| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| Tooth Ache, | 10/1/2008 |
Q: Dr.Steven My name is Dalton Wiita and I am 19 years old. I am writing this because I have been ...
A: Dalton, It sounds like you may have an impacted wisdom tooth that has become infected. This occurs ...
|
| 4 or 6 crowns | 5/31/2008 |
Q: I'm having my four front teeth (2 discoloured and 2 old metal crowns) replaced with all porcelain ...
A: Lizzie, It is true that matching crowns to veneers is challenging. The bottom line is that some ...
|
| broken tooth | 5/26/2008 |
Q: I broke what seems to be the upper part of a back tooth yesterday on a popcorn kernel. Perhaps some ...
A: David, Thanks for asking. It depends on how much of the filling and/or tooth actually broke away. ...
|
| After extraction questions | 5/25/2008 |
Q: I had the second to the last molar on my right bottom side extracted 6 days ago. It was not a clean ...
A: Clint, Thank you for asking. A dry socket develops when a poor blood clot forms in the socket. ...
|
| Bite after permanent bridge | 5/24/2008 |
Q: 3 days ago I had a permanent bridge installed over teeth #19,20 and 21. At the same time, had a ...
A: Ruth, Thank you for asking. Restriction in mouth opening can be due to only one of two causes. ...
|
| cracked filings | 5/7/2008 |
Q: my son (age 8) went to the dentist last year and the dentist put in three fillings. The dentist said ...
A: Liz, I wouldn't classify this as normal. However, many children tend to grind and clench their ...
|
| Pressure in ears and head following dentist | 4/29/2008 |
Q: I began extensive dental work a few months ago...all permanent crowns to replace all lower teeth. ...
A: Don, Thanks for asking. I'll give you the short answer first, followed by an explanation. It is ...
|
| TMJ, migraine pain, splint fitting | 4/24/2008 |
Q: I've had TMJ disorder since I was a teenager, and I've also suffered from migraines for about as ...
A: Amanda, I am sorry to hear you have been suffering with headaches and jaw pain for so long. ...
|
| snapping in ear | 4/22/2008 |
Q: About a month and a half ago, I felt some pressure near the top of my jaw on my right side, near the ...
A: Clint, Thanks for asking. This discussion will make the most sense if we first review the anatomy ...
|
| Post Root Scaling and Planing | 4/20/2008 |
Q: I just had a root scaling and planing on the top and bottom right quadrants of my mouth 2 weeks ago ...
A: Flossing effectively once per day is sufficient for most people. The key word is effectively. Many ...
|
| gum surgery | 4/20/2008 |
Q: I have to have gum surgery on my gums because they are receding / I would like to know if an oral ...
A: Deanna, It depends to the experience, education, and comfort level of the individual doctors. Most ...
|
| Post Root Scaling and Planing | 4/20/2008 |
Q: I just had a root scaling and planing on the top and bottom right quadrants of my mouth 2 weeks ago ...
A: Lisa, Thanks for asking. Inflammation occurs initially after having a scaling and root planing ...
|
| translucent teeth | 4/19/2008 |
Q: All my teeth are see through and you can see a brown shadow of the tooth pulp in the middle. I don't ...
A: Annette, Loss of enamel from acid erosion or grinding/ clenching of the teeth are the most common ...
|
| Jaw poping... not TMD? | 4/17/2008 |
Q: My jaw muscles often feel tense. I first started noticing this about a year ago. I would try and ...
A: Chris, This will make the most sense if we first review the anatomy of the TMJ (jaw joint). The ...
|
| Jaw popping | 4/15/2008 |
Q: Since June of 2007 i have had a popping in jaw. Everytime i open my mouth to yawn or eat. i can pop ...
A: Lisa, This will make the most sense if we first review the anatomy of the TMJ. The TMJ consists of ...
|
| Cusp Fracture? Need to Retreat Root Canal? | 4/15/2008 |
Q: I recently had a bad cusp fracture in an upper first molar ... an endodonotically treated tooth that ...
A: Lisa, It sounds like you have been treated in a very professional and competent manner. Short term ...
|
| TMJ | 4/11/2008 |
Q: I began having headaches in October and was treated many times for sinus infection w/ antibiotics ...
A: April, It is not possible to determine the source of your specific problem without a physical exam. ...
|
| Jaw/Teeth pain | 4/11/2008 |
Q: I am hoping you can lead me in the right direction. Last summer I had root canal on the lower right ...
A: Ron, I am sorry to hear that you have suffered with jaw pain. There are a number of possible ...
|
| Pain Following Cerec Crowns | 4/8/2008 |
Q: I just had 2 Cerec Crowns done on my bottom right molars, #30 & #31. My regular dentist recommended ...
A: I agree that the best course of action is to give things some time to clarify. The additional pain ...
|
| occlusal adjustment for tmj | 4/7/2008 |
Q: My 20 year daughter was diagnose. with TMJ. Her dentist suggested she have occlusal adjustment done. ...
A: Barb, Occlusal adjustment can be a valuable treatment if done for the right problem at the right ...
|
| Pain Following Cerec Crowns | 4/7/2008 |
Q: I just had 2 Cerec Crowns done on my bottom right molars, #30 & #31. My regular dentist recommended ...
A: Maryann, I am sorry to hear you are uncomfortable. Each tooth has an inner nerve that has a ...
|
| problems with canine teeth | 4/4/2008 |
Q: I have healthy teeth and i have never had cavities. But for some time have been experiencing pain ...
A: Francois, I am sorry to hear you have been uncomfortable. Tooth pain can have a variety of ...
|
| root canal | 4/2/2008 |
Q: should my wife's dentist told us that root canal was a possibility before she drilled her tooth ...
A: Eric, Unfortunately, it is not always possible to know the extent of the damage or the response of ...
|
| extreme tooth/jaw pain | 4/2/2008 |
Q: about a month ago, I've experienced extreme pain in my right jaw, so severe that megadoses of ...
A: Dee, I am sorry to hear that you are in pain. From afar, the best I can do is provide some ...
|
| Wearing of bottom teeth | 4/1/2008 |
Q: I am 55 and for some years I have severe wearing down of my bottom teeth. It has reached the point ...
A: Kat, It depends. I am certain you understand that this format can never substitute for a ...
|
| bridge | 3/29/2008 |
Q: I had bridge put in upper left of mouth after two days a piece of porceline fell out ,the dentist ...
A: Brian, A porcelain fused to gold bridge tends to be very durable under normal circumstances. ...
|
| Bad taste after wisdom tooth extraction. | 3/28/2008 |
Q: I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled on March 20th. About 4 days later I stared to get this really ...
A: Amanda, This is actually quite common, and is not usually a sign of infection. It is related to ...
|
| my jaw | 3/27/2008 |
Q: My name is marty and a week ago or so I was yawning, and it was a pretty big one, but my jaw kind of ...
A: Marty, It sounds like you may have dislocated your jaw joint (TMJ). This can stretch or tear the ...
|
| cap or filling | 3/26/2008 |
Q: My husband's dentist put in a porcelain filling about 2 years ago into a molar tooth. The filling ...
A: Kathleen, It is possible to put in a bigger filling. The question is how long will it last? The ...
|
| Intense shooting pain when chewing on certain tooth | 3/25/2008 |
Q: Let me start out by thanking you for your generousity of answering questions for desperate, people ...
A: Ben, I am sorry to hear of your difficulties. Each tooth has a limited capacity to heal. Each ...
|
| wisdom tooth removal-cavity | 3/25/2008 |
Q: I would like to ask if it is ok to have your (top)wisdom teeth removed because of a cavity. I ...
A: Tanya, You are right to think it through carefully before having any tooth removed. The value of ...
|
| tooth trauma | 3/24/2008 |
Q: My son lost 1/2 a tooth last week in a ball playing accident. There was no nerve exposed and the ...
A: Lisa, Darkening or pink coloration to the tooth is sometimes associated with nerve damage within ...
|
| 9 year old's new teeth | 3/24/2008 |
Q: My son's new teeth are coming in yellowwer than his baby teeth. He gets regular dental care and ...
A: Dave, I am glad you asked. It is normal for the adult teeth to be less white than the baby teeth. ...
|
| Decay in pits and fissures of teeth | 3/22/2008 |
Q: my teeth are overall in good shape even though I had not been to the dentist in quite a few years. I ...
A: Geena, Thanks for asking. Dark stain in the pits and fissures is not a health concern. This kind ...
|
| jaw teeth pain | 3/21/2008 |
Q: first dr said inner ear infection and facial nuralgia, next dr said TMI the pain is primarirly in ...
A: Renee, I am sorry to hear that you are in pain. Facial pain can result from a number of distinct ...
|
| How much pain is normal after filling? | 3/20/2008 |
Q: I had every single tooth in the right upper of my mouth filled today. The dentist said when ...
A: Kristy, I am sorry to hear that you are in pain. While it is possible that the teeth will settle ...
|
| cut inter lip and gums | 3/20/2008 |
Q: I have a cut on my inter lip and gums. I know that you are a dentist and you may not have the answer ...
A: James, Sorry to hear that. You don't mention where the cut came from. If there was physical ...
|
| Bite problem after filling | 3/19/2008 |
Q: Two days ago, I got done a composite filling on my first molar (lower right jaw). The teeth on the ...
