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Dentistry/Questions Answered by Expert Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO

Subject	Date Asked
Burnt tongue	2/10/2012
Q: I had a root canal done today and in the process my dentist burnt my tongue pretty badly with a ... A: Your answer, in a word, is "NO". Part of his job is to protect your tongue, cheeks, lips, etc, from ...
donated dental dentrue implants	2/9/2012
Q: well I have tried to get help with local and with also Medicaid/Medicare to get the dental implant ... A: Long ago, there was a dental implant called the "Staple", which required that you be hospitalized ...
Cosmetic options	2/2/2012
Q: I never had my wisdom teeth removed and also have not seen a dentist in almost three years. Now I ... A: If you are really 23, you should not be considering dentures at all. I'm wondering why you haven't ...
hard ball in gums	1/31/2012
Q: ive notice that i have this weird lump or ball in my upper gum area it feels like a bone but i dont ... A: It could be a bone. It could be an abscess (infection) coming from your teeth or gums. It could be ...
gums	1/27/2012
Q: If you could help me with a problem of artificial gums and papillae.I am missing 9,10 and 11 I have ... A: The best way to make you happy is to have a skilled periodontist add bone and gum to the areas where ...
Concern about removed crown	1/22/2012
Q: Well, to put it short and blunt, I didn't take good care of my teeth due to being unaware of the ... A: I don't know how to respond to your statement, or even if I should. So I will. First, your teeth: ...
Concern about removed crown	1/18/2012
Q: Well, to put it short and blunt, I didn't take good care of my teeth due to being unaware of the ... A: Assuming that this tooth has had a root canal, it is probably best that they left it bare. This ...
dam gum	12/31/2011
Q: I got SRP done an now my gum disease is under control . I just got it checked 2 weeks a go i have ... A: I am sorry to hear about your gum problem. And I also apologize for my delay in answering. First, ...
Mini implants or bone graft	12/30/2011
Q: Would I be better off long term getting 4 mini implants or a bone graft for no bone left in lower ... A: Minis are the answer. 97% of them last longer than 5 years. And if you lose one or more, they can be ...
infection	12/29/2011
Q: It started with a cold that turned in a sinus infection. Round one (Oct. of Augmentin) ten days ... A: It is widely known among health professionals that infected teeth can infect sinuses. If I were ...
Apthous Ulcer	12/29/2011
Q: I have been dealing with an Apthous Ulcer on my whartons duct part of my mouth for the past 8 days ... A: Healing times depend on the size of the ulcer, the healing ability of the host (you), and the trauma ...
lower ridge augmentation	12/23/2011
Q: I would like to know in a lower front ridge augmentation with synthetic bone material, how would ... A: Often with lower front ridge augmentation, the surgeon will gently dissect your gum tissue to locate ...
Bonding Material Removal	12/17/2011
Q: recently my wife had a tooth become loose and she purchased some bonding material on-line, mixed it, ... A: It is for the reasons that you state, among several others, that I do not recommend that people ...
follow up on gray tartar	12/14/2011
Q: you answered a question for me earlier today on gray tartar buildup. Well, I went to the dentist and ... A: I am curious as to why you are not asking your dentist these questions. He or she now have much ...
Iodine toothpaste?	12/13/2011
Q: Kinnk, D.D.S., Is it safe to brush your teeth with iodine? Sincerely, Angel A: This is a first. I have never been asked this question before. But based on the history of the use ...
gray tartar build up	12/12/2011
Q: I am quite overdue for a dental cleaning, and I recently noticed behind my front 4 lower teeth that ... A: What you see is a thick layer of calcium buildup, with the gray color being looser plaque and tartar ...
black gums	12/10/2011
Q: my son 44year old live in fl he call me and said he will die in 6 to 8 mouth ,can they do any thing ... A: You are asking a dentist a question about whether or not they can do anything for your 44 ...
Mini Implants	12/7/2011
Q: I had a lower front ridge augmentation with human, bone bank bone. I have a lower denture. I cannot ... A: Without seeing your xrays, and without being able to see the height, width and density of your bone, ...
molar transplant	12/7/2011
Q: i had an impacted tooth before w/c was removed by my dentist last may2011.,together w/ the molar ... A: I have not heard of a molar transplant being done since implants took the stage as the best way to ...
Dental problems after gastric bypass surgery	12/2/2011
Q: Dr. Finnk, I had gastric bypass surgery in 2000. Prior to that time I never had any major dental ... A: Sounds like you've got a lot going on with your teeth that will need continued care. The accident ...
Dark spot in mouth	11/24/2011
Q: Dr. Finnk, I have been having an issue where my throat has been really sore and my neck has been ... A: Not being able to see you or your spot, I can't give you a very accurate answer. What might help ...
bad molar	11/19/2011
Q: .. I broke on tiny corner of my right molar about 6 months ago. I went to the dentist to get my ... A: Your dentist absolutely did the right thing to open your tooth and let the pus and infection drain ...
Crown after root canal treatment - with post or without?	11/17/2011
Q: If a tooth which had a root canal treatment cracks a few years later and a crown is put on it, does ... A: Most dentists would advise that you place a post before performing a crown on a root-canal tooth. ...
Blueish/purple spot where shot was given with novocaine	11/11/2011
Q: In June I had 2 crowns done, side by side. The dentist hit a blood vessel when he injected the ... A: What this sounds like is a "hematoma", or a cyst that contains blood. These are usually harmless, ...
Dentures	11/10/2011
Q: I just had my last five teeth extracted by an oral surgeon. They were all broken off at the ... A: Yes there is. But if you make a temporary partial denture now, you will likely need a permanent one ...
Hole in 1st molar next to canines.	11/6/2011
Q: I have an excrusiating pain in my tooth where I have a pretty big hole. It hurts when anything at ... A: Katie, Your doctor would be correct. You need a dentist. The only home remedy that I know that ...
bridge work	11/5/2011
Q: "Hello, I am congenitally missing my right lateral incisor. As an adolescent- I had braces twice- ... A: Unless there is an esthetic issue here, like your gum shows too much in your smile at the Pontic ...
Dental question	11/3/2011
Q: I just had dentures put in. I am having difficulty eating. Can I take out one and eat? A: You can take one out and eat. However, taking out your denture will defeat the purpose for which ...
Root canal	11/2/2011
Q: I have a crown on a top left molar in my mouth and need a root canal on it. i ask have a wisdom ... A: I cannot give you an accurate answer without knowing exactly which tooth needs a root canal, and in ...
Alveoplasty performed?	11/1/2011
Q: Is there any way to tell if an alveoplasty was performed after one year? I had my upper and lower ... A: After one year it is very difficult to tell if an alveoplasty was performed. It is possible, but ...
dental implant question	10/24/2011
Q: I am missing molar #17 and #18 has a cracked root (needs extraction) #19 is a bridge and #20 is a ... A: Do not remove a perfectly good tooth. Are you saying that 19 is also missing and is replaced by a ...
Root canal ??	10/23/2011
Q: I had pain in my tooth about 3 months ago. I went to my dentist. He said I needed a root canal on ... A: I will be happy to answer your questions: 1. I don't know which other endodontist you mean. I ...
porcelain veneers vs crowns	10/19/2011
Q: I just had my 2 front teeth's porcelain veneers replaced. I am happy with the result (I had the ... A: I have no idea why your dentist said what he said. Nor do I know what your dentist had to do to ...
opinion	10/19/2011
Q: I have 3 missing teeth that have other teeth by them, and also the bottom right last two molars are ... A: Every patient is different, with differing needs, desires, anatomy, physiology and finances. ...
Cavities	10/18/2011
Q: By age 30 what is the average number of cavities a person is bound to have had? Also which cavities ... A: By age 30, the average dental patient will have experienced 6-7 cavities. In answer to your second ...
Doctor or Dentist	10/15/2011
Q: I can palpate a tender soft lump in my jaw on my cheek, third quadrant. No redness. About one inch ... A: My first choice for you would be to see your dentist. Even if this is only to rule out anything that ...
Jaw n chin problems	10/14/2011
Q: I have a tightness in my jaw and my ears ring but at the same time my chin feels as though it is ... A: Could be sinuses. Could be facial or trigeminal nerve related. Could be tooth related. Could be ...
Fractured root	10/12/2011
Q: I have many dental problems due primarily to extreme dry mouth (caused by several medications I must ... A: You appear to suffer from many ailments, all of which appear to come from whatever it is that causes ...
canine teeth	10/12/2011
Q: I have noticed that both my canine teeth have a small section that seems to be becoming more ... A: Not being able to see your teeth, I can answer your question only in generalities. Tooth enamel is ...
burned gum tissue	10/8/2011
Q: I had to have a bridge cut off and in the process my gum was badly burned. I think it is a 3rd ... A: The answer is always yes. You may contact your State's Board of Dentistry and file a grievance. ...
burned gum tissue	10/7/2011
Q: I had to have a bridge cut off and in the process my gum was badly burned. I think it is a 3rd ... A: I can't imagine how your gum got burned unless your dentist removed your bridge without using water. ...
painful white spots on gums	10/4/2011
Q: Finnk, For the past few days, I have been experiencing gum soreness (lower left side). ... A: It sounds like before you first went to the dentist, you were working up to an acute gum infection. ...
sharp pain in just one spot	10/3/2011
Q: My issue started 2 years ago when I went in for my regular dental exam. When the hygienist was ... A: Before your next visit to the hygienist, call the office and ask them to order a plastic probe for ...
Post wisdom tooth extraction..effect on occlusion	10/1/2011
Q: I wonder if you would be kind enough to tell me what could be wrong after I had my upper right ... A: The tooth should correct by itself over time. It may take 2-3 months. Your dizziness needs to be ...
post root canal question	9/30/2011
Q: I had the first part of a root canal two weeks ago today. I am scheduled for the final appointment ... A: If I were your endodontist, I would first warn you that I would be adjusting the bite on your crown, ...
Post wisdom tooth extraction..effect on occlusion	9/26/2011
Q: I wonder if you would be kind enough to tell me what could be wrong after I had my upper right ... A: Your jaw may have moved slightly out of its normal alignment from the prolonged stretching of being ...
rampant decay Genetic?	9/12/2011
Q: I had bottle caries as a child & spent most of My years at the dentist. I never had braces & My ... A: As a former dental assistant, of all people, you should know that not having insurance does not make ...
how to clean a hole after tooth surgery	9/7/2011
Q: i had an impacted tooth surgery a week ago, the stitches have been removed. and now i've observed ... A: Ola! The best thing to do to remove food from an extraction socket is to irrigate it with warm ...
Metal taste in mouth, pregnant, amalgam filling loose?	9/2/2011
Q: I keep reading that "Women should never have amalgam fillings removed during a pregnancy." I assume ... A: Sorry for the delay. I think I was electronically challenged over the holiday weekend. If the ...
baby teeth	8/29/2011
Q: My sons baby tooth fell out but there is something hanging where the tooth was. Do we need to go to ... A: My usual answer is this: If it is not gone by 1 week from now, contact your dentist. Having said ...
gum issue after new crown	8/29/2011
Q: A few weeks ago I had a toothache in a tooth with an old silver filling. (I am 39 years old, and ... A: I am not a big fan of using the laser. And most periodontists who are honest do not see any ...
gums + lose tooth	8/28/2011
Q: hi im 23 and reasonably healthy except this morning when i woke up one of my top front teeth was ... A: It sounds to me like you have a fairly severe gum infection. You need to see your dentist ...
fluoride treatments in office	8/27/2011
Q: As a hygienist, we routinely give children fluoride treatments with a prophy as a preventative ... A: As I understand it, fluoride varnish provides more protection for a longer period of time than does ...
Torn Frenulum	8/26/2011
Q: I got punched in the mouth by my husband today and noticed that the tissue in my upper lip was torn ... A: It is very likely, both that it will heal, and that an incident like this will happen again. You ...
The risks of using tartar control toothpastes	8/25/2011
Q: Howard Finnk, I quickly get plaque and tartar in my teeth.I brush my teeth about twice a day and ... A: The only bad mouthwash is the mouthwash that hurts or burns your mouth when you use it. This is why ...
Dental care for 8 year old / extraction while sick	8/25/2011
Q: My 8 year old grand daughter developed severe head congestion with sore throat after swimming last ... A: If the extractions are not for emergency reasons (severe infection or pain), postpone them until ...
The risks of using tartar control toothpastes	8/24/2011
Q: Howard Finnk, I quickly get plaque and tartar in my teeth.I brush my teeth about twice a day and ... A: Almost all toothpastes have the same basic ingredients, and all toothpastes remove plaque. If what ...
How to brush teeth	8/20/2011
Q: I have mild gum recession and this was due to improper brushing (brushing to hard). I was advised by ... A: For most people, gum recession is physiologic, with the gums receding down the necks of the teeth ...
gum issue after new crown	8/19/2011
Q: A few weeks ago I had a toothache in a tooth with an old silver filling. (I am 39 years old, and ... A: I know what a furcation is. It's the space between the roots of a multi-rooted tooth. I cannot ...
PAIN AFTER EPICOECTOMY	8/17/2011
Q: I wonder if you could advise me. I recently developed cellulitis because of trouble with an upper ... A: I doubt that you are allergic to resin, as this allergy is extremely rare. If placing a filling in ...
candy mints	8/10/2011
Q: I really like hard candy starlight mints. I know they are not good for my teeth. I was wondering ... A: Yes, unless you chew on the mint candy. If you let the sugar-free mind dissolve in your mouth ...
A question about teeth whitening	8/9/2011
Q: I would like to ask about the teeth whitening technology. When I go to a dentist for teeth ... A: Your teeth can be white forever, but you will need periodic touchups, which you can do at home. ...
Gums	8/7/2011
Q: about two days ago, i noticed that the gum going from my 5th-8th molars on my bottom teeth(i have 30 ... A: What you describe sounds like a typical abscess coming from infection in or around a tooth. I could ...
spots created with teeth whitening system	8/6/2011
Q: I have barely noticeable white spots on the front of my upper two front teeth from a bad habit of ... A: From here it's hard to give you an accurate answer, as all of the above could be correct. I will ...
crown question	8/4/2011
Q: I had a permanent crown placed about two weeks ago, and somehow it just doesn't feel right to me. It ... A: For some patients, there is an adjustment period that may take from several days to several weeks. ...
help with suction	8/4/2011
Q: I am a dental assistant who still doesn't fully understand how to do suctioning. Is there some ... A: Congratulations! You are the first dental assistant to contact me to answer a question. And I have ...
gum issue after new crown	8/4/2011
Q: A few weeks ago I had a toothache in a tooth with an old silver filling. (I am 39 years old, and ... A: Yours is a tough one. And without seeing your swelling, your tooth, your crown and your X-ray, I ...
Extracting teeth with Multiple Myeloma	8/2/2011
Q: I have Multiple Myeloma and have been given Zometa. Last treatment was about 6 weeks ago.I have a ... A: Your dentist is taking extra caution due to your conditions and your medications. Have your dentist ...
I have a unique question about temps and braces	8/2/2011
Q: I have ameliogenesis imperfecta and over the next couple of years plan on having ortho work ... A: Your question is best answered by your orthodontist and dentist conferring with each other, then ...
Brown spots on teeth	8/1/2011
Q: we would appreciate if you could give us some recommendations on how to remove brown spots? The ... A: If the cleaning at the dental office removes the brown spots and they come back, it is stain. And ...
Front tooth displacement	7/30/2011
Q: I had my front right tooth (central incisor) and right lateral incisor displaced and pushed back ... A: After sustaining an injury like the one you describe, there is always the chance that one or both of ...
Implants	7/29/2011
Q: Finnk, I have been missing my two bottom molars for too long now and my top teeth have been slowing ... A: The extruded upper teeth will not grow back into your gum with the replacement of your missing lower ...
MDIs	7/21/2011
Q: and thank you so much for taking the time to read my question. I recently had my remaining 7 lower ... A: I would wait at least 8 weeks after extraction before placing implants. I believe you've made a ...
possable infection	7/20/2011
Q: So I went and had 2 teeth pulled and cavities filled. Its been about 4 days, I went back yesterday ... A: You do have an infection. You must call your dentist immediately. You must insist on being seen ...
Implant crown on 9 and crown 7,9&10	7/15/2011
Q: Hellp Dr. Finnk, I had dental implant on of front #9 tooth. All of the four front teeth are ... A: Your dentist is responsible for making you crowns that fit properly, look good, blend well with your ...
Dental jaw pain after root canal	7/13/2011
Q: About two months ago I began a root canal on the #2 tooth. After the very first visit I began to ... A: You have me at a loss. Typically, a root canal relieves pain rather than adds pain. During the ...
crowns on molars	7/12/2011
Q: my dentist has told me my four lower molars which are heavily filled with mercury fillings will all ... A: What a great question. It's a question I'm asked all the time. Typically, you need a crown when ...
Dentistry	7/8/2011
Q: My front teeth are badly stained. I would like to use a tooth bleach which contains carbomide ... A: I believe I did answer your questions. Carbamide peroxide is the active agent in almost all ...
Dentistry	7/7/2011
Q: My front teeth are badly stained. I would like to use a tooth bleach which contains carbomide ... A: First, I cannot advise you to ignore the health or the appearance of your teeth. We dentists are ...
Cosmetic	7/5/2011
Q: What's the best over the counter whitening kit? Or is professional better? I always thought crest ... A: My favorite OTC whitening kit is Crest White Strips. Professional application is always better, as ...
How to choose dental insurance?	7/4/2011
Q: I'm seeking advice on buying dental insurance. I don't have any critical problems with my dental ... A: As there are literally thousands of dental plans available around the world, and as I am a dentist ...
ques about veneers	6/25/2011
Q: I do have 2 composite veneers on 2 front teeth which had deep decay. My dentist recommended to use ... A: As I have no idea what your caries rate (number of decayed teeth) is, I cannot answer your question. ...
Crown Prep Help	6/24/2011
Q: My dentist and I have been going back and forth on a crown for awhile. Before I came to him I had ... A: I have several questions. 1. I do not understand exactly why your tooth cannot be prepared for a ...
ques about veneers	6/21/2011
Q: I do have 2 composite veneers on 2 front teeth which had deep decay. My dentist recommended to use ... A: Your first dentist was right to advise you about the fluoride. Preventing decay is important in ...
Guard for grinding teeth	6/19/2011
Q: I recently talked to someone who goes to the same place I had my mouth guard made over a decade ago. ... A: Nope. Hard mouth guards are still the norm, as these tend to halt chronic grinding. Soft ones tend ...
root canals	6/19/2011
Q: I have had to have two root canals on two of my front teeth due to extreme sensitivity and pain ... A: What you are experiencing is your dentist's fear of finishing his root canal. After many years of ...
finding dentist	6/17/2011
Q: Dr. Finnk: Previously, you asked if I needed advice finding a dentist. I would appreciate any ... A: Ask your friends and neighbors who their favorite dentist is. Ask your doctor. Ask your kids' ...
gums	6/17/2011
Q: I have had a bad case of receading gum on the back tooth at the top of my mouth and recently the ... A: If your tooth was removed, your gum will heal, but will not look normal. Normal gums have teeth ...
small painful bump inside gum/mouth tissue	6/16/2011
Q: I have a concern about a small painful bump inside my gum or mouth tissue on the upper, left, inside ... A: It sounds like some type of slow-growing abscess. I'm surprised that neither your dentist nor your ...
Dental cleaning	6/15/2011
Q: I just had a dental cleaning by a dental assistant. She used an ultrasonic scaler. Are assistants ... A: Your question can only be answered by your state's dental board. Here in Florida, a dental ...
removal of titanium post	6/14/2011
Q: Dr. Fink; My dentist replaced a broken incisor with a titanium post in the root and a new tooth ... A: These metal posts are very difficult to remove from toots. I understand your dentist's trepidation. ...
Herpes through dental procedure	6/14/2011
Q: I had a dental procedure and couple hours after that I stated to have fever and painful sores all ... A: It is not common, but it is known that herpes can be transmitted during dental treatment. This is ...
New sensitivity, potentially from old filling	6/13/2011
Q: So in February of this year, I went to the dentist for the first time in three years (I felt awful ... A: It is likely that the seal between your tooth and the filling has broken, or a portion of the ...
Dentures	6/13/2011
Q: Dr Finnk, I regretably find myself in the position of needing dentures. My question concerns the ... A: If you must lose all your teeth, I suggest you lose them all at once, and have your denture placed ...
two questions	6/13/2011
Q: 1. If a Dentist starts work and you are not happy, can you have the x rays etc sent to another ... A: Since I do not know the details of your situation, I don't think I can help you. If you've been ...
cosmetic dentistry question	6/12/2011
Q: I I need to get porcelain veneers to improve my smile... I have a few ques first of all My midline ... A: I don't think you should worry about anything. For something like what you want, you need to be ...
cosmetic dentistry question	6/9/2011
Q: I I need to get porcelain veneers to improve my smile... I have a few ques first of all My midline ... A: Lumineers were developed to be the "NO PREP" answer to traditional veneers. They were developed so ...
cosmetic dentistry question	6/9/2011
Q: I I need to get porcelain veneers to improve my smile... I have a few ques first of all My midline ... A: Watch my dental video on tooth capping, then watch the one on veneers. With veneers, you remove ...
cosmetic dentistry question	6/8/2011
Q: I I need to get porcelain veneers to improve my smile... I have a few ques first of all My midline ... A: Generally, you will want to get 8 veneers, to cover all your front teeth, from first bicuspid to ...
No Pain Before Filling - Severe Pain After	6/7/2011
Q: I need help, I really don't know what to do. I went to my dentist and was told I needed 4 fillings, ... A: It sounds like you need a root canal. Sorry. The only alternative is to have the tooth removed, or ...
Itchy, painful and wobbly front tooth	6/7/2011
Q: What could be the cause of that? I brush two times daily. The affected tooth also tends to be longer ... A: This sounds like you have some type of infection under your gum. Likely periodontal infection. But ...
root canal failure ?	6/6/2011
Q: six months ago I had a root canal procedure done by the same dentist who replaced the crown on the ... A: I'm trying to figure out how I can help you here. It appears that you need a new front tooth ...
root canal failure ?	6/5/2011
Q: six months ago I had a root canal procedure done by the same dentist who replaced the crown on the ... A: A crown is most likely to break off at the gumline when there is very little, or very thin healthy ...
Is it routine to take antibiotics?	6/4/2011
Q: Is it routine to take antibiotics after root canal therapy when there is severe pain and malaise ... A: I cannot recommend treatment on this site without having seen and tested you. So I am not ...
Is it routine to take antibiotics?	6/3/2011
Q: Is it routine to take antibiotics after root canal therapy when there is severe pain and malaise ... A: Yes. Localized infection between bone and tooth root can be very painful without causing fever, and ...
tooth under crown root cracked	6/2/2011
Q: I was advised by my dentist that under a crown I have a cracked root. Is how can this happen? Is ... A: A very small percentage of roots do fracture under crowns. Less than 1%. It is conceivable that ...
root canal with crown and post core	5/31/2011
Q: I was wondering if fracture occurs due to time or if a force applied to the tooth causes this to ... A: The answer to your question is YES. Both are true. A traumatic event can cause a tooth to fracture. ...
post and core and crown	5/30/2011
Q: How does a crown protect your tooth if you have a post and core? I'm just wondering how it will stay ... A: Yes. This is why we make crowns. Think of it as a metal cast cemented permanently over your tooth. ...
swelling	5/29/2011
Q: I just had 12 upper teeth pulled,is my face supposed to look like I got hit with a 2 by 4. A: Yes. You just had 12 teeth pulled. Imagine that you were in a brawl and had 12 teeth kicked out. ...
dental bridge vs dental implant	5/28/2011
Q: I had a bridge fitted 6 years ago to replace my missing tooth, this bridge had a rest or wing onto a ... A: Look for a dentist whom you can trust, who will agree to make you your bridge. Just as there are ...
