Why do new crowns make my teeth sensitive and burn my gums?

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The whole process of getting crowns from my dentist has been a nightmare. They are burning my gums now, and my teeth are sensitive. I’m blaming myself a bit because the temporary crowns were a mess, too. They felt like they were leaking, and my teeth hurt beneath them. I told my dentist that I was worried about infection, so he prescribed an antibiotic. He did not check my teeth or anything–just gave me a prescription. When I got my six new crowns, my dentist filed and re-filed my teeth because my bite was off. I felt fluid rushing beneath the crowns whenever I drank anything, so my dentist sent the crowns back, and I wore temporaries. The temporaries felt better than the crowns and the first set of temporaries. Now I’ve been wearing my new crowns for two weeks, and my teeth are sensitive, and my gums are burning. Fortunately, my dentist used temporary cement. But something is not right with the crowns. But as I said, this has been a nightmare from day one. What should I do to prevent this situation from getting worse? I had a little anxiety before this process began. But I have hyperventilated three times at the dental office recently. Can I switch dentists in the middle of treatment, or is it too late? – Marquita from GA

Marquita,

Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your teeth, gums, and new crowns for an accurate diagnosis. But we can be helpful. Please do not allow your dentist to bond your crowns to your teeth permanently.

New Dental Crowns and Burning Gums

If your gums are burning and teeth are sensitive after new dental crowns, ask your dentist for the exact composition of the crowns. When a lab makes crowns, they send a dental alloy certificate listing all materials in the crown. And if your crowns are porcelain-fused-to-metal, you might have a metal allergy or sensitivity. It would explain why your gums are burning, and your teeth are sensitive.

Challenges of Placing Dental Crowns on Front Teeth

Face of a woman relaxed during dental treatment for information on sedation dentistry from Dr. Brooksher of Baton Rouge

Sedation will relieve your anxiety while a cosmetic dentist restores your teeth

When a dentist places a crown on your front teeth, they must ensure your bite is adjusted. But your dentist placed six crowns, which increases the challenge of bite adjustment. A dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite can adjust your bite accurately without extensively filing your teeth down to stumps.

And when you suspected that you might have a tooth infection, your dentist prescribed antibiotics instead of identifying the cause of your discomfort.

Can You Switch Dentists in the Middle of Treatment?

Yes, you can switch dentists in the middle of getting new crowns. First, look for a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training—preferably accredited—to examine your teeth. The dentist can explain sedation options to prevent anxiety from overwhelming you. Then, the dentist will determine if your crowns have a metal foundation or if something else is causing tooth sensitivity and burning gums. Your new crowns should feel so comfortable that you don’t notice them at all.

Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge, sponsors this post. Read why so many of his patients think he is among the best dentists in Baton Rouge.

Looking for a cheaper alternative to porcelain veneers

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I am looking for an alternative to porcelain veneers for tetracycline stains on my teeth. I got prices for veneers on 8 upper teeth, the consistent quote I get is about $15,000 – 20,000. That would take a big chunk out of my savings, and I am not sure I want to do that. The stains are horrible, and the older I get, the more self-conscious I am about them. Someone suggested a university dental school. Is that a reasonable option? Any other cosmetic treatment that may work? Thanks. Nathan from

 

Nathan,

Thanks for your inquiry.

If you want to save money on porcelain veneers for tetracycline stains, it is best not to get veneers at all. Premier porcelain veneers are priced to reflect the quality of the veneers you will receive and the work of the cosmetic dentist.

Porcelain Veneers for Tetracycline Stains

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Porcelain veneers cover the fronts and sides of teeth to conceal tetracycline stains

It is demanding work for a cosmetic dentist to conceal tetracycline stains with porcelain veneers. If a dentist charges less than $1000-$1200 per tooth, you won’t get the results you want. High-quality veneers can last 20 years or longer if you take good care of them.

What About Dental Schools for Veneers?