A: Ada, I agree that it is best to give this a week or two to resolve on its own. Assuming you have ...
|
| fluorosis | 3/13/2008 |
Q: I have 2 children (age 19 and 14)who both have a bottom molar tooth that came in with brown ...
A: Tammi, It is sure confusing to receive opposing opinions. Fluoride is effective at hardening the ...
|
| Pain | 3/13/2008 |
Q: I have been to 4 dentists in the last 6 months. 4 Endos on #26,#27,#28,#29. 2 Caps on #3 and # 4. ...
A: William, There are a number of sources of the type of pain you describe. These include myofascial ...
|
| mouth burn | 3/13/2008 |
Q: I burnt my mouth a week ago and it is not healing, is there anything over the counter I can use. I ...
A: Heather, A minor burn from hot coffee, hot pizza, or the like will tend to take 1-2 weeks to heal ...
|
| Titanium implants | 3/12/2008 |
Q: My brother had titanium implants inserted in July of last year- for the past 3 months he has had ...
A: Tina, I am sorry to hear of your brother's difficulties. Titanium is the material used for most ...
|
| Is my daughter's tooth infected? | 3/12/2008 |
Q: My 6.5 year old daughter's tooth (2nd from the middle) was loose and seemed ready to come out. Now ...
A: Julie, Baby teeth become loose when pressure from the adult tooth causes the baby tooth root to ...
|
| burnt gums | 3/12/2008 |
Q: I attempted to whiten my teeth with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide 12% and baking soda as advised by ...
A: Antonio, The mixture you prepared has chemically burned your gums. As long as you don't apply any ...
|
| Lower dental injection | 3/11/2008 |
Q: I had a root canal on tooth number #18 and was given a lower mandible shot, (on the inside of my ...
A: Laura, Sorry to hear that. You don't mention how long it has been since you received the ...
|
| 8 year old's incisor teeth not coming in | 3/11/2008 |
Q: my son just turned 8 this past September. His 2 top incisor teeth have not came in and fell out ...
A: Julie, It is the sequence of eruption that is more important than the speed. If the adult teeth do ...
|
| How long can I wait before I have a root canal? | 3/11/2008 |
Q: I went to the dentist earlier this year to find out that I had 3 root canals, 13 cavities and ...
A: Jason, Tough choice! It really depends on how extensive the cavities are and how long you will ...
|
| toothake | 3/8/2008 |
Q: i had 4 rooth canals in 2 month .none of them were infected .i just had sharp pain in them so they ...
A: Nina, There are several possibilities. These include: 1. The root canal system within each tooth ...
|
| extracted wisdom | 3/7/2008 |
Q: I had a wisdom tooth extracted 3 days ago and I'm still having moderate discomfort even when I'm ...
A: Roxann, I am sorry to hear that you are in pain. Initial healing after wisdom teeth extractions ...
|
| root canals | 3/5/2008 |
Q: Every time my dentist does a crown it ends up being a root canal. What can be going wrong. Thank ...
A: Rosie, Sorry to hear that. Each tooth has an inner nerve. This nerve has a limited capacity to ...
|
| bite change | 3/5/2008 |
Q: I recently asked a question of another Dr. as to why my bite is too close and tight on my front top ...
A: Susan, There is a tendency of adult teeth to slowly erupt throughout life. However, there is a ...
|
| problem with a crown | 1/30/2008 |
Q: About 10 years ago, I had a root canal on my front tooth. The tooth got dark over the years, and I ...
A: Anna, I am afraid the only thing that can be done at this point is to replace the crown with a new ...
|
| diastema | 1/30/2008 |
Q: My daughter is 10 month old and has had her front top four teeth in for about 4 months now. She has ...
A: Melinda, Only time will tell. It is normal for the baby teeth to be spaced apart. The baby teeth ...
|
| root canal through crown | 1/29/2008 |
Q: My husband had a root canal through his gold crown. The root was the incisor in the front, the tooth ...
A: Root canal therapy is most often done through the crown as long as the current crown is serviceable, ...
|
| Fullness in Mouth | 1/29/2008 |
Q: Dr. Scherr, I will try to keep this brief. Less than a year ago at age 33, I had a lot of work done. ...
A: Erin, It is likely that you are experiencing neuropathic (nerve) discomfort. Many common dental ...
|
| root canal through crown | 1/28/2008 |
Q: My husband had a root canal through his gold crown. The root was the incisor in the front, the tooth ...
A: Jeanette, As long as the current crown fits well, is nicely sealed all around, and is otherwise in ...
|
| chipped tooth repair | 1/28/2008 |
Q: My 11 year old son chipped one of his front teeth almost in half diagonally. Our dentist bonded his ...
A: Michelle, It can be a good idea early on to keep the traumatized tooth a little shorter in order to ...
|
| A different question on White Strips! | 1/27/2008 |
Q: Your question was Hello there! I just purchased Crest Whitestrips Premium Plus, In the instructions ...
A: Travis, I recommend you follow the package directions. Misuse of the product could potentially ...
|
| unable to chew on temporary crown | 1/27/2008 |
Q: I recently had a temp crown place on #30 two weeks ago- didn't have any problem at all until 4 days ...
A: Brenda, Each tooth has a nerve that runs through the middle of the tooth. Each nerve has a limited ...
|
| fillings | 1/25/2008 |
Q: I have multiple white fillings. In the last 6 months, I have had 3 of the filling chip & or break. ...
A: Heather, I have no way of know the cause in your particular case. White fillings are relatively ...
|
| filling catching floss | 1/25/2008 |
Q: I had a silver filling placed on my 2nd molar #18, two faces, distal and top. The cavity was at gum ...
A: Casey, If the filling is smooth at the edges, it will not catch floss. If the rough edge is out of ...
|
| tongue blood blister | 1/23/2008 |
Q: Yesterday I bit into a tic tac mint and the sharp edge of the candy poked the outer edge surface of ...
A: Kathy, A blister forms when the tongue is traumatized, but the outer surface of the tongue is not ...
|
| 14 year old's front tooth, | 1/23/2008 |
Q: Last year on mother's day, my son fell of his skate board and bumped his front top tooth. He had ...
A: Kathleen, Lets take it one step at a time. A physical examination by his dentist will be needed to ...
|
| Resubmitted Question-Can Kenalog in Orabase cause BMS? | 1/22/2008 |
Q: I recently finished a five day treatment of Kenalog in Orabase on my tongue. I was prescribed it ...
A: Eric, It is more likely that the initial source of redness and irritation, that led to the need for ...
|
| receding gums | 1/22/2008 |
Q: I have seen two periodontists--both advised me to get gum grafts. One wants to cut tissue from ...
A: Michael, It depends. Tissue harvested from your own body is best accepted because it is a genetic ...
|
| swelling after wisdom teeth extraction | 1/21/2008 |
Q: I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth taken out 4 days ago. The swelling on the outside of my face has gone ...
A: Allie, Initial healing after wisdom teeth extractions takes 4-8 weeks. You are very early on in ...
|
| bad breath | 1/19/2008 |
Q: i have bad breath. yes its true. brushing my teeth doesnt really help and mouth wash only helps ...
A: Gupta, Mouth odor not related to specific foods is most often caused by gum disease, sulfur ...
|
| Extremely persistent open bite | 1/18/2008 |
Q: Dr. Scherr, I am a 19 year old female. I had braces at the age of 11 (which were removed at 13). In ...
A: I understand your frustration. First, I would suggest getting back with your TMJ dentist for ...
|
| Osteoarthritis of the jaw | 1/17/2008 |
Q: Scherr, I'm a 24 year old girl who has been suffering from jaw pain for 6 years. In the beginning, ...
A: Surgery should be reserved for severely painful and dysfunctional joints that are non-responsive to ...
|
| Osteoarthritis of the jaw | 1/16/2008 |
Q: Scherr, I'm a 24 year old girl who has been suffering from jaw pain for 6 years. In the beginning, ...
A: Gillian, You seem to be doing the right things. You may want to inquire about working with a good ...
|
| loose skin in my mouth | 1/14/2008 |
Q: my name is Vicki, i have a top plate in my mouth, it's been in for 4 years now. the past month, my ...
A: Vicki, It is important to have this checked out. This is most often associated with changes in the ...
|
| Migrating Pain | 1/14/2008 |
Q: Three months ago I cracked the last tooth on the upper right side. It was crowned with white gold. ...
A: Michael, Each tooth has a central nerve that has a limited capacity to heal. A little of this ...
|
| temporary crown pain | 1/9/2008 |
Q: Two days ago, I had a temporary crown put in. Because I was so numb, I wasn't able to tell that the ...
A: Heidi, Each tooth has an inner nerve that has a limited capacity to heal. Every time one chews, ...
|
| blue/black raised spot | 1/8/2008 |
Q: I have had a raised black spot on the inside of my left cheek for about 1 1/2 - 2 yrs now. It hasnt ...
A: Josh, This could be a vericose vein. If it hasn't changed over a couple year period, it isn't ...
|
| Root Canal or not | 1/7/2008 |
Q: I am 82 1/2 years of age female. Just last Thursday ( 1/3/08) I went in and saw my dentist and she ...
A: Helena, I have no way of knowing if your tooth needs a root canal. What I can tell you is that the ...
|
| Advice needed | 1/5/2008 |
Q: I have an impacted bottom wisdom tooth, I believe it is considered partially impacted. There is a ...
