Baton Rouge Dentist

I had a root canal yesterday, is it normal to still be in pain?

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Yesterday I got a root canal and felt zero pain the whole time. Even after the anesthetic wore off I was good. Then about 3 hours after I got it done, it started to hurt and I expected that. I took some Motrin PM and it helped me sleep. But today it’s still sore. I can’t tell if the tooth is sore or the gum around it where I got the needle. I don’t have a dental crown yet, just some cement stuff and my next appointment is on June 4th. Is it normal to be in pain? Aleve isn’t helping at all and I want to eat but every time I chew on the other side it still hurts so I’m not even eating. Last night my whole tooth area was throbbing and today it’s just a dull pain.

Thanks, Michelle

Dear Michelle,

If is quite normal to feel some discomfort after root canal treatment. Even though the nerve of the tooth is removed you may feel some achiness. If your tooth had an infection it may take several days for the tooth to settle down. We recommend you take 800mg of Ibuprofen every 6 hours to help ease your pain if you have no allergies to this medication. Ibuprofen is a good pain reliever as well as minimizing inflammation within and around the tooth. Tell your dentist of your discomfort when you go in for your next appointment. He may want to take an x-ray to reexamine your tooth.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

I need to find an affordable dentist

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I am writing to see if you can tell me about some kind of agency or something that helps people find affordable dentists. I don’t have dental insurance right now. I found a dentist that does complimentary consultations, but the treatment prices they quoted me were frankly breathtaking. I know I have to have this work done, but I have to locate someone who has more reasonable rates.

I have a broken tooth, and it is really starting to bother me. It has been broken for quite a while, but just recently I’ve noticed swelling, and my face hurts when I wake up in the morning. In the last two days I’ve noticed the pain moving down my jaw, and my ear is bothering me, and my neck.

Can you give me a website or something? I appreciate any pointers.

Jay in Ferrisburg

Dear Jay,

What you describe sounds like an infection in your tooth, and it does indeed need to be treated. If you take antibiotics without first addressing the source of the infection within the tooth, you will make the problem worse. Oral antibiotics cannot reach the source of the infection unless you have a root canal treatment or have the tooth extracted. So even though you have to take care of this within your means, don’t try to cut corners by just taking an antibiotic.

Keep in mind, if you have a root canal treatment on the broken tooth, you may also have to have a porcelain crown placed over the tooth to protect the remaining structure. That will also add significantly to the bottom line.

Search for “affordable dentist” in your area, or just start calling to see who will work with you with payment plans or phased treatments. Some dentists are reluctant to advertise that they are “affordable” because they don’t want to leave the impression that their work is “cheap”. But with some diligence, you will be able to locate a dentist that will work with you.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge dentist.

Son with a broken tooth

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My ten year old son was playing lacrosse and got hit in the mouth with a stick. One of his top front teeth broke off, about 2/3 of the way up, and the other has a diagonal crack in it. I took him to the dentist’s office today, but the dentist wouldn’t even see him. The receptionist says he won’t have time to fix the tooth for 3 more weeks. That is just crazy!

I don’t want to wait for treatment on this. Is it customary to wait this long? Is there some medical reason why it should NOT be treated right away?

Thanks,

Suzy in St. Paul, MN

Dear Suzy,

No medical reason exists to wait. If you still have the piece that broke off, that could help the situation. A talented cosmetic dentist will be able to reattach the piece of tooth.

You should absolutely choose an excellent cosmetic dentist for this procedure, as you want these teeth to look as good as possible.

If you do not have the piece of tooth, direct dental bonding may be an option to repair the broken tooth, or he may need a porcelain crown or two, depending on the severity of the crack in the other tooth. If the roots of the teeth are cracked, he may need root canal treatment. If you consult with an excellent cosmetic dentist, he or she will be able to offer you all of the possible options to get the possible aesthetic result.

Posted courtesy of Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Perry.

