I have a bridge that is failing.  My dentist has recommended that we go with a partial.  I’m not sure if I like the idea of removing the partial each night and having the clip visible in the front of my teeth.  Whats your thoughts?

ANSWER:

Since your dentist is not recommending a new bridge I am assuming once the bridge is removed either the distance without teeth is too long for a traditional bridge or there will not be a tooth towards the back to support a new fixed (none-movable) bridge. In these cases your only options are to use the removable appliance or dental implants to support a fixed bridge.  An implants supported bridge will be more expensive but will look and function more like natural teeth. I suggest you go see a periodontist to discuss your options with you. If you would like I will ask some of my friends in The NYC area and see if they can recommend someone in the Norwich area. As a minimum I would ask your current dentist if he thinks an implant supported bridge might work for you. A third option might be to place a single implant with an internal connection so that you do not see a clip in the front of you mouth.

Hope this helps,

Nick DeTure DMD
AskADentist.com

The post Bridge vs Partial first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

I have an ongoing sinus infection and was wondering if my tooth that needs to be pulled could be causing it?

ANSWER:

If the infected tooth which needs to be pulled is an upper back tooth then yes it is very likely that it could be affecting your sinus. Most of the time removing the bad tooth will resolve the issue but if it does not you may need to see an ear, nose, throat physician (ent) to resolve the lingering sinus infection. I am located in Fort Lauderdale and would be happy to give you a complimentary exam to let you know if it is a tooth related issue. Please call my office at (954) 522-3228 to set up an appointment.

Hope this helps,

Nick DeTure DMD
AskADentist.com

The post Sinus Infection first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

How long does it take for Novocaine to get out of your system after an injection for a procedure?

ANSWER:

Good question. No one actually uses Novocaine anymore, and with the newer local anesthetics the duration of the numbness depends on what type of anesthetic was used as well as how and where it was used. The most commonly used anesthetics used today wear off with in a couple hours, however there are a couple of exceptions. Marcaine given to numb the lower jaw using an inferior alveolar block technique can last up to six hours and Septocaine given as an inferior alveolar block to numb the lower jaw can cause residual numbness of the tongue which can last up to six months. If you have numbness lasting longer than a day following a dental injection you need to return to the dentist who gave you the injection for an evaluation.

Hope this helps,

Nick DeTure DMD
AskADentist.com

The post How Long Does It Take For Novacaine To Get Out Of Your System? first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

My 5 year old son had his teeth examined and the dentist referred him to an orthodontist because he has the opposite of an overbite and his top teeth are wearing down his bottom teeth. Dentist states jaw may be growing faster then top. What should I expect? Any advise? Should I be seriously concerned?

ANSWER:

My advise is to go see the orthodontist. It sounds like your son’s lower jaw is larger or growing faster than his upper jaw. Ideally in these cases the orthodontist will start the braces at an early age so that they can help direct the growth of the facial bones. This will help your son avoid the possibility of facial surgery in the future to correct his bite. If started early enough (and five is plenty early in fact the orthodontist may decide it is to young) the orthodontist can put pressure on the upper jaw to help it catch up with the lower jaw. If you wait until you son is older his facial bones may not have enough growth left for the orthodontist to be able to accomplish this equalizing of the jaws. I would expect at you first visit with the orthodontist they will simply do an exam, maybe an x-ray or two and discuss with you your options. I would not be overly concerned at this point but I would go see the orthodontist and get their opinion.

Hope this helps,

Nick DeTure DMD
AskaDentist.com

The post 5 Year Old Has Underbite first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

Recently, I have been getting some sensitivity on the upper portion of my jaw teeth when anything touches that area. It just started about a few days ago. What could be the cause of this as I have never ever had any problems with my teeth?

ANSWER:

Most likely this is Root exposure and root sensitivity which may get worse following exposure to acidic foods. I would rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking something acidic and use Synsodyne toothpaste. Avoid whitening toothpastes as these can cause sensitivity as well. Please feel free to contact my office at (954) 599-6425 for a complimentary evaluation of the area and to discuss if treatment is needed.

Hope this helps,

Nick DeTure DMD

AskADentist.com

The post Tooth Sensitivity On Upper Portion Of Jaw first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

My husband seems to have halitosis but I’m too scared to tell him. He takes Keppra for seizures. Can this be a side-effect?

