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| | Archive By Date: Fillings/Restorations |
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Answered questions from the past 2 years:
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January 7, 2009
I have a crown that keeps falling off. According to my dentist, there is not enough tooth to hold the crown in. What options do I have? |
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January 2, 2009
My daughter is 3 years and 5 months. She has a few small cavities in her upper and lower front teeth. The dentist does not want to fill them, because they say too many of these fillings just fall out again and they will have to refill them. My thought is just to fill them and see what happens. They have mentioned crowns if the decay gets worse. We are doing everything possible to prevent further decay, but it looks to me like the cavity they are most concerned with (they say it is nearing a nerve) has gotten slightly bigger in the past month since her last treatment. Will fillings in the front baby teeth just fall out? Is filling them not the best option? |
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December 31, 2008
I've just had root canals on tooth #19 and tooth #20 and I am trying to decide whether I should use pins or posts. I've heard conflicting things about each. Which is safer and stronger? My insurance covers pins. My dentist wants to charge me a lot for the posts. |
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December 19, 2008
Less than a year ago, I had an onlay completed. The first one would not stay in place, so a second one was made. The second one just fell out while I was flossing. If it won't stay in, do I need something besides an onlay? I have one on the bottom with no problems. |
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December 15, 2008
A few months ago I had some old silver fillings replaced with tooth-colored fillings. I was very pleased with how they looked. However, I have noticed that the new fillings now seem to be 'outlined' with a brown line. What has caused these lines and how do I remove them? |
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December 8, 2008
I had a broken first molar that already had a crown. About one-third of the tooth was left. My dentist told me one of the roots had been treated, but the other two seem calcified and difficult to access. He added a mummifying compound. He warned me that a new crown may have some risk of problems with those roots and he wanted to refer me to an endodontic specialist. Based on cost/benefit, it seems better to take out the rest of the tooth and get an implant, rather than risk an infection. What do you think? |
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November 17, 2008
About 10 years ago, I had a composite veneer put on one of my front teeth. I've recently decided that I might want to do something about the color of my teeth. If I have a whitening procedure done, will it change the color of the veneer, too? |
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November 14, 2008
I recently had a metal filling replaced. Since then, I have experienced a strange sensation when biting on food. I went back to my dentist who filed the tooth down, but I still get an odd feeling when I bite down. Is it possible that the filling is placed too high or has failed to bond correctly? Does it mean I need a root canal? |
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November 10, 2008
I have a filling that fell out a year ago. I have no pain whatsoever in the tooth but there is a big hole. My dentist says I need a root canal because there is an infection. He put me on antibiotics. He poked around at the tooth and I didn't feel any of it. There is no pain. I'm afraid there will be a lot of pain during the root canal procedure though. Why does my tooth not hurt if it's so infected? |
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November 7, 2008
A week ago I had a root canal done on one of my back teeth on the lower left side. The tooth is still bothering me. Sometimes the pain is so bad that it wakes me in the middle of the night. What is wrong? What should I do? |
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November 5, 2008
I have a back molar that has been broken and there is an infection. I am taking antibiotics to clear the infection and the dentist said I have to decide whether to have the tooth removed or to get a root canal. I am thinking extraction, but many people are telling me a root canal would be better. The cost of a root canal would be about $900 and then I would need a crown too. What do you recommend? |
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October 31, 2008
I have had dentures for almost four years now and I'm considering having a bridge done. How long does the procedure take and what should I do? |
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October 27, 2008
How long after a root canal can I wait before scheduling an appointment with my dentist to get a crown? I would like to leave it for as long as possible so that I can pay off the cost of the root canal before I have to pay for the crown. |
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October 15, 2008
I've noticed that there's a hole in my top front tooth. I'm scared and I don't know what will happen. Do I have to get a root canal on my front tooth? |
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October 6, 2008
Recently, I had an old filling replaced. The dentist gave me one shot of local anesthesia, but nothing happened. I received a second shot and became numb and he did the work. Partway through, I found I couldn't close my right eye, and the right side of my face was paralyzed. The tooth in question was the last molar on the lower right. I recovered several hours later, and had an irritated eye for a day. How can medicine injected into lower jaw affect the eye? Did I get too much? What happened? |
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October 3, 2008
