Why Didn’t Her Dentist See Decay Beneath Her Porcelain Crown?

by

I received two dental crowns in 2012. One of the top molar crowns has a cavity beneath it. I had been complaining to my dentist about it on and off or about two years. After my checkup two weeks ago, she said the x-ray shows a cavity. I guess that I shouldn’t have waited to see another dentist about my tooth sensitivity and dull pain. But I’m nervous about dental appointments. How can a cavity develop beneath a crown? Karissa from Macon, GA

Karissa,

You’ve had your crowns for eight years. Usually, a dentist won’t find decay beneath your crown within that period. But there are two reasons that decay might develop.

Two Reasons for Decay Beneath a Dental Crown

Your dental history – If you have a history of cavities, it might not be surprising that there is decay beneath a dental crown.

Your dentist’s placement of the crown – A dentist must ensure that the margin—where your crown and tooth meet—is smooth and without gaps. Any roughness or gaps will attract plaque, bacteria, and decay. If decay isn’t noticed and treated during your dental exams and cleaning, the decay will progress and result in the symptoms you’re feeling—sensitivity and pain.

After your completed complaints about the crown, your dentist should have completed a thorough examination and x-rays without delay. Don’t let your dentist’s delay discourage you. Get prompt care.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Although insurance companies won’t pay for a replacement crown that is fewer than five years old, most dentists expect a crown to last longer. And conscientious dentists are embarrassed if decay is found beneath a crown they placed.

We recommend that you find an advanced cosmetic dentist in your area to examine your tooth and crown. The extent of the decay will determine your treatment option. But you should seek prompt care to receive the least invasive treatment options possible.

Take Advantage of Sedation Dentistry

Photo of woman sitting back in a dental chair with her eyes closed; for information on Baton Rouge sedation dentistry during tooth extraction.

Take advantage of dental sedation and take care of your teeth

If you’re nervous about dental appointments, you may have received sedation in the past. Don’t be embarrassed about your anxiety. Take advantage of sedation options and let an advanced cosmetic dentist help you preserve your oral health.

Steven Brooksher, DDS is a cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA. Read about his credentials and visit his smile gallery. It will give you ideas on what to look for in a dentist in your area.

Why Do My Shots Hurt So Much?

by

Hello there,

I had a cavity filled and my dentist tried to numb me with anesthetic. However, the shot hurt horribly. I’m sensitive to shots. The next time I needed numbing, I asked him to be gentle when giving it, but he ignored my request, and the shot hurt just as bad as before.

I have to get another filling but I am hesitant to go back to this dentist. It hurts too much. Can I do something before my appointment to make it hurt less? Or is there a way to get him to be more gentle this time around?

Connor, from Detroit, Michigan

 

Hi Connor,

When you asked your dentist the first time to be more gentle, he should have listened to you instead of ignoring you. Sometimes dentists get stuck in their ways. However, dentists need to maintain a good level of bedside manner in order to gain the patient’s trust, so he was in the wrong here.

One way to decrease the pain associated with the shot is to ask the dentist to use numbing gel. Leaving numbing gel on the gums first can help. Also, the dentist should administer the shot slowly instead of quickly. Doing it slowly allows the body to absorb the medicine better; doing it fast can cause bubbling at the injection site, or stretching of the skin.

If you are sensitive to shots, it may be because of the nerves in your jaw. Everyone’s bodies are different, and your dentist is administering the shoot where it is most likely to be effective. However, while this may cause no pain for most people, if your facial nerves are near the injection site, it will hurt you a lot more than it would otherwise. The dentist cannot control where your facial nerves are, so if this is the case, you may want to look for a gentle dentist or sedation dentist.

A cosmetic dentist who practices gentle or sedation dentistry will listen to your concerns. They will have a much more improved bedside manner than your current dentist. To have your sensitivities addressed, you may want to seek a different dentist.

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

Novocain Doesn’t Make Me Numb?

by

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.

Tooth Cracked Below the Gumline? How to Know If You Need a Second Opinion

by

Trauma or injury to a tooth can lead to an extraction—or not. But don’t let anxiety about the appointment overwhelm you. Your dentist likely offers sedation to help you have a relaxing, painless experience. If not, find a dentist who offers it.

A recommendation to extract—or save—your tooth, can depend on the extent of the damage and a dentist’s skill and experience. How do you know whether to agree to extraction or get a second opinion?

Save or Extract?

Save

If the crack in a tooth extends into the pulp, your dentist can save it with root canal treatment.

Extract

If a vertical crack extends below the gumline, your dentist will likely need to extract it.

 

Why Is Extraction Needed?

  • A deep vertical crack below the gumline is likely to spread in the space between the tooth roots.
  • Eventually, the tooth will split.
  • Performing a root canal is often useless.

