Dental Chronicles

[Mrsmorton]

I have noticed a number all of the dental related questions on MN get repeated once a month or so; this may be entirely unwelcome but what I intend to do is to make a series of detailed posts answering the most common questions so that I can signpost posters to an answer. Often they disappear in chat and then resurface.

I am a dentist (that's no secret on here) but I have no way of proving my qualifications and neither do I feel the need to. I hope that this will be of some assistance to someone at some point!!

Sorry, pressed button too soon - the dentist tested for cold but no electrical machine for root viability or anything.

Was it sensitive to cold? Just normal or super sensitive or nothing at all.

My son is getting a filling. He is seven and I am very ashamed. The dentist did say the enamel had not formed properly so the tooth was 'vulnerable' but I know sugar and bad toothbrushing habits were to blame. Is it worth paying for a white filling, will it last the same a silver one, or am I just soothing my conscience?

Is it an adult tooth or a baby one?

Some cavities aren't really suitable for white fillings. Best to discuss with your dentist.

Adult tooth.

Also, my younger son has downs syndrome and it is impossible to get him to brush his teeth - any tips. Luckily he eats no sweets/cake/chocolate at all!

Mrs Morton, it was sensitive to cold at the dentist, but since the new filling isn't but I still have a dull ache. Thanks so much.

Sorry, MrsMorton, haven't read the whole thread yet so this might have been answered.

I had a tooth pulled out yesterday as it had infection deep under it and the dentist said it had to come out. I have had wisdom teeth out before, but this was my first proper tooth. It took ages to come out and there was a lot of digging. I was prescribed antibiotics and sent on my way. It hurt like hell all day, once anaesthetic wore off. Now, I knew that pain was to be expected from previous extractions, but this time co-codamol was only taking the edge off. Anyway, it still hurts like crazy today- I rang the surgery but they didn't get back to me. I have been taking ab's, co-codamol and ibuprofen. I can't touch that side ofmy face as it hurts. And now I have a +39 temp. My question is- is that normal? Before I could easily eat the next day but today I can't eat anything but soup.

I'm not usually this neurotic, so my apologies if i come across as such. I would really appreciate some advice.

The only thing that will help at this stage is time. It's too early for dry socket really and you've got antibiotics so there's not much else that can be done really at this stage. How is it now?

It still hurts like hell. I can barely speak as it just hurts to move my jaw. I have some tramadol left from when I had a surgery and I am seriously considering taking some, just need to check whether it can be mixed with the antibiotics first. Do you think it would be a good idea to go and see the dentist again on Monday?

You can take tramadol with antibiotics. It's up to you whether to go back or not. Give them a call on Monday and see what they say.

A difficult extraction is essentially jaw surgery and we are fairly quick to dismiss removing a tooth as just pulling a tooth but it's not. It's bone surgery.

You know, you are right about it being jaw surgery. It would be great if it was actually presented as such, and not just "This tooth is bad, let's pull it out" and then get sent on your way afterwards with a leaflet. I think there should be more information provided on what to expect, especially, if like mine, it wasn't an awfully straightforward procedure. But that's just by the by.

Anyway, it looks like antibiotics have started to kick in as the swelling of the gum has gone down and it hurts less- I can actually eat! Just not too much. Here's another question, I know that it's possible to have bone fragments poking through where the tooth was, at the top of the gum-line, but is it expected for a bone fragment to be poking through at the side, at the very bottom of the gum, sort of where the jawbone is? Don't know how to describe it clearer, but it's not the gumline where the tooth was coming out of, but below it? Because I am pretty sure the white, sharp thing that's scratching my cheek is a bone fragment.

If it was a difficult extraction, it is quite likely to be a boney fragment. If you can pull it out yourself , great, if not go back and get it removed. The other option its a tiny bit of root left behind, but they should have told you about it.- I always do. hth

First of all, Mrsmorton, thank you so much for doing this - I have found it so helpful.

