Archives for November 2019

Can I Get a Root Canal If I Have a Porcelain Veneer?

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Hello there,

My dentist says I have a periapical abscess and I will need a root canal on one of my front teeth. However, my front teeth all have veneers over them. Will this case discoloration? Or will I need my veneers replaced?

Brent, from Alcolu, South Carolina

 

Hi Brent,

Usually, when porcelain veneers are placed, they are done on teeth that have been prepared. Most preparation cuts ridges into the surface of the tooth. However, some dentists go too deeply, or even place crowns under the guise of  veneers. Doing either of these things will cause significant stress on the surrounding teeth. The stress could be the cause behind the root canal.

Getting a root canal on a tooth will cause the tooth to turn dark, and this can lead to discoloration. If the tooth beneath the veneer is discolored, it can show through the veneer. To avoid discoloration, your dentist will need to clean your tooth properly, and may need to replace the post with white fiberglass and use natural-looking composite to fill in any gaps. An expert cosmetic dentist should be able to help you avoid dental discoloration, but if you trust your general dentist, they can help you as well.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge porcelain veneer provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher, of Dentistry by Brooksher.

 

Is Invisalign My Only Option?

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Hi,

I want to get Invisalign, but am wondering if there is an alternative. I have seen advertisements for kits they send you in the mail for smile aligners, such as Candid. They say they can bill your insurance and do not seem like a scam. Is there an alternative to Invisalign or is that my only option?

Tara, from Saratoga Springs, New York

 

Hi Tara,

Invisalign has been around since 1997, and has been developing its product and system since then. Candid and companies like them are more recent.

While a remote company like Candid can bill insurance, some insurance companies are having trouble with them.Remote dentistry has only recently become billable, but most insurances require dentistry to be performed in-office by a licensed dentist. This makes Invisalign a better option than Candid or a different remote dentistry company.

Another issue with using a remote dentistry company is that dentistry such as Invisalign requires maintenance, observation, and follow-up appointments. With Invisalign, your dentist will see you every 6-8 weeks, if not more. Aligners like Invisalign can cause teeth to become stressed and experience trauma, and will need to be seen by a dentist immediately. Without a dentist to monitor the teeth, you may lose them.

Candid may be cheaper in some cases, but with Invisalign you do not need to worry about complaining to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or worry about your insurance not covering your aligners. Invisalign is a long-time, consumer trusted product, so if you are a candidate, you should look into it for your smile makeover.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge Invisalign provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher, of Dentistry by Brooksher.

 

Novocain Doesn’t Make Me Numb?

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Hello there,

My teeth are in need of a root canal due to nerve damage and nerve damage. My dentist injected me with Novocain, and it did not work. He injected me again and again, and I still could not get numb. Because of that, he sent me home with some painkillers. I cannot get a root canal done unless my teeth can be numbed. Would a numbing paste work? Is there something I can do? Or is there something wrong with me?

Luther, from Huntington, West Virginia

 

Hi Luther,

It is not a problem with you, with some modifications you can get your teeth to get numb. Your problem is likely related to dental anxiety. The higher your anxiety, the less likely you are to get numb, and the more numbing agent that is needed. If you can lower your anxiety, you will be able to get numb with Novocaine or a numbing paste.

One way to help your dental anxiety will be to go to a sedation dentist. A sedation dentist can write you a script for an anti-anxiety medication to take thirty minutes to an hour prior to your appointment. However, you will need a ride to and from the appointment if you take this medication.

If you do not want to take an anti-anxiety pill, you can find a dentist who uses nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide wears off quickly after the appointment, and has no ill side effects. It also is more effective at numbing and sedation than novocaine, and is a good alternative for those with dental anxiety who cannot be numbed any other way.

If your current dentist does not offer sedation dentistry, you can seek it elsewhere. If you continue to see your dentist, using techniques to control your anxiety will allow you to finally become numb enough to get your root canal.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge sedation dentist, Dr. Steven Brooksher, of Dentistry by Brooksher.