tooth replacement Archives | Williams Family Dentistry

Can’t Stand Going to the Dentist

Posted on October 31, 2024 by writeradmin.

Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I cannot stand going to the dentist. I know you are just doing your jobs, but if feels like you are just trying to hurt people. Every single dental appointment I have have ever had has been excruciatingly painful. My dentist said it is because I have a high tolerance to Novocain. Because of this I haven’t been to the dentist in a while and I am starting to get concerned about my oral health. Is there any way to get the care I need without feeling like I’m being tortured by a psychopath?

Stanley

Dear Stanley,

Woman asleep in the dental chair

I’m not offended. In fact, I understand what you are going through. Even better, I know the solution. It isn’t as much that you have a high tolerance for Novocain as it is that your dental anxiety, which is justifiably real given your experiences, is burning off your numbing medication.

The solution is to see a sedation dentist. They can provide you with a medication that will completely relax you. Once you are relaxed, then the numbing medication will work to its full effect. There are levels of sedation that you will read about on the page I linked to. Normally, I would suggest that someone start with the lowest form of sedation. Instead, given all that you have been through, I would like you to use oral conscious sedation.

This is strong. Really strong. In fact, you will need someone to drive you to and from your dental appointment as well as stay with you afterward until you are lucid and steady on your feet. The side benefit is that whatever dentist you end up with will be able to get significantly more work done at each appointment than would normally be possible. You will be able to catch up on your dental work significantly faster than you would otherwise.

The sooner you get your work caught up the better because it gives you a greater chance at saving the maximum amount of teeth. If, by chance, there are teeth that you cannot save I would highly recommend that you replace them with dental implants. These are the closest to having your own natural teeth in your jaw bone again.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. James E. Williams.

Antibiotics and a Tooth Infection

Posted on September 30, 2023 by writeradmin.

I had a toothache that I just couldn’t get rid of. Normally, I would avoid the dentist like the plague but the pain became too much to bear. I went to see an emergency dentist. He gave me some prescription antibiotics to treat the infection. It did help at first. However, once it ran out I started feeling bad again. In fact, it got worse. Now my whole cheek is swollen. Would a second antibiotic finish off the infection or is it something worse than I thought?

Darrell

Dear Darrell,

Either there was a miscommunication and you didn’t hear that there needed to be some follow up action or the dentist who treated you has a serious lack of understanding in how tooth infections work. An antibiotic will only hold the infection at bay for a while, however, it will not cure the infection. There are two ways to really treat a tooth infection. The first is to do a root canal treatment. This is preferred because it saves the tooth. If that is not possible, the next option is to extract and replace the tooth. Hopefully, it will not come to that, but if it does the best tooth replacement is a dental implant.

I hope this was mentioned to you. My suggestion is that you call another dentist and get this tended to right away. People still die from tooth infections because they can spread to your heart, lungs, or brain, all of which are close to your jaw.

You are not the only patient to deal with dental anxiety by avoiding the dentist. Though, it is not the safest way for you to live. I believe I have a solution for you. I would like you to see an emergency dentist who also offers dental sedation. This is a way for you to have an anxiety-free/pain-free dental experinece.

Anxious patients, who have tried this, found that it completely changed their life. They were finally able to get their oral health under control and see the dentist without fear.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. James E. Williams.

Going Directly to Lab for My Partial Denture

Posted on April 7, 2022 by writeradmin.

I had a good experience with my last partial denture several years ago. I needed a new one and decided I would cut out the middle man and go directly to the lab and save some money. This has not worked out as well as I hoped. Here are the problems I have had. The front tooth being replaced by this does not stay attached to the metal. He also had so much plastic backing on this that it put all the pressure on a single bottom tooth. This gave me concern that I would lose that tooth. Finally, there is a problem with the seating because it rocks when I chew which is an irritant both emotionally and physically. I’ve been back nine times for him to work on it and he just told me to stop bothering him about this. I asked for a refund and he refused. Is there any way to get my money back? I thought this would save me money, but it has been a disaster.

Andrew

Dear Andrew,

The rocking is a big problem and hints at a distorted framework. The only way to fix this would be to start over, which is why the lab’s tinkering hasn’t worked. The reason they did such a good job the first time and not when you went to them directly is almost positively because of the impression they took of your teeth. It takes specific training and skill to make a proper mold impression. They don’t do that on a regular basis so their impressions will not be as accurate. This is key in getting the denture correct.

You asked for a way to get your money back. I believe that will be simple. You may not have been aware of this but it was actually illegal for the lab to work directly with you instead of through a dentist. The lab, however, would have known that. To get your refund, I would simply tell them to either refund your money or you will testify against them. I feel certain he will be happy to give you your money back.