A: R, If infection is present, it is best to get it under control before removing the tooth to reduce ...
|
| cracked molar | 1/4/2008 |
Q: I lost about a third of an upper molar on the inside (tounge side) due to fracturing caused by a ...
A: Michael, You may want to ask if a gold onlay is an option. An onlay offers strong replacement for ...
|
| mouth blister | 1/2/2008 |
Q: I did not receive your first reply because I mistyped my email address. Can you send it again? I ...
A: Sharon, The sores should heal on their own within 2-14 days. There is no need or benefit to doing ...
|
| brown back of teeth | 12/31/2007 |
Q: About a year ago, for some reason, I looked with a mirror at the back of my teeth. And I was really ...
A: Crystal, I have no way of knowing if there is decay or not. It could also be stain that can be ...
|
| Filling | 12/27/2007 |
Q: I had a filling put in a left bottom molar about 9 days ago and have dull jaw pain from my ear to my ...
A: Carlos, There are several possible explanations for the dull jaw pain. These include: 1. Your jaw ...
|
| Tongue Numbness | 12/24/2007 |
Q: I had 2 feelings about 7 days ago. They were on the lower right portion of my mouth. It's now been ...
A: Tim, Persistent numbness following a dental procedure in that region of the mouth occurs in a very ...
|
| gum bleeding, pain on root canal crowned tooth | 12/17/2007 |
Q: I am having problems with a new crown that was placed 2 months ago. I floss everyday, and my gums ...
A: Dawn, Let's take a look at the possible causes: 1. The crown could be made of a material that you ...
|
| Sinus allergic reaction | 12/16/2007 |
Q: In the past year I have had three restorations. Two on the upper right, and one on the lower left. ...
A: D.A. Allergies to lidocaine are extremely rare. Even if an allergy were present, sinus congestion ...
|
| TMJ pain and cheek biting | 12/13/2007 |
Q: I desperately need some advice on how to manage TMJ pain! One of my dentists had me using all these ...
A: Meredith, I am sorry to hear that you are in pain. I will not be able to get you more comfortable ...
|
| Fracturing Teeth | 12/13/2007 |
Q: I'm 19 years old, and for the past couple of years I have had horrible dental hygiene. It got so ...
A: Tucker, Tooth enamel is like glass and can develop incomplete cracks. These can remain dormant, or ...
|
| Extractions on #2, 3, and 4 | 12/12/2007 |
Q: I just came from the dentist this morning and found out that I either have to have root canals on ...
A: Kristen, Root canal therapy is highly successful and has been used to save millions of teeth. ...
|
| root canal during pregnancy | 12/11/2007 |
Q: .i just missed my periods and got a confirmation that i am pregnanct today and yesterday because of ...
A: Pallavi, Elective dental care is best deferred until the second trimester, which is the safest time ...
|
| a topical pain syndrome | 12/9/2007 |
Q: I had an abscessed tooth, it was pulled and 3 months later a bridge was put on. Once the bridge went ...
A: Diana, Each tooth nerve has a limited capacity to heal. A little of this capacity is used up each ...
|
| Infected exploded wisdom tooth | 12/5/2007 |
Q: I have an infected wisdom tooth and my dentist recommends extraction. I don't have insurance and ...
A: Jules, There is no way to know for sure. If you are otherwise healthy, the infection may settle ...
|
| why does it hurt to chew? | 12/2/2007 |
Q: I'm 27 and my dentist has recently retired and I have a new one. Every time I went to the dentist ...
A: Crystal, It is normal for new fillings to be sensitive. Some people experience this more than ...
|
| Valium | 12/2/2007 |
Q: I am going to the dentist in 2 days. I am having 2 root canals. One is under a crown which will ...
A: Wendy, Congratulations for making the commitment to have your teeth fixed. Nitrous oxide is a gas ...
|
| Nose/Sinus problems as a result of dental work? | 12/1/2007 |
Q: Scherr, About two weeks ago I had extensive dental repairs on my top 6 front teeth. As usual, ...
A: Kat, I know of no pathway that would allow a standard dental injection in that region to enter the ...
|
| Abscess and Root Canal on Front Tooth | 12/1/2007 |
Q: My dentist said that I had an abscess on my gum above my front tooth from a dead nerve and he then ...
A: Janelle, The answer to your question depends on what is causing the swelling to expand. Do not ...
|
| dislocated mandibles | 11/29/2007 |
Q: can having a dental cleaning and x-ray cause your jaws/mandibles to dislocate a few days later?
A: Peggy, A dental cleaning and xrays cannot of itself cause the jaw to dislocate. I suppose, ...
|
| night guard | 10/18/2007 |
Q: Scherr, I just got a night guard and my friend was shocked to learn that it does not surround the ...
A: Leslie, There are different kinds of night guards. The more traditional appliance covers all of ...
|
| Can a filling change tooth alignment? | 10/15/2007 |
Q: This almost seems silly, given how solidly teeth are rooted in the jaw. But after the anesthesia ...
A: Jim, Unless the tooth was loose before the filling was placed, tooth alignment does not change ...
|
| abscess | 10/15/2007 |
Q: is extraction an option for an abscessed tooth, or does the infection have to be treated first?
A: Tony, It depends. If there is significant swelling present, or if one has a medical condition that ...
|
| Old silver filling replacement | 10/14/2007 |
Q: I had a very large old silver filling replaced with the new clear/white filling material. It has ...
A: Marci, I am sorry to hear that you have been uncomfortable. Each tooth has a limited capacity to ...
|
| Dry Socket | 10/13/2007 |
Q: I had #30 molar extracted on Monday (5 days ago), it was a very difficult extraction. I have visably ...
A: Sandra, A dry socket is caused by a defective clot. The defective clot fails to produce an ...
|
| Tongue Still Numb | 10/12/2007 |
Q: about a week ago i had a root canal and extraction done. When i went in for the procedure the ...
A: Joe, Persistent numbness is a side effect of local anesthesia that occurs after a very small number ...
|
| Normal to lose top lateral incisor first? | 10/12/2007 |
Q: My son who is 3 months shy of his 6 th b-day came home from school with a sore tooth that was loose. ...
A: Bobby, The central incisors (the very front teeth) are most often lost first. However, there is ...
|
| Help for Son's Dental Issues | 10/11/2007 |
Q: My son, who is 31, had a horrible time with tooth decay as a child. He brushed twice a day, had ...
A: Nora, Gum disease occurs because germs invade the gap between the tooth and gum. This will heal ...
|
| My teeth no longer get numb | 10/11/2007 |
Q: Over the last 10 years I have had a great deal of dental work--I have many crowns and a brdge. In ...
A: Rita, There are several possibilities. First, some dentists are more talented at giving injections ...
|
| To crown or not to crown | 10/11/2007 |
Q: Do all teeth undergoing RCT need to be crowned afterwards? I may need a lower canine tooth root ...
A: Kendra, Teeth are weakened following root canal therapy primarily because of past damage from prior ...
|
| Help for Son's Dental Issues | 10/11/2007 |
Q: My son, who is 31, had a horrible time with tooth decay as a child. He brushed twice a day, had ...
A: Nora, Jim is very fortunate to have someone like you that cares about him. Your encouragement and ...
|
| pain in tooth | 10/9/2007 |
Q: I had a deep root canal about 1 year ago, I am having a dull ache in that same area, can I have ...
A: Molly, Decay can form in a tooth previously treated with root canal therapy. However, the decay ...
|
| Deep cleaning | 10/8/2007 |
Q: Scherr, How are you? In order to put brace on, I was told that I need a deep cleaning, so I did it ...
A: Xin, It is not possible for a deep cleaning to directly cause the symptoms described. However, any ...
|
| locking, clicking and painful jaw | 10/6/2007 |
Q: About 3 months ago, I couldn't open my mouth enough to take the toothbrush from my mouth. But it ...
A: Charmae, It is likely that you have either a jaw muscle cramp from grinding or clenching the teeth ...
|
| Expander | 10/4/2007 |
Q: I am 35 year old male. My upper jaw is narrow, and need expanding. The Orthodontist is planned to ...
A: Elliott, The use of a palatal expander in an adult will typically tip the teeth without actually ...
|
| Crown done by two doctors? | 10/3/2007 |
Q: Dr. Scherr, I have three questions for you. I scheduled to do a crown on a tooth that had root canal ...
A: Angelica, There is no problem flying after a crown procedure. The trouble is that should some type ...
|
| lock jaw | 10/3/2007 |
Q: last time I whent to the dentist I had to re due my cavities. I had all my silver fillings replaced ...
A: Therese, In order to serve as many people as possible, I limit responses to 2 questions per person ...
|
| should work be done on infected tooth? | 10/2/2007 |
Q: I saw a dentist on an emergency basis. The dentist took one Xray and said I had a cavity. I had ...
A: Malencie, I don't know Dr. Price. However, if he is saying these things he is doing a tremendous ...
|
| TMJ & Nightguard | 10/1/2007 |
Q: I have been wearing a night guard now for a couple of months and can definitely feel an improvement ...
A: Rayanne, It depends. The faster the appliance wears out, the more it was needed. A nightguard ...
|
| should work be done on infected tooth? | 9/30/2007 |
Q: I saw a dentist on an emergency basis. The dentist took one Xray and said I had a cavity. I had ...
