Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for December 2025

Can Multiple Bite Adjustments Cause Hives and Ruin My Crowns?

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Last June, my dentist placed 10 zirconia crowns, which have been adjusted several times to correct my bite. After the second adjustment, hives broke out on my gums and inner lips. My bite still doesn’t feel right. I’m wondering whether grinding through the finished surface of the zirconia could have ruined my crowns and released something that’s now irritating my mouth. Will the adjustments eventually ruin my crowns? Thanks. Tyler from Kissimmee, FL

Tyler,

Zirconia is exceptionally durable, which makes bite adjustments difficult and sometimes uncomfortable. Grinding zirconia to adjust your bite can be a demanding process for both you and your dentist.

While it’s understandable to worry about an allergic reaction, true zirconia allergy has not been documented.  Sensitivity to zirconia dust would usually fade once the dust clears. If sensitivity to zirconia were the cause, symptoms would likely have appeared even before adjustments began. Your symptoms align more closely with burning mouth syndrome, which is often associated with stressful, intense dental experiences.

Consider Getting a Second Opinion

The bottom of a hollow dental crown with a dental stick holding it
Precise tooth preparation and quality impressions help crowns fit well.

You described having ten crowns and a bite that still doesn’t feel right. A healthy bite allows the teeth to meet evenly and the jaw muscles to stay relaxed. Disrupting the balance can cause muscle spasms, leading to headaches, jaw pain, and TMJ-related symptoms. Persistent bite problems can also trigger stress, which can manifest as hives.

Advanced bite analysis isn’t emphasized in general dental education, so dentists who focus on this area pursue additional training through institutes such as:

  • The Pankey Institute
  • The Dawson Academy
  • Spear Education
  • The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies

Finding a dentist with this specialized background for a second opinion may help determine the cause of your misaligned bite and how to resolve it. After a qualified dentist restores your oral health, the hives may improve as well.

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.

 

Is This Tooth Extraction a Waste of Time and Money?

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I had a toothache and infection, so last week my dentist prescribed antibiotics to control the infection. The extraction date is in six weeks because my dentist can’t save the tooth, but my tooth doesn’t hurt anymore. Is it a waste of time and money to remove the tooth if it doesn’t hurt? – Thanks. Ronya from GA

Ronya,

When root canal treatment can’t save a tooth, you need an extraction to stop the cycle of pain and swelling. While antibiotics provide temporary relief by attacking bacteria in the surrounding bone, they cannot penetrate the tooth to provide a permanent cure.

Preparing for a Comfortable Procedure

Your dentist uses antibiotics to control the infection so the numbing medication can work properly. This preparation is essential for upper teeth, where active infections can block the effectiveness of the local anesthetic.

  • Schedule the surgery for an optimal time: Schedule your surgery for day four through day seven of your ten-day antibiotic course.
  • Take all the medication: Continue taking your medication through the day of the appointment to ensure the site remains stable for the dentist.
  • Call your dentist if you experience a flare-up: Reach out for a refill if you feel the infection flaring up before your appointment date.

The Risks of Waiting Too Long

Waiting almost two months to remove an infected tooth is not ideal and puts you at risk for antibiotic resistance. Since the medication only suppresses symptoms, the bacteria will likely rebound before your appointment. If your dentist’s schedule were too full to treat you within a week of starting antibiotics, a referral to another office would have been a more appropriate way to handle your care. We encourage you to get a second opinion.

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.