Three reasons not to get porcelain veneers for tetracycline stains from a dental school:

  1. Dental schools teach techniques for fixing teeth—not the artistry required to produce beautiful results.
  2. If you go to a dental school, your teeth may be in the hands of a student doing their first porcelain veneers or tetracycline case.
  3. And their instructor may not be much help either.

What About Dental Bonding or Teeth Whitening?

Will dental bonding or teeth whitening improve tetracycline stain?

  • Teeth whitening – Only a skilled cosmetic dentist can use a high-strength whitening system to lighten your tetracycline stains. Although the results will not be as good as porcelain veneers, you can get whitening for a fraction of the cost.
  • Dental bonding – Applying dental bonding requires great skill and time from a cosmetic dentist. The necessary precision and application will cost more than porcelain veneers.

When You are Ready for Porcelain Veneers

When you are ready to get porcelain veneers to conceal tetracycline stains, we recommend that you find an accredited cosmetic dentist with accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Accreditation requires a cosmetic dentist to pass rigorous exams and present numerous successful cases that demonstrate the quality of their work.

Please do not leave your tetracycline-stained teeth in the hands of an inexperienced dentist.

Best wishes.

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

Can I Get Only One Porcelain Veneer Replaced?

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I received six porcelain veneers in May 2019. My dentist didn’t get the bonding quite right on one veneer, and I had a lot of sensitivity in the tooth. At first, he suggested that I use Sensodyne toothpaste, but it didn’t help much. I mentioned the sensitivity at my next dental cleaning appointment, so my dentist looked at the tooth and said that the veneer is not in its original position and the dentin is exposed. He suggested replacing the veneer (upper left center) and the right-center veneer next to it to ensure the veneers match. I’m disappointed because this dentin exposure business was my dentist’s fault. Why did the porcelain veneer move out of place? He offered to reduce the cost of replacing the two veneers, but I don’t think I should have a fee at all. And why can’t he just replace the one veneer anyway? I’m afraid that if he must remove the veneer on my right front tooth that it might become sensitive, too. Should I insist that he only replace one veneer? Thank you – Zachary from GA

 

Zachary,

You didn’t mention if your general or family dentist provided the veneers. But it seems that you saw a dentist with limited training in cosmetic dentistry who aggressively prepared your teeth.

Is It Possible to Replace One Porcelain Veneer?

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

A skilled cosmetic dentist can replace a single porcelain veneer

Yes, it is possible to replace a single porcelain veneer. Any dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training can replace one veneer and perfectly match the color with your existing veneers. Dentists who are skilled in aesthetics use dental laboratories that keep color formulas for each patient’s case so they can perfectly match it in the future.

Dentin Exposed with Porcelain Veneers

When a dentist prepares your teeth for porcelain veneers, and the dentin is exposed, they over-prepared your teeth. When tooth preparation is necessary, skilled cosmetic dentists only remove a fraction of a millimeter of tooth enamel for several reasons:

  • Preserve as much tooth structure as possible
  • Provide better bonding—veneers adhere better to tooth enamel than dentin, which is softer.
  • Avoid exposing dentin because dentin tubules lead to the pulp and risk irritation and infection.

Insist on Replacing One Veneer?

If your dentist says he must replace veneers on both central incisors (center front teeth) to achieve a color match, he probably doesn’t know how to do otherwise. You can decide if you trust your dentist to do the work or want a second opinion. If you choose to get a second opinion on your porcelain veneers, look for a dentist with post-graduate training and experience in dental aesthetics.

You probably want to get the issue resolved quickly, so don’t delay—especially because dentin exposure is unhealthy for your teeth.

Steven Brooksher, DDS, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post.

Get details from a previous post on reasons that porcelain veneers might fall off.

Why do my veneers make my teeth look thick and bulky?

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One of my best friends and I both received porcelain veneers about six to eight months apart. But my veneers make my teeth look thick and bulky. We went to the same dentist, and he used the same veneers on both of us. My friend got veneers to make her teeth look larger, but I wanted veneers because my teeth were inconsistently shaped and uneven at the edges. My friend’s smile looks beautiful, which is why I used her dentist. She received no-prep veneers, so I asked for the same type.