A: Malencie, It depends. If the tooth is infected in an otherwise healthy individual and there is ...
|
| Immediate partial helps healing, or not? | 9/27/2007 |
Q: Scherr I would like to know what is the best procedure for optimum healing of a socket. I am 54, dx ...
A: Skye, Partial typically refers to any removable tooth replacement for one or more teeth, but less ...
|
| post extraction infection | 9/26/2007 |
Q: I had my 4 wisdom teeth extracted last Friday. Since then an infection developed in the socket of ...
A: Joanna, Sorry to hear that you have had so much trouble with this thing. If the swelling doesn't ...
|
| Immediate partial helps healing, or not? | 9/26/2007 |
Q: Scherr I would like to know what is the best procedure for optimum healing of a socket. I am 54, dx ...
A: Skye, An extraction socket tends to heal faster if left uncovered. However, complete initial ...
|
| toothache after cap | 9/25/2007 |
Q: I recently had a cap put on a broken tooth. My tooth broke over 10 years ago and more than half the ...
A: Elise, I am sorry to hear that you are uncomfortable. Every tooth has a limited capacity to heal. ...
|
| dentures in ultraviolet light | 9/20/2007 |
Q: when i am in a disco and ultraviolet light is present it shows my own teeth white, but my dentures ...
A: Pat, Certain types of denture teeth fluoresce in ultraviolet light. The only way to correct this ...
|
| veneer and crown color match | 9/20/2007 |
Q: I recently had 5 veneers and 3 crowns placed on my teeth. The veneers are darker than the crowns. My ...
A: Sally, I am sorry to hear that you are not happy with the esthetic result achieved. This can be ...
|
| overbite | 9/19/2007 |
Q: I have been told in the past that I have TMJ but recently ( im 28) dentists have not mentioned it. ...
A: Aubrey, At the age of 28, the use of a palatal expander would require surgery to open the ...
|
| Tooth growing downward in to jaw | 9/18/2007 |
Q: my wife and I just got back from taking our children to the dentist/orthodontist, and are quite ...
A: Jim, This is actually a common situation. I have never heard of the permanent tooth root growing ...
|
| crowns | 9/11/2007 |
Q: What is the difference between procera crowns and procelain high noble crown?
A: Denise, The porcelain high noble crown has a precious metal frame (usually gold) beneath the tooth ...
|
| Pain In Amalgam Filled Teeth | 9/7/2007 |
Q: Approximately one month ago, I went to a dentist without having been to one in over 3-4 years. ...
A: Ryan, I am sorry to hear you have been having problems with your new fillings. I cannot tell you ...
|
| root canal | 9/6/2007 |
Q: I have a question about my mouth as ia had a root canal done 2 months ago it was the front tooth and ...
A: Mona, I agree that 3 months is a long time to wait with an infection. This is the part where we ...
|
| impressions on bone graft area | 9/5/2007 |
Q: I've recently has a few of my teethe extracted due to periodontal disease (although 3 of them were ...
A: May, When impressions are made before the teeth are removed, determination of the healed shape of ...
|
| Occlusion | 9/4/2007 |
Q: I have been having problems with my front bite, it feels terribly wrong. I have a bottom partial ...
A: Linda, Sight unseen, it is not possible for me to know whether the bite on your partial can be ...
|
| pressure after a composite filling | 9/3/2007 |
Q: I had a filling on Wednesday on my bottom right molar I think it was #31. I have since felt a dull ...
A: Kathy, This is normal. The tooth may need a liitle time to get used to the new filling. Give it a ...
|
| Trigeminal Neuralgia and Antibiotics | 9/2/2007 |
Q: I've been told by 2 dentists and an ENT that I have Trigeminal Neuralgia. Problem is, I only have ...
A: Sophia, I am sorry to hear you have been suffering with this. There are many possible sources of ...
|
| removing all wisdom teeth at once | 8/30/2007 |
Q: this mymy husband needs to have his wisdom teeth removed.His surgeon told him that all 4 should be ...
A: Liza, This is a personal decision. There is no right or wrong answer. Here are the facts. The ...
|
| chemical burn from ZOOM bleaching | 8/30/2007 |
Q: I had the ZOOM bleaching on my teeth two days ago and the bleach connected with my gums above my ...
A: Lisa, The gum will heal fine in 7-10 days. You don't need to do anything special. Brush gently in ...
|
| TMJ | 8/30/2007 |
Q: I have recently visited the dentist concerning TMJ which I believe that I have. I do not have ...
A: Mellisa, I agree that your symptoms are consistant with a TMJ problem. Xrays are an important tool ...
|
| root canal and breastfeeding | 8/29/2007 |
Q: my dentist would not perform root canal while i was pregnant but i now have an appointment. is it ...
A: Krystal, Congratulations on your new addition. Yes, root canal therapy is extremely safe while ...
|
| daughter's broken tooth | 8/29/2007 |
Q: My daughter is age 7 and had an accident today whilst she was sailing and her front 2 teeth ...
A: Natalie, This is a very individual thing. You know your daughter best and what she is likely to ...
|
| temporaries and pain | 8/28/2007 |
Q: I'm in the process of having two bridges (each 3-units; I'm missing #7 & #10) and two veneers done ...
A: A high spot occurs where the temporary is a little too thick and causes the bite to hit heavy. This ...
|
| temporaries and pain | 8/28/2007 |
Q: I'm in the process of having two bridges (each 3-units; I'm missing #7 & #10) and two veneers done ...
A: Michelle, There are a number of possible causes of the kind of pain experienced. This could be due ...
|
| Dental Night Guard | 8/27/2007 |
Q: Steven Scherr: Why is dental night guard typically fitted on the upper instead of the lower teeth? ...
A: J, A dental night guard can be fitted to either the upper or lower teeth. I find most people ...
|
| Gums Bleeding at Night Only ... | 8/26/2007 |
Q: I have been diagnosed as having sensitive gums that show advanced gingivitis and a periodontist also ...
A: Jay, If your gums are inflamed but don't bleed when you brush then it means one of two things. ...
|
| jaw ache | 8/26/2007 |
Q: I had a filling on Monday (it is now Saturday) and I've had a progressively worse jaw ache ...
A: Shannon, Every tooth has a limited capacity to heal. A little of this capacity is used up every ...
|
| tooth pain | 8/25/2007 |
Q: I went to the dentist because I sometimes have pain when chewing something hard. It's been going on ...
A: Lauren, While there are a number of possibilities, the most common would be a crack in the tooth. ...
|
| Wisdom Tooth Extraction aftercare | 8/24/2007 |
Q: I recently had my 2 lower wisdom teeth removed. The dentist said it was probably the most difficult ...
A: David, I can provide only partial information I am afraid. A drain is placed when there is deep ...
|
| crown replacement | 8/24/2007 |
Q: The crown seems too big for the tooth and food has been getting stuck between the teeth since then. ...
A: Jenny, I understand your caution and concerns. Unfortunately, the only way to be absolutely sure ...
|
| husband's crown falling off | 8/23/2007 |
Q: My husband had a crown put on in early 2003. He noticed a funny taste after a few months and then ...
A: Holly, I am sorry to hear of your husband's troubles. A crown can come loose for a variety of ...
|
| TMJ dysfunction after filling done | 8/22/2007 |
Q: I had a tooth filled about 2 weeks ago. After the freezing wore off, I experienced excruciating ...
A: Isidora, There are a number of possibilities. However, it is most likely due to a bruise at the ...
|
| oral flora | 8/22/2007 |
Q: My 19 yr old daughter was just told her enamal is being "eaten away" (I saw pictures that show ...
A: Melanie, There are no magic pills. The solution is to develop daily home care skills so the ...
|
| after extraction | 8/22/2007 |
Q: got my tooth pulled #20 on 8/20/07. everything went fine bleeding stopped within a few hours. woke ...
A: Patrick, A little swelling at the immediate extraction site is normal. The tissue may appear ...
|
| tori/torus | 8/22/2007 |
Q: I am 70 years old and in excellent shape. I have all my teeth with several crowned molars and see ...
A: Kaycee, Tori are slow growing nodules of bone. They are considered a variation of normal. The ...
|
| Jaw Pain after 2 Crowns | 8/21/2007 |
Q: It has been one month since I have had 2 gold crowns placed. Sorry I don't know the correct numbers ...
A: Karen, There are several possibilities: 1. The crowns are too high. This can cause the teeth to ...
|
| dental implant | 8/21/2007 |
Q: I've had a dental implsnt for a number of years and the other night I felt that it had become ...
A: Louis, It depends. A "slightly" loose implant is like being "slightly" pregnant. The attachment ...
|
| Should I switch dentists? Or is there anything I can do? | 8/20/2007 |
Q: I've had good experiences with dentists, in 4 states! However, I'm not so sure about my new ...
A: Cynthia, I am sorry to hear of your difficulties. With the degree of swelling described, you need ...
|
| Ongoing numbness after WT extraction 17 y/o | 8/20/2007 |
Q: My daughter had all 4 wisdom teeth removed mid-June. She is complaining that her right-side jaw/chin ...
A: Laura, As the lower wisdom teeth often sit very close to the main sensory nerve trunk in the jaw, ...
|
| Baby Teeth | 8/20/2007 |
Q: I am 23 years old and I still have one baby tooth left. I've lost 2-3 in the past 6 years or so. ...
