Archives for December 2022

How Can I Get Eroded Tooth Enamel Fixed?

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Hello,

Due to a childhood disease and the medication that I took for it, some of the tooth enamel on my front teeth eroded. Also, the color of my teeth is not uniform. I am 27 now, and the older I get, the more self-conscious I become. Some friends have encouraged me to try teeth whitening, but I am not a risk-taker. If I do something to make my teeth look worse, I will become even more socially distant than I am now because of my teeth. Are there any cosmetic treatments for eroded tooth enamel? Thank you. Emilia from Santa Clara, CA

Emilia,

Thank you for your question.

How Can You Get Eroded Tooth Enamel Fixed?

A skilled cosmetic dentist can restore your teeth from eroded tooth enamel with dental bonding, porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or a combination of treatments. Each patient’s case is different, so after a comprehensive examination and x-rays, a cosmetic dentist will explain your treatment options.

What Determines Your Treatment for Eroded Tooth Enamel?

The treatment for tooth enamel may be dental bonding, porcelain veneer, or dental crowns, depending on the condition and position of each affected tooth.

Consider the uses of each treatment:

  • Direct composite bonding – A skilled cosmetic dentist may use dental bonding to address mild enamel erosion. After removing the discoloration, the dentist will blend the composite and apply it to the affected areas.
  • Porcelain veneers – Severe enamel erosion that only affects the fronts of your teeth requires porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are suitable only for front teeth. An expert cosmetic dentist can conservatively prepare your teeth, take impressions of them, and work with a master ceramist to make custom, natural-looking veneers.
  • Dental crowns – When enamel erosion affects the backs of your teeth, closest to your tongue, dental crowns are the best way to restore your teeth. A crown covers the entire tooth and will protect weak tooth enamel from decay.

Consult with an Accredited Cosmetic Dentist for Enamel Erosion

Before and after porcelain veneers photos from Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher

You can expect beautiful restoration after tooth enamel erosion with porcelain veneers, as shown in these pictures from Dr. Brooksher.

Regardless of the extent of enamel erosion on your teeth, we recommend scheduling a consultation with an accredited cosmetic dentist. Even mild cases requiring dental bonding need a cosmetic dentist for natural-looking results. Most general dentists lack an inventory of shades of composites and other materials needed to restore your teeth beautifully.

You can look forward to a beautiful smile and increased self-esteem after a cosmetic dentist restores your teeth.

Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post.

Dentist Won’t Place Implants Until I Get Wisdom Teeth Removed

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My upper right first and second bicuspid teeth have been missing since I was 16 years old. Two years ago, I started saving for dental implants. I saw an implant dentist two months ago, and she did a 3D scan of my teeth and noticed my impacted wisdom teeth. She asked if I had any complications, and I told her that my wisdom teeth hurt regularly and had felt worse within the past five months.

The dentist recommended getting my wisdom teeth out before I get dental implants because if the wisdom teeth flare up during dental implant recovery, I could have a rough time. She referred me to an oral surgeon. I am 42 years old and terrified of wisdom teeth removal because of my age. All my wisdom teeth are impacted, and two are angled near a nerve. I am afraid of nerve damage from the surgery. I read about a procedure that can take off the tops of the teeth. Would I qualify for that? Do I really need to get my wisdom teeth out before getting dental implants? Thanks. Micah from Lexington, KY

Micah,

Thank you for your question. We understand your disappointment about delaying a dental implant procedure to get your wisdom teeth removed. But your dentist is correct. If your wisdom teeth flare up during your four months of recovery after dental implant surgery, you can experience much discomfort.

What Happens If Your Wisdom Tooth Is Near a Nerve?

If your wisdom tooth is near a nerve, your oral surgeon will use a 3-D CT scan to navigate around the nerve while removing the tooth. Wisdom teeth are near two nerves, the lingual nerve, and the alveolar nerve.

  • Lingual nerve – Supplies sensation to the floor of your mouth and the front two-thirds of the tongue
  • Alveolar nerve – Supplies sensation to your lower lip and skin over your chin

If a wisdom tooth has long roots entangled in nerves, some oral surgeons perform a procedure called a coronectomy.

What Is a Coronectomy?

A coronectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the crown of a wisdom tooth and leaves the roots intact. A surgeon may use this method to prevent touching nerves. The procedure is controversial because using tooth roots behind can create new risks, and your oral surgeon may not use it.

What Happens If Wisdom Teeth Removal Bruises a Nerve?

Model of a dental implant with the crown, abutment, and root form labeled

Dental implants need to be undistrubed in a healthy environment

If wisdom teeth removal bruises a nerve, the effects are usually temporary but can last up to 18 months. As the nerve heals, you may experience numbness or tingling in these areas:

  • Tongue
  • Lower lip
  • Skin over your chin

We encourage you to schedule a consultation with a board-certified oral surgeon to discuss your concerns and the state of your wisdom teeth. The surgeon will explain your options for sedation to relieve your anxiety during the procedure.

After dental implant surgery, avoiding disturbing the implants and preventing them from fusing with your jawbone is essential. Delaying wisdom teeth removal and needing emergency surgery could interrupt dental implant healing and recovery.

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

How Many Bite Adjustments Before Dental Crowns Crack?

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Mature man sitting on a couch with chin resting on his folded hands, portraying dental crown bite adjustment problemsHow many times can my dentist try to fix my bite before the crowns crack? I got six zirconia crowns in August, and my bite is still off. My dentist sent two crowns back, shaved the others, and still can’t get it right. Why is my bite still off? The situation is so stressful that I have begun chewing my tongue, which I have never done in my life. I cannot imagine needing new crowns. I don’t think I can take it emotionally. What is my dentist doing wrong? Thanks. Brad from Arlington, TX

Brad,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Brooksher’s office. We understand your frustration about your new dental crowns and an uncomfortable bite. Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your crowns to determine why your bite is off, but we will address your concerns.

Why Can’t Your Dentist Adjust Your Bite?

If a dentist cannot adjust your bite with new crowns, it could be due to a lack of training in occlusion and bite. A dentist must get post-graduate training to understand how to achieve harmony with your bite. Otherwise, the disruption can cause symptoms associated with TMJ disorder, including jaw pain or stiffness, neck pain, earaches, and headaches.

We recommend getting a second opinion because we are concerned that your dentist does not know how to correct your bite. Look for a dentist with advanced occlusion and bite training from a post-graduate institute, such as these:

  • The L.D. Pankey Institute in Florida
  • The Dawson Academy in Florida
  • Spear Education in Arizona

You can do a Google search for dentists in your city with occlusal and bite training or use the name of one of the institutes listed above when you search. It is not surprising that your situation is causing you to develop the habit of chewing your tongue.

Sedation for New Dental Crowns

A dentist will offer sedation based on your level of anxiety if you need new dental crowns. Explain how the concerns with the crowns have affected you, and your new cosmetic dentist will recommend sedation options to help you relax during treatment.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist and founding member of the L.D. Pankey Alumni Study Club sponsors this post.