I’m disappointed with the results from my smile (eight upper veneers) because my teeth look thick and bulky. The dentist explained that sometimes that happens with no-prep veneers. But if the dentist knew the results, why wouldn’t he tell me how they would look? And yes, I did try on temporary veneers, but I let the dentist convince me that I would get used to my “fuller” smile. Why did I get such drastically different results? Will I have to start over with veneers? Thank you.  Kennedy from Memphis, TN

Kennedy,

From your description, it seems that your friend’s case was successful because her teeth were small, and she wanted to enlarge them. The results of no-prep veneers vary with each patient. And not every patient is a candidate for no-prep veneers.

Thick and Bulky Porcelain Veneers

Your porcelain veneers can make your teeth look thick and bulky if you have average-sized or large teeth and your dentist doesn’t prepare them first. Even ultrathin veneers—as thin as 0.3 mm—add thickness to your teeth and slightly extend their length. Cosmetic dentists with advanced training in aesthetics use several brands of veneers and select one to match your case and your smile goals. And they work with master ceramists to ensure give you beautiful results.

Although Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your teeth, minimal preparation is probably the solution to helping your veneers fit well and look natural.

Correcting Thick or Bulky Veneers

If you want to correct the look of thick or bulky porcelain veneers, we recommend that you schedule a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist. You can ask your dentist to redo your veneers, but based on your experience, you will probably be disappointed with the results again.

  • Look for a dentist with accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (AAED).
  • Read the dentist’s patient reviews about porcelain veneers and the results.
  • Ask to see the before-and-after photos of the dentist’s patients who had cases like yours.

Before and after cosmetic dentistry photos from Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge

Dr. Brooksher used cosmetic dentistry to even this patient’s smile


A cosmetic dentist will explain your treatment options. And unlike your current dentist, they won’t try to convince you that you will eventually like your smile. Skilled cosmetic dentists don’t bond veneers to your teeth unless you are confident that your smile is exactly as you want it.

Best wishes for a beautiful smile.

Steven Brooksher, DDS, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, sponsors this post.

I thought I was getting a smile makeover

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Although my dentist said she could use dental bonding to give me a smile makeover, it didn’t work out. She was supposed to fill in gaps and chips in my teeth. My teeth looked and felt bulky, and they caused me to pronounce some words with a whistling sound. I asked my dentist to remove the bonding, and now my teeth are discolored and blotchy. My dentist says that’s just the way my natural teeth look, but I have pictures of my smile before the bonding. And my teeth didn’t look the way they do now. I don’t trust her to do anything else with my teeth. Is the damage permanent? – Danae from MS

Danae,

Although Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your teeth, your description sounds like your general dentist doesn’t know enough about cosmetic dentistry to give you a smile makeover.

Bulky Dental Bonding

A cosmetic dentist uses dental bonding to fill in or conceal imperfections in your teeth. If you had chips and wear on your teeth, a cosmetic dentist would apply bonding to those areas and seamlessly blend in it with your natural teeth. But your dentist made your teeth so bulky that it affected your speech. It sounds like your dentist overdid it and applied bonding on the entire surface of each tooth.

Although some dentists can apply bonding to conceal a chip, it takes advanced training in aesthetics and artistic talent to create a smile makeover with dental bonding. A dentist must have the right tools and a variety of shades of composite to blend, match your teeth, and give you beautiful results.

Removing Dental Bonding

Advanced cosmetic dentists use specific tolls to remove dental bonding without damaging your tooth enamel. Three instruments a cosmetic dentist might use to remove bonding include:

  • Sandpaper disc
  • High-speed carbide drill
  • Air abrasion
Dental bonding smile makeover before and after photos from Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge, LA

Accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Brooksher used dental bonding for this beautiful smile makeover

But if a dentist grinds off composite without noticing where it ends and where your tooth enamel begins, it’s easy to remove the enamel mistakenly. Before treatment, trained cosmetic dentists take pictures of your teeth. And they take “after” photos so you can see how the treatment improved your smile.