Problems and discomfort following a white filling

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Last year I had to have a filling put in one of my front teeth. My dentist used that new white filling material, and I’ve had nothing but trouble since. First I had to go back in and have her sand out the filling materials that was causing dental floss to get stuck between my teeth. Then a few months after that I bit into a hot sandwich and almost passed out from the pain. It was unreal! I called my dentist and she said to try and wait it out, and I did, for as I could stand it, but things have slowly but steadily worsened. Now I can’t even stand to bite into the softest foods or drink room temperature liquids. I am on a constant diet of Alieve.

What should I do? I am afraid to go back in to hear her say that I need to have a root canal treatment and then another white filling. I can’t take anymore! Isn’t there another choice besides a white filling? It is one of my front teeth, and I suggested a crown, but she did not seem comfortable with putting one on only one of my front teeth. Any direction you can provide would be great.

Brian in Memphis, TN

Dear Brian,

From what you describe, you are probably going to need a root canal. Pain from the tooth being irritated from the filling should have abated by now, so something more is going on. Pain that gradually improves would be a better sign, but you describe exactly the opposite.

Following the root canal treatment, you may need a porcelain crown (also called a dental crown or a cap) placed over the tooth. If the cavity is not too large, it would still be a good idea to use white composite fillings, but if it is too large, you may need the crown.

If you do have a root canal treatment, you may want to tell the dentist not to leave any gutta percha (root canal filling material) inside the crown of the tooth, but to make sure to trim the material below the level of the tooth attachment. Gutta percha left in the crown of the tooth will cause it to darken over time. If you get a crown, this won’t matter, but if you get another filling, it will.

Post courtesy of Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Perry.

Worried about losing my front teeth

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My soon-to-be-ex wife hit me in the mouth with a baseball bat. As you might expect, both of my front teeth are now loose. I had to call the cops to get her out of my house, and the cops insisted I go into the hospital. I went to the emergency room, and they did a cat scan, which the doctor said did not reveal any fractures. I am kind of confused, because the teeth are still very loose. Am I going to lose these teeth? It also tore the little piece of skin that connects my upper lip to my jaw, but they said that was no big deal and did not bother to stitch it up.

I wonder if I should have gone in to a dentist right away. Is it too late? I don’t really have a regular dentist, or any insurance or money. The emergency room doctor didn’t say to go to a dentist, but he didn’t say I shouldn’t either, and I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly. Any help you can offer would be great.

Thanks,

Keith in Lake Minnetonka, MN

Dear Keith,

Even if the roots of your teeth aren’t fractured, they still need to be stabilized in the correct position. If you don’t have a regular dentist, see if there is an emergency dentist in your area who will work with you on a payment plan. The dentist will need to bond the teeth into the correct position so the bone can heal.

If the roots are fractured, or if the nerves are damaged, you may need a root canal treatment on one or both teeth. If that is the case, you may or may not need a dental crown, depending on the condition of the tooth.

That is a lot of “ifs”. The best advice we can offer is to seek the services of an expert cosmetic dentist, if you can. If you cannot afford dental care, look into a program called “Give Back a Smile”. It is a program sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists, to help victims of domestic violence. If you contact the program, they’ll tell you what you need in terms of documentation to prove that the injury was the result of your wife’s assault with the baseball bat.

We sincerely hope this information helps, and that your situation improves. We’re very sorry for your pain.

This blog post sponsored by Baton Rogue dentist Dr. Perry.

Fluorosis stains on my kid’s teeth

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I’m writing for some clarifying advice, I hope. I am pretty sure I will need to find a new dentist, but could use a more educated opinion.

My youngest daughter has pretty bad staining on her teeth, from fluorosis. Her bottom teeth in the front are really yellow (they are permanent teeth), and her top teeth are blotchy and in some cases almost jagged on the side (those are still baby teeth, though).

She wears braces right now, to try and fix issues related to a long thumb-sucking habit. We put braces on before her 12-year molars came in to try and give her some more confidence in her smile sooner. She is REALLY self-conscious about her teeth, but I think now the discolorations and staining bother her more than the overbite. She is very shy.

