I’m 41 and can finally afford to get my teeth straightened. The problem is when I see adults with braces I think they look ridiculous. Is there another way to straighten teeth?
Daniel- Madison, WI
Daniel,
There are a couple of ways to get your teeth straightened without traditional braces:
The first is to use Invisalign. These aligners cannot be seen, even at a conversational distance. They also straighten your teeth in about half the time of traditional braces.
Another option is to get porcelain veneers. These don’t actually straighten your teeth, but will make them look straight. They can be done in about two appointments. One to design your smile and the other to have them bonded on.
You and your dentist can discuss which is the best option for you.
This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.
I have a lot of root exposure which has caused quite a bit of sensitivity. None of the sensitive teeth toothpastes are giving any help. Are there any other options?
Allysa W.- Birmingham, AL
Allysa,
Tooth sensitivity is very difficult to deal with. I can list three options for you, but recommend you talk with your dentist about which will be best for you to try.
Prescription fluoride rinse: There are two types of fluoride rinses, a sodium based and a stannous based. More patients have expressed getting relief from the stannous based, so I would recommend trying that one first. If after 5-6 weeks you don’t see any improvement you can try something else.
Fluoride varnish: This is applied to your root surfaces after your routine dental cleanings. Many patients find relief that lasts several months. It will have to be reapplied at each cleaning.
White composite fillings: These can be placed over your exposed root surfaces. You will get immediate relief, but it is considered a last resort option.
You may also be interested in reading about Mercury-free dental services.
This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.
Hi, I have to get my first filling. My dentist wants to do one of those silver ones that has mercury in them. I really don’t want any mercury in my body. My friend Dana said there are white ones that don’t have any mercury in them. Where can I find those?
Thanks for the help, Jennie.
Jennie,
You are wanting what is called a composite filling. However, don’t push your dentist to do a filling he is not comfortable with. He is probably pushing the amalgam filling because that is what he is comfortable with. If you pressure him to do another kind you won’t be happy with the results, because he won’t have adequate training on how to place them.
My recommendation is that you do a search for a mercury-free dentist. They will be very confident placing composite fillings.
This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.
I need to get some upper teeth replaced. I tried a partial dental plate, but it was almost impossible for me. I kept gagging and it was to trying to eat with. Because of that I was wondering if my medical insurance will cover getting dental implants. I think it would be much easier to deal with.
Stephanie B.- Lansing, MI
Stephanie,
Generally, medical insurance has a dental work exclusion in it. Occasionally, you’ll get it to cover dental work that happens as a result of an accident. In order to get any coverage for dental implants, you’ll have to turn to your dental insurance.
I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.
I had a root canal and a crown put on a tooth several years ago. A couple of weeks ago it became infected. My dentist gave me an antibiotic. He said the tooth is cracked and there is little chance of another successful root canal. He recommends removing the tooth. It is not hurting anymore, so I think the infection is gone. I’d hate to remove the tooth unnecessarily. Can I just put this off seeing as it doesn’t hurt anymore?
Jenny I.- Oklahoma
Jenny,
No, I don’t recommend putting off the extraction. The infection is still there, it is just being held at bay by your antibiotics. As soon as you stop taking them the infection will flare back up. The only way to completely get rid of it is to treat it at the source.
It will be safer to extract the tooth now when the extraction while the infection is under control. There are ways to replace your tooth that will look perfectly natural. You might be interested in learning about dental implants.
I had a white filling placed almost five months ago. A month ago I went back in to have it smoothed out because my floss kept getting caught on it. Since then I’ve been getting this horrible pain whenever I take a bite. I went back in to have it x-rayed. My dentist didn’t see anything and thinks it is just post-operative pain. The problem is I can’t eat anything. What do I do? The pain is getting worse.
Anthony S.- New Mexico
Anthony,
I would go see an endodontist. If this were just post-operative soreness, your pain would be getting better–not worse. When pain progresses instead of lessening, that is generally a sign there is an infection somewhere and a root canal treatment is in order. Take the x-rays your dentist already took. An endodontist might be able to see an infection that your dentist didn’t see.
You may also be interested in learning about CEREC Crowns.
This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.
Is it safe to clean my porcelain veneers with supersmile toothpaste?
Deni R. -Rhode Island
Deni,
Yes, in fact, supersmile toothpaste is designed for porcelain veneers and other kinds of dental work. This is a great way to maintain the brightness of your smile, because it dissolves the protein pellicle that your teeth stains will attach to.
I had a molar removed today. They told me about dry socket. I needed to take some medication, so ate a small bit of food. Some of it got trapped, so I gently cleaned it out. Now there is a gaping hole. Does this mean I have dry socket? Benjamin H.- from Salt Lake City Benjamin, The clot being gone is a symptom of dry socket and not the cause. We used to think the removal of the blood clot was an affect, but not we know the real problem comes from bone damage done during surgery. Just make sure that messing with the site didn’t cause too much bleeding, and you should be fine. If it does begin to bleed too much contact your dentist’s office. If you can’t reach him, look for an emergency dentist in your area.
This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.
I had a tooth extraction. Can you tell me what the sharp bits are in the hole?
Alex B. from Great Britain
Alex,
After a tooth extraction there is a hole. In the hole there are often sharp pieces of bone left in there. As time goes on your body will re-shape the bone to be smooth. Has your dentist mentioned replacing your tooth? I would love to know what options he’s given you.
This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.
I had a silver filling put on one of my back teeth. I’ve since developed a rash on the outside of my face right about the same place as the filling. I just learned that silver fillings are loaded with mercury. Could that be why I’ve got the rash?
I’m worried now.
Karen A. from Rockport
Karen,
Generally people who have allergic reactions to fillings will have them inside their mouth, not on the outside of their face. It is possible that you had an allergic reaction to the latex in your dentist’s gloves. I’ve never heard of a filling affecting the outside of your mouth though.
If the mercury in the silver/amalgam fillings worries you, you can always have your dentist replace them with composite fillings. If he doesn’t place those, you can just do an internet search for a mercury free dentist. Composite fillings do take some extra training, so not all dentists are ready to place them.
I hope this eases your mind.
This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.
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