Although you can show your dentist photos of your smile, she probably won’t be able to restore your teeth and give you the smile makeover you want. But the pictures will back up your claims of faulty work and a request for a refund.

Get a Dental Bonding Second Opinion

Ask friends or family members if they know an experienced cosmetic dentist. Otherwise, you can search online for a dentist with accreditation in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Dental Esthetics. If it increases your comfort, you can schedule consultations with two cosmetic dentists to discuss your smile goals and treatment options for a successful smile makeover.

 

This post is sponsored by Steven Brooksher, DDS, a Baton Rouge dentist and accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Her Porcelain Veneers Are the Wrong Color – Again?

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In October, I went to my dentist to get a second set of six porcelain veneers on my front teeth because he can’t get the color right. The first set of porcelain veneers looked horrible. On this new set, my dentist allowed me to speak with the lab tech. I chose a specific white shade that is whiter than what my dentist likes, but it still looked natural. When I went to get the veneers bonded on, they were darker than what I requested. I complained, and my dentist said that he asked the lab tech to add color.

I’ve read too many horror stories online about porcelain veneers, so I didn’t let my dentist bond them to my teeth. I asked him to hold while I am thinking about what to do next. Is there a way to lighten the veneers? Or will I need another new set to get the color corrected? Thank you! Carlie from S. Carolina

 

Carlie,

We are sorry that you’ve already had two bad experiences with porcelain veneers. Unfortunately, your dentist puts his preferences above yours. Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your veneers to explain accurate treatment options, but we will discuss the possibilities.

Can Porcelain Veneers Be Lightened?

It is impossible to lighten porcelain veneers if a dark shade is within the porcelain. But if a stain was applied over veneers to add color, an advanced cosmetic dentist might be able to remove it. Over-the-counter products will not lighten porcelain veneers.

  • Over-the-counter products – Neither teeth bleaching gel nor whitening toothpaste will whiten porcelain veneers. Abrasive toothpaste might scratch the surface.
  • Cosmetic dentistry polishing – If the lab technician applied stain to your veneers to add color, an expert cosmetic dentist might be about to polish or grind out the color. Afterward, the cosmetic dentist can polish the veneers to improve their appearance. After examining your veneers, a cosmetic dentist will let you know if this is an option. But don’t ask your dentist to complete the work. It seems that he has limited skill in aesthetics.

Replacing Your Porcelain Veneers

You have a right to ask for new porcelain veneers. Although the process might be inconvenient and take up more of your time, you didn’t receive what you paid for and requested.

We recommend asking for a refund from your dentist and finding a dental artist to complete your smile makeover. Dentists who receive post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry are concerned about creating a smile to match your preferences—not theirs. And cosmetic dentists are concerned with function and beauty. You will get porcelain veneers in the color you want.

How to Ask for a Refund from Your Dentist

Speak with your dentist respectfully and explain your concerns:

  • You’re unhappy with your veneers because they are not the shade you requested.
  • You believe that your dentist violated your right to be informed of the color change.
  • You did not receive what you paid for and requested.

Explaining it in a way that helps your dentist see his negligence should influence him to give you a refund. Dental law classes emphasize that it is essential to get a patient’s consent before providing treatment.

If the color of your porcelain veneers is the only thing you dislike about them, consider these options:

  • You can ask your dentist for a refund.
  • If you want your dentist to replace your veneers, insist on a third set of porcelain veneers in the color of your choice.
    • Remind your dentist that you want clear, tint-free bonding resin that will not alter the shade of your veneers.
    • Bring a friend or family member with you to look at your porcelain veneers after your dentist places them on your teeth with a try-in paste—before the dentist bonds them to your teeth.
  • Whether you receive veneers from your dentist or an advanced cosmetic dentist, please do not allow the dentist to bond them to your teeth unless they match your request. Don’t compromise.