Henri from Augusta

Dear Henri,

It is hard when your child suffers from confidence issues, and hopefully you can get connected with a skilled and experienced cosmetic dentist who understands the psychology behind appearance as well and the best techniques to enhance her smile.

If her staining is indeed severe, then the teeth must eventually be covered with porcelain veneers. Fluorosis is caused when the teeth are forming, by over-consumption of fluoride. This is sometimes caused by drinking water from public or private wells that has a naturally high level of fluoride over the course of several years when the teeth are developing. It can also be caused by a child repeatedly swallowing too much fluoridated toothpaste. Just as a note, your family dentist should reiterate each time you visit that a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is appropriate, and that you should make sure your child spits it out rather than swallowing.

It is important that you are confident your dentist knows the source of the staining before treatment. If your daughter’s bottom teeth are a uniform yellow (no blotchiness), it may not be from fluorosis, and a simple teeth whitening treatment may be sufficient. If the fluorosis staining is mild, it is possible that a skilled cosmetic dentist could cover the spots with dental bonding.

The key theme here is “skilled experienced cosmetic dentist”. Any dentist can say they do cosmetic work. But you want someone who can prove their skills with before and after pictures and evidence of accreditation and coursework. If you choose your dentist well, they will do a good job choosing the best treatment option for your daughter.

This blog post is a courtesy of the dental office of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge dentist.

Treatment while in recovery

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I have a problem. I need extensive work on my teeth, and I get really freaked out about going to the dentist. This wouldn’t be a problem for most people, but I am on methadone maintenance for opiate addiction. The last time I tried to get  some of this work done, the dentist refused to give me any pain medication at all after I told him about the methadone. There is just no way I can face the kind of work I need done without pain medication. We are talking about multiple root canal treatments.

What should I do? I tried to have him call the doctor at the clinic, even gave hime the phone number, but he refused. Obviously I need to go to a different dentist, but how do I avoid going through this all again?

Thank you in advance for your advice and help.

Marcy in Los Angeles

Dear Marcy,

Many dentists will not risk attracting the interest of the Drug Enforcement Administration. You’ll need to find a dentist who is more concerned with being compassionate.

You need to locate a dentist who does sedation dentistry. Talk to them honestly about what they can do to help you with pain, both during and after surgery. Your instinct to have them talk to the doctor who is in charge of your methadone care was a good one–your doctor may be your greatest support in getting a dentist on board to get you the treatment you need.

The office of Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Perry support the provision of this blog.

Should my 20 year old daughter have all her teeth pulled?

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I really need some advice for how to guide my 20 year old daughter. She is a recovering addict, and I find that it is hard to get compassionate advice when people think you’ve brought your troubles upon yourself. She is trying really hard to turn her life around.

Her teeth have been completely ruined by the drug use. The dentist at the clinic wants to pull all her teeth and then fit her with dentures.

She is 20. Isn’t there some other way? The dentist wants to pull the teeth and fit the dentures all in one visit, which I was not going to allow in any case. This is just another example of the inhumane treatment recovering addicts encounter from medical professionals.

My daughter is in a lot of pain from her teeth, and I recognize that something has to be done, but I just keep hoping there is some other alternative.

Please help us.

Anne in Key West, FL

Dear Anne,

It is so sad when we hear stories like this. Everyone deserves a second chance, and compassion.

We are also not in favor of this treatment plan at all. Twenty is absolutely much too young to get all of her teeth pulled, especially when you understand the long term implications of this. When you lose a tooth, the bone at the site of the lost tooth begins to be re-absorbed into the jaw almost immediately. If you lose ALL your teeth, there is nothing preventing your jaw bones from becoming thin and brittle. Over time, the thinning bones make it impossible for the patient to wear any kind of denture at all. This condition is called facial collapse. It is tough enough to deal with in a person who is 80, but your daughter would be suffering this in her 40s. Treatment at that point involves expensive surgery for bone grafts and dental implants.

