Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for November 2024

Why Are My Teeth Still Falling Out Despite Months of Deep Cleanings?

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I had two upper right teeth extracted last year. I got a partial denture to fill in the gaps. In January, my dentist scheduled my deep cleaning every four months instead of every six months, as we did for the past two years. Last week, I lost two more teeth. I’m unsure what deep cleaning should do, but I thought it would help stop tooth loss. I don’t want a mouth full of partial dentures. I live on a fixed income. What are my alternatives for stopping tooth loss? – Thanks. Lamar from TN

Lamar,

Recurring tooth loss often indicates an underlying condition, such as advanced periodontal disease (gum disease). It’s important to note that conventional removable partial dentures can exert additional stress on remaining teeth, potentially leading to further tooth loss.

Illustration of gum diseaseDental implants may be ideal if you still have a few teeth on the left side of your mouth. However, they are a significant investment, typically costing over $3,000 per dental implant.

Another possibility is a Cu-Sil partial denture, which resembles a complete denture but has silicone-lined holes that fit over existing teeth. This design offers enhanced stability compared to traditional partial dentures and allows for easy additions of artificial teeth as needed.

We recommend consulting a periodontist (gum disease specialist) to assess your oral health and discuss treatment to help you control gum disease. Afterward, look for a dentist experienced in tooth replacement options to explain affordable solutions.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.

Why Am I Having a Tooth Flare-Up Five Years After a Root Canal?

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Six years ago, my dentist performed a root canal procedure on my upper left first molar. The procedure went fine, and the tooth felt comfortable until late September. I hadn’t eaten anything unusual but noticed a dull toothache. Now, the tooth hurts daily, and the pain is getting worse. My dental appointment isn’t until two weeks after the Thanksgiving holiday when I return from vacation. Is a tooth savable if I’ve already had a root canal? – Thanks. Kaitlynn from IN

 

Kaitlynn,

Root canal failure occurs in 10% of teeth treated. Failure occurs when the tooth doesn’t fully heal and eventually flares up, as is the case for your situation.

Why Might a Tooth Flare Up Years After a Root Canal?

Root canal emergency diagram of five procedure steps
Lingering infected tissue can cause irritation months or years after a root canal

A tooth might become irritated years later if some infected tissue lingers after a root canal. Due to the intricate anatomy of teeth, particularly those with curved or branching roots, removing all infected tissue during a root canal procedure can be challenging. Any residual infection can lead to future complications.

Either root canal retreatment or surgery may be necessary to address root canal failure. A dentist may refer you to an endodontist (specialist in root canal therapy) for retreatment. The goal is to identify and eliminate the source of the persistent infection. While the success rate of retreatment or surgery is often estimated at 50%, the outcomes are usually more favorable.

It’s also possible that the tooth has developed a crack, which could contribute to the ongoing issues. Unfortunately, the prognosis for saving a tooth with a crack is generally poor. If the tooth is unsavable, your dentist will explain tooth replacement options.

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post. Please read about how he strives to provide his patients with the best care possible.