Bone Graft Particles	5/27/2011
Q: I recently (9 days ago) had 4 wisdom teeth extracted as well as molar #19. They did a bone graft in ... A: I would have no idea how much is too much. My bone grafts involve the placement of small, spongelike ...
black/purple gums	5/25/2011
Q: i got permanent bridges fit with glue onto my front 6 teeth in the upper jaw about a year back and ... A: I re-read your entire text back to your original question, and now I understand. I'm afraid that ...
Bleeding and pain	5/25/2011
Q: I am currently sitting at my computer looking for answers. I went to a local dentist in north west ... A: Gauze is your best first choice. Like a band-aid, it soaks up excess bleeding, while maintaining ...
Bleeding and pain	5/24/2011
Q: I am currently sitting at my computer looking for answers. I went to a local dentist in north west ... A: Firstly, this is a question your dentist should answer, so give him a call. Secondly, if you ...
root canal failure ?	5/24/2011
Q: six months ago I had a root canal procedure done by the same dentist who replaced the crown on the ... A: Not necessarily. There are times when we can easily predict that a crown will break off at the ...
Dentures	5/23/2011
Q: Roughly nine months ago I had extractions performed and I was fitted with immediate dentures, both ... A: Before implants, people just got used to wearing their dentures. And for most of them, it was no ...
short molar roots	5/17/2011
Q: I am 35 and my dental x-rays show very short roots on my molars. Besides that, my teeth and gums are ... A: Depending on how short your roots really are, maybe doing nothing would be best. Did your dentist ...
Strange red spot in mouth	5/16/2011
Q: Today I have experienced a strange red spot in my mouth, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. It does ... A: This looks very much like a lip-bite leasion. However, since you say it appeared out of nowhere, I ...
Central Incisor	5/13/2011
Q: About 4 months ago, x-rays indicated that I had a cavity in the lingual part of my Central Incisor. ... A: A very small filling can remain sensitive over a long period if it was placed on the dentino-enamel ...
dental implants/crowns	5/13/2011
Q: "I had dental implants put in on 11/2010 for teeth #19 & 20. A couple of days ago I had the crown ... A: Give your mouth some time to adjust. Usually two to three weeks are my limit. If you are still ...
dental questions	5/9/2011
Q: I am 58 years old and have been going for cleaning every 4 months for 20 years. About 3 years ago my ... A: Anything is possible. Having said that, I am glad that you are going to see another dentist. It is ...
regarding the gap between front teeth	5/8/2011
Q: sir, I have a considerable gap between my front two teeth.I am 20. I want to fix this gap.can ... A: At your age, braces or invisalign would be my first choice. This will move your teeth into more ...
food stuck in gums!	5/6/2011
Q: I saw it stuck, and I tried to remove it, it just looked like every time that I tried to get at it, ... A: Swelling and/or pain in the tooth and/or gums. Swelling in the jaw around this tooth and in urge ...
swollen gum?	5/6/2011
Q: A few days ago, my left rear wisdom tooth (i think) started to hurt. Its looks like the gum is ... A: You are experiencing what is called a "pericoronitis"', or infection around a wisdom tooth. These ...
dentures and medicaid	5/5/2011
Q: do you accept medicade A: There are one or two plans in Medicaid that I think we still accept. Call 954-742-4600 and ask for ...
Dentures and bone loss	5/5/2011
Q: My father (75) wanted to replace his dentures and went to his dentist. The dentist said he has bone ... A: I'm afraid that I know of no such thing as a light weight denture. Loss of Jawbone height and width ...
food stuck in gums!	5/4/2011
Q: I saw it stuck, and I tried to remove it, it just looked like every time that I tried to get at it, ... A: My first answer is to call your dentist. That's what he/she are there for. My second answer Is to ...
To whiten or not to whiten?	4/28/2011
Q: Having recently overcome my serious fear of the dentist, had a tooth out and a new crown i am now ... A: I'll bet if you look hard enough, you can find dentists who use sedation techniques not far from ...
To whiten or not to whiten?	4/27/2011
Q: Having recently overcome my serious fear of the dentist, had a tooth out and a new crown i am now ... A: Congrats on your conversion! The first thing I recommend to my patient is Crest White Strips. At ...
Receding Gums	4/27/2011
Q: I have noticed my gums have receded a bit. I'm a 26 year old male. My bottom teeth were starting ... A: You do have excessive gum recession for your age. When I see this, I think of several things as the ...
black/purple gums	4/27/2011
Q: i got permanent bridges fit with glue onto my front 6 teeth in the upper jaw about a year back and ... A: What you describe usually comes from the edges of the bridges fitting the teeth far too deeply under ...
Implants	4/24/2011
Q: I have gone to a very eminent implant specialist who discovered that when examining my ... A: If you do decide to come, have copies of your records and X-rays made to bring with you. I will be ...
short front teeth - did i miss bottle rot?	4/24/2011
Q: my 3.5 year old daughter's two front teeth are very short, half the size of other toddler's front ... A: I will guess that she has been grinding her teeth down. This grinding habit usually disappears by ...
Implants	4/22/2011
Q: I have gone to a very eminent implant specialist who discovered that when examining my ... A: Relative to the cost of what you will be getting, and what you have been going through, along with ...
Pre-molar tooth enamel filed down in center of tooth a bit low	4/21/2011
Q: Please tell me that there is something that can be done about this that will not cause pain. The ... A: 1. I can't tell you if it might cause pain. If it is done and it interferes with your bite, it ...
Implants	4/20/2011
Q: I have gone to a very eminent implant specialist who discovered that when examining my ... A: I recently attended a post-graduate implant seminar. At this seminar, the doctors discussed one of ...
Problem getting crown to fit	4/20/2011
Q: I have a crown on tooth #15 that is causing irritation and a sore on the side of the tongue. We're ... A: Yes it is possible to make a bottle-cap-shaped cap to cover your problem tooth. Better to have your ...
Pre-molar tooth enamel filed down in center of tooth a bit low	4/20/2011
Q: Please tell me that there is something that can be done about this that will not cause pain. The ... A: I don't know why you asked your dentist to shave down your tooth, which already gave you its natural ...
Infection Extraction/Implant?	4/19/2011
Q: I'm having a difficult time with a tooth and I'd appreciate any advice. About 3 months ago I ... A: I'm sorry to hear about all your dental problems. First, let me put your concerns to rest. Taking ...
Extraction and Dentures	4/19/2011
Q: The day after having teeth extracted, do you leave the dentures in when rinsing or without dentures ... A: The day after having teeth extracted, I advise my patients to return to me, so that I can remove the ...
Severely Decayed Teethe	4/19/2011
Q: since i was a young child I've had bad toothaches and never went to the dentist. As an adult I ... A: Based on just what you've told me, your options are obvious. And they are just one. You must ...
Respected sir	4/19/2011
Q: extend bone loss in my teeth.....dentists advised me to undergo grafting..without grafting is some ... A: Without seeing you and taking some measurements, I can't say. However, looking only at your xray, I ...
IMPLANT	4/18/2011
Q: My name is stephanie,I am 21,When i was 16,I lost my front tooth,due to a root canal.I currently ... A: Depending on the dentist you select, and the implants and procedures that dentist prefers, an ...
short front teeth - did i miss bottle rot?	4/18/2011
Q: my 3.5 year old daughter's two front teeth are very short, half the size of other toddler's front ... A: Bottle rot happens when you put your child to bed with a bottle. Whatever is in the bottle feeds ...
tooth turning black	4/17/2011
Q: my left side botttom teeth has something black on it. I am very much worrying about it. Can you ... A: I don't know how to brief you, other than to reinforce my recommendation that you see your dentist. ...
Crown for anterior tooth over implant	4/11/2011
Q: I will be getting a crown over my implant for the front tooth - anterior. Do you recommend ceramic ... A: I usually use ceramic over metal due to the fact that it combines great appearance with durability ...
Teeth	4/10/2011
Q: My friend is scared of dentists yet is worried about her tooth size. Her gums don't bleed during ... A: In the picture, your friend should never be worried. At least not about this. She does appear to ...
Numb Gums	4/8/2011
Q: I had might top back molar pulled out. The jaw bone had fused to the roots and when the dentist ... A: Even though I don't see a question here, I will guess that you'd like to know if your deitnst is ...
Mouth Pain	4/7/2011
Q: Good Evening. I have recently had my first root canal done and just wanted to see if what I am ... A: None of what you describe is normal after a root canal. Contact your dentist or endodontist and let ...
veneer bridges	4/6/2011
Q: I was curious about veneer bridges, i have several broken teeth in the back of my mouth not all are ... A: I'm not quite sure what you mean by "veneer bridges". I have performed hundreds of the usual, ...
narrow maxilla	4/5/2011
Q: fi have been seeing a orthodontist in london i have a narrow maxillar this effects my breathin and ... A: An adult's upper jaw can be widened with the appropriate appliance. It usually takes more time than ...
Soft tissue grafting	4/5/2011
Q: I would like to know whether it is worthwile to go for a soft tissue grafting. One of my bottom ... A: If your labial frenum is tugging on your gum, this is often a cause for more rapid recession, as ...
Idiopathic root resorption	4/5/2011
Q: Do you know of any foundation that helps people with this kind of diagnosis, "idiopathic root ... A: I have heard of this condition, but in almost 40 years of being a dentist, I have never actually ...
temporary bridge discomfort	4/2/2011
Q: I am in the process of having a bridge put in. On Thursday I had the temporary bridge put in and it ... A: If you feel this uncomfortable with the temporary bridge, you need to contact your dentist and tell ...
Soft tissue grafting	4/2/2011
Q: I would like to know whether it is worthwile to go for a soft tissue grafting. One of my bottom ... A: Whether or not it is worthwhile for you to have a soft tissue grafting is entirely up to you. In ...
crown buildup through existing crown	4/1/2011
Q: Finnk 4/1/11 I've just had root canal therapy on # 14 through an existing full gold ... A: This is not a billing practice. What your dentist likely did was: Prepare the inside of the tooth ...
tissue graft	3/31/2011
Q: My periodontist will be doing a tissue graft on my top canine tooth due to recession. I am unsure as ... A: I consider whatever your periodontist recommends to be relatively safe and effective. In general, ...
gray crowns	3/31/2011
Q: When crowns look gray on the model, do they typically also look gray once they are cemented in the ... A: With all your items of dissatisfaction, you really need to take this up with your dentist. Write ...
gray crowns	3/30/2011
Q: When crowns look gray on the model, do they typically also look gray once they are cemented in the ... A: Since I don't know exactly what kind of crowns they were, I can't say if the model color affects the ...
Toothache	3/28/2011
Q: Upon having two permanent crowns placed on teeth numbers 17 and 18, sensitivity to hot and cold and ... A: If I were you, I would have probably been to the root canal specialist by now. Every patient is ...
lump on gums	3/27/2011
Q: About 6 years ago I had a very painful toothache in my upper tooth. I went to the emergency to get a ... A: This is most likely an infection spreading from your once-painful tooth, through your jawbone and ...
Filling problem	3/26/2011
Q: I just had a filling in my left canine. Two days later I noticed a white pimple like dot on the ... A: I'm afraid that it sounds like an abscess to me. If it does not go away within one week of the ...
Infection after Re-root canal	3/26/2011
Q: I had a root canal re-treated for a non-symptomatic abscess found on an xray. The re-root canal was ... A: If the blister pops on its own, let it drain into your mouth and spit a lot. Mild antibacterial ...
healing caps	3/25/2011
Q: When an implant is done, are healing caps necessary or optional? Also, are the healing caps visible ... A: Healing caps are both necessary and optional, depending on the type of implant you are getting, and ...
unable to fully open jaw + numbness after having filling replaced	3/24/2011
Q: On Feb. 16, 2011, I had a filling replace on my lower right molar. During the Novocaine shot I got a ... A: What you describe should go back to normal within 3 months. If it does not, you should seek further ...
pain	3/24/2011
Q: I'm still in pain the next day from a tooth extraction. The tooth was more just the root of the ... A: If your dentist had a hard time removing it, expect tenderness in the area for about 3-4 days. By ...
Toddler Tooth Pain	3/23/2011
Q: My 2 1/2 year old already has her molars but complains daily of tooth pain. When I ask her if it's ... A: If your dentist was correct in finding nothing visibly wrong, it might just be "growing pains" or ...
grossly malformed condyle as a result of broken jaw	3/22/2011
Q: I am a 37 yr old female. I broke my jaw when I was 13 yrs old in a bicycle accident. I landed on ... A: I am sorry to hear about your troubles. I would like to see you make some progress against all your ...
dead tooth	3/22/2011
Q: I'm inquiring as to the best method to fix a dead tooth. My fiancé’s front tooth is dead and has ... A: I can't tell you if a cap is the best method for your fiance'. He may need a root canal and a cap. ...
Crowns & Bridges	3/21/2011
Q: Finnk, If you could answer a few questions I would be very grateful. My old dentist who has retired ... A: Your old dentist was being very cautious in his approach to crowns. Your new dentist is doing what ...
wrong position of front teeth	3/20/2011
Q: I had 5 yrs old girl & just now i saw new two upper front teeth coming out in wrong position. It ... A: She probably needs to have her baby teeth removed so that her permanent teeth can come into their ...
gingival swelling of 2 yr old baby	3/17/2011
Q: my daughter has a gingival swelling irt b ist quadrant. she doesn brush regularly. it bled too ... A: I can't tell you if she needs medication from the information you offered. I can tell you that she ...
flouride	3/16/2011
Q: I've been inquiring about flouride in toothpaste. Apparently flouride is controversial some ... A: Fluoride in toothpaste is not harmful. It is just the opposite. Fluoride in toothpaste is the best ...
Pain and growth weeks after wisdom teeth extraction	3/16/2011
Q: About 2 or 3 weeks ago I had gotten my wisdom teeth extracted and everything, and everything seemed ... A: Yes. First, if you read the label on the bottle of Amoxicillin, it likely says the take the ...
fracture and TMJ	3/15/2011
Q: I was diagnosed by MRI with an anteriorly displaced meniscus on the rt condyle more than two years ... A: There is so much going on in all you write, that it becomes very confusing. Plus I'm not quite sure ...
lower front teeth	3/14/2011
Q: Dr. Finnk, My three lower front teeth are small and considerably worn out/grinded, so I am afraid ... A: Any material that is used will require the removal of about 1mm of thickness of your tooth. Without ...
Implant or Leave Alone?	3/14/2011
Q: Tooth 18 was recently extracted. It had had a root canal and crown six months ago, but the tooth ... A: First: Great name. Bone graft was not a mistake. Better to do it along with the extraction, ...
fracture and TMJ	3/14/2011
Q: I was diagnosed by MRI with an anteriorly displaced meniscus on the rt condyle more than two years ... A: First, if you are suffering, there is certainly something wrong. People do not suffer without ...
lower front teeth	3/12/2011
Q: Dr. Finnk, My three lower front teeth are small and considerably worn out/grinded, so I am afraid ... A: The best thing you can do is to remove some (less than 1mm) of tooth from each sida and top and make ...
follow-up on implants	3/9/2011
Q: Doctor, I'm having my second year follow-up on implants done on two central incisors, what will the ... A: I am surprised that you are asking Allexperts. These are questions best left to your dentist during ...
Gap between temporay crown and gum line	3/6/2011
Q: I have a question about my gum line. I had my root canal done on tooth #7 & 8 procedures done by an ... A: It is most remotely possible that he inadvertently cut your gum during crown removal. More likely, ...
crowns and continued pain/discomfort	3/6/2011
Q: In Jan '10 top two center teeth replaced with crowns due to fillings in teeth no longer holding up. ... A: From the sound of your pain, sensitivity and problems, it seems to me that at least one root canal ...
Dental School treamtment	3/5/2011
Q: I was wondering if you could tell me who overseas (or where I could make a complaint) about a dental ... A: I would first contact your dental school and let them know that if they do not respond to your ...
Crown hurting	3/3/2011
Q: About ten years ago I had a root canal and crown on a lower molar. Recently I have been getting ... A: Sometimes a root canal does not remove all the nerve or fill all the canals and accessories. ...
implant infection and gumline	3/2/2011
Q: I have an implant and crown in place of one of my upper front teeth. It was placed in 1999. I had ... A: I have tried to apply pink porcelain to a crown in an attempt to mimic the gum of the next tooth. I ...
Amalgam under Gold Onlay	3/1/2011
Q: When fitting a new gold onlay onto a previously amalgam-filled molar, is it desirable practice to ... A: When I went to dental school, I was taught that when I take on any project, it is imperative to ...
lumineers issue	2/28/2011
Q: I had lumineers placed on eight of my top teeth last summer. I was told by my dentist (who I am not ... A: Your story is the reason I no longer make veneers or Lumineers. The promise of a beautiful smile ...
Bruised ligament and now lump near jaw	2/27/2011
Q: About a month ago I woke up with a top front second tooth that hurt when I bit down on it. I didn't ... A: All of your teeth problems are related to your tooth grinding. Imaging running non-stop all day. ...
Gum Irritation and Tongue Piercing	2/25/2011
Q: I pierced my tongue four days ago. Today, however, I woke to find a soreness at the peak of my gums ... A: Without seeing you, I can't say for sure, but it sound like you have "Trenchmouth". Or you are ...
Lots of dental problems	2/24/2011
Q: I am a Latvian girl in Australia and today was my first visit with a dentist in Australia. This is ... A: I'm so sorry to hear about your dental troubles. After I read the first half of your letter, I was ...
Crowns/ Gums/ Dry Mouth	2/24/2011
Q: I had "4'' upper anterior done#form metal/porcelain# they are now "all" porcelain; there seems to be ... A: What you can do is contact your dentist, who will know your case intimately, and should be able to ...
Cingulum	2/23/2011
Q: I just had a porcelin crown placed on my upper front tooth (left lateral, #10). Because the tooth ... A: This is a question that I cannot answer accurately from here. To answer your question, I would have ...
4 tooth bridge on #9	2/23/2011
Q: My wife has a missing front tooth ( #9 ) from a childhood skateboarding accident. She has gone ... A: I can't answer with any specificity, not having seen your wife or her xrays. As an implant dentist, ...
Improper fitting crown and change in gum line	2/22/2011
Q: For many years I have had issues with my front tooth, cracking and chipping. My dentist did a ... A: ): Without knowing everything there is to know about you, I cannot answer with assurance the ...
Filling	2/22/2011
Q: I got a filling today and now my the area where I got the filling is swelling and has a bad taste to ... A: It sound like you might have bitten your cheek while you were numb. Stay on a soft diet for several ...
gum recession n shaking wearing cap teeth	2/21/2011
Q: "i am 22 year old boy i got teeth injury in vary early age at11 my tow front teeth had broken ... A: Probably not. I wish I had some magic for you, but I do not. You would be best to just give up on ...
dental implant	2/20/2011
Q: Dr, is it possible that titanium dental implant causes allergies? also head ache? A: It is possible to be allergic to anything, including titanium dental implant. However, I have not ...
Replacement for tooth#31	2/19/2011
Q: I'm a 41 year old male. I recently had tooth #31 extracted after it cracked (it had a 10+ year old ... A: I'm sure you can understand that I cannot answer your question with certainty without you and your ...
gum recession n shaking wearing cap teeth	2/19/2011
Q: "i am 22 year old boy i got teeth injury in vary early age at11 my tow front teeth had broken ... A: Without seeing you and your xrays, I can't be accurate. However, my usual treatment for cases like ...
implants	2/18/2011
Q: Frank, I'm hoping you might be able to help me do some sorting out. A couple of years ago I had ... A: First: Yes, it is true that as you get older you tend to lose bone. This is called "osterporosis" ...
Replacing fillings	2/17/2011
Q: I went to a new dentist yesterday who says that my old amalgam fillings have a gray halo around them ... A: A gray halo around amalgam fillings often are one indication that the teeth that they are in are ...
Temporary Filling	2/16/2011
Q: I had a cavity in one of my molars, and had a tooth-colored filling put in. After doing so, I had a ... A: It is very rare that I will place a sedative temporary filling such as yours. If I must place one, ...
Can't Bite After Shallow Filling - Fustrated!	2/15/2011
Q: I'm 22 years old and recently had a shallow white filling done on my second lower left molar - it ... A: That's a tough call. Every time a dentist cuts a tooth, there is a period of healing. It's almost ...
Can't Bite After Shallow Filling - Fustrated!	2/15/2011
Q: I'm 22 years old and recently had a shallow white filling done on my second lower left molar - it ... A: I have had the occasional air bubble in my fillings. And they can cause sensitivity like yours. ...
Reoccurring Upper Mouth Pimple	2/15/2011
Q: Finnk. Please assist me with identifying a reoccurring upper mouth "pimple" that has been occurring ... A: It sounds and looks like an abscess that originates from one of your teeth. Someone, usually your ...
Dentures and Depression	2/13/2011
Q: I had been told for 3 years now my only hope for my top teeth, which were snapping off after serious ... A: Since I do not know what your "serious health issue" was, nor do I know about the rest of your ...
Teeth allignment	2/12/2011
Q: What should I do to fix that? A: The answer that you already know is "See Your Dentist Immediately." What is happening is that the ...
Can't Bite After Shallow Filling - Fustrated!	2/12/2011
Q: I'm 22 years old and recently had a shallow white filling done on my second lower left molar - it ... A: If I were your dentist, the first thing I would do is be sure that this tooth was taken out of your ...
Temporary Filling	2/11/2011
Q: I had a cavity in one of my molars, and had a tooth-colored filling put in. After doing so, I had a ... A: You've asked me a relatively complex question. In fact, the "eugenol" (oil of cloves) that is the ...
crown	2/10/2011
Q: I need 1 wisdom tooth out and on other side need tooth next to wisdom tooth out. My dentist wants to ... A: Without seeing you or your xrays, I cannot make the decision. Sometimes there is not enough bone to ...
swolleness around bottom lip	2/10/2011
Q: My husband has a swollen redness around his bottom lip. He says it burns and his mouth tastes kind ... A: Without seeing it, and interviewing your husband, I cannot say for sure. If steroid and antibiotics ...
Dental Implants	2/9/2011
Q: I have had upper dental implants for seven years and since last year my front teeth have been ... A: Your gums could be receding more rapidly than most, thus exposing more of the length of your tooth. ...
irratation on roof of mouth	2/9/2011
Q: I HAVE A RED IRRITATION ON THE PALATE OF MY MOUTH AND IT BURNS. I TRIED RINSING WITH SALT WATER ... A: What you describe sound like denture sores, caused by too much pressure or rubbing against the ...
Zirconia and PFM crowns	2/9/2011
Q: ..I had my front top teeth redone Dec 10. I had two resin composite veneers on side teeth and ... A: I disagree with the lab, as my experience with Zirconia is that it can be opaque, and can be made to ...
food impaction	2/9/2011
Q: i am 60 years old. for the last 30 years my upper right last 2 molars has a gap that food gets stuck ... A: Yes. One of the dentists must remake one of the crowns so that it closes the gap which allows the ...
Is it possible for the alignment of my teeth to shift as an adult?	2/4/2011
Q: When I was younger I had metal of some sort in my mouth for almost 10 years ranging from just ... A: Your doctor was correct. It is possible that your teeth are shifting. However, barring trauma to ...
Tooth contouring.	2/3/2011
Q: i am an 18 year old girl and am interested in tooth contouring. My 2 front teeth are a bit longer ... A: I know that most dentists are well skilled with tooth contouring. Especially in the front teeth. ...
Veneers or Caps	1/30/2011
Q: I am from Australia and am having difficulty understanding what i need. I have a small gap between ... A: If you had braces 5 years ago, and they brought your front teeth together, and they separated after ...