May I ask re my situation? I am currently waiting for a nerve extraction this week, though my dentist has run out of NHS funds so can't have it properly filled (or whatever) until April. I can't afford to go private. I've been in a lot of pain, on antibiotics and painkillers, etc, for a week.

Thing is, the tooth in question is number 7 on the right, and it's already heavily filled (child of the 70s, here). I have already lost number 6 on the left, and didn't get an implant because I couldn't afford nearly 2 grand, plus it's a molar so gap isn't visible. As odd as this sounds, if the current problem tooth was also number 6 I'd have gone straight for extraction, so at least when I am a toothless old gammer with a collapsed face I'll be a symmetrical old gammer with a collapsed face. But since it's number 7, I don't know. I can't imagine it has high hopes of success - as I said, a lot of it is already filling - but my dentists are very keen on saving teeth if they can.

I'd be very grateful for your thoughts.

It's tricky with a 7. Tbh, I don't normally root fill them unless the 6 is missing on the same side. Access is just so difficult but then I don't really enjoy root canal treatment so...

Is it upper or lower? Do you have a wisdom tooth?

Mrs m and Armani, thanks for your response re gingival grafting.As it sounds a procedure with dubious results I wonder if you could give me any tips on how to prevent further recession? Despite my best efforts I can definitely see increased recession and hate the 'black triangles' that have appeared between my teeth. Do you think a soft toothbrush or a medium one is best?- I have had conflicting advice from different dentists at my practice..same with electric toothbrush v manual? also any special toothpaste or dietary supplements that might help? I brush carefully and use teepees every day, use Flouriguard rinse and see the hygeinist regularly..Anything more I can do to help my gums?

Hi, can I ask a question?
Six months ago I had six teeth removed due to gum disease.
Dentist fitted a partial denture which due to finances was the basic standard.
Over the past months my gums have flattened out so it doesn't fit anymore, even with denture fix.
If I don't wear the denture it's very obvious as I only have five teeth left now at the front and they are "moving" now, spreading out and gaps between them appearing. Think Ken Dodd as example.
What should I do?
Have considered having the leftover teeth removed and having a full denture. Would you recommend this?

Thanks Mrsmorton. It's lower, and I had all my wisdom teeth out 20+ years ago.

I'm also getting weird tingling in my lips, which I wonder if it's the nerve you mentioned.

Definitely wouldn't revommend a full denture unless absolutely necessary. You can get a new denture that will fit better now the gums have healed.

I'd probably have a lower 7 out if it was my tooth. If the 6 is healthy then the bone will be fine IMO.

Magers, how is your gum disease being treated? How old are you?

Sea, you sound like you're doing everything right. The hygienist is the key really. If the black triangles are bad you can get a sort of silicon veneer to wear, I've never made one but I think they're called gingival veneers.

No toothpaste or diet supplement will help. If you get conflicting advice, you should challenge it and see what the thinking is behind it. Then you can make your own decision. Electric toothbrush all the way IMO btw.

Thanks Mrs M, I will keep on using my electric toothbrush in that case- I just wondered if that had affected my gums adversely.
The hygienist says my teeth and gums are stable and recession is just part of natural ageing ..getting 'long in the tooth'..literally ..but I don't see why as I have done everything I can to maintain good dental health.
The black triangles aren't too bad but I hate them-they have appeared between my upper front teeth and my dentist has offered to disguise them with composite bonding (done privately) but of course this won't halt the recession. I'm not sure whether to go ahead or not as she has said it won't cover the whole tooth, just the edges which means it might have a bit of a ridge which I am a bit concerned about. The recession to the bottom 3 teeth doesn't show but I can see it is getting lower and just want to stop it getting worse. As you can see i am a bit obsessed but I have always had good teeth and really want to keep them as long as possible!

Thanks, Mrsmorton - I think I will talk it over with the dentist again on the day.

Dentist not doing anything about the gum disease.
I have been using Corsodyl but its making my lower teeth look grey.
I am more concerned about the fact that my remaining front teeth seem to be spreading out sideways and forwards giving me a sort of goofy look.
That's why I thought stuff it get the full set.