How Can You Find a Cosmetic Dentist?

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

Before and After Porcelain Veneers from Dr. Brooksher

Look at dentists’ websites and read their biographies to see if they have advanced cosmetic dentistry or dental aesthetics training. Most dentists with membership or credentials in cosmetic dentistry organizations, such as the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, are concerned about the beauty of your smile, not just the function.

Steven Brooksher, DDS, a Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist and accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, sponsors this post.

What if you have an issue with just one veneer? Read our post about replacing a single porcelain veneer.

 

Spent 30k on a smile makeover that looks like a smile mess up

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I received a smile makeover in February 2019. My mouth is small, and my front upper teeth were tilted slightly inward. I also had an overbite and 3 missing back teeth. My dentist put crowns on my front teeth and did mini implants for the back teeth.

Wallace and Gromit

Wallace and Gromit
Donovan says his smile makeover looks like Wallace’s smile

The smile makeover that I was hoping for cost me $30k. I didn’t get a makeover – I got a messed-up smile. My front teeth are too large for my small mouth and face shape. And my overbite is worse, so I try not to smile. I included a picture of Wallace & Gromit so you can see how my smile looks. I’m too embarrassed to send you my smile photos, but it looks like Wallace’s smile. I look goofy when I smile. Although I had problems with my teeth before, I’ve never felt so bad. Some rude people asked me if my dentures are too big. I would never ask anyone something like that about their teeth.

Unfortunately, I made the wrong decision about when to ask my dentist for a smile makeover. Two months after I received it, I had a long-term assignment in Asia. I had to leave my assignment there due to COVID-19, and since then, I haven’t been able to see a dentist. Now I must do something about my teeth. The pandemic is stressful enough. Now I’m on Zoom almost every day for work, and people think I’m in a bad mood because I’m not smiling. But it’s my teeth that are causing the problem. Although I think that I know the answer to this issue, I would like to know my options. Thanks for your advice. Donovan from Mississippi

Donovan,

Thanks for attaching the photo. We weren’t familiar with Wallace & Gromit before you mentioned them. As you hinted, you probably know what must happen to correct your smile; a cosmetic dentist will need to redo it.

Our advice is about ensuring you select a skilled cosmetic dentist.

You’ve learned that a competent family dentist isn’t a skilled cosmetic dentist. An artistic cosmetic dentist has advanced training and experience in aesthetics and has creative talent. Look for a dentist with credentials from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry.

It can be challenging for a dentist to correct the mishap to your teeth, so if you want an attractive smile makeover this time, don’t compromise on choosing a dentist who can design a smile that functions well and looks fantastic. Schedule consultations with at least two cosmetic dentists before choosing one. Take notes during the consultations to help you make an informed decision.

Can You Get a Refund for a Bad Smile Makeover?

You might be able to get some of your money back for the lousy smile makeover. Work with your new cosmetic dentist to help you do it. If your previous dentist did work that was technically sound but doesn’t look good, it will be challenging to get a refund unless your teeth look awful.

Although you didn’t mention problems with the function of your teeth (e.g., with your bite or pain), if they are present, it will be easier to get some of your money back.

Three options that can help you get a partial refund

Some options that might motivate your previous dentist to refund you at least partially for your botched smile makeover include:

  • Strong leverage – File a malpractice suit if a malpractice attorney agrees you have a case.
  • Moderate leverage – Threaten to complain to the dental board.
  • Weak leverage – Leave a negative online review on the dentist’s Google or social media pages

 

Best wishes on your search for a new dentist and getting your smile and confidence back.