Veneers or Caps	1/28/2011
Q: I am from Australia and am having difficulty understanding what i need. I have a small gap between ... A: If I were your dentist, without knowing anything else about you, I would make you two immediate, ...
teeth whiting after braces	1/28/2011
Q: My 16 year old daughter has decalsafication on all of her front teeth after braces. (They have been ... A: I would not advise any whitening product yet, as the first caused sensitivity. I would instead ...
Broken tooth-socially broken	1/26/2011
Q: i got my front tooth broken about seven years ago.since then, i have lost my self esteem.when i talk ... A: I'm amazed that I'm hearing your story today. Just yesterday I saw a 44 year old patient who had ...
Tooth Extraction	1/26/2011
Q: Finnk, I had #19 tooth extracted yesterday. It originally had an old filling, then 11 years ago my ... A: The bone will regrow, although at a slightly lower level than it was when it was around your tooth. ...
Root Canal	1/24/2011
Q: I went to the dentist the other day. There is a decay at my front teeth and a temporary filling was ... A: I am not sure. How long the filling lasts depends on what type of material is used, and the ...
Reabsorbed bone in ridge	1/24/2011
Q: How does a periodontist put bone bank, particle bone under a very absorbed lower front ridge? ... A: It sounds like you are correct, with one additional step. The periodontist will probably use some ...
gray spots on crowns	1/21/2011
Q: I recently (2 weeks) ago had 6 crowns placed on my top front teeth. Soon after, in 2 of the crowns i ... A: There are two dentists who I know and respect in the Atlanta area. My first choice for you would be ...
gray spots on crowns	1/21/2011
Q: I recently (2 weeks) ago had 6 crowns placed on my top front teeth. Soon after, in 2 of the crowns i ... A: I am so sorry to hear that you are continuing to have these problems. It does sound like your ...
Pain after extractionulysu	1/20/2011
Q: Which medicine provides best relief after a tooth extraction? Simple aspirin, ibuprofin, or ... A: Every patient responds differently to different medications. My favorite, based on my near-40 years ...
deep down gum pain after 2 root canal and then extraction	1/19/2011
Q: last march i started with toothache. i couldnt seemy regular dentist, so i saw someone else at the ... A: It could be several things, some of which are: A piece of root is retained in the bone; a loose ...
wisdom teeth extraction	1/17/2011
Q: I had my lower left wisdom tooth pulled a week ago today. At the site, there is still some dark ... A: It is not uncommon to have some bruising in the area of a wisdom tooth extraction. A bruise is ...
Crooked lateral incisor	1/17/2011
Q: Ever since I can remember, my top lateral incisor has been crooked (almost sideways) and some what ... A: The way you make it sound, a veneer would not likely solve your problem, and a veneer is s thin, ...
crown buildup incl any pins	1/15/2011
Q: My question, Doctor: Have you heard of using a crown buildup and pins for any reason than after a ... A: That you signed for one thing and you were charged for more, is a whole other issue. This does not ...
PUFFINESS AFTER ROOT CANAL	1/15/2011
Q: Would you have any explanation for a slight cheek puffiness after a root canal that was completed 1 ... A: The only answer I can give is that there may be some residual infection that has not cleared yet. ...
GUM PAIN:(	1/15/2011
Q: 7 days ago it felt like someone was stepping on the roof of my mouth for hours,My gums were very red ... A: I don't understand why nothing was done after he put his finger in your mouth and felt swelling. At ...
adult eye tooth removed causing root loss	1/11/2011
Q: i went to the orthodontist to get braces and when they did a x-ray they leared my eye tooth was ... A: I don't know how old you are, or which of your front teeth you are talking about, or if the tooth ...
dental work and coumidin	1/10/2011
Q: i was suppose to have dental work however i was put on coumidin 3 weeks ago due to blood clots in my ... A: It is common practice for doctors to take patients off coumadin for three days before a tooth ...
fractured tooth?	1/10/2011
Q: I had a root canal about 13 yrs ago on one of my front teeth and eventually the tooth broke and had ... A: Before you have surgery, make sure that your dentist has adjusted this tooth out of your bite, has ...
carbocaine	1/5/2011
Q: i have had many teeth pulled in my life and have always had novicaine or lidocaine and always ... A: I wish I could answer your question, but I can't be sure of the reason or reasons. But I can list a ...
Bone growth under bridge	1/4/2011
Q: I have a 3 unit fixed bridge on the lower right molars. The bone is growing up under the missing ... A: You have a very interesting jawbone. I have never heard of a case where the bone grows under the ...
front teeth propounding ahead	1/4/2011
Q: I have two front upper teeth propounding ahead 5mm and two others about 2mm. I am more concerned ... A: Your use of the word "propounding" brings to mind the idea that your teeth are moving forward. Are ...
Ridge Expansion bone graft	1/4/2011
Q: My dentist said I need to get a lower front ridge augmentation, because bone was absorbed and to ... A: Usually what you will get will be having bone put in under your gum and over your bone to increase ...
CHIPPED TOOTH DUE TO CAVITY	1/3/2011
Q: I WAS USING A TOOTHPICK AND MY LATERAL INCISOR JUST CHIPPED OFF, I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S DUE TO DECAY. ... A: You just broke a tooth. You think it's because of decay. If I were you, I would have been worried ...
Scaling & root planing	12/31/2010
Q: I usually take great care of my teeth but die to a move I missed my 6 month check-up and have been ... A: Make an appointment for another cleaning in 3 months. Let them recheck your gums to see if they ...
Gum issues	12/31/2010
Q: I went to the dentist one week ago for my routine 6 month cleaning and everything was fine. I have ... A: The dental cleaning could have set in motion the beginning of what would have been your natural gum ...
pulp stone and RCT	12/31/2010
Q: there is pulp stone present in upper 1st molar and root canal therapy is indicated, how can the pulp ... A: I hope you are not telling me that you are having a root canal done because of a pulpstone. I see ...
molar extraction	12/30/2010
Q: question - I know I am suppose to have a blood clot to prevent the possibility of dry root after an ... A: I hope that by now your pain is gone. My extraction cases usually do not experience pain after the ...
Dental Implant	12/29/2010
Q: I had a root canal done on my lower back molar (the last molar all the way in the back on the left) ... A: There is a good chance that your upper tooth will slowly drift out of the gum in an attempt to find ...
dentures or repair?	12/29/2010
Q: Recently I have had many mouth infections with the antibiotics not working. I have been given ... A: Dentures can be under $2,000, plus the cost of extractions (about $250-450 each tooth). With the ...
Extreme Pain/ Where is it coming from?!!?	12/29/2010
Q: For the past year I have had an infection flare up. It starts with pain between my teeth 18 and 19 ... A: There certainly is a way that these two could be related. At the very least, by referred pain. The ...
2.5 yr old IV sedation	12/29/2010
Q: My daughter is 2.5 yrs old and has severe rot on the backs of her two front teeth (yes we were very ... A: IV sedation is not the only way to have this work done. If your child is cooperative, then I would ...
i hope you help me	12/28/2010
Q: i want to know if the devices used for teeth whitening is healthy or not?? and how often can they be ... A: You're welcome. I do not believe that the light works any better than no light. I have used both ...
i hope you help me	12/27/2010
Q: i want to know if the devices used for teeth whitening is healthy or not?? and how often can they be ... A: I did not get an image. However, I can tell you that almost all bleach products are generally safe. ...
Damaged Front Tooth	12/27/2010
Q: i slipped on the ice 6 days ago and landed face first on the sidewalk. i originally had a lot of ... A: Contact your dentist. If your dentist does not consider this a dental emergency, or does not see you ...
Jaw Popping, Stiffness, and Neck Pain	12/23/2010
Q: My health concern is this: about 6 months ago my jaw started to feel "off track" when I would yawn ... A: OUCH! It sounds like you were developing a temporomandibular joint dysfunction [TMJD]. These are ...
Jaw pain	12/22/2010
Q: About eight months ago, I started experiencing pain and discomfort in the front of my chin, slightly ... A: It appears that something has solved your problem, which was likely an inflamed nerve or nerves in ...
baking soda slurry to clean teeth at dentists	12/22/2010
Q: I took my daughter to a new dentist for her 6 month cleaning. The last cleaning at the old dentist ... A: Yes I have heard of baking soda slurry being used to clean teeth. I do not use it because it has ...
Broken Filling/Possible Root Canal	12/20/2010
Q: The tooth next to my canine that had a filling in it. A few months ago a piece of the filling came ... A: Yes, this sounds like you are going to need a root canal. And then a crown shortly after the root ...
bone augmentation materials	12/17/2010
Q: I want to find out more about "bone puttys" that can be used for ridge augmentation prior to implant ... A: Try Grafton. Bioplant. Collagene. Allograft. Demineralized freeze dried bone. Hydroxylapatite. ...
swelling of gums	12/17/2010
Q: I am 24 year old from India. I have swelling in my gums for the last 7-8 years, resulting in bad ... A: Your gums are in the shadows of the picture you sent. However, I believe I can answer your ...
Salivary gland	12/15/2010
Q: "I have had a sore rear right neck for a couple months. Recently, I have a discomfort in my right, ... A: I'm glad you got the right answers that were also in your favor. If they become large enough to ...
Subepithelial connective tissue graft	12/14/2010
Q: Finnk - I just read one of your prior posts where you stated "Gingival grafts do tend to recede, ... A: If the periodontist has told you that the graft will last for a lifetime, then I would be inclined ...
standard practice during scaling and root planing	12/14/2010
Q: I was told that the removal of gum tissue is standard practice during a scaling and root planing and ... A: Yes. During root planing, one of the things that is done is to remove the inflamed and infected ...
canine with 2 canals, malpractice, apicoectomy, severe pain, help!!!	12/13/2010
Q: I am dealing with a bad infection from tooth 22. It had a root canal last year by my general ... A: I am so sorry that you are going through such difficulty after what should have been a relatively ...
Salivary gland	12/10/2010
Q: "I have had a sore rear right neck for a couple months. Recently, I have a discomfort in my right, ... A: According to what you wrote, more tests have been recommended if deemed clinically necessary. If ...
student made crown	12/9/2010
Q: I had #2 molar removed recently and plan to have an implant placed by a resident dentist. He ... A: Pain is certainly not inevitable. Especially AFTER the implant has been placed. Implants do not ...
prepwork quests re: front teeth crowns redo	12/8/2010
Q: Here are the basics, more can be found at my earlier question here ... A: 1. Yes. 2.5 hours seems reasonable. 2. Yes. In general 2 weeks is sufficient. Different people heal ...
Growth/Bump inside the roof of my mouth.	12/6/2010
Q: Finnk, Thank you for listening to my problem. I've had this strange bump on the roof of my ... A: If it's at the center back of your palate and it's very hard, it's most likely what we call a ...
student made crown	12/2/2010
Q: I had #2 molar removed recently and plan to have an implant placed by a resident dentist. He ... A: This is a good idea. If you are ok with having a resident place your surgical implant, you should ...
Infected Tooth	12/1/2010
Q: I had a root canal done on tooth #14 over ten years ago and recently it has become painful to ... A: There is the possibility of doing the root canal again. Ask for a referral to an endodontist. ...
Dead tooth	11/25/2010
Q: I have a beautiful 5 year old daughter with a lovely smile. She has had no cavities and has had ... A: Transitional root canal is almost always effective, in my experience. However, I have not done many ...
after braces	11/25/2010
Q: didnt notice anything wrong with my teeth but after couple of days looking at it, i noticed that ... A: Your teeth do appear to be larger on your non-dimple side. In addition, your smile rises higher on ...
Dead tooth	11/25/2010
Q: I have a beautiful 5 year old daughter with a lovely smile. She has had no cavities and has had ... A: Without xrays and follow up, I cannot tell you what's right. However, I have had kids in my ...
Bridge	11/24/2010
Q: I paid a few weeks ago for a permanent dental bridge made of gold and porcelain for all my upper ... A: We have a problem. Your dentist did give you the opportunity, albeit a short one, to inspect your ...
Wearing a lower denture after a bone graft	11/23/2010
Q: I had a lower bone graft, ridge augmentation 6 months ago. I am still wearing my lower denture, ... A: Sadly, I cannot. There are several different materials that can be used to graft into your jaw ...
Bleeding gums - after quitting smoking?	11/18/2010
Q: I smoked a pack a day for the last 12 years. Two months ago, I quit cold turkey. Since I quit, my ... A: Sad to hear that you do one good thing, and a bad thing pops up. Bleeding gums is a sign of gum ...
Belt AND Braces?	11/17/2010
Q: Finnk, Consumers are constantly being told of how "this" toothpaste is better than "that" one, and ... A: First of all, you need to be brushing two minutes each time, not 3. Second, you raise several good ...
Jaw pain	11/17/2010
Q: Had a root canal several yrs. ago, then a retreat, then endodontric surgery January 2009. I have ... A: You pain may be coming from this tooth, although after all the treatment, this tooth should not be ...
Types of Implant	11/16/2010
Q: I have had all teeth tomy upper jaw removed. One dentist is suggesting a single piece for implants ... A: With the long-term success of the single-unit implants at about 99%, and considering the amount of ...
cosmetic work gone bad	11/15/2010
Q: Five years ago, I paid roughly $17,000 to have crowns placed on my upper teeth. Right after the ... A: Once again, I suggest that you seek out your local dental Peer Review Committee. Using them, you ...
Lumineers	11/15/2010
Q: Finnk, D.D.S., What do you think about the "Lumineers," system of cosmetic dentistry? Have you a ... A: I am a Lumineers dentist, and I have had good success with Lumineers. There are many ways to ...
cosmetic work gone bad	11/13/2010
Q: Five years ago, I paid roughly $17,000 to have crowns placed on my upper teeth. Right after the ... A: You've provided me with a tough case. From here, I cannot guess whether you grind your teeth or ...
Crowns are becoming painful	11/13/2010
Q: I have two crowns in the front of mouth, had them for 5 years or so. They are not the best looking ... A: If what your dentist said is true, that the roots are perforated, and you are now having pain from ...
Tea - tooth decay	11/13/2010
Q: I bought a tea made by Celestial Seasonings called Sweet Apple Chamomile. The ingredients are ... A: If there is truly less than half a gram of sugar in the tea, it is my opinion that there will be ...
dentures	11/12/2010
Q: I recently had tooth and partial tooth extractions and immediate dentures, both upper and lower. ... A: Have you not gone back to your dentist for an adjustment? If not, you must. As your gums heal, the ...
Types of Implant	11/12/2010
Q: I have had all teeth tomy upper jaw removed. One dentist is suggesting a single piece for implants ... A: The more implants that are placed, the greater is the likelihood for long term success. In our ...
What will stain dental model teeth the most?	11/11/2010
Q: My daughter is doing a school science project on products that will remove stains from teeth. Her ... A: I'm confused. I thought that your daughter is doing a school science project. Yet this email is ...
bridge	11/10/2010
Q: I had a bridge put in recently and ever since I have had pain in the missing tooth..The tooth was ... A: The nerve in your tooth that did not have a root canal is probably inflamed. This is likely due to ...
Tooth	11/7/2010
Q: I have a tooth in the front that did have a cavity. It was filled and ever since then it has not ... A: Either your dentist, or another dentist, should or will be willing to replace or repair the filling ...
Gold crown issue	11/4/2010
Q: I was told by my dentist on 11/1/10 that I had a cracked upper left molar & should immediately get a ... A: If what you have is a cracked tooth, then your dentist is right. A crown has only about a 60% ...
over the counter tooth whiteners	11/3/2010
Q: Especially since I have no ins and can't afford it, I'm looking for an over the counter product that ... A: In my experience, the best are Crest White Strips. Not sure about baking soda. I believe that it ...
TEA STAINS ON TODDLERS TEETH	11/3/2010
Q: My daughter is 21 months old. Her teeth are well grown but have tea stains. I had them polished by a ... A: Usually the cause of tea stains on teeth is the repeated drinking of tea. I can't imagine how your ...
Sideways Permanent Tooth	11/1/2010
Q: I have one canine baby tooth left. At the dentist I had to get an x-ray on it. It showed that my ... A: What your dentist and orthodontist and oral surgeon and you will be looking at is the possibility of ...
mouth burn	10/26/2010
Q: I burnt my mouth about a week ago. It blistered and I lost a bunch of thick skin on the right side ... A: It will get better. If tissue sloughed (fell off), it was likely a 3d degree burn. But it was to a ...
Dental Crown	10/24/2010
Q: About two weeks ago I went to have my permanent crown fitted and seated. The temp crown was removed ... A: There might be an infection. However, I doubt it. What is happening is that microbes are migrating ...
Problems after getting fillings	10/23/2010
Q: I am a 41-year-old female. About four weeks ago, I got two composite fillings in the two back bottom ... A: It is likely that it is your clenching causing most of your problems. If you know that you clench, ...
research topic	10/22/2010
Q: i am a final year student of dentistry.we have been asked to do a research and to select the topic ... A: I would love to help. But, as you may have read, we are not allowed to answer homework questions. ...
adult orthodontic work with risk of root shortening - consequences?	10/21/2010
Q: I have already had braces as a young teenager but the result is disappointing and I am considering ... A: Assuming no periodontal disease, your teeth will not drop out. However, the shorter your roots, the ...
tooth extracted PND	10/21/2010
Q: I am 50 years old. About a month ago I busted the left back top tooth. The dentist said the tooth ... A: If it is an oral-antral fistula, as I suspect, I do not know of any that heal on their own. I can't ...
Receding Gums	10/20/2010
Q: I am really nervious that I have receding gums! I have recently taken braces off and I am extremely ... A: Your teeth will not fall out, although they may become sensitive. Be sure that you wear a clear ...
tooth extracted PND	10/20/2010
Q: I am 50 years old. About a month ago I busted the left back top tooth. The dentist said the tooth ... A: Without a close look, I cannot say for sure, but there may be a communication (opening) between your ...
tooth loss	10/18/2010
Q: twenty years ago I knocked out my four front teeth. I currently had to have an implant for one of ... A: Absolutely. It is widely known that teeth that have been knocked out and replanted have at least a ...
Graff implant	10/18/2010
Q: Finnk, I have waste damaged Gum, according to my doctor, and I will need 16 tooth, to have Gum ... A: There is insurance coverage for this, but this coverage is uncommon. The only coverage I have seen ...
class III	10/17/2010
Q: i have skeletal angle class III not sever ,its bother me when i smiled , i had been to orthodontic ... A: Whether your teeth have more attrition depends more on your clenching/grinding habits than on your ...
Gum problem	10/16/2010
Q: I started using hydrogen peroxide to cure my sore gums, and gingivitis. the red gum areas are white ... A: That you are using hydrogen peroxide is not a bad thing. But usually gum disease needs to be seen ...
Chipped enamel	10/16/2010
Q: Good Day, I'm a 35 year old female. I just noticed some strange changes in my teeth which probably ... A: What you see could be caused by you clenching and grinding your teeth more often than you think, or ...
Jaw pain	10/16/2010
Q: I started having pain in my upper and lower jaw three days ago. I have no pain in my teeth or when ... A: It sounds like either a wisdom tooth is on the move, or you are suffering from TMJ dysfunction, or ...
pain and burning sensation over the left side of face from 6 months	10/15/2010
Q: myself sulochana from bangalore,India, 48 years old. my problem: pain and burning sensation which ... A: What you have sounds like it is either coming from a lower tooth, or you have a rare nerve disorder ...
cosmetic dentistry	10/14/2010
Q: Doctor Finnk, I am considering doing veneer on my 8 upper front teeth. I interviewed a few dentists. ... A: EMax and feldspathic materials are just about the same thing. EMax is a brand name of a particular ...
Extensive Dental Work	10/12/2010
Q: I have severe dental anxiety and need extensive work done. I was recently prescribed 10 mg total of ... A: I'm so sorry for all your troubles. I would never advise a 26 year old patient to get dentures. ...
daughter having under bite	10/11/2010
Q: My daughter is 5 years and 7 months old.She has under bite .What is the treatment? A: If she has an underbite that shows now, you must take her immediately to a pediatric dentist, then ...
Root Canal Infection	10/10/2010
Q: I had a root canal 5 days ago. I was in extreme pain for 3 days after and my face swelled so badly, ... A: What you had after the root canal was completed was an infection that spread into what we call a ...
jaw pain, ear pain after root canal and crowns	10/9/2010
Q: its been a week since my root canal, the endodonist gave my referring dentist a post to put in my ... A: Assuming that the root canal was performed properly, it sounds like you may need to have this tooth ...
Dental help.	10/9/2010
Q: I got braces in 2007 because I needed them. Because I couldn’t afford them my brother decided to ... A: It is absolutely NOT true that you will have to spend the rest of your life looking like this. At ...
Diabetes and Teeth	10/8/2010
Q: Greeting from India. I have a general question. If you give me a reliable web link, that will be ... A: I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It will require more of your attention placed on your own ...
Dental help.	10/7/2010
Q: I got braces in 2007 because I needed them. Because I couldn’t afford them my brother decided to ... A: First off, you are not allowed to take your own life. You have two children who need your ...
purple gums	10/7/2010
Q: i noticed today that parts of my gums are turning purple,when they should be pink.I don't know how ... A: Purple gums can be caused by pigment, bruising, enlarged blood vessels, or tumors, to mention a few. ...
Roots	10/6/2010
Q: I have the remainder of a tooth in my mouth. I had a crown that got loose and further investigation ... A: Usually roots left in your gums become the cause of infections in your jawbones, and possibly ...
exposure of left uppermolar after implavt of bridge	10/6/2010
Q: Finnk, greetings Thank you ver much for this excellent service. There is a general concern and ... A: Your questions are difficult ones, and they did not come across to me clearly. Please tell me: 1. ...
Is surgery required?	10/4/2010
Q: My fiancé's bottom teeth are wider-set, at his molars, than the top. He also has an open bite. I'm ... A: It is my understanding that you cannot fix most open bites with braces alone. Usually a combination ...
root canal through new crown	10/4/2010
Q: recently i was told i had gum disease and needed a deep cleaning and that the two front teeth which ... A: The first thing to do is to be sure that this tooth is out of occlusion (your bite). Then do not ...
Jaw/ear pain AFTER Root canal and crown	10/2/2010
Q: I've seen information telling people possible reasons for if they have jaw pain after a crown. Seems ... A: Yes. First, let's assume that the root canal was done appropriately and was successful, with no ...
gum/tooth question	10/1/2010
Q: I just have a question regarding my gums because all of a sudden I notice that there was like two ... A: without seeing them, I cannot say for sure. But it sounds like the tips of the wisdom tooth are ...
jaw pain	10/1/2010
Q: I have pain in my lower left jaw - all the way at the back right under my ear. the left side of my ... A: You have what we call a "cellulitis", or infection spreading through the area of your face and jaws. ...
Free Dental	9/30/2010
Q: I live here in central Fl..i am looking for a free Dental clinic tha ttakes acre of patients on a ... A: You will need to contact the following: Your local dental society (usually "The Name of Your City" ...
Tooth abscess	9/29/2010
Q: .. I'm coming to see you Oct 8th to have my tooth extracted, I'm a new patient. I'm also a ... A: I love you chickens. Especially in my soup! Keep taking the antibiotic. Stop trying to drain the ...
13.5 year olds Ortho Evaluation	9/29/2010
Q: My son is finally ready for braces. They will be put on in January 2011. First, he is having a ... A: I would not do the implant until the braces are complete. Don't forget that the teeth will be ...
