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.

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.

I have receding gums on my bottom front teeth. My dentist says it’s due to brushing too hard so I switched it up and have been brushing better (I floss everyday and use mouthwash too). I also have been eating healthier. My gums continue to recede though. The gaps in between my teeth are getting bigger and bigger and this worries me since it’s in the front. I’ve been to 3 dentists/periodontists and they all say that my gums are fine and that there’s nothing to worry about. There are no signs of gingivitis or anything worse and they’ve even complemented me on my dental habits. I notice, however, that my gums are receding and the gaps in between my teeth are getting bigger – it doesn’t seem like the dentists are really catching on. Is there anything I can do to make them stop receding? I’ve essentially tried everything

ANSWER:

It sounds like you have something called non-inflammatory attachment loss. This will cause your gums to recede in the absence of infection or inflammation. It is usually related to over aggressive flossing if it is occurring between the teeth, but it may also have to do with tooth position, orthodontic tooth movement or a tooth size to jaw size discrepancy. You need to see a periodontist for another evaluation and discuss with him your concerns and have them show you a less aggressive technique for flossing your teeth. I would be happy to see you but I am in Fort Lauderdale so unless you are planning a trip to South Florida I cannot help you. I do however have a periodontist friend in NYC to recommend for you his name is Joe Rowan and he is in Rockefeller Center. His phone number is 212-765-7340. Give him a call and let him know Nick DeTure and Tom McCawley referred you.

Hope this helps,
Nick DeTure DMD
AskaDentist.com

The post Receding Gums first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

My gums are in pain when I move my tongue and they bleed when I brush, does this mean I have gum disease?  What can I do to help stop it and what can I use?

ANSWER:

It sounds like you do have a gum infection. The best thing you can do at home is brush, floss and then irrigate with a water pik.
This will not however treat the gum infection or keep it from progressing.  You really need to see a dentist or more specifically a Periodontist. I have a Periodontist friend in Babylon New York.  If that is near you, I can forward your info to him and he can help you or he may know someone closer to you.

Hope this helps,
Nick DeTure DMD
askadentist.com

The post Gum Infection first appeared on Ask A Dentist.

Hello, I have noticed feeling pain when I touch the bottom of my tooth, where the gum and base of the tooth meet.  If I touch the gum or the actual tooth where it first comes out of gum its highly unpleasant, but the tooth is even more so I almost want to jump out of my skin when I touch the outside of the tooth with my nail.   Also the gum surrounding that particular tooth is white.   What can this be?   I am scared lifeless of a root canal ( even though i have never had one), please help!

ANSWER:

It sounds like you have some exposed tooth root which can be very sensitive to touch and to cold. The white around the gum is probably from over aggressive brushing. You probably do not need a root canal, but you should go see a periodontist as they may be able to apply some medicine to the area to make it less sensitive or may even be able to cover the exposed part of the root with new gum tissue which will solve the sensitivity you are having. For now try to avoid acidic foods and drinks in your diet as the will make the tooth more sensitive. I can try to find you a periodontist in NYC or Brooklyn If you like.

Hope this helps,
Nick DeTure DMD
askadentist.com

The post Pain at Bottom of Tooth first appeared on Ask A Dentist.