Archives for June 2021

I haven’t worn Invisalign for weeks and now the trays don’t fit

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The month of May was crazy for our family, and I only wore Invisalign for the first few days. I was so distracted by a sudden death of a friend, illness, and travel that I kept forgetting to wear it. The worse thing about this is that I was seriously considering switching to another orthodontist. There is no way I am returning to the orthodontist I had because I am too embarrassed. I tried to put on my current set of Invisalign, but it wouldn’t fit! I am shocked that in a month I can’t get the aligners on. Should I go use an earlier set of aligners? I still have them. Thank you for your help. I’m embarrassed to call a dental office. Shana from Atlanta

Shana – We understand that you are embarrassed about your situation, but do not put off getting assistance. Anyone can experience life events that make it challenging to keep their routine. Please do not guess about which aligners to wear.

What If Your Invisalign Trays No Longer Fit?

If your Invisalign trays do not fit anymore, a dentist needs to examine your teeth. If you are not comfortable going back to your orthodontist at least once more, find another Invisalign provider. It may be as simple as going back to a previous set of aligners, but we do not want to advise you without an examination.

Invisalign upper and lower aligners

Look for a skilled Invisalign provider if you must switch dentists

Why Won’t Your Invisalign Trays Fit Anymore?

If you forget to wear Invisalign, your teeth will begin to shift back to their original position. The aligners will not fit properly. Do not worry, though. It will not be difficult to get back on track with your treatment.

How to Find a New Invisalign Dentist

If you do not already have an orthodontist or Invisalign dentist in mind, you can try the following:

  • Ask acquaintances for recommendations
  • Do an online search for an Invisalign provider in your area.
  • Ask how long the dentist has been treating patients with Invisalign and how many patients they have treated from start to finish
  • Check the Invisalign website for experienced providers near you.
  • Look for dentists’ online patient reviews.

Bring your Invisalign trays with you to the appointment with your new dentist. Eventually, you will need to sign a request form to transfer your dental records to the new practice.

Dr. Steven Brookser, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post.

My dentist placed four gray crowns on my front teeth

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I’ve had composite bonding on four front teeth since 2002. Last September, one of the teeth chipped. My new dentist of 2 years suggested replacing the composite with crowns for all four teeth to prevent them from chipping again. Unfortunately, I did not know much about crowns, so I agreed to the procedure. I have four ceramic crowns that look gray in pictures. My center front teeth and the ones immediately next to them are the teeth with crowns. And the crowns do not match my other teeth. So my smile is gray and white. I have no trust in my dentist. This episode has made me so nervous about trusting any dentist. My anxiety level is high even with teeth cleaning, so the hygienist gives me nitrous oxide first. I hate to think about what is involved in removing my gray crowns. What are my options? – Thank you. Louis from OK

 

Louis,

We are sorry to hear about your horrible experience with crowns. Although your dentist offered aggressive treatment to correct dental bonding, your only option now is to find a dentist to replace your four crowns.

Replacing New Gray Dental Crowns

If a dentist gives you new dental crowns that are the wrong color, only new crowns will correct the issue. Dental ceramic is colorfast, and the color will not change. But look for an experienced cosmetic dentist to replace your crowns. A dentist who is concerned about aesthetics—the appearance of your smile—will not bond crowns to your teeth unless they fit well and match your natural teeth.

What to expect from your new cosmetic dentist

  • Discussion about your crown color – A cosmetic dentist will ensure you like the color of your natural teeth. If you want whiter teeth, the dentist will recommend teeth whitening first. And then, a lab will make your new crowns to match your brighter smile.
  • Temporary crowns – You will wear temporary crowns to ensure they look good and feel comfortable. But your final crowns will look even better.
  • Try on your new crowns – Your cosmetic dentist should use a clear paste to put your crowns on your teeth so you can see the color, shape, and how they feel. A skilled dentist will do this before bonding or cementing crowns to your teeth.

 

Request a Consultation

A closed eye - for information on sedation dentisry in Baton Rouge

Speak with your dentist about sedation options

Find a few accredited cosmetic dentists in your area. Look at their website smile gallery for cases like yours. And schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist to discuss your options. Also, speak with the dentist about your anxiety and discuss which form of sedation you may need while the dentist completes your crowns.

 

Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge, sponsors this post.

Odor from new dental implants annoys my multiple chemical sensitivity

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I have multiple chemical sensitivities and never anticipated a problem with dental implants. I am in the middle of dental implants and wearing temporary dentures. But when I open my mouth to talk or eat, I smell a distinct rubbery smell. I asked my dentist about the implants. And it was everything I  know already. The implants are titanium, the temporary denture is acrylic, and my final teeth will be porcelain. But I was not expecting a chemical smell. My dentist says that the odor is probably coming from my acrylic teeth and will go away when I get my final denture. But the strong smell is annoying. Will the scent really go away? – Thank you. Daniella

 

Daniella,

Thank you for your question. Although Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your implants and temporary dentures, several elements could be causing the odor.

Odor with New Dental Implants

We will discuss whether titanium posts, temporary acrylic teeth, or food debris can create an odor in new dental implants.

New titanium dental implants and odor

A dentist embeds titanium implants in your bone. They are beneath the gumline, so they are unlikely to produce an odor that you can smell. You can ask your dentist to let you smell an implant like the one he placed in your bone. But if titanium posts must be replaced, your dentist or an oral surgeon must remove the implants surgically. Afterward, you need bone grafting. And after the bone heals, your dentist must make new implant holes for zirconia implants.

Acrylic implant denture and odor

Acrylic has a slight smell, so the odor from your implant denture may be coming from the denture itself. If that is the case, it will probably resolve when your dentist places your new denture.

Odor from food debris

I food debris collects in your mouth—perhaps beneath your temporary denture, you could be smiling it. You may benefit from a water flosser to clean beneath your denture. You can also rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide to clean out food debris and neutralize odor. But do not use peroxide for more than two or three weeks because it will promote an oral yeast infection.

Does the odor cause a reaction?

You mentioned that the strong smell is annoying, but we wonder if it causes a sensitivity reaction. Does it make you tired or cause a reaction that you usually get with strong smells? Your answer is another clue to the source of the odor.

Consider getting a dental implants second opinion

If the odor causes a reaction and your dentist cannot identify the source, you can consider getting a second opinion from a skilled implant dentist.

 

Dr. Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge, a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.