Capping front teeth	9/29/2010
Q: So, unfortunately ever since I was a little kid I've been walking around with crooked teeth. My ... A: Most often, it is possible to cap the teeth to make them both straight and whiter, if this is what ...
invisalign	9/28/2010
Q: I had a Dentist examine my tooth to get invisalign. He told me a tooth of mine needed a crown, ... A: The cons to not getting a crown, if the tooth has a meaningful fracture line in it, is that this ...
vaneer teeth	9/28/2010
Q: My Number 5 tooth was broken and my dentist after an x-ray do a root canal and then with a post she ... A: You need to leave this tooth alone for about one more month. Do not chew on it. Ibuprofen, 3 every 6 ...
Probiotic Lozenges	9/28/2010
Q: Finnk, My husband has periodontal disease so I'm always on the look out for helpful products for ... A: I do not know about that particular product. However, I do know a lot about gum disease, as we ...
Underbite treatment ?	9/28/2010
Q: Deaar Dr Finnk, I am 32 years old and have a slight underbite - my lower jaw protrudes in front of ... A: I guess you did some thinking. If I might be so bold, the most powerful reason to have this surgery ...
Underbite treatment ?	9/26/2010
Q: Deaar Dr Finnk, I am 32 years old and have a slight underbite - my lower jaw protrudes in front of ... A: I have never actually treated a case like yours (we call it an underbite, or a Class 3 occlusion), ...
root canal or extraction?	9/22/2010
Q: I just returned from the dentist he said that I have periodontal disease (#3) starting. I need ... A: In my answer, I asked you 8 specific questions. You gave me only 3 answers. Based on this, as well ...
root canal or extraction?	9/21/2010
Q: I just returned from the dentist he said that I have periodontal disease (#3) starting. I need ... A: In order to give you an appropriate answer, I would need to know many more things than what you have ...
tooth broke	9/20/2010
Q: I have a piece of my tooth missing and occasionally my gums are sensitive around the tooth. I ... A: See your dentist. Not having insurance does not bar you from seeing a dentist for an exam and an ...
dental bridge	9/18/2010
Q: Today, Sat. my temporary bridge came off. It doesn't hurt, just feels weird. Is it ok it I wait ... A: Here it is Monday, and now I'm getting back with my answer. And the answer is yes, it is ok to wait ...
how to diagnose this problem	9/16/2010
Q: Dr. Finnk, I have had extreme bad luck with dentists diagnosing me and my teeth. I have the problem ... A: You have an extreme problem that may be tooth, or sinus, neurological, or a combination of all of ...
discolored tooth	9/15/2010
Q: Should I have a root canal? I am 29 years of age and I had trauma to my front tooth after a fall ... A: Interesting story. I would try bleaching first. Use an at-home bleaching system for two weeks, ...
Broken Teeth	9/14/2010
Q: I am 23, when i was much younger i used to eat a lot of things that were not necessarily good for my ... A: It looks like the only solution for you is to see your dentist as soon as possible. Until then, the ...
tooth sensitive to tapping, pain in gums	9/13/2010
Q: About 6-8 weeks ago, I had a white composite filling done on my lower right second molar, due to a ... A: I'm sorry. I must have answered a similar question very recently. On to yours: If you continue to ...
DENTAL HELP! SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PATIENT	9/12/2010
Q: I am 36yr old a Cancer patient on Social Security Disability. I barely have enough money to eat ... A: I am at a loss as to how to help you from here. If you were here, or could get yourself here, as I ...
Painful jaw and	9/11/2010
Q: Three days ago I started having extreme pain in the left side of my face, down into my ear, up my ... A: It sounds like you have one or two abscessed teeth, and the infection is spreading. You need to see ...
DENTAL HELP! SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PATIENT	9/10/2010
Q: I am 36yr old a Cancer patient on Social Security Disability. I barely have enough money to eat ... A: Aside from Medicare and the Health Department, there is Medicaid, for which you likely qualify. If ...
fractured bone	9/10/2010
Q: I had a root canal a while back and since then it has gotten infected. The tooth has a crown on it ... A: I believe what your dentist told you is that you have a fracture in the root of the tooth. A ...
Pain around crown	9/9/2010
Q: I had a crown put on years ago (like 5 years ago) when an old filling was removed from a cracked ... A: You should have your dentist refer you to his favorite root canal specialist for a exam and ...
dental anesthesia injections	9/8/2010
Q: I had a bridge removed from the further left part of a lower and afterward a root canal done (not ... A: It could be a minor infection or inflammation caused by the injection, or it could be TMJ pain from ...
hole in gums	9/7/2010
Q: I had a root canal and crown done on left front tooth about 7 yrs ago. Above right front tooth had ... A: It sounds like what we call a "fistula", or a tiny tunnel through which infectious materials travel ...
Tooth Ache	9/7/2010
Q: It has been 3 days since I've been having this slight pain on the right side, on the rear of my ... A: Rather than worry, you would be wise to see your dentist. It sounds like you have what we call ...
cut in gum line, painful	9/6/2010
Q: i have a cut in my gum line behind my lower right molars,its a thin red line.When i chew on the ... A: Avoid eating on that side of your mouth until the sore heals. Stop flossing in this area. Use a ...
Dental Abscess	9/6/2010
Q: I have just finished a 7 day course of 500mg Amoxycillin for a tooth abscess.Because I couldn't get ... A: On the one hand, you say that all your swelling has gone down. Then you say that you have a lump ...
TMD?	9/6/2010
Q: I had my bottom left wisdom tooth removed over a year ago. The top left is still there. Is there ... A: There is a very slight chance that a form or TMD could develop from this. However, it is more ...
moving molars	9/6/2010
Q: My son is finishing up his orthodontic care and should have his braces off in 10 days. The ... A: These small gaps should certainly be closed. Especially after orthodontic therapy on a young ...
hole in gums	9/3/2010
Q: I had a root canal and crown done on left front tooth about 7 yrs ago. Above right front tooth had ... A: I am so sorry that I did not answer you sooner. Please accept my apology. If you saw your dentist ...
Tooth injury question	9/1/2010
Q: Finnk, I was eating 2 days ago and bit really hard on a small piece of chicken bone accidentally. ... A: Sounds right. Too late. Occasionally I will ask the patient if really want to keep the tooth, if ...
Second Molars	9/1/2010
Q: My second molars began to come up when I was about 12 years old. It hurt a lot and sometimes food ... A: None of what you describe is normal. Your second molars should be in completely by now. If there ...
Tooth injury question	9/1/2010
Q: Finnk, I was eating 2 days ago and bit really hard on a small piece of chicken bone accidentally. ... A: A visit to the dentist never hurts (get it?). But if it continues to get better, you might be able ...
jaw surgery	8/31/2010
Q: Im 17 soon to be 18 and i have a serious over jet and deep bite. I am considering ibraces but i've ... A: Ceramic braces work just as well, although they tend to be a bit more expensive. My wife has ...
swelling along gum line	8/31/2010
Q: I am getting increasingly anxious regarding some swelling (sores) that have appeared in the past ... A: I think your dentist needs to see you to assess the conditions that you describe. They are not ...
sinus and lump on the front side of the ear	8/30/2010
Q: I have been having a lot of sinus problems along with the fact that I found out that I have a tooth ... A: You need to see another dentist. It could be either an infected tooth or Temporomandibular Joint ...
Tooth injury question	8/29/2010
Q: Finnk, I was eating 2 days ago and bit really hard on a small piece of chicken bone accidentally. ... A: What you describe is called "occlusal trauma." Like most trauma, you have done some soft tissue ...
jaw surgery	8/28/2010
Q: Im 17 soon to be 18 and i have a serious over jet and deep bite. I am considering ibraces but i've ... A: If you are concerned with how braces will feel against your tongue, then definitely do NOT have ...
idea of cost for zirconium crowns	8/26/2010
Q: I am wondering the difference in cost of zirconium crowns compared to porcelain crowns and is it ... A: It is not the quality, but rather the durability, which is much better with zirconia crowns. They ...
Herculite ultra	8/26/2010
Q: I would like to know if there are any side effects to the use of Herculite Ultra. I have had a ... A: I just got your rating of my answer, and I was disappointed to find a 3 in Knowledgability. In ...
Sensitive Teeth	8/25/2010
Q: What causes sensitive teeth? Mine have been that way for years but recently seem more bothersome. ... A: Many things can cause sensitive teeth. The most common is trauma, usually from chronic, continued ...
ugly black line above cap	8/24/2010
Q: I have quite a bit of black above the cap on my front tooth.The cap is about 10 years old ... A: Once again, yes and yes. It could be easier and cheaper, assuming: 1.Your dentist is willing to do ...
ugly black line above cap	8/24/2010
Q: I have quite a bit of black above the cap on my front tooth.The cap is about 10 years old ... A: Yes and yes. The cap can be removed by sectioning (cutting through it) with a dentists drill. Then ...
Abcess	8/24/2010
Q: I had a root canal done on one of my front teeth. After a year an abcess formed in the canal cause ... A: This could kill you. Or it could deform your face. Or it could debilitate you. Or cause you to ...
Core buildup	8/23/2010
Q: My dentist is re-doing two crowns on my two front teeth plus one next to them, for a total of 3 ... A: Buildups are done to correct any anatomical defects in your tooth, usually due to decay. Bonding ...
Swollen gum and cheek	8/22/2010
Q: Two days ago I noticed that my cheek (on the bottom right hand side near my wisdom tooth) was a ... A: It sounds like you're clenching during the night on what gum remains, causing it to become irritated ...
fillings in children	8/22/2010
Q: My 7 year old had fillings on both sides of her mouth about one week ago and it seems that both of ... A: You rated me a 4 in politeness and a 4 in helpfulness. Please re-read my answer and let me know in ...
Undiagnosed jaw and facial pain	8/21/2010
Q: About four months ago, I started experiencing pain and discomfort in the front of my chin, slightly ... A: A very long period for what may or may not be tooth pain. First, and most important, the pain is on ...
gums	8/18/2010
Q: every time time brush my teeth my gums hurt and they bleed. do you know why??? A: Yes. You have some form of gum disease, which is infection that resides under your gums and ...
Chipped and uneven front teeth	8/17/2010
Q: I chipped my front tooth slightly over 10 years ago and over time,the chip has become larger. My two ... A: I agree with your dentist. However, for such small chips, I would lean toward using the high ...
local anestetic/chart	8/17/2010
Q: What should be noted in a patients chart regarding the local anesthetic? A: Type of local ansthetic (brand or generic name) and how much was used. I usually write the amount ...
teeth	8/17/2010
Q: How do dentists number teeth? For example, which one is number 3? A: The universal numbering rule for teeth in the USA is: #1 is the upper right third molar. Numbering ...
gums receding?	8/17/2010
Q: i don't know if this is common or normal but my gums seemed to have receded so much. i swear, my ... A: There are things you can do about it. Although most recession is physiologic (our gums shrink as we ...
Gummy Smile	8/15/2010
Q: Finnk, Until recently, I wasn't aware methods existed to reduce the amount of gum tissue visible ... A: I don't think that gummy smile surgery will improve the flattening, although it is possible that it ...
Dentist Broke Tooth	8/13/2010
Q: My dentist put in a filling improperly that caused my mouth to become infected and then when he took ... A: I don't understand either. If what you say is correct, then your dentist should offer to repair ...
dentures	8/13/2010
Q: I had all of my upper teeth removed in Feb. of this year.Immediate dentures were put in. I received ... A: There is always something else that a dentist can do. First, you must make him be sure that the fit ...
teeth that have not come in.	8/12/2010
Q: I have a 2 year old daughter and she has not gotten all of her teeth yet. She was delayed on getting ... A: Delay getting a child's teeth is usually a good thing. In my experience, the later a child's teeth ...
extractions	8/11/2010
Q: i have been trying to enroll in broward county low income senior enrollments from a dental clinic ... A: I might be able to, but I don't know where you live. Usually the best place to begin is at your ...
burnt tounge	8/11/2010
Q: one week ago i went to the dentist to have my 4 wisdom teeth removed and when i got home i realized ... A: You need to call your dentist about this. I hope you have already. You may have some tissue ...
Face's shape and outlook change due to dental problem	8/9/2010
Q: Sir,i am 18.my face's one side has changed .ond teeth in the upper row has changed it's position ... A: Since you did not send me a picture of your fact before your change, I cannot tell that there has ...
medicated irrigation during deep root cleaning...	8/5/2010
Q: i am 26 years old with pockets of 3-5. 9 months ago i gotten my braces taken off and my dentist ... A: The best thing would be to ask your dentist this question. At your age, it is likely that you can ...
Dental pain for 3 months	1/4/2010
Q: Boy am I confused! In early October I had number 13 extracted after a failed root canal and apico. ... A: Yes it is possible for an infection to evade xray detection. There is likely an infection or ...
crowns and stickies	1/3/2010
Q: Finnk, I recently had a crown done. My prosthodontist was happy with the result. He has, along ... A: Although it is possible that somethhing sticky could pull off your crown, I would tend to side with ...
chipped tooth	1/2/2010
Q: I chipped a little piece off of my back molar several months ago. The tooth has a filling and the ... A: I don't think that the problems with your tooth are causing your hives. But I do think that your ...
Help I am going to tape my husband's jaw shut in his sleep	1/2/2010
Q: My husband chews in his sleep and it is so bad that I am up all night! He has been shattering his ... A: Your husband is displaying a classic case of what we call "bruxism" or night grinding. The exact ...
does broken Tooth require removal	12/27/2009
Q: I had a root canal on a tooth in March 2008. In April 2009 I was chewing something and felt the ... A: To answer your question, I don't think that it would cause a problem to remove the loose piece. It ...
Toothpaste	12/25/2009
Q: I have 15 crowns and 4 veneers. I want to take optimum care of my teeth. Is there a particular type ... A: I am curious. I assume that you spent a lot of money with a dentist to provide you with all this ...
explorers	12/19/2009
Q: Dr. Finnk, in your opinion do you think that digital x-rays are more accurate or the traditional ... A: Digital xrays and film xrays are equally accurate when done properly. The advantages of digital are ...
Wisdom Teeth?	12/13/2009
Q: I was wondering if you could help me. Yesterday, my back lower tooth was bothering me. Not bad, just ... A: It is most likely your wisdom tooth. And your gum! What happens is, as your wisdom tooth tries to ...
jaw pain	12/13/2009
Q: I have always had jaw pain. It seems to get worse every time I have a tooth worked on. When you have ... A: It appears that you have the problem of clenching your teeth, if not all the time, then most of the ...
Should I get a new dentist	12/12/2009
Q: I hope that your the right expert to ask. I am wondering if I should seek a new dentist because I ... A: If you told them in advance that you have a metal allergy, and they used metal in your crown that ...
Tooth Pain	12/5/2009
Q: Recently I have been having a lot of pain on the top right side of my mouth. It goes from the one ... A: One or more of your teeth are infected. You need to go to a dentist as soon as you can. Any ...
Gum disease	12/5/2009
Q: I'm 27 years old with no history of dental problems. I recently went for my 6 month cleaning and ... A: In a world of equals, there should be no numbers that require a dentists opinion. The numbers are ...
Root Canal?	11/29/2009
Q: Several months ago, I started experiencing pain when eating certain foods (like ice cream) that I ... A: Do not wait. If all that is needed is an adjustment or temporary filling, then waiting on this ...
Root Canal?	11/28/2009
Q: Several months ago, I started experiencing pain when eating certain foods (like ice cream) that I ... A: But the pain is not subsiding after several weeks. In fact, by your description, it has spread and ...
Root Canal?	11/28/2009
Q: Several months ago, I started experiencing pain when eating certain foods (like ice cream) that I ... A: The last place I go is psychogenic. If the tooth is extremely sensitive to heat and cold, the nerve ...
numers	11/27/2009
Q: i need some teeth pulled and im afraid cause awhile back i went to a dentist, he used 2 numers and i ... A: You could die while waiting to get in the dental chair. If your face is swollen, your infection is ...
Gum Disease	11/26/2009
Q: I have found a antibacterial dental solution called Oram Plus. They are claiming that you can cure ... A: I have not heard of Oram Plus. I do know that Chlorhexidine mouth rinse helps correct gum disease. ...
regarding pain in jaw	11/25/2009
Q: i have the problem that my left jaw had been blocked for last 1 month.I could not open my mouth.I ... A: I'm afraid I do not know the names of the medications in your country. Here in the U.S., I ...
dentistry	11/25/2009
Q: my son is 20 months old.he has 8 teeth now.is it normal? actually my sister's daughter is 2 days ... A: Do not worry. Children develop at different rates. The general rule is the later the teeth come ...
broken molar	11/21/2009
Q: My top back molar felt loose and after visiting a dentist was told that it had a huge crack. I was ... A: No. Either you will have a root canal and crown lengthening procedure OR you will have the roots ...
advice about these digital x-rays	11/21/2009
Q: I am wondering about something. I have a regular dentist that I go to. I had symptoms on this tooth ... A: I thought I had answered this question already. Basically my response was that I could not decide ...
Cracked tooth?	11/17/2009
Q: I sleepwalk and last night I jumped out of my bed, tripped over a chair and whacked my front tooth ... A: The pain is from the trauma. This has caused inflammation in the ligament space between your root ...
head pressure	11/15/2009
Q: i have bad head pressure and head ache for a week now. I don't know if this is related, but i think ... A: Yes. You likely have some inflammation in the soft tissues in the area of the injection. Usually a ...
painful restorations under gumline	11/15/2009
Q: Finnk, I have an unusual problem. I have very healthy teeth and mouth--never a cavity--but had ... A: Actually it can mean both. Saliva can both leach cement out from under a crown, as well as leach ...
painful restorations under gumline	11/15/2009
Q: Finnk, I have an unusual problem. I have very healthy teeth and mouth--never a cavity--but had ... A: I am so sorry for your problems here. I have heard of irritation from foreign materials under the ...
child tooth damage	11/14/2009
Q: My son was pulling on his high chairs tray to see what was on it and the whole tray became ... A: You actually gave me more than enough info. Having not seen your child, I have no way of knowing ...
what should i do about crown	11/8/2009
Q: Doctor, first let me provide some background info: Needed crown on #10 due to a failed bridge ... A: To answer the easier questions first: The standard for high noble metal requires that it has at ...
sensitive tooth	11/7/2009
Q: I recently had an old filling replaced in a back molar, in an attempt to alleviate ongoing ... A: If you and your dentist are positive that the tooth he filled is the tooth that hurts, then first go ...
Which are better and mroe durable- lumineers or traditional lumineers?	11/6/2009
Q: I need to have one of these done 6 of them ont he top but have got mixed responses from dentists I ... A: Again, done properly, Lumineers will look beautiful. No bumps. But done properly means that the ...
Which are better and mroe durable- lumineers or traditional lumineers?	11/6/2009
Q: I need to have one of these done 6 of them ont he top but have got mixed responses from dentists I ... A: Done properly by a dentist experienced with Lumineers, the Lumineers are the better choice. ...
Wisdom Tooth Extraction vs. Root Canal Treatment	11/5/2009
Q: I had a severe pain in my lower corner tooth(wisdom tooth) 15 days back. I had a wisdom tooth since ... A: I apologize. I missed that part of your question. You probably can delay treatment for two months. ...
Porcelain veneers	10/30/2009
Q: I have porcelain veneers and plan to be a vampire for Halloween. Is it safe to use fake fangs with ... A: Should be ok. But, just to be sure, call and ask your dentist. If you can't get an answer, and you ...
Lumineers or Bonding?	10/30/2009
Q: I have spots on my teeth, a calcification of sorts. All my dentists told me that they cannot be ... A: Because I cannot see the spotting, I cannot make a specific recommendation for you. However, in ...
Pain 3 days after root canal	10/23/2009
Q: Finnk, I had a root canal on tooth 36 on Monday. It felt fine on Monday, Tues, and Wed, but has ... A: Infection. You have likely developed postoperative infection around the end of the root of your ...
Purplish discoloration of the gums	10/17/2009
Q: I am a 26 year old male and have a purplish/blue discoloration of my bottom gums. The main area of ... A: I doubt that what you describe is significant. Most likely, what you see are either large, flat ...
Clinching & Grinding	10/10/2009
Q: I am hoping you can provide a possible solution to horrible clinching and grinding. I have worn off ... A: You asked the right dentist. My son, now 33, has been a clencher/grinder for as long as he has had ...
waiting for a cap, temporary filling came out	10/3/2009
Q: My dentist prepared a back molar for a cap, put in a temporary filling while waiting for the cap to ... A: I don't know what the tooth looks like. If there is a hole you can feel, get a temp from the ...
tooth problem	9/27/2009
Q: the rest of the tooth is not visible and is stuck in my gum (I think possibly stuck to my jaw bone). ... A: Yes. The root of this tooth is probably infected. The infection does, in fact, rot the jawbone ...
bad tongue	9/27/2009
Q: hi my tongue at the very top nearest to my tonsils has red patches on it covered in white stuff the ... A: I'm not so sure you have a bad tongue, sherie. It may just be that you are looking at the major ...
sever pain from injection in lower jaw	9/27/2009
Q: My son has been in sever pain for 3 weeks whenever he appempts to close his mouth or tries to eat. ... A: I cannot tell what might have happened just yet. If your son's jaw began to hurt shortly after the ...
My son broke his tooth.	9/27/2009
Q: Howard, My son Anirudh who is 3.5yrs old broke his front tooth(milk tooth) while playing. We are ... A: If it is as you describe, I would remove the root and let his permanent tooth grow in. It should ...
Core Build Up Charges	9/26/2009
Q: I've been going through a complete mouth restoration over the past few years which has included ... A: If your dentist felt that there was a need for the buildups, and you agreed to his plan of treatment ...
Expired Nite White	9/19/2009
Q: Just wondering if you can help me please. I have some Nite White syringes that are about 3 and half ... A: They will likely not damage your teeth. But they also will likely not bleach them, either. There ...
Saliva Problem	9/19/2009
Q: Mr. Finnk, Since my childhood, I've been suffering from rather an unusual problem: excessive flow ... A: If you drool because you don't swallow your saliva enough, then become aware of this and swallow ...
Nerve damage due to trauma	9/19/2009
Q: I am 31 years old and whist playing basketball I was knocked in the mouth and this caused intense ... A: It looks and sounds like the trauma to your tooth has caused its pulp (the contents of the nerve ...
Saliva Problem	9/18/2009
Q: Mr. Finnk, Since my childhood, I've been suffering from rather an unusual problem: excessive flow ... A: How do you know that you have much more saliva production than others? If you are sure of this, you ...
Infected tooth	9/18/2009
Q: I have a broken off tooth on the left side of my lower jaw. I am am insulin dependent diabetic, on ... A: You must contact your dentist immediately. Infection from a tooth, like infections from anywhere ...
Extreme sudden lower molar pain	9/12/2009
Q: I just turned 21 years old and had braces about 5 years ago which is the last time I was seen by any ... A: It sounds like you have an infected wisdom tooth, and will likely need to have it removed. Call ...
wisdom tooth removal	9/12/2009
Q: okay so my mom got her wisdom tooth removed 8 days ago. but she was suppose to get it removed 10 ... A: None of what you describe sounds normal This may be dangerous. The first thing she can do to make ...
Gum boils	9/6/2009
Q: I have a gum boil on the roof of my mouth and on the front of my gums,kind of painful. I know that I ... A: You need to see a dentist as soon as you can. You have an expanding abscess, likely caused by one ...
implants or other extractions	9/6/2009
Q: I had two orthodontists. The first one was a malpractice. He extracted the 1st premolar on the top ... A: It appears from your picture that you are still wearing braces. Your orthodontist should be able to ...
Strange jaw popping	9/5/2009
Q: I'm almost twenty-one years old, and about a month or two ago I noticed that almost every time I ... A: Your jaw popping began probably because your lower jaw was overstressed during the extraction ...
Zirconia crown	9/5/2009
Q: I am in the process of having a crown on my lower back molar. I recently went for a root canal and ... A: My standard for a molar crown is porcelain fused to high-noble (gold/platinum) crown. With this, a ...