Your best bet in getting a great denture is through a skilled dentist. Your dentist obviously did a great job last time. If finances are difficult right now, I would speak to your dentist about that in private. Most dentists are compassionate and went into their field because they wanted to help people. They may have a way to allow you to make payments and help with affordability.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Dentist Placed Implants Knowing They Would Fail

Posted on July 26, 2021 by writeradmin.

I was going to my family dentist for a dental implant. Before the surgery, he said everything looked good. Then, when the surgery was over there was a totally different story. He told me that when he went in that it was apparent there was not enough bone structure there to retain the implants for very long. He placed them anyway and is telling me he thinks we need to remove them. I’m so frustrated. Have you ever heard of a dentist doing something like this? I’ve spent so much money.

Dean

Dear Dean,

This is insane. He cannot get away with this. It is serious negligence, even malpractice. This was completely preventable if he’d have done the right diagnostics to begin with. He should have done diagnostics, which included x-rays and preferably also a CT scan in order to determine if you have enough bone to be a good candidate for dental implants. He obviously skipped this step or completely botched reading them. Had he done this properly, he would have recognized the problem and been able to take steps to ensure you would have a successful outcome.

One of the basic principles of any dental procedure is that the dentist believes the procedure will work. When he places an implant knowing it would fail, he violates a basic standard of care. In fact, he does more harm than good. I do not want you to merely ask for a refund, which you are definitely entitled to. Instead, I want you to ask him to pay for this to be done correctly by the dentist of your choice.

Unfortunately, it will not be as simple as just taking out the old ones and putting in the new ones. When the implants are removed it will take some of the bone with it. You will need a bone grafting procedure to build up the bone. Then, after a period of healing you will be able to get the dental implnats you need.

When you pick the dentist to fix this, make sure they have post-doctoral training in dental implants. This is important.
I am sorry this happened to you. Know that you have the right to get this done correctly. If he gives you a hard time about it, let him know that if you took him to court, you would get everything you are asking for plus damages. It is in his favor to pay for this to be repaired.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Disagreeing with Her Oral Surgeon

Posted on December 3, 2020 by writeradmin.

I had two root canals done on my left jaw. In addition to that, I have an impacted wisdom tooth, which is infected. The teeth that had the root canal still bother me. I want my oral surgeon to take out all the teeth at once but he is refusing, so I haven’t gone back to do the wisdom tooth. I feel like I should be the one to decide how many teeth are removed. Can you give me anything I can say to him to change his mind?

Marilyn

Dear Marilyn,

I am worried you are playing with fire here. I haven’t examined you or seen any x-rays. Anything I say will be a guess. Here is what I can infer from what you’re saying. You want three teeth removed but your oral surgeon only wants to take out the one infected wisdom tooth. Truthfully, your oral surgeon would make three times the money extracting all the teeth you are asking him to. The fact that he is saying no means that he doesn’t think those teeth need to be extracted.

You basically have a couple of safe options here. The first is to go ahead and get the infected wisdom tooth removed, following your dentist’s advice and leave the other teeth. The second is to go to a different dentist will less integrity who will remove healthy teeth just for the fees it generates.

The worst thing you can do is leave the wisdom tooth there trying to hold your dentist hostage to your desire. Infected teeth are considered dental emergencies for a very good reason. Without the proper treatment, this will spread. Your jaw is close to your heart, lungs, and brain. You don’t want the infection spreading there.

The benefit of just removing the wisdom tooth is you get to keep some natural teeth, which is always important. Also, while an extracted wisdom tooth doesn’t need to be replaced, the molars will. That adds another expense. The best tooth replacement is a dental implant, which means surgery.

I know you said the root-canaled teeth are still bothering you. Here is my suggestion. It is likely those teeth are bothering you because of the infected tooth. Once that is extracted, you should get some relief. Do that. Keep yourself safe. Then, if the teeth are still bothering you, go ahead and get them extracted. I’d just have for you to lose healthy teeth unnecessarily.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentists Dr. John Weaver.

Antibiotics for a Tooth Infection

Posted on August 2, 2020 by writeradmin.

I saw a dentist two weeks ago for a tooth that was infected. He has me on two antibiotics. I was getting better and then three days ago, it started to get worse again. Now I am swollen up to my eye. Am I on the wrong antibiotic?

Kelly

Dear Kelly,

I am hoping there was a miscommunication between you and your dentist. Antibiotics alone will not treat a tooth infection. Their purpose is two-fold. First, they are used to get an infection under more control until the actual treatment is done. Second, they can hold off the infection for a short time while you wait for your appointment. Is it possible your dentist said you needed to schedule a follow-up appointment and you forgot about that part? If not, your dentist has a fundamental lack of understanding about tooth infections. So fundamental, it makes me question how he graduated.