Almost certainly at least some of her teeth can be saved. Those teeth will help preserve the bone of her jaws and slow the process of re-absorption. Then partial dentures (which can be fairly reasonable, cost-wise) can be anchored on those remaining teeth to provide a more stable result. In the worst case scenario none of her teeth can be salvaged, at which point I would strongly recommend considering mini-implants to anchor a full denture. Even two implants per jawbone will help.

Many of us can only imagine how difficult the path you’ve walked is. Your compassion and love for your daughter are obvious in your desire to get her good dental care. We wish you the best of luck in this endeavor.

This blog post provided courtesy of the office of Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Perry.

Can I get all this dental work done in one sitting?

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I just went to the dentist for the first time in more than 15 years. I need a LOT of work done!

I have three cavities, and one of my teeth needs to be shortened, because it is making my bite screwy. I need six root canal treatments. I’d like to have a teeth whitening procedure, too, but I don’t know how long all of this is going to take, or whether or not I should try to plan for multiple appointments.

I am really pressed for time, but it is more than that. One of the things that has kept me away from the dentist all these years is that I just HATE to go. I get in that chair and just start sweating and feeling sick. I am afraid if I don’t go and get it all done at once that I won’t go back after the first appointment, and everything will just keep getting worse. It took me a long time to work up the courage to go back. I don’t want to mess everything up by chickening out on the necessary appointments.

Theresa in Big Rapids

Dear Theresa,

Welcome back!

It is a little tricky to answer your question. The most significant limiting factor for sitting length is usually tolerance of the patient, and you’ve said that you get very nervous and tense in “the chair”.

It sounds like you would be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. A sedation dentist will medicate you for the treatment, so you would be able to do a much longer appointment than you would without medication. A non-fearful dental patient might be able to tolerate up to a four hour appointment, but without medication it is not likely you would be able to do anything close to that.

If you do not want to go with a sedation dentist, be very candid with your dentist about your fears and he or she will be able to work with you to figure out how best to get you the treatment you need.

One thing to note: if your root canals are on your front teeth, then a general dentist could probably get them done in one appointment. If they are in your back teeth, however, you’ll need to have them done in as few appointments as possible. If that is the case, you may want to consider a endodontist (a dentist who specializes in root canals) to get your root canals done.  

This blog is produced courtesy of Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Perry.

Can a tooth infection actually be dangerous?

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I am kind of freaked out about a problem I have with my teeth. One of my molars split in half about 10 days ago. It is the very last molar, right beside where my wisdom teeth used to be. Right after the tooth broke I started having some really weird pains, and they are getting worse. I have pain in my cheek and jaw area, which is not surprising. But then I started having pain in my sinuses and nose, and then in my temple, too. This morning, my neck was really tender when I woke up. That pain starts right next to my ear in the back and radiates all the way around to the front of my neck.

Can ALL of that be from one broken tooth, or is something else going on? Maybe could this be a sinus infection. I have been taking antibiotics that I got from a friend. I know you’re not supposed to do that, but I don’t have any money at all and I have been trying to make this better without going to a doctor or dentist.

Can you help? One of my friends just told me that infections in your mouth can be dangerous. The way the pain is spreading is freaking me out.

Elise in Salt Lake City

Dear Elise,

Your friend is right. Infections in your teeth and mouth can be very dangerous. They can spread to your brain and cause infections there, or endanger your throat and airway. This is not something you should fool around with and taking antibiotics without getting the tooth treated is only making the remaining bacteria resistant to treatment.

You will have to have a root canal treatment, or if the tooth is too damaged to save, an extraction. When your finances turn around, you could consider having a dental implant to replace it, but in the mean time you must address the source of the infection. One way or the other, this must be treated. It will not go away on its own.

Call the local dental society and see if they have a program or clinic where you can get this taken care of for free or a really reduced rate. If that doesn’t yield results, start calling area dentists until you find one that can help you.

This is serious. You need to get it fixed right away.

This blog produced courtesy of the office of Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Perry.