Concerning my Receding Gums	9/5/2009
Q: Finnk, I first noticed my receding gums a few years ago, when I first got braces. At the time, I ... A: I'll start this answer by saying that you're "over the top". You have large teeth with very little, ...
wisdom tooth removal	9/5/2009
Q: My husband had a wisdom tooth removed an a couple of days later there was what looked like a piece ... A: Not normal. Not to be concerned. Probably had some soft tissue (gum) slough off from the wound. ...
Failed Root Canal, now infected -- Lymph nodes swollen	9/4/2009
Q: In 2007, I went to a dentist in the mall because my lower molar was aching. I had a root canal done ... A: You could also have it re-treated by doing another root canal, but that is more expensive, and ...
Dry Socket	9/4/2009
Q: Dr., I had my 4 wisdom teeth removed a week ago. Developed dry socket in one lower one. It's been ... A: It is likely a piece of bone. It is likely making this area hurt. You may try to gently tweeze it ...
problem with a temporary crown.	9/4/2009
Q: I had the prep work and temporary crown put on on 8/25/09. The dental hygienist had some trouble ... A: The first things I would have your dentist check are your bite (it is likely high on this ...
fillings	9/4/2009
Q: In the following link, a patient's questions concerning decay under a filling were addressed. ... A: I have read the original question and the additional questions and answers, and I have some ...
Strep throat following dental work	9/4/2009
Q: my 37 yr old son has had many strep throat infections, at least one a year for his whole life. A ... A: Yes, it is possible that dental cleanings could contribute to sore throat. And no, it not in the ...
Dental	9/4/2009
Q: Hey, finally a way to connect with a doctor. I am starting my undergraduate in Biology in a few days ... A: By the numbers: 1. High grade point average. In the U.S., in general, no dental school will accept ...
split in bottom gum	8/29/2009
Q: My 18 year old daughter has a split in the bottom gum of her front teeth. Its the flap of skin that ... A: It sounds like she has a labial frenum that is attached too high on her gum around her front teeth. ...
10 Month Old Busted Lip	8/29/2009
Q: Today my 10 month old daughther fell face first into the floor and busted her lip pretty badly - not ... A: Usually with a 10 month old child in a situation like yours, there will be no permanent damage to ...
Bone resorption	8/22/2009
Q: After a root canal treatment and filling on the lower right back tooth I had intense pain for two ... A: What has happened is that, rather than filling your nerve canals to the ends of the roots, at least ...
#18	8/22/2009
Q: 51, 2 months 52 year old healthy male. I've known for about 2 years that at some point this tooth, ... A: It is best that you remove the tooth, wait several months for healing, then see how you feel about ...
Nightmarish pain....	8/22/2009
Q: What can be done to stop pain that is radiating from one of the teeth in my lower left jaw causing ... A: At first it sounded like you might need a root canal in the front tooth of the bridge. But after ...
Recent Crown, Left lower molar	8/21/2009
Q: A crown that I had assumed was, as requested, a high-noble crown was installed to replace a molar in ... A: No. Two dissimilar metals in an electrolytic environment often cause a small amount of electricity. ...
24 hour headgear	8/21/2009
Q: I just got headgear and I already have braces when I went to get my braces tightened he said instead ... A: You're a pretty smart guy, Joey. You know that, assuming your parents approve, you can see any ...
gum problem	8/21/2009
Q: on the 6 aug i had a little operation in my gum, above the front tooth to get rid of a blue ... A: I don't know exactly what type of procedure was done. But always, when gum surgery is performed, ...
Bleeding gums during visit to dentist	8/21/2009
Q: I would just like to ask after a visit to the dentist is it usual for your gums to be bleeding ... A: It sounds to me as if your delaying going to the dentist has contributed to a slowly developing gum ...
numb area of gum	8/20/2009
Q: My husband noticed within the last month that he has a small numb but painless area in the soft ... A: The most common cause is slowly-growing infection in the area. Cyst or tumor are less common ...
stained teeth!	8/20/2009
Q: Good afternoon, my daughter yiana is currently wearing a fixed brace. she is 11 years old. at the ... A: After the braces come off, the first thing to try is bleaching. Begin with a whitening toothpaste ...
Tooth pain after filling	8/20/2009
Q: I had a composite filling of my left first pre-molar. My dentist at the time stated that the cavity ... A: It is common for a tooth with such a deep cavity to be sensitive for several weeks after filling. I ...
Captek vs Lava crown	8/20/2009
Q: I just had a root canal done on tooth #30 due to irreversible pulpitis (probably secondary to ... A: Given your choices, I would tend to agree with you. Although you want a crown that looks like a ...
Night Guards	8/15/2009
Q: Hey Dr. Finnk, can you tell me anything about this night guard? I need one because I'm clenching and ... A: I knew nothing about sleep-right until you asked and I Googled it. It appears bulky, relative to ...
tooth fragements after tooth extraction	8/15/2009
Q: Ok ... so starting from the beginning. My husband was having jaw pain and he couldn't close his ... A: Sometimes your story is just unexplainable. It may be that the bone was so infected that ...
temporary crown	8/7/2009
Q: Finnk, I am 22 and I have this filling in the center of my molar from years ago. About 6 months ... A: Preparing a tooth for a crown is similar to abrading the skin (rubbing off several layers of skin ...
Can my headaches be caused by tooth filling?	8/6/2009
Q: I had 2 replacement fillings done 3 months ago and one had a lost of sensitivity to hot and cold. ... A: The headache certainly could be coming from the tooth. Perhaps not. If you can, I would switch to ...
Pain after filling	8/6/2009
Q: I received two fillings one month ago in two of my back teeth, one on either side. The one on the ... A: You are correct, I can't make an accurate diagnosis from here. However, I can make a suggestion. ...
Tooth Sensitivity	8/5/2009
Q: My tooth suddenly became extremely sensetive to cold/heat after my last dentist appointment - where ... A: Placing new fillings in teeth that have chronic sensitivity will tend to make them more sensitive ...
Wisdom teeth removal	8/4/2009
Q: I am in the military and considering upper jaw surgery because my upper jaw is about 5 mm too far ... A: With all of your concerns about all of the relatively complex procedures you describe, I don't ...
My child needs crowns	8/4/2009
Q: I have just returned from the dentist with my children and my youngest ended up needing 2 crowns put ... A: I can't tell from here if your child's teeth actually had decay, or if the amount of decay was so ...
Wisdom tooth extraction now pain and odor	8/3/2009
Q: six days ago I had my lower left wisdom tooth extracted in my dentists office under local ... A: While it is not common to have the issues you describe, it does happen in about 7% of wisdom tooth ...
supernumerary tooth	8/2/2009
Q: My brother (age 28) felt pain on his right first premolar and decided to go to the dentist. Soon the ... A: at this point, I cannot be sure that the tooth that was removed was the tooth that was causing the ...
10+ years of paresthesia - is it too late to treat..?	8/1/2009
Q: . I have had paresthesia in my left jaw and chin area since 1995, following the removal of a wisdom ... A: In my career spanning 35 years, I have not heard of a paresthesia of long duration being corrected. ...
adjusting a dental crown	7/25/2009
Q: I had my upper two front teeth capped after a household accident. They did not require root canals. ... A: To correct the items that you describe, the crowns will likely need to be remade. With front teeth, ...
Irritation between front teeth	7/18/2009
Q: I have had an irritation or sense of something being between my two upper front teeth for over a ... A: My first guess would be that a thin shard of popcorn husk is wedged between your two front teeth, ...
ONJ	7/18/2009
Q: I Have Been Diagnosed With Multiple Myeloma, unfortunetly By The Time They Found It I Was At The ... A: I'm sorry to hear about your plight. With regard to your teeth, absolutely there is something that ...
Decalcifying root canals	7/17/2009
Q: Finnk, Thanks in advance for taking time to answer my question. Today was my second visit to the ... A: Most likely the substance was RC Prep. In some people, the canals become calcified to the extent ...
onlays	7/17/2009
Q: I had absolutely no problems or pain until I had two onlays. It took three adjustments to get the ... A: Although it is possible that your tooth will remain sensitive, it is highly unlikely. And although ...
ORAL LICHEN PLANUS	7/17/2009
Q: FINNK...OVER 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD 3 BIOPSIES INDICATING ORAL LICHEN PLANUS REMAINING CONSTANT ON A ... A: It is certainly possible to be tested for reaction to the contents of the crowns. But it is more ...
Tongue/Mouth Problems Since Crown	7/17/2009
Q: I received a crown (1st time) in April 2009. I've been having a problem with my tongue feeling like ... A: I am concerned that your problem has not gone away for so long after your dentist made adjustments ...
Crowns	7/17/2009
Q: I recently had 2 crowns and an inlay done by a new dentist, all on adjoining teeth (#29-31). I ... A: If you remian dissatisfied with your dentist's responses and/or your crowns, and if you live in one ...
Bad breadth	7/17/2009
Q: Sir, I am suffering from bad breadth. I am brushing 3 times a day. after taking treatment from ... A: I cannot suggest anything more from here than cover-ups, like mints, mouthwash or chewing gum. ...
Crowns	7/17/2009
Q: I recently had 2 crowns and an inlay done by a new dentist, all on adjoining teeth (#29-31). I ... A: I doubt that he filed too much, assuming that floss snaps between these crowns similarly to the way ...
severe gum pain	7/11/2009
Q: i have been trying to find someone to help me, i am agoraphobic and very scared and i need to stop ... A: You have infections around the roots in your gums. The infection has eaten through your jawbone and ...
Bone left in tooth extraction	7/11/2009
Q: Had 'prep' for a crown removed and oral/maxillofacial surgeon called the removal a 'simple ... A: Your question is a bit unclear. However, I have performed many extractions. Occasionally, there ...
Cracked tooth, root canal failure	7/4/2009
Q: I cracked my last, rear molar 5 years ago and had a crown placed to protect it. From that time on, I ... A: May be more canals in roots in this tooth that are still infected. May be bite is high on tooth. ...
gum infected after extraction	7/4/2009
Q: it is saturday morning, tuesday past i had an extraction down on a lower jaw tooth, wasnt the one ... A: It is infected. I can't tall if the infection is getting worse or improving. Continue taking the ...
Tooth pain	7/4/2009
Q: I been having a lot of pain in my tooth, I went to my dentist and was told that the possible cause ... A: It sounds like you have a nerve in one of your teeth that is inflamed or infected. You need to see ...
fighting off infections	7/3/2009
Q: Finnk, I am wondering, how does a dentist know if a root canal is failing or not? Does x-raying ... A: I believe I answered your question with my initial answer and story. You may continue to take ...
veneers	7/3/2009
Q: I hope u may be able to advise me! I had porcelain veneers fitted when I was 19 due to problems with ... A: If the veneer preparations were as conservative as they should have been, there is only about a 1% ...
tooth restoration in 11/2yr old child	7/3/2009
Q: my daughter is 1 1/2yr old and she has a small cavity in her mand 1st deciduos molar.I went to a ... A: I rarealy see children under the age of 3. If your child does have a cavity, and your dentist does ...
Bruising and swelling on cheek after dental work	7/3/2009
Q: On Tuesday I had an emergency visit to my dentist when I felt my tooth crack, it turns out I had a ... A: This is not normal. However, I do not know what procedure was done. If an injection was given, ...
veneers	7/3/2009
Q: I hope u may be able to advise me! I had porcelain veneers fitted when I was 19 due to problems with ... A: Porcelain crowns can look every bit as natural as veneers, and will last longer and protect your ...
tooth extraction	7/3/2009
Q: noticed under my tongue is purple and i have white spots on the gum area where the tooth was taken ... A: Purpla under your tongue is either a large vein that you never noticed before now, or a bruise. If ...
fighting off infections	7/3/2009
Q: Finnk, I am wondering, how does a dentist know if a root canal is failing or not? Does x-raying ... A: A tooth with a root canal should experience no pain and no swelling around it. On xray, a failed ...
marks on teeth after braces	6/27/2009
Q: i am getting my braces off in a month or two and i brush my teeth almost twice a day but don't ... A: You are doing everything you can now to prevent discoloration of your teeth from braces. When the ...
crown feels too high	6/27/2009
Q: got a porcelain-bonded crown made on my upper left 2nd premolar. the tooth was filed down and a ... A: If there is not enough space to accomodate your occlusion (bite) in this area, and your occlusion is ...
Inadequate diagnosis & treatment?	6/27/2009
Q: My 17 year old son has regular (every six months) cleaning & check-ups by our dentist. After his ... A: Answers to your questions: Yes I don't know Yes Yes FYI: I don't know I believe that it is time to ...
asthma	6/27/2009
Q: What are the precautions the dentist and the patient should take when treating an asthmatic? A: Asthmatics tend to be more sensitive to things than non-asthmatics. Be sure your dentist knows what ...
anesthetic	6/20/2009
Q: Howard. Last week I went to the dentist for the first time since moving to france, a small part of ... A: If he pushed it through the bone in your jaw, the technique he used is used very rarely here. More ...
Cracked tooth?	6/13/2009
Q: This morning while eating some cherries, I hurt one of my teeth(upper 1st molar on the left). The ... A: If you bit on a pit accidentally and smacked the tooth, and it is not badly decayed and does not ...
RED GUMS JUST ABOVE MY VENEERS ONLY	6/13/2009
Q: WHY IS MY GUMS RED JUST ABOVE THE VENEERS? NO PLACE ELSE. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEM IN 5 ... A: I do not know how well your cleanings are done, so I cannot comment. Your birth control pill likely ...
root canal redone	6/13/2009
Q: I was wondering if I can have your advice on something. There was a root canal issue I had and I'm ... A: You certainly can do what you suggest. However, no medical or dental treatment is guaranteed, and ...
Regarding dry socket	6/6/2009
Q: I had my lower left wisdom tooth extracted 2 weeks ago,ended up with dry socket and an infection and ... A: Yes, food getting caught does slow healing, although it will heal despite the food. There are ...
Tooth pain	6/6/2009
Q: Almost three months ago I had fillings in my teeth. The back tooth on the bottom left side was ... A: What you describe is common for a tooth which has been cleaned out to the nerve. The old rule was: ...
Root Canal?	6/6/2009
Q: Dr. Sir, I had a root canal done about a month ago. I have a filling in it now. I had some pain for ... A: The pain you describe is likely coming from the wisdom tooth that was recently filled. You will ...
losing teeth	6/6/2009
Q: To Dr. Howard Finnk, When there is a root fracture, does the tooth become loose? If there was a ... A: When there is a root fracture, the tooth can become loose. It can also become painful, especially ...
Infection/swelling	6/6/2009
Q: I was wondering if you can help me in regards to the gum, infection, and over-the counter ... A: The area you describe as larger and whiter sounds like it may be an abscess in your gum. It depends ...
Infection	5/31/2009
Q: Finnk, I need your help on something I have heard so you can maybe confirm it or correct it. ... A: Yes, that can happen. Pain comes in may forms, and for many different reasons. I have already ...
numbness	5/30/2009
Q: I had an infected tooth pulled on Tues. Lot of pain. i had novacaine and he said something new ... A: Don't worry:) It is most likely that your numbness will go away. Usually numbness caused by ...
Infection	5/30/2009
Q: Finnk, I need your help on something I have heard so you can maybe confirm it or correct it. ... A: It sounds like you have some infection or inflammation from your tooth/root that is pointing toward ...
excruciating pain	5/30/2009
Q: Finnk, I don't have dental insurance, and dental care is so very expensive...that's why I have ... A: Contact the dental schools in your area and find out what they charge to remove a tooth. School ...
Pain after root canal	5/30/2009
Q: I asked a question to one of the doctors listed on the allexperts website, but unfortunately could ... A: As with Dr. Liewehr's answer, I cannot give you a definite answer without seeing you and your xrays. ...
Porcelain inlay keeps falling out.	5/30/2009
Q: I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. After a big chunk broke off from a molar in my left lower jaw, ... A: This is not a common problem. What could cause it is a high bite on the onlay, not enough ...
Pain after getting new crown	5/30/2009
Q: I've had excruciating pain on my back tooth when chewing since I had a new crown on the tooth 2 ... A: it's very hard to tell of you need a root canal, if the bite is high, or the crown does not fit ...
Old crown, replacing or recementing	5/30/2009
Q: An old crown came loose (approx 12 years old) a few months ago. The crown is still in very good ... A: A crown should fit the underlying tooth perfectly, or nearly perfectly, in order to be cemented ...
Crowns	5/24/2009
Q: I have a question about crowns. I have been noticing some people who have gotten their tooth capped, ... A: Most dentists do not consider the gumlines of posterior (back) teeth (past the bicuspids) as an ...
what do you think about this?	5/24/2009
Q: I had a root canal done a few years back. Ever since the procedure, I've felt a little pain on that ... A: As I said earlier, I cannot comment on another dentist's financial policy. As with any business, ...
Smile	5/24/2009
Q: i am worried about the state of my mouth, i brush my teeth twice a day and have over recent months ... A: First, find a dentist that is taking patients. Right away. Until you do, stop brushing hard. I ...
what do you think about this?	5/23/2009
Q: I had a root canal done a few years back. Ever since the procedure, I've felt a little pain on that ... A: Interesting that you ask your question at the end of a week in which I just treated a patient for a ...
cracked front tooth	5/23/2009
Q: I was eating and felt like there was food on my front tooth i went to look and it is cracked. I took ... A: I'm as sure as I can be that it can be fixed. If there is no pain, all you can do is eat only soft ...
Crown	5/23/2009
Q: On the same molar, I had in succession: crown, root canal, filling on crown. What is frequency of ... A: I cannot answer with any degree of accuracy. First, the issue is not only coronal leakage, but also ...
Infections	5/16/2009
Q: I came back from the dental office this morning, and my dentist just informed me that I have an ... A: Re-read my answer. That is not what I said. What I said was " These infections do not infect other ...
Infections	5/16/2009
Q: Dr. Finnk: Hi, I'm Mary, and I would like to ask you a question in regards to infections on teeth. I ... A: Cold that lasts a long time usually indicates a "hyperemic pulp", or early sensitivity in your tooth ...
Crowned tooth broke off at gumline, best treatments for 81 year old.	5/16/2009
Q: Dr Finnk, My Dad is 81 and stubborn about dental work. One of his gold-crowned teeth just broke off ... A: If you have to look down and in to see anything, it is most likely best to remove the root, and, if ...
Crowned tooth broke off at gumline, best treatments for 81 year old.	5/16/2009
Q: Dr Finnk, My Dad is 81 and stubborn about dental work. One of his gold-crowned teeth just broke off ... A: I don't know how badly the root looks, or how deeply under the gum it is broken. But, based on your ...
Dental tartar	5/16/2009
Q: Please is there any later side effects of dental deep cleaning? (tartar removal) i went to the ... A: A small amount of tartar buildup is not uncommon in someone of your age. Not to worry. Do have it ...
Infections	5/16/2009
Q: I came back from the dental office this morning, and my dentist just informed me that I have an ... A: These infections do not infect other teeth as often as they spread through your jawbone, and into ...
Infections	5/15/2009
Q: Dr. Finnk: Hi, I'm Mary, and I would like to ask you a question in regards to infections on teeth. I ... A: What you describe is a sign of an inflamed nerve, likely due to early infection inside that nerve. ...
Dental Veneers	5/15/2009
Q: Yesterday was my first visit for veneers. My dentist shaved my teeth and placed my temporary ... A: Your cheeks should not be swollen or tender by now. Any swelling or pain should have disappeared ...
cracks	5/15/2009
Q: Finnk, I am wondering, when there is a crack underneath a filling, is that visible to the dentist, ... A: Blood can seep into a cavity and stain a white filling pink, red, brown or black. The moisture ...
Bleaching	5/15/2009
Q: I am currently doing a project for school about bleaching teeth. Aside from hydrogen peroxide, are ... A: I do not do homework for students. It is your job to do the research to find the answers to your ...
cracks	5/15/2009
Q: Finnk, I am wondering, when there is a crack underneath a filling, is that visible to the dentist, ... A: Cracks in teeth are often visible to the dentist upon opening the tooth and looking inside. They ...
Captek Crown vs. PFM Crown	5/14/2009
Q: My dental office recommended root canal and Crowns for both two front teeth #8, and #9. I have ... A: 1. Captek uses a very thin yellow gold substructure under the porcelain. PFM uses a slightly ...
alternatives to treatment plan - broken tooth	5/14/2009
Q: 35 years ago I broke a main molar (tooth cracked off partly) and was living in a rural area. The ... A: cc: Without being able to see your tooth, gums or xrays, I can't render an adequate opinion about ...
Jaw mouth pain after replacing fillings	5/14/2009
Q: Two weeks ago tomorrow, I had some fillings replaced in my lower left teeth. They were large ... A: It sounds like one or more of these fillings has set off an inflammation in your tooth nerves. In ...
Replacing 2nd Molar without post	5/14/2009
Q: Is there any cantavalier false tooth? or something like that I read about that can hook onto #19 to ... A: There are cantilever bridges like one you describe. They are used uncommonly. Making yours would ...
jaw pain	5/8/2009
Q: A few days ago I began having ear pain that eventually moved down to my jaw. Then, today, when I ... A: The tooth that is sensitive is likely in the beginning stages of becoming abscessed (acute ...
tooth ache from cracks	5/8/2009
Q: I know you cannot see my tooth and the situation, but I wanted to see if you can have any idea of ... A: 1. Why pain? There may be infection or fluid pressure that remains around the roots, which requires ...
teeth cracking sound when eatting yogurt?	5/8/2009
Q: My top front teeth have started to feel like they are cracking/moving slightly when i eat yogurt? ... A: Cracking and moving slightly with yogurt is a very rare occurrence in dentistry. It may be that one ...
Receeding gums and brittle teeth	5/8/2009
Q: Over the past 6-7 months my gums have started to recede and my 2 of my front teeth at the bottom ... A: You have an excellent and very complicated question. Any one of the factors you mention can cause ...
my daughters tooth	5/8/2009
Q: ok i have a 3 year old daughter instead of 2 teeth growing in the front only one big one did! what ... A: Very uncommon in baby teeth, but you may be looking at her two front teeth fused together. More ...
tooth ache from cracks	5/8/2009
Q: I know you cannot see my tooth and the situation, but I wanted to see if you can have any idea of ... A: Interesting that you ask your question now. I just finished several fillings for a patient ...
High palate	5/2/2009
Q: What is the difference between having a high roof the mouth and having an arched palate? I was once ... A: Most dentists consider high roof and arched palate to be the same. An ortodontist looks at your ...
using expired penicillin vk 500mg for tooth abcess	5/2/2009
Q: Is it safe to use expired, bottle says use before 04/18/08, Penicillin VK 500mg? My 22 year old son ... A: I'm sorry, but I cannot advise you to use any medication other than the one that was prescribed. ...
root canal/extraction	5/1/2009
Q: I am 38 yrs old and having a terrible year with my teeth. I have already maxed my insurance for the ... A: You are dealing with tooth #2, which is usually the last molar in your mouth (except for the wisdom ...
18 month old teeth	4/25/2009
Q: My daughter is 18 months old and has all her baby teeth. Today I noticed she was picking and ... A: This is possible, though unlikely. It is also possible that these teeth are infected, and she is ...
gum pain	4/25/2009
Q: My aunt had all of her bottom teeth pulled last May because they hurt. since then she has lost 45 ... A: I have no idea why your aunt has had such prolonged pain from the loss of her teeth. Is she wearing ...
losing a tooth after root canal	4/24/2009
Q: i have lost several teeth that i had root canal on i have lost each tooth after each knee surgery (i ... A: This is not normal, nor have I heard of any such relationship. My guess is that it is purely ...
swollen gums	4/24/2009
Q: I have had sores on my lip a tongue for the past week which caused my gums to swell. The sores are ... A: You likely have either a herpes infection of your mouth, or Vincent's Angina (ANUG). You will want ...
dental xrays	4/23/2009
Q: during a routine cleaning & check up with my new dentist yesterday, the dentist noted that i had ... A: Anything is possible. But if your dentist saw areas of concern, a schedule of review of these ares ...