Treating a Tooth Infection

The way to treat a tooth infection is for the dentist to physically remove the infected tissue. There are two ways of accomplishing this. The first is with a root canal treatment. This is the ideal solution because it saves your tooth, especially the root which is extremely important.

The second option is to extract the tooth. I only recommend this when the tooth cannot be saved. Once a tooth is extracted, it needs to be replaced. Otherwise, the other teeth will shift and tip into its place, which can throw off your bite leading to a lifetime of jaw pain from TMJ Disorder.

You should be aware that infected teeth are considered a dental emergency. This is because the infection will spread until proper treatment is completed. I am especially concerned by the fact that you are swollen up to your eye. You do not want a tooth infection to reach your brain, heart, or lungs. If it does it will become life-threatening rather quickly. Believe it or not, people still die from tooth infections.

If Your Tooth Can’t Be Saved

Hopefully, a simple root canal treatment is all you need. If it is too late to save your tooth, you have two good options for a tooth replacement. The ideal replacement is to get a dental implant. If that is not possible or if one of your adjacent teeth happens to need a dental crown, then getting a dental bridge is another good option for you.

Please don’t put off getting this dealt with. Call the dentist who you originally saw and tell him you need a root canal treatment right away.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Can an Infected Tooth Spread to a Salivary Gland?

Posted on July 3, 2020 by writeradmin.

My daughter has had two salivary gland infections right above where she had two root canal treatments on the same tooth. Could this be spreading to infect her salivary gland? The doctor can’t seem to figure out what is leading to the infections and this is the only thing I could think of that makes any sense. Do tooth infections spread out of the teeth?

Margie

Dear Margie,

A tooth infection can spread outside of the tooth. This is one of the reasons they are considered dental emergencies. Your jaw is very close to your heart, lungs, and brain so a dental infection can turn life-threatening if left untreated. That being said, yes, it is possible an infection has spread to your daughter’s salivary glands. However, that would only be possible if her root canal treatment had failed.

You mentioned this is the second root canal treatment on this tooth. That means she’s already had one failed root canal treatment. The chances of a successful treatment go down with each successive re-treatment. My advice to you is to see an endodontist, also known as root canal specialists, to have an x-ray done. The x-ray should show you if there is an infection present.

If the Tooth Can’t be Saved

If there is an infection, the root canal specialist will have a much better chance of giving you a successful treatment. It is also possible that this tooth cannot be saved. In that case, all that would be left is a tooth extraction. When a tooth is extracted, it needs to be replaced otherwise the adjacent teeth will shift or tip into the space, completely throwing off her bite.

The best tooth replacement option is a dental implant. However, if your daughter is a teenager, her jaw isn’t developed enough for that treatment yet. In that case, I would get her a dental flipper, which is an inexpensive temporary tooth replacement. You can use that until she is old enough for the dental implant.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Infected Tooth & No Money

Posted on July 16, 2019 by writeradmin.

I don’t know what to do. I have a seriously infected tooth. That part of my cheek has swollen to the size of a golfball. I have no dental insurance and no job. I was laid off 5 months ago and just haven’t found anything. I don’t know what to do in order to take care of this. Do you have any suggestions?

Parker

Dear Parker,

I’m sorry about your lay-off. I know that is a terrible feeling, especially when you have something serious going on which needs to be addressed. When you’re talking about an infected tooth, it is important a dentist gets in there and physically removes the infected pulp. This is done with a root canal treatment. Antibiotics alone cannot solve the problem. The infection will flare back up and be harder to treat.

Even in the 21st century we still have people dying from tooth infections. Most people don’t realize how quickly these can turn life-threatening. However, if you think about how close your jaw is to both your heart and brain you can see that as the infection spreads things can turn serious.

Affording Dental Care During an Emergency

Most larger communities have some type of clinic available for people to get affordable dental care in cases of emergencies such as yours. Call your local dental society and see what they advise.

If you happen to live in a community which doesn’t offer these services, don’t lose heart. Most dentists are compassionate and went into their field because they wanted to help people.

Try calling around and explaining your situation. They may be willing to let you get the services you need and pay as you are able. Each practice will have their own policy. Communication is the key.

If the Tooth Can’t Be Saved

Depending on how far gone the tooth is, it may not be possible to save it even with a root canal treatment. If you end up needing an extraction, your dentist can provide you with a dental flipper. This is an inexpensive tooth replacement. It’s meant to be temporary but it gives you time while you are still looking for employment. When things are more stable for you, there are better replacement options your dentist can discuss with you.

The key now is to get the treatment you need.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Emergency Dentist Dr. John Weaver.