My son is 7 years old. He has crowns on his lower molars. He kept needing medication for infections in them. At the last visit, the dentist told me she will have to remove the molars because there is nothing more she can do. My concern is, how will he eat? Is there anything we can do until his permanent molars come in? |
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September 29, 2008
I had fillings in my front teeth, but they came out. Can they be filled again? |
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September 24, 2008
I had a lot of pain, so I went to see my dentist. He said I had a decayed tooth that needed to have a root canal. He cleaned the tooth out. I now have more pain than before, as well as swelling in the gum area. Is this normal? |
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September 15, 2008
I had a cavity in one of my back teeth for almost two years and never had it treated. For a time, I suffered incredible pain in that tooth and even worse pain when I tried to chew on it. Now, the pain is gone, except when I chew on it. The tooth has significantly decayed. What will happen? Will the tooth be pulled? Do I have root canal done? Should I see a dentist for an oral exam first, or go straight to a specialist? |
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September 10, 2008
My teeth are yellowish in color because I took tetracycline and its derivatives. Is there anything I can do to make them white? |
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August 22, 2008
Is it detrimental to a developing fetus when a pregnant woman's dental amalgam breaks? What are the effects? |
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August 18, 2008
My dentist states that he must perform a build-up prior to placing a crown over the tooth. What is that? |
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August 13, 2008
How safe is it to put a 3-year-old child under general anesthesia to fill cavities in baby teeth? The baby teeth are going to fall out anyway. These are just surface cavities. Is there anything else we can do? |
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August 12, 2008
I had a filling in a one of my top right molars that fell out a while ago. It doesn't hurt. It's a little sensitive to cold. I have tried to keep food out of the hole. But recently, a part of the tooth chipped off, and the filling in the tooth next to it fell out. I know I'll probably need a root canal and a crown for the first tooth. While I'm waiting to see the dentist, do you have any suggestions for products I can use to prevent infection? |
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August 1, 2008
I'd like to have a tooth-colored filling. I know that they're more expensive than amalgam fillings, but does the better quality warrant their cost? |
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July 28, 2008
I'm faced with the option of having a root canal done on a capped molar that may have become infected. The tooth will then need to be recapped. Cost issues are making me consider just having the tooth extracted. But my primary care dentist is strongly urging me against that option. He argues that there could be complications, such as shifting of other teeth in the area or future breakage of nearby teeth. I'm in my late 60s. I've had teeth extracted several times before much earlier in life, and no shifting or other complications have happened. Given this information, what in general would you advise? |
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July 25, 2008
Three weeks ago I had a root canal on a molar that was capped. For the first day or two, I felt twinges through the tooth. They radiated out to the jaw and other teeth. The discomfort subsided, but in the last couple of days the twinges and pain have started up again. Is this common, or is something more serious going on? |
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July 23, 2008
About a year ago, my filling came out of my upper molar tooth and part of my tooth broke. Almost a quarter of my tooth is gone. It just recently started to bother me and I do not have dental insurance to fix it. What is the danger of not having it fixed or extracted? Can the surrounding teeth be affected? |
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July 21, 2008
I have a tooth broken off in my gum. After removing the tooth, how can it be replaced? Or could this broken tooth get a crown? |
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July 18, 2008
What are Black classification cavities? |
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July 16, 2008
I was biting my nail and I heard a cracking noise. My front tooth is now loose. Will it be okay if left alone? I did it two weeks ago. The pain was intense at first, but it has now subsided. |
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July 14, 2008
I am 53 years of age, and I want to have my four front bottom teeth crowned for cosmetic reasons. They are worn down, and almost look transparent. I have not had any cavities or problems with these teeth, but compared to the upper front 7 teeth, which have crowns, they look out of place. I know some people say that when you speak, people don't see your lower front teeth, but if it will not cause the teeth any harm I want to have them crowned. Are there other options? |
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July 9, 2008
I have broken a small front tooth on the bottom. The break makes it look like the tooth was cut in half from top to bottom. There is no pain. The tooth is crooked and the tooth next to it has some chipping. My dentist thinks a crown is not the best choice because he would have to remove too much of the tooth. He is suggesting a veneer. Will this be okay, considering that so much of the front tooth is missing? Are there other options? |
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June 16, 2008
Two years ago, my dentist recommended replacing a filling in one of my molars. After that, I needed a crown. After the crown, I needed a root canal for pain and was told they could not get everything out. Today, I have severe pain in the tooth while eating or drinking hot foods. I went to the dentist and he put me on antibiotics and he is sending me back to the endodontist. Should I just have the tooth pulled? This seems like a lot of work to replace a filling that was not bothering me at all. |
