Baton Rouge Dentist

How Much Ibuprofen Can I Take for Dental Pain?

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I got 8 porcelain veneers and three crowns three weeks ago. Since that time, two crowned teeth and my lower jaw have hurt. I’ve talked to my dentist on the phone, and she recommended taking ibuprofen because she completed most of the work in one appointment. I’m concerned because I have taken 800 mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours for the past 2.5 weeks. My stomach is upset. I’m generally healthy and usually don’t need over-the-counter or prescription medicine. How much ibuprofen do dentists usually recommend? How much longer might it take for the discomfort in my teeth to calm down? Thanks. Bayleigh from IL

Bayleigh,

We understand your concerns and recommend getting a second opinion right away.

How Much Ibuprofen Can You Take for Dental Pain?

Taking ibuprofen for an extended time can damage your liver or your kidneys. According to GoodRX,1,200 mg of over-the-counter ibuprofen is the maximum daily dose. However, the maximum daily dose for prescription ibuprofen is 3,200 mg per day, depending on the health condition it treats.  Instead of taking ibuprofen for ongoing dental pain, find a dentist who can resolve the source of your discomfort.

How Long Will You Feel Pain After Getting Dental Crowns or Veneers?

picture of a porcelain veneer being placed on a prepared tooth
You should not feel lingering discomfort after getting cosmetic dentistry work.

After getting dental crowns or veneers, you may feel tenderness for a few days. However, lingering pain after cosmetic dentistry is not normal.

Schedule an appointment with an advanced cosmetic dentist if you have lingering pain after cosmetic dentistry treatment. The dentist will take X-rays and examine your teeth and dental work to identify the cause of your discomfort. It is essential to resolve the issue so you can discontinue ibuprofen.

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.

How do I fix my all gums, small teeth smile?

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My smile is all gums and I hate it. I have small teeth, too, so whenever I smile, you see a little bit of teeth and a lot of pink gums. Is there anything I can do to change it? Could I somehow use porcelain veneers and at least have bigger teeth?

Sara, Grand Rapids

Dear Sara,

There is something you can do to fix your “gummy” smile, but it’s not a correction any regular dentist could accomplish.

If you have spoken to a dentist in the past about changing the way your gums or teeth look when you smile, it may have been recommended to see an oral surgeon to have your entire upper jaw shortened to fix it. This is a very extreme and unnecessary procedure that can lead to other complications. It can change your bite, which could then lead to problems with your upper jaw or TMJ.

Thankfully there are cosmetic dentists, dentists who have gone above and beyond the training of a regular dentist, who can perform what is called a “gum lift.” The dentist would remove a small amount of gum tissue and some of the supporting bone that was beneath the gum line for each upper front teeth. This would expose some of the roots of those teeth.

Porcelain veneer going onto tooth

A porcelain veneer would then be placed over the tooth and the exposed root section. Cosmetic dentists can make the veneers look as natural as your existing teeth, with matching coloring. You then have a smile with less gums and more teeth that you desire.

Because this is not an easy procedure, you want to find the right experienced dentist to perform it. Don’t hesistate to call cosmetic dentists’ offices and ask if they have performed a gum lift before. If so, ask if they have a portfolio that would show pictures of the before and after cases.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Ryan Perry in Baton Rouge.

Can I go to a dental school for porcelain veneers?

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I have always hated the stain on my teeth from the antibiotic tetracycline. I have hidden my teeth when I smile for as long as I remember. We just retired and all the kids are gone, so I’m ready to do something for me and fix my smile. I think I want to get porcelain veneers. My daughter mentioned that they took my granddaughter to a dental school for orthodontics and it saved her a lot of money. I am wondering if I can go to a dental school for porcelain veneers? What are the drawbacks?

Thanks,
Ann, Birmingham, AL

Dear Ann,

Porcelain veneers are a great way to cover tetracycline stains since teeth whitening isn’t effective. They can help you get a beautiful smile–if it is done by the right dentist.

Dentists who create a smile that you would be proud to show off have completed extensive training after dentistry school to learn the artistic aspect of veneers. They learn coloration, shaping, size, and opacity. These cosmetic dentists listen to what you want your smile to look like, what you want to change. They will often create a “mock up” so you can see what your veneers will look like on your teeth before they bond on your permanent veneers. This ensures that you are happy with the final product.

Unfortunately, a dental school is not the place to get porcelain veneers. Students there are learning the fundamentals of dentistry. They are learning how to fix your teeth. That is the priority, not aesthetics. Likely, if you went to a dental school for porcelain veneers, you would have a student doing it for the first time and you would get what you paid for.

If you want porcelain veneers, a better option would be to save your money and do it right the first time with a cosmetic dentist rather than spending the money and having to still pay the greater amount later to have them fixed.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge Family Dentist.