A: Hoan, At the age of 23, there is little likelihood that your permanent tooth will move into place ...
|
| external resorption | 8/18/2007 |
Q: I HAVE EXTERNAL RESORPTION ON #25. THERE IS A HOLE BY THE GUM LINE ON THE INSIDE. IS A ROOT CANAL ...
A: Dan, People who have resorption of one tooth are more susceptible to developing resorption on ...
|
| pain after wisdom teeth removal | 8/18/2007 |
Q: I had my wisdom teeth removed 10 days ago. The first 3 days seemed to go fine. On the 4th day i ...
A: Magdalene, Initial healing following removal of wisdom teeth tends to take 6-8 weeks. Soreness and ...
|
| veneer vs crown | 8/18/2007 |
Q: I had a root canal done on an upper incisor in 2003. The tooth began darkening at the top about 2 ...
A: Kathy, Both a well made veneer or crown will require irreversible reshaping of the tooth. Some ...
|
| Lump on Gum After Getting Braces On | 8/16/2007 |
Q: My daughter got braces on on Monday. She now has a pea-sized lump on the gum next to the bottom ...
A: Kim, The lump could be due to irritation from the procedure, a small piece of extra glue trapped ...
|
| How to prevent cavities + fillings | 8/16/2007 |
Q: I went for my dental appt last week and got a filling on my upper right last wisdom tooth on the ...
A: Susan, As the filling was near the gum line, the gum was likely traumatized in order to can access ...
|
| cavities after cleaning | 8/15/2007 |
Q: I had a cavity when I was about 13yrs old. I'm pretty sure it was caused from when I went to sleep ...
A: Tina, There is an old saying that if you ask ten dentists, you will get eleven different opinions. ...
|
| Primary second molar extraction | 8/15/2007 |
Q: I have a six year old daughter who unfortunately has a fear of dental treatment. Six months ago she ...
A: Jonathan, It can be a challenge to treat a fearful and uncooperative child. In the process of ...
|
| discomfort from high filling | 8/14/2007 |
Q: I recently had two fillings on the lower left side back two molars. The dentist left the filling ...
A: Carmen, I am sorry to hear of your difficulties. A high filling is sometimes an unavoidable ...
|
| root canal | 8/14/2007 |
Q: i have never been to see a dentist before. i am 24 years old. Recently, i started feeling this ...
A: Ade, Not at all. Root canal therapy is done very routinely today with success rates exceeding 90%. ...
|
| Sensitivity or cavity | 8/10/2007 |
Q: I have a couple of fillings - one deep, one not so deep on either side of my mouth. They seem to be ...
A: Ann, Sensitivity can be the result of several possibilities: 1. Each tooth has a limited capacity ...
|
| Tooth Pain | 8/9/2007 |
Q: Some Background information is important before I ask so I am not limiting the answer. I had a ...
A: Julie, At this point, it makes the most sense to wait a few days and see what happens. Teeth ...
|
| white marks on teeth | 8/9/2007 |
Q: I've recently had my braces removed after having them for about 3 years. I have noticed 2 small ...
A: Kate, You have described well the typical cause of white spots after the removal of braces. Braces ...
|
| Tooth Pain | 8/8/2007 |
Q: Some Background information is important before I ask so I am not limiting the answer. I had a ...
A: Julie, I am sorry to hear that you have been uncomfortable. Sinus pain can refer to the upper back ...
|
| Night Guard | 8/3/2007 |
Q: Good evening! What is the usual thickness of a night guard to "reprogram" me to stop ...
A: Michael, Actually, neither is correct. A well made and adjusted night guard is beneficial to those ...
|
| Braces and tongue position | 8/3/2007 |
Q: I have been trying to correct my tongue thrust as I am expecting to have braces fitted in the next ...
A: Mike, An anterior tongue thrust would be expected to have the greatest impact on the position of ...
|
| crown | 8/1/2007 |
Q: Doctor i had a root canal done on my lower wisdom tooth ,46 days back.However the dentist put only a ...
A: Dinesh, A specific answer to your question would require a physical exam and is beyond the scope of ...
|
| Damage? | 7/28/2007 |
Q: In a soccer game recently I got hit in the mouth by another persons head. Afterwards 4 of my teeth ...
A: Kara, It is important to see a dentist promptly and have an xray made. This will both serve to ...
|
| Burning sensation in root canal tooth | 7/26/2007 |
Q: I've had TMJ problems for about 5 years. I Have spent several Thousand of dollars with differant TMJ ...
A: Tara, There are a number of different possibilities. It may be that the root canal is not yet ...
|
| severe teeth and jaw pain | 7/24/2007 |
Q: My drama started in Sept 06- Severe pain and pressure on top right teeth, I had a CT scan that ...
A: Terri, I am sorry to hear of your difficulties and ongoing pain. The problems you describe involve ...
|
| Impacted Wisdom Teeth | 7/19/2007 |
Q: What is your take on removing impacted wisdom teeth just because? Do they really need removed? ...
A: Marie, Wisdom teeth should never be removed without a good reason. Though serious complications ...
|
| Wisdom teeth removal side effects. | 7/18/2007 |
Q: I heard that remove wisdom teeth can have bad side effect such us facial collapsing and appearance ...
A: Kenny, This can occur following removal of the first and second molars (the teeth immediately in ...
|
| dental dam pain | 7/16/2007 |
Q: I went to the dentist for a routine replacement of an old filling ~ first time with this dentist in ...
A: Maree, While I can't tell you for certain, I suspect the clip for the dam grabbed the gum instead ...
|
| Hole in my tooth | 7/13/2007 |
Q: In one of my very back teeth, I have a massive hole..it's very painful and I do believe the hole ...
A: Sam, It sounds like you have a big cavity in your tooth. It is important to see a dentist ASAP. ...
|
| dentures | 7/3/2007 |
Q: I have problems with my teeth. I have all crowns except for one, plus permanent bridges. My problem ...
A: Cheryl, Unfortunately, most complete dentures will need to cover the roof of the mouth for support. ...
|
| Extraction/Implant | 7/2/2007 |
Q: I'll try to ask two simple questions. 1) I was told an old crown was "leaking" and needed to be ...
A: Matthew, Perfect. Naturally, I have no way of knowing the condition of the tooth. There are times ...
|
| Cosmetic Dentistry | 7/2/2007 |
Q: I am interested in becoming a Cosmetic Dentist. I have been looking online to find information, but ...
A: Cindy, Before one can become a cosmetic dentist, one must first become a dentist. This entails a 4 ...
|
| Scaling and Root Planing Post Procedure Headache | 7/1/2007 |
Q: I had scaling and root planing work done on the top right side teeth and developed a headache on the ...
A: Paul, The teeth are part of the same trigeminal nervous system that is responsible for most ...
|
| What is the best mouthrinse and diet softdrinks | 6/29/2007 |
Q: Of the following mouthwashes which do you recommend to prevent dental cavities: ACT or generic ...
A: James, As you have suggested, the best mouthrinses for cavity protection are those that contain ...
|
| Pain in left upper and lower jaw after 2 temp crowns | 6/27/2007 |
Q: I had two temp crowns in back molars on left side (one on top, one on bottom 0 because my teeth are ...
A: Roberta, A dental injection is a blind procedure that is guided by "usual" anatomy. The dentist ...
|
| filling/crown after root canal on front tooth? | 6/27/2007 |
Q: I've had a root canal done on a front tooth, which has a temp filling in it. Endo said I could just ...
A: Steve, Based on your description, there would be no compromise in doing the filling now and the ...
|
| Pain after extraction of #19 not dry socket | 6/26/2007 |
Q: Why am I having pain in my left ear and face after extraction of #19. I went back to the Dentist ...
A: Pam, I am sorry to hear you are in pain. There are several possible causes of your pain. Three ...
|
| temp crown and ruxism | 6/25/2007 |
Q: Dr. Scherr, Hi, I had a large amalgam removed from my rear molar and prepped for a crown one week ...
A: Hanna, It is best to take your night guard to your dentist and have it checked before wearing it. ...
|
| abscess- getting better or worse? | 6/25/2007 |
Q: My husband has an abcsess, finally went to the dentist Thursday who gave him PCN and Lortab. Even ...
A: Leslie, Dental abscesses are not very successfully treated with antibiotics alone. Antibiotics are ...
|
| Biting Pain with Crowns | 6/24/2007 |
Q: I had a permanent crown replacement about four weeks ago. When they finished it, there was ...
A: Rocky, Sorry to hear you have been uncomfortable. Each tooth has a limited capacity to heal. A ...
|
| Tooth knocked out of place | 6/23/2007 |
Q: One of my front teeth was knocked backwards 7 days ago and the root of the tooth went forward ...
A: Dale, Unfortunately, the tooth is not likely to be successfully repositioned at this point. If the ...
|
| crowns | 6/20/2007 |
Q: Is it normal for a dentist to drill down a crown that I have had for a long time to make a new crown ...
A: Mindi, Lets take your questions one at a time. Is it normal for a dentist to drill down a crown ...
|
| Burning Mouth Syndrome | 6/19/2007 |
Q: I was hospitalized a year ago and suffered respiratory distress syndrome. As a result, I had to be ...
A: Victoria, I am sorry to hear of your troubles. Burning mouth syndrome is really a diagnosis by ...
|
| Novacaine injections | 5/31/2007 |
Q: I has 4 iinjections yesterday and could not be numbed for a root canal. Procedure went on and I am ...