Consult with a specialist (endodontist) if your dentist is recommending root canal treatment.

Is Doing Nothing an Option If It Doesn’t Hurt?

Photo of woman sitting back in a dental chair with her eyes closed; for information on Baton Rouge sedation dentistry during tooth extraction.

Sedation dentistry helps you relax during procedures

You might think that if you don’t feel pain—or if you’re managing the pain with ibuprofen—nothing needs to be done to the tooth. Why do you need to take action?

  • Extensive damage to the tooth allows bacteria inside.
  • Bacteria spreads and creates an infection that, if left untreated, will affect the gum tissue and jawbone.
  • Eventually, the infection will spread to other parts of your body with the potential of becoming life-threatening.
  • Before you receive any treatment, you can receive sedation dentistry to help you relax.

In fact, your dentist will likely offer sedation. Your dentist or specialist will numb the area around your tooth to prevent you from feeling the injection. The extraction will be painless.

What About Your Smile?

Depending on the location of the missing tooth, it will detract from your smile. You can receive a dental implant to replace the missing tooth. It’s the most effective and natural-looking way to replace a missing tooth.

Before your dentist places an implant in your jawbone, you can receive nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation for a relaxing, pain-free experience. You’ll wear a temporary dental crown during a three-to-four-month healing period. Afterward, your dentist will attach a permanent crown to the implant. Your crown will match your surrounding teeth.

Regardless of what dental treatment you need, sedation will help you receive it and protect your oral health. If your tooth has cracked or split, call your dentist right away.

Steven Brooksher, DDS of Dentistry by Brooksher in Baton Rouge, LA sponsors this post.

Can a Recovering Addict Still Get Oral Surgery?

by

Hello there,

I have struggled with addiction for most of my adult life. I finally am being treated at a methadone clinic for my opiate addiction. Years of drug use have wrecked my teeth, so I need a total makeover. However, the last dentist I saw refused to give me any pain medication for my tooth pain. I hate going to the dentist and worry about pain during and after treatment. Is there any dentist that will help me? I called around but of the dentists were willing to work with me, let alone give me any pain meds. My counselor is more than happy to answer questions any dentist may have.

Kenneth, from Billings, Montana

 

Hi Kenneth,

In the midst of the opioid epidemic, medical professionals are being extra cautious. Today, dentists would rather be careful than compassionate, especially if their compassion for patients could get them in trouble with the Drug Enforcement Agency. Some patients have abused this kindness, and unfortunately for you, their actions have made it harder for you to receive treatment.

You will need to find a kind-hearted dentist, but one that does sedation would work best for you. Gentle dentists can use nitrous oxide to put you under. Let them know about your history and treatment, and they can prescribe the best form of post-treatment medication. Keep calling and asking, and hopefully you’ll find a sedation dentist who’s a good match for you.

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

 

Can I Trust This Dentist?

by

Hello,

I went to see a new dentist about some tooth pain I’ve had for a few weeks. This is the first time I’ve felt pain in this tooth, so I didn’t think it was too serious. However, the dentist told me one of my teeth has a cavity and needs an extraction. He would have to put me under to do either a bone graft or dental implant. Should I get a second opinion? I don’t want to get all this work done over some tooth pain. He didn’t even find an infection, but gave me antibiotics for the pain. I’m mostly worried about having a reaction to the anesthetic. I’m terrified of getting dental work done and am dreading this. What should I do?

Claire from Philadelphia, PA

 

Hi Claire,

If your tooth has recently started feeling pain, it has only become infected recently. It likely isn’t so far gone that it needs extractions, let alone a bone graft or implant. A tooth that’s beyond saving would have been hurting for awhile, and would have a visible cavity in it.

A second opinion would be a good idea. You can bring any X-rays to your new dentist. A fresh set of eyes can give you a new perspective on your issue.

Another point to consider is that anesthetic is a safe medicine, and you are not going to have an allergic reaction to it. Dental anxiety is nothing unusual. Find a second opinion from a sedation dentist. They are experienced in administering nitrous oxide or local anesthetic for anxious patients. The more anxiety you feel, the harder it will be to get you numb. Too much anxiety, and you’ll need conscious oral sedation. A gentle dentist will be able to advise you on your sedation needs.

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

 

3 Reasons Your Gums Won’t Get Numb at the Dentist and 3 Ways Sedation Can Help

by

“My dentist can’t get me numb.” That’s a common concern that many people have about their next dental appointment. And delayed, rescheduled, or cancelled appointments follow. If you have a history of difficult dental appointments during which local anesthetic just didn’t work, you might benefit from knowing some possible causes. And you might be surprised to know why sedation dentistry can make a difference.