ANSWER:

The bad breath is probably not related to his medication. Most bad breath comes from a build up of plaque (bacteria) on the top of the tongue which produce odor containing compounds. When we exhale the air flows over the bacteria and blows the odor out of the mouth. The other sources are gum infection,onions and garlic in the diet and diabetes. You need to work up the courage to discuss this issue with your husband for several reasons. One if it is due to gum infection he needs to see a periodontist and have it treated before he starts loosing teeth or it contributes to other medical conditions. If it is due to diabetes he needs to see his physician to get his blood sugar under control, and finally it can be socially embarrassing. We all have suffered from bad breath at some point or another so it is not unusual and as his wife you are his most trusted confidant. I always want my wife to tell me if she notices I have bad breath so I can treat it before I talk to other people. The best way to treat bad breath depends on the cause. As stated earlier if it is due to gum infection or diabetes see the dentist or physician. If it is due to diet the only thing you can do is avoid onion and garlic in your diet. If it is due to plaque build up on the tongue he needs to clean his tongue with a tongue scrapper or the edge of a spoon. Rake the tongue 10 to 20 times until the white or brown coating comes off and the tongue starts to look pink. Do not be alarmed if the tongue bleeds a little when he first starts doing this as it maybe inflamed from the plaque build up.

Hope This Helps,

Nick DeTure DMD
www.askadentist.com

The post Halitosis first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

I have been told I have a fractured tooth root. I have no symptoms at all in that tooth. It has been 2 months since I was told that. Could the dentist be wrong with this evaluation?

ANSWER:

It is possible to have a fractured tooth root and not have any symptoms. It is also possible that the dentist missed the diagnosis. If it is fractured it needs to be removed before it causes significant bone loss. I would suggest you see a periodontist to get an accurate diagnosis.

Hope this helps,

Nick DeTure DMD
askadentist.com

The post Fractured Tooth Root first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

I had a root canal done in January. It’s been tender in the gum area ever since and I just assumed it was still in the healing process. When I finally went back last week to have it looked at, I realized a bump on my gum in the area. It doesn’t hurt really bad but is tender when pressure is applied to it. The dentist has consulted with another and they are telling me that since it was such a deep root canal that at times it may take up to a year to heal and are telling me to wait. I’m not sure if the safest thing to do is to do nothing. Can it take this long for the healing process?

ANSWER:

While it can take up to a year for the bone to fill in following a root canal. The pain should have resolved by now and you should not have a bump in the area. Most of the time those bumps indicate some type of infection. In a tooth that has already had a root canal the bump may indicate a crack in the tooth or some residual infection in the tooth. Either way you should see either a periodontist to check for a crack or an endodontist to check the root canal. Let me know if you need a referral to either of these dental specialist.
Hope the helps.

Nick DeTure DMD
AskADentist.com

The post Healing after a Root Canal first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

My teeth are not that crooked but one tooth did not grow in. Therefore no space is available at all and my teeth grew leaving no space as if the missing tooth wasn’t going to grow in in the first place. I was wondering if it is possible for me to get a dental implant in that spot and how would the dentist go about doing that?

ANSWER:

If the adult tooth never came in and is below the gum it will need to be removed before an implant could be placed, or it may be able to be exposed and then move into position with braces. If there is no space where the tooth should be you will have to have braces to make space for an implant or the tooth before doing any type of surgical treatment. If the adult tooth never developed then it may be easier to place an implant but again if the other teeth grew in to position in such a way that the space where the tooth should be has been blocked or filled by the adjacent teeth then you have to recreate the space by using braces to put the teeth back into the right positions. I suggest you see a local periodontist to quarterback your treatment. Let me know if you need me to suggest someone for you.

Hope this helps,
Nick DeTure DMD
AskADentist.com

The post Missing Tooth first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

Does baking soda help clean your teeth out of grocery stores in the Arm-n-hammer box?

ANSWER:

It is fine to brush with baking soda right out of the Arm-n-hammer box. It is slightly abrasive and slightly antiseptic. It probably is not better for you than using a dry toothbrush to clean your teeth, and I would still recommend you use a toothpaste containing Fluoride as it will help prevent cavities and baking soda alone will not. The best way to clean your teeth is actually to brush with a dry tooth brush then repeat the brushing with a Fluoride tooth paste. The dry brush removes the plaque better and does not create foam in your mouth so you can see what you are doing then the second brushing is just to get some Fluoride exposure and freshen your breath.

Hope this helps,

Nick DeTure DMD
AskADentist.com

The post Baking Soda for Teeth Cleaning? first appeared on Ask A Dentist.