Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for September 2020

A $14,000 teeth whitening mistake

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I used teeth whitening toothpaste on my porcelain veneers. I’ve been doing it since June, about a month after I got veneers. I don’t remember my dentist telling me not to use the toothpaste, but I should have known better. I found out about the toothpaste damage because I saw an online ad about toothpaste for veneers. That was a clue that I was using the wrong brand. I used whitening toothpaste because I wanted to keep my veneers white. Have a ruined by $14,000 veneers trying to keep my teeth white? Thanks, Brianna from Tulsa, OK

Brianna,

Abrasive toothpaste has a long-term effect on porcelain veneers. If you used abrasive toothpaste a few times on your veneers, it wouldn’t be a concern. But after using it for several months, the surface of your veneers is probably scratched.

Supersmile toothpaste maximizes the lifespan of veneers. Ordinary toothpaste can wear away the bonding composite between the porcelain and the tooth.

Rembrandt Low Abrasion Whitening Toothpaste with Citroxain is another option, but it isn’t easy to find. The Deeply White and Intense Stain toothpaste contain formulas that might be abrasive.

How Can You Keep Porcelain Veneers White?

Custom made trays hold the bleaching gel in place.
Avoid using teeth whitening kits and abrasive whitening toothpaste on veneers

You can keep your porcelain veneers white by flossing between your teeth and brushing them with toothpaste designed for cosmetic dentistry work, like Supersmile toothpaste. Regular dental cleaning and exam appointments by a dentist and hygienist who are trained to care for veneers will keep your smile intact.  Even some dental tools will damage the glaze on porcelain veneers, so your hygienist must know how to clean them safely. Porcelain veneers are virtually stain resistant.

If your veneers get stained or dull, a dentist has gentle tools and polishing paste to restore the luster of your smile. Traditional teeth whitening methods, even from a dentist, don’t work on veneers.

Schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers and check for scratches. Although it might be embarrassing to admit you’ve been using abrasive toothpaste, it’s best to get the bonding composite and your veneers checked out before any damage gets worse.

 

Ryan Perry, DDS, of Baton Rouge, sponsors this post.

Root canal tooth hurting again?

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Almost three years ago, I had a root canal on an upper right molar. In May, the tooth started hurting on and off. I hesitated to do anything about it because I didn’t want to go to the dentist during the pandemic. But now the pain isn’t on and off. It’s just on and getting worse. I don’t want to lose the tooth. I’m not an established patient with any dentist. Part of my hesitancy is that after a dental cleaning and exam last October, I became very ill the next day with what resulted in a month-long respiratory infection. I still have some chest congestion from it. I’m convinced that I got the infection from the dental office. I decided not to return to that office, but now with a throbbing toothache, I’ll have to find a new dentist. In the middle of Covid-19, I don’t want to keep switching dentists. I want an idea of what’s going on. And can you tell me what to expect from a dentist for treatment options? What’s the best treatment is for a root canal tooth that’s aching? Thanks for your input.  Demetrius from Montgomery, AL

Demetrius,

We understand your hesitancy about going to a dentist. Your failed root canal treatment and illness after a dental appointment can create anxiety. But you likely realize that your throbbing tooth won’t improve without help from a dentist. So what’s causing your pain?

What Is Root Canal Failure?

Diagram of tooth with needing a root canal treatment
Although root canal treatment is usually successful, it sometimes fails

Root canal failure is a condition that occurs when a tooth doesn’t heal completely after root canal treatment. Symptoms eventually resurface and get worse. About one in ten teeth experience root canal failure.

Although Dr. Perry has extensive experience in root canal treatment, he would need to examine your tooth for an accurate diagnosis, it seems that root canal failure is causing your pain.

Why Are the Causes of Root Canal Failure?

Root canal treatment can sometimes fail for several reasons:

  • It’s impossible to see deep inside a tooth.
  • Some teeth have curved, branching roots that are difficult to clean.
  • If a dentist misses some of the infection in curved roots, symptoms will resurface.
  • Curvy, challenging roots require specialized rotary instruments to clean them out. Many general dentists don’t have those tools, so they may not completely clear the tooth. You may be referred to a specialist to complete root canal treatment.

What Is the Treatment for Root Canal Failure?

Treatment for root canal failure is either to perform another root canal treatment or root canal surgery. Most general dentists don’t have advanced training in this area, so an endodontist, or root canal specialist, usually completes the work. The specialist will identify the location of the infection that the dentist missed the first time and remove it or seal it off. Many root canal specialists say that retreatment has a 50% success rate, but the results are often better.

A specialist will also examine the condition of your tooth. If it’s cracked, the chances of saving your tooth decrease. Don’t delay treatment. Search online for a dentist with experience in root canal treatment who will see you right away, examine your tooth, and refer you to a specialist if needed.

Ryan Perry, DDS, of Baton Rouge sponsors this post.