3 Reasons Your Dentist May Have Trouble Numbing Your Gums

Anxiety

Adrenaline flow increases with anxiety. It can overwhelm your nervous system and prevent local anesthetic from working at all.

Dentist’s Error

If the local anesthetic is mistakenly placed in the wrong location, it can make it seem as if your gums aren’t getting numb at all. If your dentist proceeds with treatment, the sensitivity or pain can make it feel as if no area is numb at all.

Genetic Factors

Genetics can cause a variety of conditions make it difficult to numb your gum tissue including:

  • Resistance to dental anesthetic in your peripheral nervous system
  • Abnormal location of your tooth nerves that make it difficult to precisely inject anesthetic
  • High resistance to anesthetics and low pain tolerance

Sedation Dentistry Can Help

  • Photo of a young woman relaxing in a hammock that is tied to palm trees on the beach; for information on Baton Rouge sedation dentistry from Dentistry by Brooksher.
    Sedation dentistry creates relaxing experiences

Sedation allows your dentist to accomplish more dental work than usual. Fewer interruptions and your prolonged comfort will maximize the productivity of your dental appointment. And sedation can be used whenever you need it—whether it’s for dental cleaning and exam, a new crown, or a dental implant.

  • Relaxation – Sedation dentistry relaxes you. It helps you avoid a surge of adrenaline that can interfere with the effectiveness of local anesthetic. It will also help you remain calm as your dentist locates any difficult-to-find nerves so that anesthetic can be injected in the correct location.
  • Pain reduction – In your relaxed state, you will be less sensitive to pain.
  • Perspective – After a series of relaxing pain-free dental appointments, your perspective about dental visits will change. Many patients have found that after positive experiences with sedation, they actually look forward to dental visits.

Nitrous oxide – Nitrous oxide is also referred to as laughing gas. As you breathe it in throughout your appointment, you’ll have a sense of well-being and calmness. When your procedure is complete, the effects of nitrous oxide are quickly reversed as you breathe in pure oxygen.

Oral conscious sedation – This method uses mild commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medication to help you relax. You will be given the medication to take in advance of your appointment so you can arrive at the office relaxed and ready for treatment.

The success of numbing your gums will greatly improve with sedation dentistry. And it will improve the way you feel about going to the dentist. Schedule a consultation with a sedation dentist to discuss your options.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Steven Brooksher of Dentistry by Brooksher in Baton Rouge.

3 Best-Kept Secrets to Know about Sedation before Your Next Dental Procedure

by

Many people think sedation dentistry is for dental cowards—people who run from dental visits or get sweaty and nauseous in the chair. If you think sedation is just for the dental phobic, think again. Even the calmest patients can benefit from this treatment.

3 Ways Sedation Dentistry Can Help

1. Saves Time if You’re Busy

When you receive sedation dentistry, you’ll be more relaxed than normal. Increasing discomfort from lengthy dental procedures is virtually negated when you’re sedated. Your dentist will be able to get more work done in less time. It’s possible that a dental procedure that would normally require two or three visits will only require one visit if you receive sedation.

If you have a busy work or home life, you’ll benefit by limiting the number of dental appointments required to complete your treatment. You will save travel time and the need to take additional time off work or away from home. The time you would have spent at the dental office can be saved and spent elsewhere.

2. You’ll Be Less Sensitive to Pain

  • Photo to illustrate the relaxing effects of a sedation dentistry. A young woman is lying on her back in a field of flowers. A blue sky full of clouds is above her.

When you’re ultra-relaxed, you are also less sensitive to pain. Even if you don’t have dental anxiety, isn’t it appealing to know that your visit—particularly with more invasive procedures—will be virtually painless?

A variety of dental treatment can be more comfortable, including:

3. Gets Rid of Gagging

Even people who are not afraid of the dentist can gag when dental tools are placed in their mouth. You will be able to better manage your gag reflex under sedation. Your dental hygienist or dentist won’t have to pause for you to regain your composure so that treatment can continue.

It Doesn’t Always Mean You’ll Be Drowsy

Sedation dentistry doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be drowsy or fall asleep. Your dentist will select a level appropriate for your dental procedure. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is the lowest level of sedation, and it can be quickly reversed. If you only need nitrous oxide, you can drive away from your dental appointment with no problem at all.

Other levels of sedation can make you drowsy, but you’ll know what to expect in advance of your dental appointment so you can arrange for transportation. But remember even if you receive a level of sedation that makes you drowsy—more dental work will be accomplished in a single visit, so it will save you time.

Request a Consultation

If you’re interested in learning more about how sedation dentistry can save you time and increase your comfort during dental appointments, schedule a consultation with an experienced dentist to discuss your options.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

We have instituted new infection control protocols in response to COVID-19

Please click here to read a message from our office.