Sensitive front tooth	4/23/2009
Q: One of my frint teeth is very sensitve. It is a coming and going thing and can be fine, but ... A: The desensitizing toothpaste is a good idea. But it sounds to me like the nerve inside your tooth ...
Implants, parcial plate, or captek bridge	4/23/2009
Q: I am 27 years old. I chipped my two front teeth when I was about 8 then my mother got caps put on ... A: I am sure your dentist cares about your smile, and is recommending the treatment that would best ...
jaw pain after dental work	4/22/2009
Q: Finnk, 2 weeks ago, I had a cap put on one of my upper R molars and 2 fillings done on 2 lower R ... A: I can't tell you if your pain is due to your bite, or due to a nerve inside that tooth that is going ...
bone graft	4/18/2009
Q: my dentist needs to pull 20 teeth for full dentures he says my bone loss is 50% at $350 per tooth i ... A: I will assume that you mean $350 per tooth for bone grafting. Alveoloplasty MAY be an alternative, ...
wisdom tooth extraction site not healing	4/18/2009
Q: I had a particularly difficult wisdom tooth extraction on my lower left third molar. It involved ... A: It is possible that, if the cheek was stitched to the wound, that mouth movement might pull the ...
tongue thrusting during sleep	4/18/2009
Q: I am 45 years old and have recently begun pushing on my upper front teeth with my tongue while ... A: Find the smallest sports mouthguard that fits over your upper teeth and follow the instructions. ...
Unnecessary Root Canal Scam	4/18/2009
Q: I cracked off a piece of molar #31 and a DDS prepared it for a crown. I had never gone to this DDS ... A: Too bad. And Caviat Emptor. It appears that you are correct and the endodontist was not. You may ...
flipper	4/18/2009
Q: I asked an expert how long can a flipper last until my budget will allow something more permanant. ... A: Fabricated properly means that it is made of acceptable materials, processed according to ...
new crown	4/18/2009
Q: should a good crown leave exposed about 1/16 of an inch of the tooth exposed above the gum line? or ... A: A good crown can be all that you describe. If possible, I like my crowns to end slightly beneath ...
Root Canals	4/18/2009
Q: I have had a root canal on one of my tooth, and it still feels achy pain from time to time when I ... A: It may be that this tooth is high in your bite, and should be adjusted out. Or that there are ...
Wisdom teeth and Root Canals	4/17/2009
Q: I have a couple of questions regarding wisdom teeth and root canals. 1. I have a wisdom tooth that ... A: 1. Symptoms, signs. Soreness, pain, sensitivity, high bite are some signs. It can be harmful if it ...
how do i get artificail teeth fixed for my dad who has no teeth at all?	4/17/2009
Q: i love my dad a lotttt. I am very much worried about my dad. health wise he is not good. he is ... A: There are several solutions. The best would be to implant titanium roots into his jawbone, then ...
Wisdom teeth and Root Canals	4/17/2009
Q: I have a couple of questions regarding wisdom teeth and root canals. 1. I have a wisdom tooth that ... A: Answers to your questions, in order: 1. Yes 2. Some say yes. Some say no. The evidence is 50/50 on ...
white front tooth	4/17/2009
Q: My 3 year old daughter has one really white tooth compared to all of her other teeth. It is one of ... A: An excellent question for which I have no answer. I could guess that it was poorly calcified during ...
Damon treatment & lower jaw overcrowding	4/11/2009
Q: Finnk, My fourteen-year-old son is about to finish his Damon treatment. His teeth are straight, but ... A: First, I don't know what "Damon" treatment is. Second, I cannot make treatment decisions with ...
apicectomy pain after op and extraction	4/4/2009
Q: I had an apicectomy 8 months ago,but have been in pain ever since.i had the tooth extracted 2 months ... A: It sounds like residual infection in the area of the apicoectomy. Not common after extraction, but ...
21 month old with extended labial frenum	3/28/2009
Q: Last week I took my 21 month old daughter in for her first checkup with our family dentist, he ... A: I do not recommend frenulectomy until the child has reached age 5-8. A high frenum often corrects ...
broken crown	3/21/2009
Q: I had a porcelein crown (I'm allergic to metal) put on the last tooth bottom right less that a year ... A: Please excuse the delay. I thought I had answered your question several days ago. Apparently a ...
failed bridge.	3/21/2009
Q: Sir- three years ago, my dentist installed an upper left bridge where several teeth had been ... A: You are very kind. The first thing I would do is contact your state or local dental association, ...
tooth pain	3/20/2009
Q: I have been getting toothaches for several years. Each time I go to my dentist and he does a root ... A: You may be suffering from a condition called Trigeminal Neuralgia, wherein the nerve that supplies ...
Bottom Teeth	3/20/2009
Q: My top teeth are excellent Porcelain Crowns. My bottom teeth look old, (as they are-67) and I want ... A: If you can tolerate bleaching, this may be the solution. If not, there is a device called "Snap On" ...
Root Canal	3/20/2009
Q: I had a root canal 3 years ago. During the procedure i had an extreme amount of pain at one point ... A: It is possible that the root canal treatment could have initiated an inflammation of your sinus ...
Herbst	3/15/2009
Q: My daughter is 8 yrs.old and I was told by her Dentist that she needed a herbst put on. I am a ... A: Whereas I have heard of the Herbst appliance, and actually learned about it long ago, I have never ...
tooth replacement	3/14/2009
Q: I have been diabetic for 21 years now. I found out a couple years ago from having tooth x-rays that ... A: I am sorry to hear that your front teeth are becoming loose. There are several ways to replace your ...
Baby teeth knocked out	3/8/2009
Q: My 22 month old daughter's two top front teeth were knocked out last night. Is there any type of ... A: Sorry to hear about your little one's front teeth. I hope she's ok otherwise. There are several ...
dental complication	3/7/2009
Q: I will try to be brief, I am 38F I have gone to the dentist since I was 4 and have never had any ... A: I have never come across the problem you describe, nor have I heard of Adies Tonic Pupil. If the ...
dental	3/7/2009
Q: i went my dentist because of a toothache. i was x-rayed and was informed that my tooth could be ... A: As you know, there is no guarantee with any health procedure, including dental. I'm sure your ...
Composite Bonding	2/28/2009
Q: I had bonding redone on the entire surface of my front two teeth about 5 years ago because the ... A: Most bonding materials today are very resistant to stain. Bonding can be redone an infinite number ...
My 2 front lower teeth	2/27/2009
Q: One of my bottom tooth has falling out due to a tongue ring that I had and the other one is on the ... A: There are several ways to replace the 2 teeth: 1. A cemented bridge. Two or more teeth on either ...
Dead Nerve/Calcification in Incisor	2/27/2009
Q: I went to the dentist yesterday and was told that the nerve inside my left central incisor has died ... A: It is highly unlikely that the tooth you describe will become a problem after veneers are placed. ...
infants teeth	2/22/2009
Q: my daughter might have to have dental crown on her front teeth and they told me that my options were ... A: I do not understand why she needs crowns on her front teeth if what she has on her teeth is tiny. ...
panorex films	2/21/2009
Q: My last 2 dentists have "fired" me because I have refused to get panorex films every 2 years every ... A: In my opinion, in your case, they are not justified. In our practices, we recommend a full set of ...
Dead tooth	2/21/2009
Q: My bottom tooth in front has calcified too much and I am unable to do a root canal. My question is: ... A: Your answer depends on what it looks like on xray, and the condition of the gums around it. If all ...
chemical burn	2/21/2009
Q: recently i went to the dentist to get a filling put in. I felt my right cheek burning so i notified ... A: I can't say that he is in the wrong. I don't know what might have burned your cheek. I would ...
twisted jaw	2/21/2009
Q: I have questions related to deviation of the jaw. At the present time, my jaw seems almost to be ... A: When looking at your jaw, I consider two things: 1. Does is contribute to or detract from your ...
Facial Numbness	2/15/2009
Q: Started experiencing pain last Sat on a flight. Pain became very intense at home on Sunday, started ... A: Prolonged numbness is not a common issue, although it is known to occur in a small percentage of ...
Tooth damage during cleaning	2/14/2009
Q: When they clean teeth on someone with a lot of plaque is it normal to grind the teeth? The dental ... A: What your hygienist used was likely an ultrasonic cleaner. This gently breaks apart calcium ...
Tooth Ache	2/14/2009
Q: Some quick background, I have had the same dentist for 20 years, and I think he is great. I have ... A: It is probable that you have an infection. Or several infections in several teeth. Or an infection ...
Lower jaw implant/sudden sinusitus foll. surgery	2/14/2009
Q: Finnk- Thank you for offering your expertise to the public - I am grateful to you and the other ... A: It also sounds to me like you developed a sinusitis (sinus inflammation) coincidentally with your ...
Front teeth overlap~ dont want braces..	2/3/2009
Q: Dr Finnk, thank you for taking time to answer. I have a front tooth overlapping another tooth, it ... A: If braces are not an option, often Lumineers, veneers, crowns or caps can be done to straighten the ...
Maryland Bridge Question	2/3/2009
Q: My wife's Maryland Bridge (for one tooth) fell out recently. Todays Dentists seem to not practice ... A: First, if the bridge is ok, other than it comes out, there are now far better, more adhesive, less ...
TOOTHPASTE	2/3/2009
Q: I was just wondering if BEYOND PEARL WHITE TOOTHPASTE does really work to whiten teeth? the ... A: I have no knowledge of the toothpaste about which you ask. The only whitening toothpaste that I've ...
hole in gold crown	2/2/2009
Q: I'm sitting in the middle of Mexico at the moment and I'm just a touch leery of going to a local ... A: The sensitivity is your tooth telling you to replace the crown. Find some Sensodyne toothpaste and ...
antibiotics or extraction of baby tooth	2/2/2009
Q: My 9 yr old had a cavity filled in his baby canine tooth. A few weeks later has swelling of cheek ... A: If your dentist has recommended extraction, I would take the dentist's recommendation. Antibiotics ...
jaw stiffness	2/2/2009
Q: I had some fillings on the 9th of January and it took about 1 1/2 hrs. Ever since I had the work ... A: Sounds like hyperextension TMJ. If you are able to open your mouth a little more each week, you are ...
enamel	2/2/2009
Q: My husband has had enamel problems since he was six years old. From what he was told by his family ... A: You are correct. He should brush his teeth at least once a day with an EXTRA-SOFT tooth brush and ...
tooth pressure	2/2/2009
Q: i woke up this morning with alot of pressure in my back molar. the pressure almost feels like ... A: As you might clearly understand, I cannot diagnose over this medium. I cannot answer the question ...
Lower jaw pain	2/1/2009
Q: I have an overcrowded lower right jaw. The teeth are a little out of line, and the retromolar pad ... A: It sounds like you have a wisdom tooth just under the area you describe, and you are suffering a ...
misdiagnosis	1/31/2009
Q: Please help me understand what to do. Four months ago I went to my current dentist (I had to change ... A: A cavity in your tooth is like an infection in your tooth. If that cavity was near your gumline, it ...
help	1/31/2009
Q: I know it's long, but I really need help. Everything started a few months ago, where I went to a ... A: It is very difficult for me to make an accurate diagnosis with you there and me here. However, it ...
disinfecting toothbrushes	1/31/2009
Q: I have children that have just had strepped throat. I was told to put their toothbrushes in boiling ... A: This is the first time I've heard the recommendation to boil toothbrushes. I can't see it doing any ...
broken tooth	1/24/2009
Q: I have a broken tooth that has cracked into the gum line. I am being advised that the fix involves ... A: Good question. You will need to ask your dentist, both about the expected longevity of a crown ...
statute of limitations for crowns	1/24/2009
Q: I had a crown place two yrs ago and the dentist had replaced it 3 times. Initially it was in1998 ... A: I am not a lawyer, so I cannot answer a statute question. However, if this crown was never right, ...
TMJ Left jaw	1/24/2009
Q: I was diagnosed with TMJ about 5 years ago. When I was diagnosed my tmj was not very serious, it was ... A: Your TMJ sounds worse than any I have ever seen or treated. It would be wise to see a dentist, if ...
tooth	1/24/2009
Q: half of my tooth is broken and i got a filling for it. However, the filling fell off, and the half ... A: Once again, I cannot help you from here. I have already answered your questions to the best of my ...
chipped molar with filling	1/23/2009
Q: What are some possible fixes for a chipped molar with a filling? My wife's second molar, bottom ... A: Depending on how much of the tooth is missing, and how much more might be decayed, she might be able ...
blocked parotid gland	1/23/2009
Q: Since October, I have been dealing with a blocked parotid gland. So far, I have been on steriods, ... A: My question is, if you press on the side of your jaw and saliva shoots out, how can this be blocked. ...
12 year old grey tooth	1/10/2009
Q: My 12 year old son got popped in the mouth by a trash can lid about 2 months ago and I noticed about ... A: It sounds like the pop in the mouth caused the nerve in the tooth to become devital, or die. The ...
laser gum surgery	1/10/2009
Q: i am getting my braces off for the second time in a few weeks, and my back molar teeth are very ... A: I would talk to your orthodontist and your dentist, both. If they agree that you should have an ...
cosmetic dentistry expertise	1/9/2009
Q: a dental maxilo face surgeon placed 10 implants in my jaw. Half failed.In the begining his clinic ... A: Cosmetic and esthetic dentists are not the same as implant experts. Implants require surgery to the ...
Risk of implant failure?	1/9/2009
Q: A week ago I had an implant done. It was placed at the same time as a tooth extraction, along with ... A: I can't give you statistical chances of failure of your implant. But I have seen many implants ...
crown over root canal	1/9/2009
Q: I have had a root canal on #3. Now I would like to have a cover made of hybrid composit which costs ... A: I'm not sure I can adequately answer your question. Your answer depends on how much of your tooth ...
Fillings	1/9/2009
Q: I had some fillings done in May 08. I had a cleaning done in Oct 08 and told them that I was having ... A: As far as I know, as a paying patient, you have the same rights as you would have as a paying ...
Cracked root	1/9/2009
Q: Why can't a cracked root be repaired? A: Some cracked roots can be repaired. If the fracture is horizontal (across the root) and near the ...
Deep dental cleaning	1/2/2009
Q: At my regular dental check up X-rays were taken prior to my cleaning. The plaque showed on the ... A: We are finally beginning to take gum diseases more seriously now than ever before. The numbers ...
tooth	1/1/2009
Q: half of my tooth is broken and i got a filling for it. However, the filling fell off, and the half ... A: Once again, with the information I have, I can't help you from here. Usually a broken tooth ...
child's tooth	1/1/2009
Q: My 4 year old boy brushes 3 times perday and flosses twice a day, never had the bottle in the crip ... A: Yes. You need to find a dentist who is willing to use sedative medication. If this is not ...
using restraints during a cavity fill	12/27/2008
Q: My children's pediatric dentist just found a cavity on one of my 8 year-old son's back molar and on ... A: About half of dentists do not allow parents in the treatment room, and half do. In our practice, it ...
Charege for Dental "Temporary Bridge"	12/27/2008
Q: I recently had a bridge removed due to pain I was experiencing. My dentist was very clear in her ... A: I cannot provide you with any kind of standardized financial policy for any dentist, as there are ...
Thin sharp bone after extractions	12/27/2008
Q: I had all uppers removed by an oral surgeon 8 months ago and still feel pain in 2 areas. It feels ... A: I would consider it my responsibility. On rare occasions, when patients continue producing sharp ...
Thin sharp bone after extractions	12/27/2008
Q: I had all uppers removed by an oral surgeon 8 months ago and still feel pain in 2 areas. It feels ... A: An xray may or may not show the cause. After eight months, you should be comfortable in your ...
using restraints during a cavity fill	12/27/2008
Q: My children's pediatric dentist just found a cavity on one of my 8 year-old son's back molar and on ... A: Your discomfort with restraints is correct. I have never used restraints, nor do I believe that ...
Knocked mouth and teeth	12/26/2008
Q: Yesterday I turned round and knocked my face against the door frame. My top lip was bleeding and is ... A: Ouch! What you are experiencing is likely the teeth healing in your gums. Like a knock on your ...
Bone Grafting Implant over infection	12/26/2008
Q: I had an extraction of the lower left molar (#20) due to a vertical crack in the root. The gum was ... A: Considering the area in which you are experiencing the pain, and the level of pain you describe, ...
gum health	12/20/2008
Q: To reduce a gum pocket size is it root scaling that might reduce it or a bone graft? If someone ... A: It's never too late for root scaling. Almost always, root scaling is our initial therapy for our ...
question	12/13/2008
Q: What are the pitfalls of partial dentures (for lower molar teeth)?Someone told me you can lose your ... A: You first asked a question about partial dentures, which I answered. If you are now referring to ...
bone loss	12/13/2008
Q: Not sure if this is your expertise: If a tooth has bone loss from gum disease will an oral surgeon ... A: It is my belief that only a periodontist would place a bone graft to save your tooth. This does not ...
gums	12/13/2008
Q: Can a size 7 pocket tooth generally be saved and how - generally speaking? (I realize everyone's ... A: A size 7 pocket can often be reduced to a size 3-5 pocket with deep scaling and root planing, ...
switch dentist?	12/13/2008
Q: I neglected my dental health for years, and in the last year I have been vigilant on going for ... A: Anne: In my practice, under normal circumstances, I will see my patients at each visit, even if ...
removing implants	12/12/2008
Q: Is it harder to remove an implant (the part in the actual jawbone) that had prior bone grafting ... A: I would guess that it would be slightly easier to remove an implant from bone where there has been ...
question	12/12/2008
Q: What are the pitfalls of partial dentures (for lower molar teeth)?Someone told me you can lose your ... A: You can lose your other teeth (the teeth that the partials connect to) if you do not take care of ...
bone grafts	12/12/2008
Q: In general, what risks might be associated with having a bone graft - the kind done about 8-12 ... A: Risks include post-operative infection, untoward reaction (allergy) to the graft material, and ...
question	12/12/2008
Q: Does a bridge also prevent teeth from shifting? (in my case it would be attached to my last ... A: In my estimation, second to appearance, the most important reason to replace a missing tooth is for ...
sore/swollen gums	12/12/2008
Q: Yesterday my gums began to be sore and swollen. I have good dental hygiene and get my teeth cleaned ... A: Sore and swollen usually indicates two possibilities. First is some form of gum disease which is ...
my 9 year ols last baby teeth	12/12/2008
Q: .(we have just moved from the uk ) and our dentist want to remove my sons last two remaining baby ... A: I cannot answer your question about your son, or explain why your dentist wants to remove your son's ...
lump in gum	12/5/2008
Q: i had a cap put on tooth #5 did have a root canal also on it also had a filling in #4 all done in ... A: This sounds like some type of infection. It could be from the trauma of the preparation for the ...
wisdom tooth	11/28/2008
Q: The dentist I went to left a piece of my wisdom tooth in my mouth when he extracted it a month ago. ... A: Nothing is wrong with you to expect your dentist to remove your tooth in its entirety, and not ...
severe jaw pain	11/28/2008
Q: I had 2 cavities filled last week ( upper, both sides), and during the procedure my jaws began to ... A: It sounds like the injections may have set off some type of inflammation in the area of your jaw ...
PAIN AFTER FILLING	11/27/2008
Q: 4 weeks ago I had one of my molars filled with an inlay composite. It was a deep cavity according to ... A: My advice is usually to listen to your dentist. However, if you are unhappy with what your dentist ...
Cavities	11/27/2008
Q: How far along is a cavity before its to late. I have no visible serious decay but have very tiny ... A: In my opinion you have waited too long when the decay has eaten through your teeth to their nerves, ...
BROKEN TOOTH EXTRACTION	11/27/2008
Q: I have a broken tooth that was caused when I was biting a potato chip. It has now begun to ... A: If the tooth is broken, and if it is causing pain, then you will most likely have it removed. If ...
Dentistry	11/27/2008
Q: I am under an orthodontic treatment (due to some malposited teeth), after a bridge I had on the ... A: I do understand your circumstances as you explain them. I cannot answer the question why, nor can I ...
approaches to gum disease	11/23/2008
Q: My daughter (28 years old)went to a new dentist. He did not measure her gum recession, but from ... A: I certainly would have measured between her gums and teeth to see if she had any areas of detachment ...
Root Canal Retreatment	11/23/2008
Q: I had a root canal done a few years ago. When I recently started going to a new dentist, he told me ... A: It is not normal. It may be that the procedure caused the tooth to be elevated in the socket, and ...
swollen glands afther the dentist	11/15/2008
Q: I am concerned. I had some twinges in my third molar from the back on the right side so went for ... A: It sounds like you have an infection on your left side. Likely from that tooth. I doubt that you ...
bone chips after wisdom tooth extraction	11/14/2008
Q: I am a woman, 50 yrs old, who had to have her wisdom teeth extracted two weeks ago. In the days ... A: Normally, I allow one week for healing before I become concerned. If one week has passed since your ...
Do I have to do an implant?	11/14/2008
Q: I had my leftmost tooth on the left lower quadrant pulled out two years ago. My periodontist wanted ... A: It is not necessary to have an implant. You likely can have a partial denture placed. Or a ...
Partials	11/14/2008
Q: I will be getting partials on both the top and the bottom. I want them to be white since the top ... A: Teeth on partials certainly stay the same shade for their lifetime, if properly cared for. If you ...
Loose eye tooth	11/14/2008
Q: I'll try to be concise in explaining my situation. A permanant 5-teeth bridge - next to my eye ... A: It sounds like you will need an upper denture and to lose the remaining upper teeth. Have your ...
Deep scaling and root planing	11/14/2008
Q: I've been seeing a student dentist at the University of Southern California. She's quite clumsy with ... A: The fact that your gums were sensitive and bled during the examination of your gums, and that your ...
teeth	11/8/2008
Q: what does it mean when i have brown spot on the inside of the jaw of my mouth on the left side A: It could be just a freckle. Or another pigmented lesion. Or a pigmented tumor. I don't know where ...
overbite and eye muscle spasms	11/8/2008
Q: I had four crowns on my front teeth and my canines veneered. The crowns hit my lower front teeth so ... A: I wish I could help. But at this stage, your case is way to complex to help from this distance. I ...
Sensitivity months after filling	11/8/2008
Q: In May I had a small filling on one of my upper molars. Right after the filling I noticed the tooth ... A: I thought you were one of my patients! I've had a sensitivity problem with one of my patients whose ...
Warranty on failed dental work	11/1/2008
Q: I spent $16,000 on dental work 2 years ago to an expensive cosmetic dentist. Yesterday one of my ... A: You have rights. I don't know if your rights will supersede those of the dentist. Contact your ...
extremely disappointed with my veneers!	10/31/2008
Q: I had veneers placed on my upper 10 teeth about 2 weeks ago. We discussed color and I thought I ... A: If you chose white, or if you agreed with your dentist that white was best, you're stuck with the ...
Odor following crown placement	10/31/2008
Q: A couple of months ago, I had a retreatment of a 25-year-old root canal on tooth #2. The retreatment ... A: You need to contact your dentist about this matter. It may be that the gums around this crown are ...
white composite filling..help!	10/25/2008
Q: i recently had a root canalled new crown filled with the resin material..then he used a ... A: There are dozens of different brands and types of bonding materials. But before you bring that up ...
Tooth Fell Out	10/24/2008
Q: I am 47 years old with receding gums in the front bottom. My front bottom tooth has fallen out ... A: Sorry. No glue. If insurance is what is stopping you from seeing the dentist, then I advise you to ...
shifted jaw?	10/24/2008
Q: Mr. Howard Finnk, I am not sure if it's your are of expertise but I hope you can answer my question. ... A: First, to clarify, I am actually Dr. Howard Finnk. Now to your question. You don't define what type ...
