work in about half the time as traditional braces, but won’t work if your teeth are protruded too far.
  • Porcelain Veneers: These won’t straighten your teeth, but will make them appear straight. Again, it would depend on how protruded they are as to whether this would be a good option.

I suggest you see a cosmetic dentist to see which of these options best suits your situation.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

CEREC crowns

Pain with CEREC Crown

I had a cerec crown put in and since then I have had a lot of pain when biting down on this tooth. I’ve been back twice for my dentist to readjust the bite. After the second time when I told him I was still having a problem he said it was because of the way I chew. If that is the case then why didn’t it hurt before I had the crown when I chewed?

Frustrated and in pain.

I can understand your frustration. I don’t believe the pain is from your chewing. In general, there are two main reasons for you to have pain while chewing with a crown.

The first is if the crown is too high. There are a couple of things that make me think this is unlikely. First,  CEREC crowns are milled by a computer which is more precise in its construction, therefore you have less chance of a  poor fit. Secondly, your dentist has already adjusted it twice.

Another possible reason for the pain you are experiencing is you could have an infection. I’d get an x-ray done to eliminate that possibility (though it seems the more likely of the two). However, if you’re not confident in your doctor’s diagnostic ability, then I would go to a root canal specialist to have your x-ray done.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Dental Emergency

Emergency Preparation: A knocked out tooth

I’ve been making out a list of emergency prepardness sheets for a workshop I’ve been invited to speak. I thought it would be useful to list one of my sheets.

Dealing With A Knocked Out Tooth

1. Get to the dentist as quickly as possible. It is ideal to get there within the first 30 minutes. If you cannot reach your dentist do a quick Google search for an emergency dentist. However, seeing as we’re making a preparedness chart, it wouldn’t hurt to do a search for emergency dentists ahead of time so you have a list ready.

2. Call the dentist ahead of time so they can be prepared for you when you get there.

3. Carefully remove any dirt from your tooth by holding it by the crown (the top visible part of your tooth) and gently rinse it with water. DO NOT  scrub the tooth. DO NOT  hold the tooth by the root part.

4. Keep the tooth moist. You can do this by holding it between your cheek and gum, or by placing it in a cup of milk.

Now you know what to do with a knocked out tooth.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Dentures

Tired of dental problems

If I’m tired of dealing with dental problems, can I just have them all removed and get dentures?

Wally G.- Little Rock, AR

Wally,

I am of the philosophy that even difficult teeth are better than no teeth. With the best fitting dentures your chewing efficiency is lessened by 50%.

Of course they are your teeth and you can do what you want, but I would see which of your teeth are worth saving and which really need to go. Then, instead of getting dentures, or partial dentures, I recommend you get dental implants. They will look and function just like normal healthy teeth. They’ll be much more comfortable and you’ll be able to eat normally as well.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Sensitive Teeth, Uncategorized

Sensitivity after a filling

Several months ago I had a filling placed. It was fine at the time, but then a few weeks later the tooth became sensitive to cold. Do I need to replace the filling?

Anthony S.-Bache, OK

Anthony,

When a tooth feels fine immediately after a new filling is placed, but then becomes sensitive later, that usually means that there are bacteria from the original decay that had penetrated into the pulp of the tooth. Generally, you wait it out and hope your normal body defenses kick in and deal with it.

The key as to whether you need to do anything will depend on if the sensitivity is getting better or not. If the sensitivity is improving, then you probably don’t need to do anything. If, however, the sensitivity is getting worse, then it is possible you will need to get a root canal treatment. If so, you’ll also need a dental crown.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert dentist Dr. Brandon Schmidt.