This post is sponsored by Steven Brooksher, DDS, a Baton Rouge dentist and accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Extract Remaining Teeth for Dentures? 6 Facts to Help You Decide

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I have advanced tooth decay and gum disease. My two center front teeth are healthy, and after a visit with the periodontist, he says that those two teeth are likely the only ones he can save. I have a cheap bulky partial, and I have an underbite. My dentist thinks that removing the two teeth and getting a complete denture would be healthier than partial dentures. I got a second opinion, and the dentist said that he could do either option, and it’s up to me. I guess that a full denture would look better than a partial. I’m asking a couple of dentists online for their help. My budget is limited, and I’m concerned about that too. But I’ve learned my lesson about neglecting my teeth, so although I’m not too fond of debt, if I need a loan to correct the situation, I’ll apply for financing.  Is it best to have my center front teeth removed or to get partial dentures around them? Thanks. Timothy from Huntsville, AL

Timothy,

For an accurate diagnosis and treatment options, Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your teeth personally and do x-rays.  We’ll give some principles based on your description of your oral health. But we can give you some principles that might help.

Save Your Teeth or Extract Them for Dentures?

The factors below and talking with your dentist can help you decide if you want to keep your teeth or get full dentures.

1. It’s usually best to save healthy natural teeth

When your natural teeth are healthy and won’t compromise your oral health, it’s usually best to save them. Replacing teeth with a removable appliance—a partial or full denture—has many disadvantages. The denture can move or slide if it’s not anchored, and it won’t be comfortable.

2. When few teeth remain, they are under stress

If you only have two upper teeth that are healthy, the force from your lower teeth when you bite and chew puts stress on the upper teeth. Pressure on the teeth can weaken them internally, even if they appear healthy on the outside.

3. A full upper denture increases comfort

Suction keeps a full upper denture in place, and it moves less than a lower denture. It’s more comfortable than a partial denture, and it’s easier to eat and chew with it.

4. A well-made upper denture is healthy for other teeth

A well-made upper removable denture is gentle on lower teeth. If you have a severe underbite, the force or impact of chewing can put stress on lower teeth.

5. When all your teeth are missing, your jawbone is affected

Teeth stimulate the jawbone, so when all your teeth are missing, the stimulation stops, and your body resorbs the bone. After 10 to 20 years, you’ll lack enough jawbone to support your facial muscles, and your face will sag and make you look older. The missing bone will make it difficult—if not impossible—to keep a lower denture in place. But you will still have some suction for an upper denture.

6. Implant-supported dentures increase function and comfort

Diagram of a snap-on denture. The denture is hovering above the jawbone that has two dental implants in it.

Affordable dental implants will secure your dentures

Your dentist can tell you if you’re a candidate for an implant-supported partial denture or an implant-supported denture. Either option might exceed your budget, but implants stimulate your jawbone to prevent further shrinkage. Your denture won’t slip around, and it will be comfortable to eat and speak with it.

Again, Dr. Brooksher hasn’t completed your oral exam or seen your x-rays, so you’ll have to rely on a local dentist for accurate diagnosis and treatment options.

Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is an accredited cosmetic dentist and a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

Unsure If You Need Root Canal Treatment? – 4 Clues from the X-ray

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In April 2019, I received a filling in a tooth, and now my new dentist is recommending root canal treatment. I relocated, and in January of this year, I went to a new dentist for my yearly cleaning and exam. I also received x-rays, and the dentist said that the x-ray seems to show some decay beneath the April 2019 filling. She recommended root canal treatment, which I declined at the time. Now that I have time to think about the tooth, which isn’t bothering me, I want to get an online second opinion. If there is decay, I don’t want it to get worse and end up needing an extraction and dental implant. – Thanks, Segura from San Antonio

Segura,

X-ray of an invisor tooth with a filling and a dark spot beneath it

Although there is a dark area near the fillng, the tooth doesn’t need root canal treatment, an extraction, or a dental implant

Thanks for sending us a copy of your x-ray. Maybe dental schools need to give more training in x-ray diagnostics. Although Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your tooth, your x-ray doesn’t show inflammation or any reason that a dentist would disturb it with root canal treatment. But what about the dark area beneath the filling?