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June 13, 2008
My 12-year-old daughter went in for a filling and she was given gas. After the local anesthesia, she got very fidgety and started to twitch her head and shoulder. Is this a normal reaction? It was very scary. |
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June 11, 2008
I had a molar removed on the upper left last week. I had to go back in today because of the pain. It turns out, I have dry socket. But I also have a bone spur. It's very painful. What is it, and what can I do to get rid of it? |
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June 6, 2008
My daughter broke one of her baby teeth. The doctor said she needs to see a dentist, even though it's going to fall out anyway. She is 4 years old. |
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May 30, 2008
I do not have access to dental insurance from my job. Can you suggest an alternative for me? I have heard about several dental discount plans. I know I need to have a lot of work done. |
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May 21, 2008
All my teeth were removed, but part of one tooth remains. |
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May 12, 2008
I have 'natural' colored filling in my molars, but now the fillings look like they're outlined in brown. Why? Should I worry? |
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May 9, 2008
My 7-year-old son had a cavity 6 months ago that was so small that they didn't have to numb him to fill it. He just had a cleaning and that tooth is abscessed. It is the # L tooth. The dentist wants to pull it out and put in a spacer. I was not given the option of a root canal, but will take him for another opinion. Is it best to pull it out or get a root canal? Which is more painful? |
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May 7, 2008
The gum around my crown bleeds a lot when I floss. I think it may be loose too. What should I do? |
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April 16, 2008
I had a series of x-rays (individual and full mouth) in Feb 2007. It was suggested that I get crowns and laminates: $6,700 worth. Since then, I have noticed my front teeth are edged in black. Being disabled and with no insurance, I am not sure what the best thing to do is. Extractions? I can't find a dentist who would fix one tooth at a time. I have had a 30-year history of bulimia, but never had such a problem before. |
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April 3, 2008
I've always brushed my teeth. But after I had both my children, my teeth have gotten very bad. I've already had four teeth pulled since then, and I need three more pulled. Why is this happening? |
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March 24, 2008
What causes tooth decay and how can one manage it? I have lost four teeth due to decay and may lose two others. What can I do? Is extraction the only solution? |
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March 7, 2008
My boyfriend developed an abscess in his mouth, near the top row of teeth. The abscess is right above a tooth (I think it's the 3rd or 4th tooth from the back) that has significant decay on the side. The pus has formed a 'pimple' on his gum line. I know that he should go see a dentist immediately, but he doesn't have any dental insurance. Besides this tooth he has another decayed tooth, and both have been causing him a lot of pain. He doesn't have much money right now so he couldn't pay a dentist out of pocket either. Is there a way he could see a dentist, considering his situation? |
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March 3, 2008
About 3 weeks ago, I had a non-nickel, three-tooth bridge placed. There is a very metallic taste in my mouth from this bridge. What can I do? |
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February 27, 2008
I was eating a piece of chicken with a lot of small bones and I bit into one of the small bones by accident. It sent a strong pain to my upper mouth. I haven't been able to eat well at all since then. On the other side of my mouth I have a tooth where a filling fell out a couple of years ago, so that side is sensitive, too. I'm afraid of the dentist due to a bad experience. Please help. |
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February 18, 2008
My 6-year-old son lost his two front teeth when he was 3 in a bike accident. The dentist said implants would be too painful for a young child and that because they were baby teeth it was not a big deal. I am concerned that my son's permanent teeth will not erupt where they should. Should I consult an oral surgeon? Can anything be done for him if the teeth do erupt in the wrong place? |
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February 7, 2008
A friend has severe damage to her teeth and will need dentures. Her dentist called this damage 'Mountain Dew mouth' because of all the soda she drinks. Is soda really this harmful to teeth? |
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January 30, 2008
After getting teeth extracted, how do you prevent dry socket? I heard that it is very painful. |
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January 21, 2008
I have recently had a temporary filling/crown put on. I am awaiting a final crown. Is it necessary to replace the temporary filling/crown within a certain time frame or can I keep it until a problem arises? |
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January 18, 2008
I've started to notice toothbrush abrasions on some of my teeth. Is there a current or upcoming treatment option to restore enamel at the gum line? Would an extra intake of calcium make any difference? |
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December 14, 2007
My dentist told me that my tooth is cracked, although there is no crack to be seen. Do I really need a root canal and crown? I do have occasional pain. |
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