At home teeth whitening	10/11/2008
Q: Finnk, I have a question about at home teeth whitening, I have slightly discolored teeth, and am 22 ... A: I went to the site, and I could find no information on what is in this product (ingredients), nor ...
Jaw stiffness and pain	10/11/2008
Q: My bf has a recurring problem with his jaw getting stiff only being able to drink fliuds as he ... A: It's hard to tell if he is suffering from some type of TMJ issue, or if it is recurring, enlarging ...
fit of partial plate	10/11/2008
Q: I got partial plates about a month ago. I have no idea how they should fit. I didn't get a lot of ... A: The answer to your question depends on what kind of partial, and on how loose or tight your teeth ...
Implant Supported Bridge	10/3/2008
Q: I will be getting four implants to replace my four top front teeth. My regular dentist mentioned ... A: All metals used in making bridgework should be of medical grade, and should have been approved by ...
3 temporary bridges later...	10/3/2008
Q: I am getting fitted for a permanent bridge and so far I have had 3 rounds of temporary bridges. The ... A: If a temporary bridge was placed on the same day that you lost a tooth or teeth, then what you ...
Cheeks amd lichen planus	10/3/2008
Q: My dentist diagnosed me with lichens planus, I also have a bite misalignment. I also seem to be ... A: Most of my patients have wisdom teeth healed in several days. Some take several weeks. Depends on ...
Extraction, Bone Graft, Dental Bridge	9/27/2008
Q: the tooth next to the front one on my right had a root canal filling 25+ yrs ago, it's been crowned ... A: Although it is likely that your tooth will need a root canal, it is not a sure thing. Your dentist ...
Bone loss	9/27/2008
Q: I have this problem. I've been diagnosed with severe periodontal disease 2 years ago. I did osseous ... A: Wearing dentures can cause additional bone loss over time due to the pressure of clenching or ...
Bone loss	9/27/2008
Q: I have this problem. I've been diagnosed with severe periodontal disease 2 years ago. I did osseous ... A: I can't tell you if you are a good candidate for implants. The doctors you have seen should be able ...
whitish gray palate	9/21/2008
Q: I recently went to the doctor for a sore throat, and I forgot to ask him about my palate being pale ... A: I'm surprised that, if your doctor looked at your throat through your mouth, he/she did not mention ...
specialist	9/13/2008
Q: I had a tooth pulled back in February because the crown broke in such a way that couldn't be ... A: Preparing teeth for bridges or crowns makes them about 6% more likely than untouched teeth to need ...
dental implant	9/6/2008
Q: After spending 800.00 to ry and save a tooth..I have to have a dental implant..I am overwhelmed by ... A: I know Nova University very well, having served as an Adjunct Clinical Professor there for over one ...
Cracked Molar	9/6/2008
Q: My dentist diagnosed my lower molar as being cracked but recommended I do nothing and see if debris ... A: Huh? See if debris fills in the crack? Debris? This a concept that is new to me. My guess is ...
Toothache like pain after extractions	9/5/2008
Q: a week ago I had all my lower teeth extracted. There is one spot in particular that feels just like ... A: I'm sorry to hear that you had all your lower teeth extracted. It may be that there was a root left ...
Wisdom tooth	9/5/2008
Q: I have a wisdom tooth that needs to be extracted, I went to my dentist and they drilled it out and ... A: What most likely will happen is that the remaining roots will continue to decay, and infection will ...
Light spacing on new crown	9/5/2008
Q: I had 2 crowns installed recently. They were located right next to each other. One crown has ... A: I would agree to wait a month or two. But if you continue to congregate food in the space, and ...
pediatric gum recession	9/5/2008
Q: Finnk, I recently noticed that the gum of my 6year old daughter's two bottom front adult teeth were ... A: Never panic. While you are waiting, see if you can find a pediatric dentist near you who can see ...
Jaw Question	8/31/2008
Q: Recently I developed a sore jaw... started just in front of the ear and progressed downward to chin. ... A: You most likely had an infection coming from a tooth. I can't tell from here if it was your wisdom ...
Blue/black tooth (on side) 14 year old URGENT	8/30/2008
Q: My daughter had braces for over 3 years to straighten slightly crooked teeth. I noticed one tooth ... A: I cannot tell if the tooth is decayed or if the nerve inside it is dead and darkening the tooth. If ...
Mandible fracture (titanium plating-angle)	8/23/2008
Q: I got operated on my mouth( mandible fracture)and the doctor had fixed the titatium plate inside my ... A: I can only guess at when you will be completely better. The usual time is 6-24 weeks. But I don't ...
toothe ache under bridge	8/23/2008
Q: "Have had an ongoing problem since June with the area under my bridge (back of mouth molars) it had ... A: If the bridge is relatively new, it may be that the replacement tooth is compressing your gum to ...
Underbite	8/19/2008
Q: I am a fourteen year old female and i have a severe underbite. I have been looking for orthodontists ... A: Because I cannot see you or your xrays, I cannot render a professional opinion about your case. ...
Wisdom teeth removal	8/19/2008
Q: I just got my wisdom teeth removed Fri of this week. I still have pain and throbbing in my gums. ... A: Depending on how difficult your case was, some oozing of blood is to be expected. You need to ...
Erroneous estimate	8/19/2008
Q: My girlfriend recently had some bridge work done for which she received a written estimate of a $404 ... A: It is up to your dentist to make it clear that what he provides you is just an estimate. Your ...
unhappy veneers	8/18/2008
Q: Finnk, I also have the same problem about being very unhappy with my veneers. I'm not happy with ... A: You can have them removed, but I don't know how the faces of your teeth were prepared. You may ...
prolonged numbness after tooth extraction	8/18/2008
Q: I have 2 bottom tooth extractions (one left and one on right side) and it has been 3 months, i still ... A: As with any post-operative complication, you and your insurance should be paying for it. Although ...
whiteners	8/18/2008
Q: Is there an over the counter whitening gel you would recommend? I have a mold of my teeth that was ... A: I know of no OTC whiteners that are made to be placed in your trays. You can start with Crest ...
Bridge work done , inflamation-puss and margin line	8/17/2008
Q: I recently had a 5 teeth bridge done at the schoool of dentistry i nPuerto Rico. The work was ... A: I can't be sure, but your gums do look like the margins (edges) of the crowns were placed too deeply ...
teeth extraction and infection?	8/17/2008
Q: I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed Monday (6 days ago). The initial recovery was fine and I was ... A: You are probably right. This sounds like infection has set in secondary to the removal of your ...
X-rays	8/17/2008
Q: Dr. Finnk, I am a dental assistant but I work for an endodontist. I recently started seeing a ... A: In our practices we provide all of our new adult patients with what is the standard of dental here ...
prolonged numbness after tooth extraction	8/17/2008
Q: I have 2 bottom tooth extractions (one left and one on right side) and it has been 3 months, i still ... A: This is not normal, but is known to be a risk of tooth extraction. It happens less than 1% of the ...
soars on lips from biting	8/17/2008
Q: About a month ago I got 3 of my wisdom teeth removed. I still have numbness on the bottom right side ... A: See your dentist immediately. If he doesn't have a solution, have him refer you to an oral surgeon. ...
gray secondary teeth in a 6 year old	8/17/2008
Q: my 6 year old lost her bottom 2 front teeth 3 months ago. Her primary teeth were all normal color ... A: It looks like the gray is just her natural tooth color. Most permanent teeth are darker in color ...
early tooth loss	8/16/2008
Q: My son will be 4 years old in 2 weeks and he has lost three of his baby teeth already. Two on top ... A: I don't know what made your dentist suspect a systemic disorder. It sounds to me like your son is ...
Pain in maxilla - Upper Jaw	8/16/2008
Q: hope you are doing good. Since last 2-3 days , some parts of maxilla in upper jaw are swollen (I can ... A: Hot food can burn your gums. This often blisters after a day or so, just like a skin burn. The ...
Composite Fillings	8/16/2008
Q: I recently had 3 silver fillings replaced with the composite fillings. Two on the upper right and ... A: It is possible to polish fillings down too much, exposing dentin under your enamel, which could add ...
Medicaid Dentures	8/7/2008
Q: my brother inlaw is 35 and medically needs dentures. He has went to three different dentist ... A: I'm not so sure that your brother-in-law is being honest with you. Assuming that he tells them that ...
Maryland Bridge	8/6/2008
Q: I have a 14 y.o. daughter who has root resorption from orthodontia in tooth #7. I've been told ... A: If your daughter has no symptoms, and the tooth is not loose, postpone its removal, unless infection ...
Maryland Bridge	8/6/2008
Q: I have a 14 y.o. daughter who has root resorption from orthodontia in tooth #7. I've been told ... A: To answer your question, I consider all Maryland Bridges temporary. You should ask your dentist ...
Lumps in the roof of my mouth	8/6/2008
Q: I get get small lumps in the roof of my mouth, sometimes these break open and a small white colored ... A: I suspect that you are developing tiny calcifications in your minor salivary glands that line your ...
Numbness after wisdom tooth extraction	8/5/2008
Q: about four days ago I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed. From the X-Ray, it appeared that both ... A: When a tooth is removed that is near a major nerve, it is likely that the inflammation that follows ...
extraction of one tooth	8/5/2008
Q: could it be possible having one far back tooth removed cause a slight sunken cheek? A: While anything could be possible, it is highly unlikely that the removal of one far back tooth would ...
Pain in tooth and jaw post-filling	8/5/2008
Q: I had three cavities filled ten days ago, and since then I've had a sharp pain when I bite down on ... A: The nerve inside this tooth is likely more inflamed than your dentist thought it would be. This ...
Alveoplasty how do I know is was done?	8/4/2008
Q: I had all my teeth pulled in April and I was told by the oral surgeon that he was not going to do ... A: If the surgeon told you that he was not going to do the alveoloplasty, then you can confirm with him ...
Evaluation	8/4/2008
Q: I am going to an oral surgeon to get my mouth evaluated. I had a 4 quadrant alveoplasty done by a ... A: You can ask the surgeon what you asked me. The surgeon will likely be honest with you. It may be ...
Child's teeth	8/4/2008
Q: My son teeth came in with a brownish yellow discoloration. I didn't think too much about it. I ... A: I don't know what to think, as I have not seen your son, his teeth, or his xrays. However, it might ...
exposed sinus	8/4/2008
Q: I recently had a upper tooth pulled. the dentist said that it left my sinus cavity exposed. he did ... A: First, you should have been advised not to smoke, blow your nose or sneeze. If after a week, you ...
Dental Implant costs	8/4/2008
Q: I've had an infected tooth that I wanted to have an implant to replace. I found a doctor that I was ... A: If you are replacing only one tooth, the fees seem a bit high. In our offices, we charge about $200 ...
absess for over 5 years..	8/4/2008
Q: I've had an absess on my front 2 teeth for over 5 years, I can continuosly 15-20 a day push puss out ... A: Yes, people have died from tooth infection. In the U.S. this happens about once or twice a year. ...
need guidence	8/4/2008
Q: I have a 43yr old dissabled daughter who has only SSI medicare. very low income. She is in DIRE ... A: Contact a dental college near you (google "dental colleges, Arizona"). They should have a facility ...
Jaw Strain from Dentist?	8/3/2008
Q: My story begins a couple of months ago: I had some minor fillings (not deep) replaced. They are ... A: It is likely that your jaw was strained by all the movement and testing. Continue taking tha ...
Replacing Gold Crown	8/3/2008
Q: I have been told that I need to Replace a Old Crown.Since I am in the Woods of MO. there is no ... A: Chances are very slight that this tooth will be broken during crown removal. A root canal might ...
Alveoplasty	8/2/2008
Q: I had a 4 quadrant alveoplasty when I had my teeth extracted. I currently have 4 areas where it ... A: Alveoloplasty is done to smooth and/or reshape the bone under the gum on which dentures will be ...
Root canals	8/2/2008
Q: my husband is scheduled for a root canal and when he went in for his consultation he was told he ... A: The rubber dam isolates the tooth from the rest of the mouth for cleanliness, sterility and control ...
Tooth Pain	8/1/2008
Q: Howard, I have been experiencing tooth pain in my lower four front teeth for a year. The pain is ... A: If you are feeling pain in your lower front teeth, it is likely that one or more tooth nerves are ...
Pregnancy and Silver Filling removal	7/27/2008
Q: I had 4 old silver fillings removed (decent in size) because I know there is questionable ... A: At this time, do nothing. You have already had the silver fillings removed. During the process of ...
gum care	7/19/2008
Q: Finnk, My husband has had laser surgery (LANAP) to correct 6,7 & 8 pockets on one quadrant of his ... A: My instructions are that you brush after breakfast, but before you leave the house, and brush again ...
hi	7/12/2008
Q: this is my question to a previous dentist my jaw popped today i dont feel pain but when i open my ... A: I can't tell you if having your wisdom tooth removed caused your tmd. I didn't examine you before ...
conflicting x-rays?	7/12/2008
Q: Finnk: I am 31 years old. When I first started seeing my dentist many months ago, he told me that ... A: I honestly cannot tell if they are pointing toward the inside or outside of your mouth, as an xray ...
hi	7/12/2008
Q: this is my question to a previous dentist my jaw popped today i dont feel pain but when i open my ... A: I'm sorry, but you are making no sense. You start with the premise that your jaw popped some time ...
Crown for implant	7/12/2008
Q: I got an implant about a year and a half ago because I was missing one of my incisors. I told the ... A: Some people have upper central incisors that have unusual shades. Yours sounds unusually white. ...
loss of sensation in one side of face	7/11/2008
Q: Three weeks ago I had a filling put into a tooth that had broken in half, lower left, the third ... A: You probably have either an infection or inflammation from the injection which is effecting the ...
hi	7/11/2008
Q: this is my question to a previous dentist my jaw popped today i dont feel pain but when i open my ... A: To answer yourSurgery is the very LAST resort for TMD. It sounds like you dislocated the meniscus ...
Continue treatment in another state.	7/6/2008
Q: Is it possible to start a braces treatment in Maryland and continue the treatment in Georgia? I'm ... A: Yes it is possible. But seeing that braces treatments usually run for 2 years or longer, it would ...
Jaw Pain	7/5/2008
Q: My father has jaw pain that shoots up through his ear to his head when he eats anything cold or hot. ... A: What he has is called "pulpitis", or the dental version of neuritis, but in a tooth. The nerve is ...
root canal	6/28/2008
Q: I started to feel nerve pain in my tooth around the end of april. An abscess started to form about ... A: The root canal should have been done, or at least begun, back when the abscess started to form ...
eye tooth	6/28/2008
Q: My left eye tooth grew on the roof of my mouth and was removed when I was 14. When I was 23 I had ... A: From top to bottom, in my estimation: 1. Implant and crown. If this is your choice, find someone ...
teeth whitening	6/27/2008
Q: My teen-aged daughter has a large white spot on each of her 2 upper front teeth. She would like to ... A: Have her teeth whitened using dentist-made custom bleaching trays with dentist-strength bleach. ...
Tooth Pain	6/15/2008
Q: Finnk, About a week and a half ago I had an old, fairly large, amalgam filling replaced with a new ... A: I'm surprised that you can see where the filling ends. usually, the white fillings match the teeth ...
teeth sensitive to cool water	6/15/2008
Q: I think one or two of my upper-left molar(s) are a little bit sensitive to cool water. I found out ... A: This is related to your pulp. Also related to gingival recession and bruxism. May be tooth decay. ...
FACIAL PAIN AFTER DENTAL RESTORATION OF A MOLAR	6/14/2008
Q: , I HAD A CRACKED MOLAR THE NEXT TO THE LAST ON THE LOWER LEFT SIDE. I HAD IT REPAIRED WITH A ... A: Based on your recent dental history, and your long-term pain which began immediately following ...
39 year old black line	6/8/2008
Q: Dr Fink, Hello, I am a 39 year old white female, who has lived with a black line running across the ... A: Yes. My suggestions, in order: First, most conservative and least expensive is bleaching. About ...
my son fell & hurt his front upper tooth	5/31/2008
Q: My 3 year old son fell last night and hurt his upper front tooth. It looked okay except for a tiny ... A: There could be damage you can't see. But children tend to heal from their injuries quickly and ...
Crown buildup	5/30/2008
Q: I have had 2 crowns put on over the last few years at the same dental office but by different ... A: The only reason you don't get a satisfactory answer, is that no one at your dental office has one. ...
tooth extraction problems	5/25/2008
Q: I had all my teeth pulled 5 weeks ago. I have immediate dentures which will need to be relined in a ... A: What you describe is not "normal", but I've had cases like yours several times in my 35 years as a ...
pain in tooth where crown was cleaned in cleaning	5/25/2008
Q: Why is there pain in the tooth were I had a general cleaning around my crown A: This is a very good question. However, my vision is clouded by the physical distance between us. ...
loose tooth	5/16/2008
Q: My son was hit by a baseball.His tooth is a little bit loose and the gums around it look a little ... A: If the tooth looks like it's in good position, and if it is not extruded, so that it is not hitting ...
whitening despite periodontal disease	5/16/2008
Q: Finnk, My husband had root planing and scraping one month ago, and seems to be healing ... A: Your question about whitening should be directed at the dentist who provided the root planing and ...
6 MONTH CHECK-UP	5/3/2008
Q: I was wondering would you please tell me: why whenever I have to go to the dentist for my six month ... A: Yes. This happens because you, like most of us, are a bit nervous going to the dentist. This has ...
Dull ache across many teeth	5/3/2008
Q: About nine months ago I foolishly let a factory-style dentist replace amalgam fillings with resin in ... A: I would start with another general dentist. Again, one you can trust. Ask your neighbors, your ...
Dull ache across many teeth	5/3/2008
Q: About nine months ago I foolishly let a factory-style dentist replace amalgam fillings with resin in ... A: Your first move is to contact the dentist who provided the care about which you are complaining. If ...
2 year old lost 2 teeth	4/25/2008
Q: Last night, my 2 year old son took a nose dive on a flight of stairs and lost two of his ... A: Don't worry about. Go and see the pediatric dentist. Although the premature loss of the lower ...
molar question	4/19/2008
Q: I may lose one or two back lower molars (the last molars in back). How important are those back ... A: Last two molars do much of your chewing. You'll probably get along without them ok. But over time, ...
Fillings	4/19/2008
Q: I went to a new dentist today to have a crown put on teeth that recently had root canal performed. ... A: I know of no silver filling that does not contain mercury. There was an amalgam-colored filling ...
front teeth cavaties question	4/18/2008
Q: When they numb the front teeth area, won't the person have trouble breathing because when they numb ... A: Yes. But what you describe doesn't happen often when we numb front teeth. And when it does, most ...
follow-up to your response ,thank you.	4/12/2008
Q: On March 11,2008 I put on my first set of invisalign trays. Within the first 44 hours my upper lip ... A: Do you really believe that, because you might have had a reaction to some material, that no one ...
5 yr old pushed her teeth up into her gums	4/11/2008
Q: My overactive 5 yr old fell while playing and hit the carpeted floor flat on her face - hard, Her ... A: Assuming that your child has calmed down, and is comfortable, these teeth are likely safe until you ...
Intense pain stars after I get fillings and a crown...	4/11/2008
Q: A month ago I went to the dentist to have several fillings in my upper right area as well as a crown ... A: Sorry to hear about your pains. It sounds like the temporary crown was in hyperocclusion, or "high" ...
Bad experience so far with crowns	4/11/2008
Q: Finnk, We are at our wits' end. My fiance is getting extensive work done for a cost of over ... A: You should have as much time as you need, within reason. In our office, the patient and we usually ...
Dental Crown	4/11/2008
Q: I had a root canal a few days ago and need a dental crown. Is this the only smart option or do they ... A: Without seeing your tooth, I can't say. I will say that about 90% of teeth that have had root ...
still having milktooth	4/11/2008
Q: i am 25 years old i still have two milk canines and permanent canines inside the gums and inclined. ... A: Without looking at you and your xrays, I can't tell you what can be done. Usually, if your ...
Front Bridge	4/5/2008
Q: I have several questions regarding a difficult situation that I'm in right now. Last February I ... A: I have had your experience myself, from the dentist's side. I was fortunate enough to have a ...
ceric or crown?	4/5/2008
Q: Pain while chewing led to discovery of a "large" leaking filling and a crack on furthest back upper ... A: Cerec is a type of crown. Crowns can be made of gold, silver, titanium, steel. Or they can be made ...
healing time for molar extraction	4/5/2008
Q: i had 2 molars out 3 days ago,the molars were next to each other on my lower right jaw.The blood ... A: This sounds more like infection than healing. Depends on where on the gum is turning white. I ...
removal or root canal and crown	4/5/2008
Q: My rear molar, right side bottom needs to have root canal and crown or be pulled. If pulled, will it ... A: Your teeth will likely shift and move after the extraction. I've been a dentist for 35 years, so my ...
healing time for molar extraction	4/4/2008
Q: i had 2 molars out 3 days ago,the molars were next to each other on my lower right jaw.The blood ... A: Except for the swelling and pain, what you describe sounds like reasonably normal healing. The pain ...
My inner cheek is swollen near my wisdom	4/4/2008
Q: My inner cheek is swollen near my wisdom tooth on the bottom left side, It hurts severly. I dont ... A: It sounds like you have pericoronitis, or infection around your wisdom tooth. Usually, we remove ...
bruising in mouth	3/28/2008
Q: well they were having some trouble getting me numb so i ended up getting multiple shots. i now have ... A: This is not normal, but it is not unheard of. The more shots you get, the more chance there is to ...
Teeth feel rough after resin fillings	3/22/2008
Q: I had "borderline cavities" on the chewing surfaces of my back upper left teeth. There was decay on ... A: Sometimes, adjusting resin fillings can make them feel rough. If the roughness doesn't go away ...
Is it ok to brush without paste or does it scratch the enamel surface.	3/22/2008
Q: Im just too lazy to brush in the mornin. I brush at night. This is India . We dont brush twice a ... A: It is ok to brush only at night, assuming that you brush thoroughly. It is ok to brush without ...
tooth	3/22/2008
Q: im only 23 and i have habit of putting things in my mouth water bottle lids etc and it so happens ... A: This is probably from your chewing on things that cause damage to your teeth. In addition, it is ...
Very painful lump on my gum that swells up and goes back down, I can see bone.	3/21/2008
Q: I have a lump that appeared suddenly that swells up and gets painful and sometimes don't hurt at ... A: You have an abscess, and you need to find a way to see a dentist who will take care of your ...
my dautghters veneers	3/21/2008
Q: Dr. Finnk, Several years ago my daughter severely chipped her two front teeth, hitting her mouth on ... A: Now I know why bonding wouldn't last. Rarely do my bondings on the front teeth of kids fall off ...
gums	3/21/2008
Q: I have sensitive gums on the inside of my bottom set. I also sometimes get a tingling feeling, just ... A: I'm not sure. If you are wearing dentures, what you describe sounds like pressure sores from the ...
"invisalign" systemic allergic reactions	3/17/2008
Q: On March 11,2008 I put on my first set of invisalign trays. Within the first 44 hours my upper lip ... A: I know nothing. If true, yours is the first allergic reaction to Invisalign that I've heard of. If ...
Question regarding tongue	3/8/2008
Q: On the side of my tongue I've noticed a white line(patch?) that extends for about an inch or so. It ... A: Glad you sent the picture. I don't like the look of the lesion. If it has been there for a long ...
dead tooth	3/1/2008
Q: brown colour but had no pain. I had a veneer 4 years ago which got a infection so had to have root ... A: There is no known allergy to root canals, although there are rare reports of allergic reaction to ...
