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About Zev Kaufman, D.D.S.
Expertise
I can answer any question from simple routine dentistry to very complex dentistry with emphasis on reconstructive, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. My expertise is in co-ordination of very complex treatment plans with other dental specialists or as a one-man-team, since I have extensive training in Prosthodontics, Surgical Implantology, and orthodontics.

Experience
Over a decade in private practice of Surgical Implantology and Prosthodontics. Founder and owner of Prosthodontics & Implant Surgery of Manhattan, PC. Clinical Assistant Professor at the Post-Graduate Department of Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry. Lecture weekly since 1999 on advanced Implant Prosthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry Post-Graduate Program in Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. Former clinical assistant professor of Dental Radiology at the NYU College of Dentistry. Former clinical and lecture faculty at Lincoln Hospital, Dental residency program. Former clinical and lecture faculty at St. Barnabas Hospital (Bronx, NY) dental residency program. Lecture nationally on Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry.

Organizations
Memeber of the American College of Prosthodontics. Memeber of the Acacdemy of Osseointegration. Member or the Omikron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Honors Dental Society. Member of the American Dental Education Association.

Education/Credentials
Graduated with Honors from New York University College of Dentistry. Post-Graduate training and certificate in the specialty of Prosthodontics. Post-Graduate training and ceritificate in Surgical and Prosthetic Implant Dentistry. Honors-program in Comprehensive and Applied Practice Management. Honors-program in Orthodontics.

Awards and Honors
NYU Cervice award to the community. OKU honor society. National Dean's List. National Who's Who.

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Dentistry > Dentistry > unresolved dental pain

Dentistry - unresolved dental pain

Expert: Zev Kaufman, D.D.S. - 11/4/2009

Question
I have had intermittent lower right side tooth pain for well over a month. Since I have a partially impacted wisdom tooth on that side, the dentist suggested I wash often with salt water. Initially this helped, but the ache has returned, now on a daily basis. I started feeling ill as well, so the dentist prescribed Amoxicillen, which I have taken for a few days, with little change, although I am still taking it. During this same period, I had a root canal because of a broken tooth, done by an endodontist on the upper right side, which seemed uneventful. I experienced no pain after the root canal. When I returned to my dentist so he could begin the reconstructive work, he informed me that there was a deep cavity in the tooth immediately adjacent to the one that had the root canal. He said he had to fill that tooth first before beginning the reconstructive work, and proceeded to do so. After the novocaine wore off, I experienced intense pain which subsided the following day. He said that filling the tooth may have irritated the nerve. He said the cavity was quite deep, but he had not uncovered the nerve in drilling. Since then, 1 week ago, I continued to have intermittent discomfort, with sensitivity to warm and cold. I try to chew on the unaffected side. As of now, I have discomfort in both upper and lower jaws. It seems that there are 2 separate problems here, and I am uncertain as to how to proceed. Thank you for any information you might provide.

Answer
Dear Linda:
I am sorry to hear that you are in pain. I can give you some insight as to how to proceed.
The pain that is due to the wisdom tooth should be alleviated once it is extracted. If you do not do that, it will periodically come back, and can result in more trouble. Since I cannot examine you, I recommend that you go to www.aaoms.org and locate a qualified oral surgeon near you to remove the wisdom tooth.
As to the root canalled tooth... you should proceed immediately in restoring the tooth that already had the root canal treatment. At least get a proper provisional (temporary) crown on the tooth. Studies have shown that if a tooth is not restored after root canal therapy, reinfection will occur. The seal that your edodontist labored to create will be penetrated by bacteria, again, within a month.
The other, adjacent tooth, had a severe episode of pain, and is sensitive to hot. This usually means that the nerve has died. The next step is, unfortunately, another root canal treatment. If you wait, the tooth will get infected and you will loose it.
The way to proceed is to prepare provisional (temporary) crown restorations for both teeth. Go to the endodontist and have the second root canal done. Once both teeth are asymptomatic (experience no pain), which should happen with in a couple of weeks, proceed with the restoration of the teeth with proper core build up (to restore the tooth structure) and crowns to seal and give the teeth the proper form and function.
Your general dentist should be able to do that. If not, I advise you to go and seek out a Prosthodontist, which is the specialist in restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. He/she will know exactly how to proceed. www.prosthodontics.org has a link to locating a Prosthodontist near you.
Best wishes,
Dr. Zev Kaufman

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