A: Patricia, The area that is injected for an upper molar has a rich plexus of blood vessels that may ...
|
| can root-canals cause systemic health problems | 5/30/2007 |
Q: Scherr, Apologies in advance for this involved question, but this issue has de-railed my dental ...
A: Thomas, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO TRUTH TO WHAT YOU HEARD FROM THESE "UNASSOCIATED DENTISTS". Root ...
|
| Second set of vaneers... | 5/29/2007 |
Q: Scherr, I originally had veneers done ten years ago and then recently I began having them done in ...
A: Mindi, Sorry to hear of your difficulties. Sensitivity following the placement of new veneers can ...
|
| burning mouth | 5/27/2007 |
Q: About two weeks ago Istarted gettinga burning sensation mostly on the tipp ofmy tongue. about 3 ...
A: Bob, The red dot on your tongue could represent many different things. Some of the most common ...
|
| Novacaine | 5/26/2007 |
Q: Hola, I've read quite a bit about Novocaine and the soreness associated with it, but I ...
A: Kiara, Sorry to hear of your discomfort. It is likely that the muscles were bruised during the ...
|
| Cosmetic crowns | 5/26/2007 |
Q: I had horrible front teeth. I decided to have crowns put on 5 front teeth. The problem now is that I ...
A: Dorothy, The shape and position of the front teeth do impact the speech pattern. Cosmetic ...
|
| pain in teeth | 5/21/2007 |
Q: I was wondering if it was possible for tooth/jaw pain to become heightened during menstruation? ...
A: Jillian, This is not a silly question at all. Pain from the face is managed primarily by the ...
|
| bite problems after dental work | 5/20/2007 |
Q: Would a TMD specialist be the right kind of specialist to diagnose and help resolve bite problems ...
A: Stephanie, The American Dental Association does not recognize a specialty in TMD. As a result, ...
|
| Loose Front Teeth | 5/19/2007 |
Q: I'm a terrible grinder and for the last 2 years a horrible clencher. I've read one of your other ...
A: Angela, It depends. A night guard appliance stops night clenching and grinding for 15-20% of ...
|
| Cosmetic Dentistry? Am I able | 5/17/2007 |
Q: I am 27 years old, and have horrible teeth, runs in the family. If their not missing their rotting, ...
A: Lea, Lumineers are meant for teeth with little or no damage. However, there are many options ...
|
| Success Rate for Cracked Teeth | 4/17/2007 |
Q: What is the success rate in treating cracked teeth with Root canal and crown? Am I better extracting ...
A: Randy, It depends on the orientation and location of the crack. In general, vertically oriented ...
|
| Maryland Bridge w/ Underbite | 4/16/2007 |
Q: I have an underbite and was wondering if it would be feasible for me to get a maryland bridge to ...
A: B., An underbite typically refers to little overlap of the upper and lower front teeth. If the ...
|
| numb tongue after crown replacement | 4/16/2007 |
Q: Scherr, Eight days ago I had a crown replaced because a cavity had developed under the crown. (I ...
A: Don, I am sorry to hear that you had a rough experience. Though some are more gentle about it than ...
|
| Empress v Procera crowns | 4/13/2007 |
Q: I need to have 8 top teeth crowned due to grinding my teeth while sleeping. Please give advice in ...
A: Valia, Both Procera and Empress are all-porcelain crowns and provide excellent esthetics. ...
|
| jaw pain after extraction | 4/12/2007 |
Q: Dr, over 4 months ago I had tooth # 1 extracted to try to relieve what the oral surgeon thought was ...
A: Michelle, It is likely that your discomfort will continue to improve with time. It isn't clear to ...
|
| TMJ deviation | 4/10/2007 |
Q: When I open and close my mouth my jaw really deviates badly. I have pain after eating. I had braces ...
A: If a splint is used as a part of therapy, it will act like a retainer in that it will keep the teeth ...
|
| TMJ deviation | 4/10/2007 |
Q: When I open and close my mouth my jaw really deviates badly. I have pain after eating. I had braces ...
A: Your problem requires a physical exam. The best I can do in this format is to offer some general ...
|
| During Bridge Fitting I Bit My Tongue from Being Numb | 4/9/2007 |
Q: Scherr, I am pretty upset right now. I just came from the dentist where he fitted my permanent ...
A: Gloria, I am not an endocrinologist, but I know of no connection with the novocaine experience. ...
|
| abscessed tooth | 4/9/2007 |
Q: Scherr, I broke a tooth off sometime after they had performed a root canal on it. When I went in ...
A: Linda, You are right on top of it. An abscessed tooth is an active infection in the jaw bone. The ...
|
| Temp Crown for 6 months | 4/6/2007 |
Q: My endodontist wants to remove a molar crown, do the root canal, then replace the SAME temporary ...
A: Renee, If the teeth and gums are kept very clean, and the temporary crown fits well, there should ...
|
| Teeth cleaning ( Hygenist) | 4/5/2007 |
Q: How often should one get their teeth cleaned by a hygienist?
A: John, It depends. A young healthy person with a clean dental history should see a hygienist every ...
|
| Tool mbroke off during root canal | 4/5/2007 |
Q: I had a root canal done this morning and when the doctor was finish he told me that he broke off a ...
A: Rose, I doubt the instrument broke off in the gum. It is much more likely to have broken off ...
|
| Burning tounge | 4/3/2007 |
Q: Over a year ago I open up cleocin capsules and mixed it with applesauce because I could not swallow ...
A: Michelle, Sorry to hear that you have been uncomfortable. If an entire week went by after taking ...
|
| Gum, jaw and neck pain | 4/1/2007 |
Q: I have been having constant jaw and gum pain...lower gum and jaw. I don't have TMJ. Most of my ...
A: Karen, I am sorry to hear that you have been uncomfortable. There are a number of possibilities. ...
|
| Bruxism, loose front teeth | 3/30/2007 |
Q: Recently, I discovered that my two upper front teeth are loose. I am 32 years old and no trauma has ...
A: Paige, It is important how the teeth fit together. However, it is probably much more important ...
|
| X-rays | 3/29/2007 |
Q: How often should dental patients get a FULL set of x-rays?
A: Mike, It depends. Age, dental health, past dental history, and medical health all play a role in ...
|
| Bruxism, loose front teeth | 3/29/2007 |
Q: Recently, I discovered that my two upper front teeth are loose. I am 32 years old and no trauma has ...
A: Paige, Grinding and clenching can occur during sleep and/or during the day. Night bruxism is a ...
|
| Nitrous Oxide | 3/28/2007 |
Q: I am considering the use of this for my upcoming dental work as I tense up when the shots are ...
A: Susan, Nitrous oxide doesn't stop pain, it just makes one not care so much about it during the ...
|
| silver vs porcelian | 3/28/2007 |
Q: My new dentist says he has only done one silver filling is his life and recommends a porcelian ...
A: Ted, This is a matter of personal preference and some controversy within the dental profession. ...
|
| Temp Crown | 3/27/2007 |
Q: My dentist put a temp crown on a tooth, ordered the permanent crown and now it may need a root canal ...
A: Kaitlyn, Not to worry. Your dentist can fabricate a core that will fit within the crown. Even in ...
|
| teet | 3/26/2007 |
Q: blood is coming from front down 4teets during brassing time.how to stop that?
A: NIRML, Sounds like you have a gum infection. You will need to see your dentist and have it checked ...
|
| NTI guard | 3/21/2007 |
Q: What is your opinion on this nightguard? I have clenching and posterior side to side grinding where ...
A: Rachal, Though I've never used it, many of my colleagues report good success with the NTI. I find ...
|
| To fill or crown? | 3/19/2007 |
Q: A have a molar that has a huge filling that just broke. My dentist has given me choice between ...
A: Mike, The real question is, if you choose a new filling, will it increase your odds of keeping the ...
|
| Cracked Tooth | 3/18/2007 |
Q: What are the odds that while prepping a molar for a crown that a cracked tooth would crack worse? ...
A: It depends. Assuming the tooth has not previously received root canal therapy, the nerve inside the ...
|
| Crown Still Okay? | 3/15/2007 |
Q: I've just gone through the long and somewhat arduous process of having an implant put in--an ...
A: Evan, Sorry to hear of your difficulties. If the stool is checked carefully, the crown should pass ...
|
| Abscess of side of root | 3/10/2007 |
Q: I had a premolar extracted on Thursday due to severe pain after a root canal treatment. I had waited ...
A: Joanne, The nerve chamber inside a tooth often consists of a complex series of interconnecting ...
|
| TMJ and missing teeth | 3/6/2007 |
Q: I developed TMJ pain on my one side because of missing several molars for 3 years. I had been in ...
A: Chris, There are many different types of TMJ pain. However, you can sort most types into one of ...
|
| Opening Jaw | 3/3/2007 |
Q: When I open and close my jaw my mouth seems to veer to one side. Its not closing straight. I noticed ...
A: Carla, If there are no other problems such as jaw pain, restricted opening, difficulty eating, or ...
|
| Crowning? | 2/28/2007 |
Q: My 2 upper bicuspid sits almost 2 mm lower than the adjacent teeth and before I get my lower 2nd ...
A: Helen, It makes sense to even up the bite as part of the dental treatment plan. An uneven bite ...
|
| loose baby teeth | 2/27/2007 |
Q: I hope you can help me. My grandson fell and hit his 2 upper front teeth. He was 19 mo old when he ...