Facts About a Dark Area Beneath a Filling

  1. Dark areas – Not all dark areas on a tooth x-ray are a result of tooth decay. Decay, a gap in the filling, or a radiolucent material beneath the filling will appear dark on the x-ray.
  2. Location of darkness – The dark area on your x-ray is on the surface of your tooth. In this case, your dentist can use an explorer and poke the area. If it’s soft, there is decay.
  3. Effect on tooth pulp – Tooth pulp includes the living tissue and nerves inside the tooth. Root canal treatment removes infected pulp. When the dark area on your x-ray isn’t near the pulp, you don’t need root canal treatment. On an x-ray, it might seem that the dark area is between the filling and tooth pulp. You can resolve the illusion while looking at the x-ray: Cover the white filling with your finger and look at the remaining tooth structure. You can see the dark area and the distance from the pulp.
  4. Comparison with adjacent tooth – The lamina dura is a thin white line around the tooth root. An infection will break the line around the root tip or pull it away from the tooth. Look at the x-ray on this page. The tooth with the filling, and the canine tooth next to it, has a lamina dura that intact. Both teeth are healthy. You won’t need root canal treatment. And you surely don’t need an extraction and dental implant.

If you still have reservations about the health of your tooth, consider scheduling an appointment for a second opinion. You can take your x-ray with you for a dentist to examine it in person.

 

Steven Brooksher, DDS practices in Baton Rouge, LA. Dr. Brooksher is one of ten dentists in Louisiana accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

3 Secrets for a Successful Smile Makeover Even Without Digital Design

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Digital smile makeovers are becoming increasingly popular. It’s exciting to see a digital version of your current smile as it’s progressively becoming exactly what you’ve envisioned. But what if your dentist doesn’t offer digital smile makeovers? How do you know what to expect?

Advanced cosmetic dentists have created beautiful smiles for decades—even without digital smile technology. Did you know? –  Even if a dentist uses digital technology, there are specific steps advanced cosmetic dentists take to achieve a predictable outcome and a smile makeover you’ll gladly show off.

Secrets of a Success Smile Makeover

Your feedback, the opportunity to wear a temporary version of your new smile, and a final try-in are crucial factors to being confident about your smile makeover. Here’s why.

1. Your Feedback

An advanced cosmetic dentist isn’t simply concerned about giving you a beautiful smile makeover. He or she personalizes your smile so well that it looks like it’s always belonged to you. Throughout the process, your cosmetic dentist will carefully listen as you describe your ideal smile, and he or she will ensure the details are there.

2. Trial Smile Makeover

Skilled cosmetic dentists make a wax model of your new smile design.

  • You’ll snap it in over your teeth as a preview of your smile makeover.
  • You’ll be able to examine it closely and let friends and family see it.
  • If you want changes to the way it looks or feels, your dentist will make the changes to align with the smile you envisioned.

This phase is not complete without your approval. When you give your dentist the okay, your permanent smile makeover will be crafted by a master ceramist.

3. It’s Final When You Say So

Your dentist will temporarily attach your final smile makeover to your teeth. This is another opportunity for you to smile with approval or to explain any hesitation you have. If you’ve chosen a dentist who is an artist, the smile design is only acceptable to your dentist if you also love it.

Smile Makeover Satisfaction with or without a Virtual Model

Even if your dentist offers virtual or digital smile makeovers, your feedback, the trial smile, and a final try-in are phases that must be included to ensure you get the smile you love. If you’re left out of the process, you’ll likely end up with a smile that you’ll want to leave behind in the office. And that’s a waste of time and money.

Before-and-after smile makeover patient photos from Dentistry by Brooksher in Baton Rouge, LA.

Dr. Brooksher gave this patient a smile makeover that is healthy and natural-looking

Accredited cosmetic dentists consistently provide stunning smile makeovers. Are there accredited cosmetic dentists in your area or within driving distance?

  • Visit their websites
  • Check their credentials and accomplishments
  • Look at their smile gallery of actual patient photos

Select your dentist carefully—digital design or not—and you’ll get a smile makeover you love.

Steven Brooksher, DDS, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post.