A: Trauma to the baby teeth can result in damage that may or may not be able to heal. If the baby ...
|
| Root Canal | 2/26/2007 |
Q: Im going for a root canal tomorrow and im so scared i have heard it so pain ful is it and do they ...
A: Jody, Relax! I don't know who you have been talking to. Most root canals are totally pain-free ...
|
| Tooth Problem | 2/24/2007 |
Q: As I currently do not have access to a proper dentist in my area, could i kindly seek your ...
A: Martin, It is likely that the tooth has been traumatized. What isn't known is whether or not the ...
|
| Hypodontia | 2/23/2007 |
Q: My son (16) is missing two teeth next to his front teeth on each side. X-rays show that there are ...
A: Joann, There is no single answer to your question. Veneers can be helpful in some cases, but not ...
|
| Occasional pain and funny taste | 2/21/2007 |
Q: Scherr, I have been dealing with occasional tooth pain in the third tooth from the back in the top ...
A: M.L., There are a number of possibilities. The circumstances described create a suspicion of a ...
|
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 2/18/2007 |
Q: Would you recommend using Hydrogen Peroxide as a mouthwash? If so, what would be a good ...
A: Ammar, Hydrogen peroxide has been promoted to do the things that you suggest. However, there is no ...
|
| eyeteeth crowns | 2/16/2007 |
Q: I used to have upper eye teeth with keen ends. Some time ago my dentist told me that it did not look ...
A: Jan, It is important how the teeth fit together. However, it is probably even more important what ...
|
| Fillings! | 2/11/2007 |
Q: I had fillings put in about two weeks ago and now I experience a little pain while eating certain ...
A: Andy, Sorry to hear that you have been uncomfortable. Fillings are placed because there has been ...
|
| TMJ/midline deviation | 2/10/2007 |
Q: My lower jaw deviates about 4 or 5 mm to the left. I have some TMJ symptoms: my jaw pops on the ...
A: Brenda, You are correct. TMJ damage is capable of causing the bite to shift in a way that can make ...
|
| tooth extraction and tmj | 2/10/2007 |
Q: I had a left back molar extracted on Tuesday and ever since I have had pains going from my jaw to my ...
A: Amy, What you describe is normal. However, this doesn't mean that you do or do not have a TMJ ...
|
| front tooth problem | 2/9/2007 |
Q: Dr. Scherr! Also, my son's dentist says he needs a root canal on a tooth right next to his upper ...
A: Loretta, You ask a great question. In some cases, the tooth pulp (which contains the nerve) ...
|
| Crowns and Implants | 2/9/2007 |
Q: I need two lower molar implants and bone grafting. And I need two new crowns on the adjacent teeth. ...
A: Pat, There is no single right answer to this question. Sequencing is dependent on many factors. ...
|
| front tooth problem | 2/8/2007 |
Q: Dr. Scherr, Today I looked in the mirror and it looks like one of my upper front teeth has somehow ...
A: Loretta, Teeth are like glass. Partial cracks can develop. Sometimes, the crack remains unchanged ...
|
| Enquiry | 2/4/2007 |
Q: My neice is one year old and her front two teeth (incisor) are getting light black colour, could you ...
A: Kashif, This could be colored bacteria growing on the surface of the teeth, be the result of a ...
|
| Re: One more question | 1/12/2007 |
Q: Dr. Scherr, Many, many thanks for answering my last question(s). If I could ask one more: Could ...
A: Pete, Yes, these are possible. A neuroma is one possible cause of atypical odontalgia. I am ...
|
| Another question | 1/11/2007 |
Q: Dr. Scherr, Thanks a million for the last response. I will hold off on having # 3 extracted. I am ...
A: Pete, Lyrica is a good medication for neurologic pain. However, not everyone responds equally to ...
|
| re: nerve pain | 1/10/2007 |
Q: Dr. Scherr, About 2 years ago, I had rtc on tooth #3. 6 months later i was still having pain, so ...
A: Pete, It is normal to become frustrated. It is unlikely that extraction of #3 will provide any ...
|
| Wisdom teeth extraction with tmj. | 1/10/2007 |
Q: I have suffered with severe tmj pain, clicking and swelling for three years following chiropractic ...
A: Vanessa, Stretching the mouth open wide for surgical access during removal of wisdom teeth has the ...
|
| Numbness after wisdom teeth extraction | 1/9/2007 |
Q: Scherr First, I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I had my upper ...
A: Rachael, I am sorry to hear of your situation. Nerve damage can occur during removal of the wisdom ...
|
| Root canal question | 1/8/2007 |
Q: I just saw my dentist for a cracked molar, I bit down on a very hard nut and cracked a corner of one ...
A: Paula, It is normal to feel apprehensive about a procedure when nothing hurts or seems wrong. I ...
|
| Tiny chip in one of my 2 front teeth | 1/7/2007 |
Q: As stupid as it sounds, I was biting on a needle trying to get it unstuck from underneath threading ...
A: Shannon, The chip may or may not change over time. It is best to see your dentist and see if the ...
|
| nerve pain | 1/6/2007 |
Q: I wanted to update my status and ask for some more advice. I saw an endodontist who could also find ...
A: Tara, It may be premature to draw any conclusions if it has been less than a week or two since the ...
|
| swollen inside of lips | 1/6/2007 |
Q: I googled that real quick and the pictures that came up looked EXACTLY like what I look like when it ...
A: Erin, Glad to help. I am not an expert on angioneurotic edema. To my understanding, the greatest ...
|
| swollen inside of lips | 1/6/2007 |
Q: Me and my dentist are both stumped about something, I'm hoping you might be able to provide some ...
A: Erin, Assuming that your teeth and gums are healthy, and there is no evidence of pathology, you may ...
|
| Scared | 1/5/2007 |
Q: Today I went to my Dentist to have my permanent cap put on. When I got into the room the area ...
A: Jill, The U.S. federal government sets minimum standards for disinfection. Each state can set ...
|
| Wisdom teeth extraction | 1/3/2007 |
Q: I believe I am experiencing symptoms of TMJ now after the extraction. I had an open bite before on ...
A: Max, Only reversible procedures should be considered until any TMJ problem is stabilized. ...
|
| filling replacement | 1/2/2007 |
Q: Scherr, One month ago I had two metal fillings replaced with composite material. Both are molers ...
A: Mike, Each tooth has an inner nerve that has a limited capacity to heal. A little of this capacity ...
|
| Antibiotics and Root Canal | 1/1/2007 |
Q: My #30 tooth had a 3 leg root canal with a crown 20 years ago. Recently I noticed a lump in my gum ...
A: Giff, Sorry to hear of your difficulties. Culture and Sensitivity testing tends to take 1-2 weeks ...
|
| Cracked tooth | 1/1/2007 |
Q: Dr. Scherr, A couple of years ago I had a tooth break. I was scheduled for a root canal but my ...
A: Cindy, There is no substitute for an in-person examination on this one. It may just be that a ...
|
| Wisdom teeth extraction | 12/31/2006 |
Q: I'm 35yo and take tramadol on a daily basis for pain management. I had both wisdom teeth extracted ...
A: Max, Assuming there is no physical problem such as an infection, sinus disease or unremoved tooth ...
|
| Bonded Retainer | 12/31/2006 |
Q: I got my braces off at the age of 18. I wore a top retainer for a year. I have a bonded retainer on ...
A: Kristen, The teeth are positioned in the mouth by the balance of nature. Teeth are primarily ...
|
| possible clogged salivary gland | 12/31/2006 |
Q: Yesterday night the left side of my face near my ear and going down my neck started to swell pretty ...
A: Kim, You need to return to the ER for this. DO NOT TAKE A CHANCE AND WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE HOLIDAY. ...
|
| RCT/Accessory Canals/Cracked Tooth Syndrome | 12/30/2006 |
Q: Thx very much for the detailed answer. If I had #2 I'd extract 3 in a heartbeat. However, I don't ...
A: Bob, I agree with you that there is little likelihood that merely replacing a filling would solve ...
|
| RCT/Accessory Canals/Cracked Tooth Syndrome | 12/30/2006 |
Q: Have there been any recent advances in locating accessory canals specifically in a tooth that is ...
A: Bob, The nerve channel system within a tooth is much more complex than earlier thought. It often ...
|
| Tooth looks Black | 12/29/2006 |
Q: Does this generally mean the tooth is dead and if so will it need to be pulled. I'm trying to get ...
A: Tony, It really depends on why the tooth is black. Is it due to stain, decay beneath the surface, ...
|
| Wisdom tooth extraction/dry socket | 12/29/2006 |
Q: Can you tell me how long after a blood clot fails to form or dislodges itself does the pain come on? ...
A: Miranda, The pain from dry socket begins 2-5 days following the removal of the tooth. Bad taste ...
|
| tooth decay | 12/28/2006 |
Q: Could you please give examples of acidic foods and whether brushing ones teeth before going to bed ...
A: Steve, Brushing one's teeth cannot undo damage that has already taken place, but it can reduce the ...
|
| 5 years of TMJ pain | 12/27/2006 |
Q: I am 21 years old and I have been suffering from TMJ for over 5 years. I have a chronic daily ...
A: Jenna, I am sorry to hear that you have been in pain for so long. It seems that the first thing ...
|
| tooth decay | 12/27/2006 |
Q: I would like to know what types of foods cause the most damage to enamel and what generally can be ...
A: Sugars and refined carbohydrates are the most damaging. Acidic foods consumed in excess can ...
|
| Dental work | 12/26/2006 |
Q: I had restoration work done on my front top teeth, 5-12, tooth nine had to come out due to bone ...
A: Annie, The swelling could have several possible causes. It could have been a reaction to a local ...
|
| lump on gum | 12/25/2006 |
Q: My husband (age 54) has a small, painful lump on his upper gum towards the back, high up on the gum. ...
A: Kerry, This could be a number of different things. It may be a draining fistula from an infection ...
|
| tooth extraction | 12/24/2006 |
Q: Scherr, I have an open bite and some teeth crowding. In a preliminary examination, my orthodontist ...
A: Emily, The first bicuspids are more often removed because there tends to be a dip in the side of ...
|
| nerve pain | 12/24/2006 |
Q: 2 months ago I went to my dentist to clean out a gun pocket (4-5 mm) between tooth 1 and 2. He ...
A: Michelle, Under normal circumstances, cleaning out a gum pocket may cause local irritation and ...
|
| Wisdom teeth - Dry Socket | 12/23/2006 |
Q: I got two wisdom teeth removed about 30 hours ago, and after looking closely in the mirror, on my ...
A: Vincent, A small black area could be anything from a normal blood clot to a dry socket. Dry socket ...
|
| dislocation of tmj? followup? | 12/23/2006 |
Q: Hey Dr. Scherr, Sorry to send a question out to you at this time of the year. Hope it finds you ...
A: Dave, You have done an admirable job describing your situation. Muscle trismus in the lower face ...
|
| Pulpitis Cure? | 12/19/2006 |
Q: I had a tooth trauma to my front tooth resulting in a slightly loose tooth and sensitivity to touch ...
A: G, You ask wonderful questions. Unfortunately, there are no clear cut answers. Short term ...
|
| Baby Tooth as an adult | 12/19/2006 |
Q: I am 32 and I still have a baby tooth...actually I got it extracted today. My adult tooth grew in ...
A: Rachel, Though it is possible, the adult tooth is unlikely to move into place on its own. After ...
|
| Pain after extraction | 12/18/2006 |
Q: I am a 41 year old woman and in the past few years I have been experiencing pain in the lower left ...
A: Sue, There is a good likelihood that the pain is not related to a dental problem. There are a ...
|
| Bad tooth ache | 12/17/2006 |
Q: Steven How are you ? My name is Sydney and I'm 19 years old . I have had at least 3 rootcanals in ...
A: Sydney, I am sorry to hear that you are in pain. The pain could be due to a crack in the tooth, ...
|
| overbite | 12/14/2006 |
Q: The majority of my life I have always had a slight overbite, but throughout the years my teeth ...
A: Sonya, As you have observed, the teeth and facial features are interdependent. However, posturing ...
|
| Chipped teeth | 12/14/2006 |
Q: Dr. Scherr, Thank you for your prompt response. So, what is a good time to see a dentist? I have ...
A: Lisa, It depends on how you are feeling. If you are comfortable enough to open your mouth ...
|
| nerve pain | 11/27/2006 |
Q: I have been having a strange pain in one of my back teeth. It started back in July after getting a ...
A: Tara, Sorry to hear of your discomfort. There are several possibilities. There may be a crack in ...
|
| wisdom tooth out BUT | 11/26/2006 |
Q: i got a wisdom tooth out 5 days ago and the gum it was taken from is very rough when I feel it with ...
A: Mark, Unless you are in severe pain, leave it alone. Nature will usually take care of it in time. ...
|
| jaw/tooth pain | 11/22/2006 |
Q: I did just that. I went yesterday to an endodontist who determined after testing that the tooth ...
A: Karen, I've had a few patients that thought they did benefit from chiropractic care. However, ...
|
| jaw/tooth pain | 11/20/2006 |
Q: I recently went to the dentist for a pain in my lower back molar on the left side. It hurts when I ...
A: Karen, Tooth pain can be very intense. A damaged tooth nerve can cause the symptoms described. ...
|
| Crown | 11/18/2006 |
Q: I have a problem. The crown on one of my front teeth has fallen out. I looked at it, and it appears ...
A: Taylor, Sorry to hear about your difficulty. You are correct that this crown can only be ...
|
| chipped crown | 11/17/2006 |
Q: i had a back tooth (second lower tooth from the back) crowned a few years ago. recently it pussed ...
A: Greg, It is very risky to attempt to remove a crown prior to root canal therapy. Breakage of the ...
|
| qestion about too much xray exposure | 11/15/2006 |
Q: In last three months i had 13 to 15 xrays of (# 20 and # 16) teeth for root canal and extraction. I ...
A: rj, Not to worry. A typical complete set of dental xrays includes 15-20 images. The total ...
|
| Temporary adhesive for Veneer | 11/10/2006 |
Q: I have a veneer that has popped off a couple of times. My dentist just recemented it last week and ...
A: Michelle, Hopefully you have been to the dentist by now. There really isn't much that can be done ...
|
| my upper denture | 11/4/2006 |
Q: I had my upper denture relined this morning. When I went back to retrieve my teeth, they were looser ...
A: Debra, I am sorry to hear of your situation. If you are unable to adjust to the thickness, there ...
|
| Bridge | 10/27/2006 |
Q: I have to decide between implant and bridge. Only concern with the bridge is whether I could able ...
A: Mahbub, Flossing isn't just possible, it is very important to do so. A floss threader is a thin ...
|
| Blask spotting on my children teeth | 10/24/2006 |
Q: I have 2 10/12 years old son, this October i notice someting on his teeth its become blackish, in ...
A: Hermie, Black spots on the teeth can be due to stain from pigmented food, dark pigmented bacteria ...
|
| Dental Bridge | 10/20/2006 |
Q: Last Saturday I was eating a bagel and I think I swallowed my bridge. It was 2 teeth and was a ...
A: Carol, Take a deep breath! I am not an abdominal expert, but I am not aware of any way a competent ...
|
| Tooth pain | 10/20/2006 |
Q: Dr. Scherr: I have been having some pain , on and off, in one tooth, in the upper front part of my ...
A: Nicholas, There are several possibilities. Each tooth has an inner nerve that has a limited ...
|
| FRACTURED W/ INFECTION | 10/19/2006 |
Q: I JUST FOUND OUT THAT A TOOTH THAT HAS HAD A PREVIOUS ROOT CANAL IS NOW FRACTURED ACROSS THE ROOT W/ ...
A: Michelle, I am sorry to hear of your problem. The chance of successfully saving a fractured tooth ...
|
| root canal options | 10/17/2006 |
Q: I went to the dentist last month for the first time in about a year. I just turned 26, and have ...
A: Adrian, Dental practice laws are regulated by each state independently. Most states require a ...
|
| Periodontal Cleaning | 10/16/2006 |
Q: I was wondering how it is someone has a periodontal cleaning and within 2 weeks there are 2 dead ...
A: JB, It is natural to assume that two events that occur in close proximity of each other must be ...
|
| Question about Cavities and Filings | 10/8/2006 |
Q: I have a question about cavities. I have never gotten a single cavity in my life until my last visit ...
A: Fanny, Congratulations for going all these years without a cavity. A cavity is the growth of ...
|
| Root canal or no root canal? | 10/5/2006 |
Q: Scherr, I just want to throw my arms up in complete disgust. First, a little background... Over ...
A: Tanya, Congratulations for making the commitment to get your mouth healthy again. I have no way of ...
|
| Temporary Crown - Painful & Bleeding? | 10/5/2006 |
Q: Steven, I recently had a temporary crown put in place so that I can get the permanent one put in ...
A: Natalie, It is common for the gum to be somewhat irritated after placement of a temporary crown. ...
|
| severe abscessed tooth | 10/2/2006 |
Q: My boyfriend has a severe abcess tooth. It is infected badly. He went to the dentist on saturday. ...
A: Angela, Your boyfriend is fortunate to have you to look after him. It is typical for it to take ...
|
| tipped molar | 10/1/2006 |
Q: I have to have a root canal and crown put on my 2nd molar. It has tipped somewhat because of missing ...
A: Chris, The seal of a crown is not compromised by tipping of a tooth. The rate of tipping varies ...
|
| Lumineers | 9/30/2006 |
Q: My gums are not in great shape and because of a Bleeding disorder They are never in good shape, no ...
A: Tina, I depends. If the lumineers edge is not extended beneath the gum line, and the veneers are ...
|
| Nightguards revisited | 9/22/2006 |
Q: Scherr, I read your response to Terry reguarding soft nightguards, which I have been using ...
A: Tamara, The NTI-tss is an oral appliance that is FDA approved for the treatment of tension ...
|
| tooth root resorption | 9/21/2006 |
Q: I have significant tooth root resorption of several top front teeth following 18 months of ...
A: Daniel, Nicely done! Root resorption is a little understood process whereby the body seems to ...
|
| Wisdom Teeth | 9/21/2006 |
Q: I have one wisdom tooth that is coming in a little crooked but without any pain. Should it come out?
A: Michelle, An xray of that area will be needed to assist in the determination. A key factor will be ...
|
| tongue injury | 9/19/2006 |
| Q: i was picking my teeth with toothpick and a my girlfriend walked in |