2nd molar removal and dental implant	2/29/2008
Q: I have had 3 of my 2nd molars removed and have had peridontal surgery. The molar I have left is ... A: It is wise if you plan on keeping your one remaining second molar long-term. On the other hand, if ...
Root canal?	2/29/2008
Q: Finnk, It has been about three months since I had a deep filling done on my bottom molar, but I ... A: The answer is I don't know. Classically, your symptoms would call for a root canal. However, there ...
baby tooth that appears to be split	2/29/2008
Q: My daughter has 2 bottom teeth (she is 12 months old), and one of them appears to have a split in ... A: This is not normal. I don't think it's anything to worry about. I don't think her permanent teeth ...
Debriment	2/29/2008
Q: I recently relocated to Florida and obviously sought out a new dentist. Much to my surprise when I ... A: Because I did not look at your teeth, I cannot tell you if this was really necessary. Your dentist ...
Anterior crowns feel rippled	2/29/2008
Q: I just had 6 crowns placed yesterday (anteriors) and am very unhappy with them. The surface of the ... A: I can't believe that you would allow these crowns to be placed before you had a look and a feel and ...
no insurance/no money	2/23/2008
Q: I know someone who has been in pain with her teeth for several years and has seen many dentists in ... A: After savings, there is her bank. She can obtain a loan for dental care. If not, then look for a ...
tooth grinding	2/22/2008
Q: I know you probably won't be able to give me an exact answer, but an idea would be good. I have ... A: I have a great deal of understanding of the clenching person, as my son is one. The simplest thing ...
Sore gums	2/16/2008
Q: I had a lower molar and wisdom tooth right next to each other extracted at the same time about 2 ... A: It's not normal. I don't know what's going on. It's likely that a stray bone chip is trying to ...
root canal mishap	2/10/2008
Q: Finnk, 2 weeks ago I got a root canal done on tooth 27 , it went fine, I made the soonest ... A: You knew that the tooth was already weak. You knew that you waited so long to take care of it that ...
sore tooth	2/10/2008
Q: I was playing with my son lastnight and he ended up ramming his head into my front tooth and he got ... A: The sensitivity will probably go away in a few days. The secret is to stay away from the tooth. ...
Lump on Palate	2/10/2008
Q: About 2 weeks ago i noticed a change in my mouth. My dad is a dental technician and works at a ... A: It's just an overgrowth of bone, much like a bunyan on a foot. There are several places that these ...
Lump on Palate	2/10/2008
Q: About 2 weeks ago i noticed a change in my mouth. My dad is a dental technician and works at a ... A: Without seeing the lump, feeling the lump and taking an xray, of course I cannot render an opinion. ...
cosmetic dentistry	2/9/2008
Q: I had 8 veneers on my upper teeth 2 months ago. Unfortunately, 1 broke right at the appointment so ... A: You're learning the hard way what I've learned over the years. Veneers will be successful (last a ...
root canal pain!!!	2/9/2008
Q: i had a post placed in tooth after root canal was done on tuesday. it i now friday night and i am ... A: I'm afraid I can't help. Several things might be in play, and without examining you and your tooth, ...
numbness after wisdom tooth extraction	2/8/2008
Q: I had 2 of my wisdom teeth extracted,1- upper and 1- lower on the left side, on January 3, 2008. The ... A: The mandibular nerve emanates from the trigeminal ganglion, just below your skull, enters the ...
numbness after wisdom tooth extraction	2/8/2008
Q: I had 2 of my wisdom teeth extracted,1- upper and 1- lower on the left side, on January 3, 2008. The ... A: I hope you received the answer to my question. If not, what I said was that prolonged numbness is ...
numbness after wisdom tooth extraction	2/8/2008
Q: I had 2 of my wisdom teeth extracted,1- upper and 1- lower on the left side, on January 3, 2008. The ... A: I doubt dry socket. Prolonged numbness after extraction is an uncommon side-effect of tooth ...
facial swelling....	2/8/2008
Q: Good day..I recently,2 days ago 1 1/2 actually had 10 teeth pulled and a full upper plate put ... A: About the swelling: Imagine you fell off a ladder, hit your face, and lost your six front teeth. ...
facial swelling....	2/8/2008
Q: Good day..I recently,2 days ago 1 1/2 actually had 10 teeth pulled and a full upper plate put ... A: Sorry to hear you had to lose your teeth. I don't like salt water rinsing. It tastes bad, and ...
Dental Implants	2/1/2008
Q: Fink: I read your answerto a patient who had a similar problem to my own, I have advanced ... A: I would be honored to see you at our office in Dania Beach. I find it disturbing that your teeth ...
novacaine	1/27/2008
Q: This is the second request for this question. I would like to know the side effects of novacaine. ... A: Although still available, Novacaine is not much used by dentists anymore. The local anesthetic most ...
Lower jaw pain	1/26/2008
Q: Had upper tooth extracted 10 weeks sago lower jaw seemed to crack at the same time, from then on ... A: After this amount of time, I am concerned that a portion of your jaw might be fractured, or you ...
Tonge Pain	1/18/2008
Q: and anyone else who can help. About a month ago, I was at my Dentist and he noticed white lines on ... A: This is a rough question, as I cannot see your tongue. But based on your history, I would first ...
Severe Dental and Jaw Problems	1/11/2008
Q: Finnk, Im 22 years of age from Los Angeles,CA. My question today is regarding my dental structure ... A: If you do have a jaw underbite, the only correction for this is jaw surgery, which would move your ...
I have had a crown for about five years now...	1/11/2008
Q: I am now a 16 year old teenage girl and I still have the silver crowns on my back moloars (one on ... A: If you were my patient, I would recommend that, if the teeth underneath the crowns are healthy, you ...
When is there not enough tooth to cap	1/5/2008
Q: Dr. Finnk I have two molars in the lower right back that had root canals a wile ago and the ... A: Most likely the teeth can be capped. Although I do not know the extent of the decay, or if the ...
My 2yr old just fell & broke her tooth!	1/5/2008
Q: My two year old daught had gotten caught up in her little rocking chair while trying to get up, and ... A: Your daughter is going to be ok. I don't know what happened with her tooth. It may have been pushed ...
brown 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: I really can't tell if your teeth are rotting. I would have to see and feel them However, don't be ...
black spot on tooth	12/30/2007
Q: I noticed a black spot on my tooth near my gumline. I am not sure if it is decay or tartar. I ... A: Most likely, the black spot is a cavity. It could be a piece of tartar or calcium deposit. If you ...
Gumline Graft	12/30/2007
Q: I'm 19 years old, to give you some info about my age, if that is relevant. Anyway, about six months ... A: I don't know what brushing normal is for you, or what a normal toothbrush is for you. Brush no more ...
Gumline Graft	12/29/2007
Q: I'm 19 years old, to give you some info about my age, if that is relevant. Anyway, about six months ... A: I can't imagine why you would need a gumline graft at age 19. What are you doing... Brushing with ...
Lower Second Molar Abcsess	12/29/2007
Q: I have been in MAJOR pain since Chirstmas eve, have been to primary Dr. twice and have been on ... A: You must find a dentist who is IN. See that dentist immediately. If you cannot find a dentist who ...
Back top my left tooth	12/28/2007
Q: My dentist tells me that i have another cavity on the tooth. (I had it filled once before.). I know ... A: I don't know why your dentist wants to take out your tooth with the cavity. I don't know why it ...
Brown Gunk from Hole in Gum	12/24/2007
Q: Dr. Fink, I'll try my best to describe my story as short and best as possible. I got my top ... A: It may be that a small window opened from your healing socket to your maxillary sinus. This would ...
Action after braces removal	12/23/2007
Q: I just had my braces taken off on my top teeth. The orthodontist shaved my two front teeth down to ... A: First: Stop going crazy. Your answers: 1. Yes, orthodontists do shave teeth, usually to make final ...
Proxy Brush vs. Flossing	12/16/2007
Q: I have recently begun using a proxy brush, and I am very happy with the ease of use and the results ... A: I recommend the use of proxibrush over flossing, where the brush can be used. If you have ...
pain after composite filling in molar	12/15/2007
Q: I had a mouthful of silver fillings which have been cracking over the years, and I have been having ... A: You tooth is likely still a bit high in your bite. And it has gone through some trauma as a result ...
metallic taste in the mouth	12/8/2007
Q: I have had a terrible metallic taste in my mouth for 2 1/2 months. It started out with my tongue ... A: At this point, I don't know what might be causing the metallic taste. Usually metallic taste comes ...
pain+pain+pain	12/1/2007
Q: I have swelling in the bottom left of my back teeth.it's red, and I've been taking Tylenol for it ... A: See a doctor. You have a severe, acute infection in or around your tooth. This must be taken care ...
broken front teeth	11/30/2007
Q: My 13 yr old step daughter broke 2/3 rds off her 2 front teeth. The dentist managed to glue the ... A: I've made buildups of teeth with very little tooth left. They usually last longer than I expect ...
broken front teeth	11/30/2007
Q: My 13 yr old step daughter broke 2/3 rds off her 2 front teeth. The dentist managed to glue the ... A: Without seeing the broken teeth, I cannot be sure. But I rarely do crowns on 13 year olds. Her ...
wisdom tooth problem	11/30/2007
Q: am having problems with my wisdom tooth. I wore braces when I was 16 (am now 28), did extract 4 of ... A: You must see your dentist as soon as possible. There is likely infection in the gums around your ...
Abutment placed in Jan	11/23/2007
Q: Finnk: You have been VERY kind and helpful across many months as I've gone through an implant ... A: You can rest assured that your implant has taken, and that 4 months is enough time. If your surgeon ...
My 12 year old molars	11/23/2007
Q: I am 20 years old and my 12 year old molars are about half down coming through. On my left bottom ... A: Most likely, your 12 year molars came in around when you were 12, and they are doing just fine. I ...
lumineers	11/16/2007
Q: My teeth have started to decay in the last 6 yrs of my life. I'm 20. Its not awful, but its not a ... A: Congratulations. Lumineers, done properly, on the appropriate patients, can be beautiful things. ...
Teeth Horrors	11/15/2007
Q: I'm having a horrifying time with my teeth. I suspect my previous dentist of destroying them too. I ... A: Your situation is incredibly complex, and without a thorough examination, xrays, and interview, I ...
Wisdom Teeth	11/15/2007
Q: I have all of my wisdom in my mouth. They grew in just fine because I had some teeth pulled as a ... A: These are questions you should be asking your dentist or surgeon. First, if it's only a cavity in ...
Flouride	11/10/2007
Q: My Son who is 5 had a dental cleaning in March of this year and was given fluoride during this ... A: At one time, fluoride was given at every 6-month checkup. Dental plans used to cover this, as it ...
Daughter Has Too Many Molars.	11/4/2007
Q: My 6-year-old daughter has a total of 24 teeth. It seems she has extra molars in the back. Would ... A: Without seeing your daughter and counting her teeth, I can't say for sure. But what you are seeing ...
tooth filing	10/21/2007
Q: Is there a such procedure as filing down teeth that are too pointy? A: Although I don't know what "down" teeth are, I can tell you that there is much creative work that ...
Pain in the socket and white patches	10/13/2007
Q: I was told to get root canal done because of pain in the gums. I felt no better after it was done ... A: A tooth extraction is a surgical procedure which leaves a hole in your jawbone for several days ...
Numb tougue surface	10/12/2007
Q: Two week ago, I went to dentist to try my night guard. But from second day's morning, I had some ... A: Most likely your tongue is playing with the edge of the mouthguare. Second most is that you may ...
Porcelain veneers	10/6/2007
Q: I had porcelain caps applied to my front teeth over a year ago, and have found they have ... A: If the porcelain has truly yellowed over time, and the discoloration cannot easily be polished away, ...
my sons teeth	10/6/2007
Q: my name is Stephanie. I have a three year old son that I took to the dentist for the first time on ... A: If his teeth are decayed, the decay will progress to cause infections in his gums. If he loses ...
Veneer recommendation.	10/5/2007
Q: I have upper dentures which I will be replacing very soon. I have had full dentures for about 30 or ... A: I certainly would not guarantee your happiness with anything I do. I will guarantee your ...
sore gums	9/22/2007
Q: I had my top teeth extracted two years ago. Although I am saving for dentures, it will be another 18 ... A: I'm sorry if I misunderstood the question. There are antiseptic rinses that you can buy that may ...
crown "build-up"	9/22/2007
Q: Sir, I recently started treatment for many years of dental neglect. The reasons for the many years ... A: Not wrong. You feel screwed. Reason was that, while you were prepared to pay $700.00, your actual ...
sore gums	9/21/2007
Q: I had my top teeth extracted two years ago. Although I am saving for dentures, it will be another 18 ... A: You're not telling me that you're walking around toothless, are you? Oh, my... You are. I'm afraid ...
infant underbite question	9/21/2007
Q: is there anything that we can do at home or in an office to help prevent anymore of an underbite. ... A: At 11 months, I wouldn't worry about what might appear to be an underbite. While it may be true ...
Crown & Post	9/21/2007
Q: My husband had a root canal, post & crown done on an eye tooth. Well it broke tonight, the crown ... A: The answer to your question depends on how close to, or how far under the gum the tooth broke. To ...
receding gums.	9/15/2007
Q: Mr. Finnk, I am 18 yrs and recently noticed that my gums are receding on both top and bottom. I ... A: First, of course, you must see your dentist as soon as possible. Bleeding and receding gums are ...
discomfort & swelling after dental work	9/15/2007
Q: A couple days ago I had an old decayed filling on my left lower side drilled and prepped for a ... A: I hesitate to differ with your dentist, but it sounds like some type of infection was introduced ...
biting mouth/cheek lining	9/15/2007
Q: When I'm eating and chewing food, I often accidentally bite the lining of my mouth or cheek. It's ... A: Most of us have had your cheek-biting experiences more than once in our lives. I certainly have, ...
root canal problems	9/14/2007
Q: I am having problems with a tooth that needs a root canal. The dentist has tried twice but ... A: If you are experiencing pain, it is ok to ask your dentist for more pain management. If you can ...
Root canal necessary?	9/13/2007
Q: I went to my dentist yesterday for what was supposed to be a filling in tooth #4. Half way through ... A: We can't always see the complete extent of the decay until we open into the tooth. Often a cavity ...
TOOTHPASTE	9/12/2007
Q: My question is what brand toothpaste does most dentists recommend? Also which toothbrush? ... A: Toothpastes: Crest or Colgate Total. Toothbrush: I can't speak for most dentists, but I recommend ...
Irrigation	9/12/2007
Q: Is "irrigation" absolutely necessary during a deep cleaning? My dentist is pushing it, but it isn't ... A: We provide irrigation with all our deep cleanings. This provides disinfection beneath the gum, ...
jaw hurts	9/11/2007
Q: I had a cavity filled last week, and ever since then my jaw has been aching/ throbbing really badly ... A: It sounds like the nerve in the tooth is inflamed. If the pain is calming down slowly, wait a while ...
Root canal	9/10/2007
Q: Is it normal for a root canal to have bleeding and pink matter??? Isn't it normally dead??? Should ... A: Bleeding and pink sounds like a combination of infection and inflammation. Not dead yet. You should ...
Questions before Implant	9/7/2007
Q: Finnk: I've written you before and you've been helpful. I am having an implant done - my first - on ... A: Once again, I can give only general answers, as I have not examined you or your xrays. Your chances ...
root canal	9/7/2007
Q: I was working with my dentist on a root canal. When he filled it originally, the pain go worse, an ... A: None of what you describe is "normal". However, if you are not experiencing normal healing, then ...
unaesthetic bridge	9/7/2007
Q: i've done bridge at my front teeth in private clinic.unfortunately the colour of the bridge did not ... A: The first thing you need to do is discuss your dissatisfaction with your dentist. I'm sure your ...
* allexperts - teeth whitening	9/2/2007
Q: What is the best over-the-counter teeth whitening toothpastes, strips, etc? Or anything else you ... A: I have found that the best OTC whitening products are Aquafresh whitening toothpaste and Crest ...
wisdom teeth	9/1/2007
Q: i am almost 6 months pregnant and have 4 impacted wisdom teeth and bleeding gums all of which is ... A: First, clear with your Obstetrician, anything the dentist might do for you. In writing. Most OB's ...
Extraction/Implant	8/14/2007
Q: PLEASE let me know if I made the right decision before, realizing you have not seen me - and am ... A: I think the three months have passed this quickly because of our correspondence. You must speak to ...
Third Molars ( Wisdom Teeth )	8/14/2007
Q: I have a question for you about cosmetic effect of teeth extraction. My name is Kenny. Recently ... A: In my 35 years of dental practice, I have yet to see one patient whose face has changed as a result ...
Jaw	8/12/2007
Q: My jaw Locks all the time...and you know how your ment to place your bottom teeth behind your top ... A: It sounds like you may have a clenching habit. Or maybe lots of gum chewing. Or both. This is ...
Extraction/Implant	8/11/2007
Q: PLEASE let me know if I made the right decision before, realizing you have not seen me - and am ... A: Matthew: I apologize. For some reason I thought you were replacing the #3 tooth (upper first ...
Wisdom teeth and facial appearance	8/11/2007
Q: I have several question regarding wisdom teeth: Does wisdom teeth have any connection to your ... A: I have not heard any of those rumors. It is conceiveable that, if enough jawbone must be removed to ...
Root Canal	8/10/2007
Q: I had a root canal about 2 1/2 years ago, i had a temp. crown put on and was told would need to go ... A: While you were waiting 21/2 years for the permanent crown, your temporary began leaking long before ...
wisdom teeth extractions	8/10/2007
Q: I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed 5 days ago (by a oral surgeon) and whenever I attempt to ... A: If your surgeon did not warn you: NO CHEWING ON THE HEALING EXTRACTION SITES. Tooth roots average ...
Extraction/Implant	8/9/2007
Q: PLEASE let me know if I made the right decision before, realizing you have not seen me - and am ... A: Matthew: I would wait 5-6 months after extraction before doing the implant. Bone density and ...
root canal	8/9/2007
Q: Doctor i had a root canal done on my lower wisdom tooth(the last molar on that side) ,55 days ... A: While it is true that wisdom teeth present with more complex root canal formations, root canals are ...
Deposit on teeth	8/5/2007
Q: My name is Ivan, from Bulgaria, 25 years old. I started having a mild toothache of the bottom front ... A: It sounds like you have a fairly severe infection spreading under your gums, which has now spread to ...
root canal & general dentistry	8/4/2007
Q: My mom lost a filling a couple of months ago and jus in the past 2 weeks her pain has been extremely ... A: The antibiotic your mother has been taking is not effective against her spreading infection. I ...
My Awful Dentures	8/2/2007
Q: I had 6 teeth removed and had a denture put in two days ago. My problem is that I feel like I got ... A: This denture needs to be adjusted until it is comfortable and looks good. If, after several weeks ...
Throat pain post extraction:	8/2/2007
Q: My boyfriend had 4 wisdom teeth extracted yesterday. When we left the office he was complaining ... A: He probably has some type of infection or inflammation spreading down his throat from the lower ...
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: Of all teeth, wisdom teeth have the highest failure rate, due to their more complex root canal ...
Bone Chip	8/1/2007
Q: My 10 year old is getting what I assume are his 12 year old molars. On his bottom left, there has ... A: I have never seen a bone chip come out of a 10-year-old's gum. However, I have seen small pieces of ...
whistle crown	7/17/2007
Q: I just had a temp crown on on of my front teeth. ended up with a whistle when I speak. Dentist ... A: What you describe is very rare. I've never had this experience, and I've treated several singers. ...
wisdom teeth	7/17/2007
Q: my daughter had her lower wisdom tooth out 4 weeks ago and thre is still pain she had an infection ... A: It is rare that the pain of lost wisdom teeth lasts much longer than a week. There may be several ...
Extraction/Implant	7/17/2007
Q: PLEASE let me know if I made the right decision before, realizing you have not seen me - and am ... A: It's a shame that your leaky crown has caused you to lose faith in dentists. I'm sure your dentist ...
Discolored lateral edges of upper back molars	7/17/2007
Q: Dr. Finnk, I haven't been to a dentist in a while. As of my last apointment a few years ago I'd ... A: I believe what you describe is calcium deposits on your teeth, known as "calculus" to us. These are ...
Gap Between Teeth #'s 14 & 15	7/16/2007
Q: Dr. Finnk, I have crowns on both of the teeth noted above which have also previously received RCT. ... A: I have placed a filling into a crown to close a space that opened after the crown was placed. If ...
Fluoride damage	7/16/2007
Q: My 20 yr old son went in to have his teeth cleaned/fluoride treatment a few weeks after having his ... A: This is a very rare result of fluoride treatment. My guess is that this stain can be polished off. ...
Complete upper teeth extraction except for incisors	7/16/2007
Q: I am 52 years old with a long history of periodontel problems and major bone loss. I live abroad and ... A: I don't know what your dentist's overall plan is, but as I said before, I would remove all your ...
Wisdom tooth coming in	7/14/2007
Q: One of my back wisdom teeth is coming in, and while it's slightly sore, it's not a huge deal. The ... A: It most likely is your wisdom tooth coming in. There is very little you can do to stop it from ...
multiple root canals	7/13/2007
Q: I am wondering if you may be able to point me in the right direction. I recently went to a new, ... A: I doubt that both teeth were healthy before, assuming that your dentist was correct, and that there ...
Complete upper teeth extraction except for incisors	7/12/2007
Q: I am 52 years old with a long history of periodontel problems and major bone loss. I live abroad and ... A: I attempted to answer your question last night, and the site froze when I sent my answer. I hope I ...
Jaw locking after extraction	7/11/2007
Q: I had a tooth extraction done by on oral surgeon almost two weeks ago. Since the removal of the ... A: Your surgeon is incorrect. No gum chewing. What you describe is not normal. But it is a common ...
black tooth	7/10/2007
Q: About 3 months ago, my 8 year old son's front tooth became loose. After being loose for weeks, it ... A: The tooth will likely come in when it's ready, unless there is not sufficient space for it to come ...
Root Canals and Crowns	7/9/2007
Q: I went to the dentist today and left a little confusedd. I went in today to get a root canal and i ... A: Most teeth that are damaged badly enough to need root canals (usually because there is massive and ...
Glue for a dental device	7/9/2007
Q: I am using a dental device to separate between my upper and lower jaw during the night. (I put this ... A: The only material I know of that will repair your broken device for any length of time is acrylic. ...
Toddler Crowns	6/29/2007
Q: My toddler had to have two crown teeth put on his front two teeth due to a nasty fall which damaged ... A: The crown teeth will probably not lose their white in time. If this is a major concern to your ...
whiten other teeth before crown/veneer?	6/28/2007
Q: My two front teeth are a little short due to some chips that were repaired, awhile ago. I recently ... A: Technically, there are cosmetic issues with mixing a crown and a veneer (a very smart question), ...
Gummy Smile	6/27/2007
Q: I have a very bad gummy smile and I am very self conscious about it. I would like to know what I can ... A: I know of no such surgery, although there may well be one. Seeing an Oral-Maxillofacial surgeon, a ...
Gummy Smile	6/27/2007
Q: I have a very bad gummy smile and I am very self conscious about it. I would like to know what I can ... A: Correction of gummy smile would require either gum surgery to remove the visible part of the gum, or ...
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: Yes. Your tooth can be repositioned. However, when your dentist repositioned the tooth, the root ...
Amalgam or composite filling on last bottom	6/8/2007
Q: i have started undergoing root canal treatment on my last lower molar in the left side(wisdom ... A: Once I used only amalgam. Now I use only bonded composite core build-up material. It is ...
It scares me	6/7/2007
Q: I get this pain directly under my tongue its a shooting pain it only lasts like 10 seconds out of ... A: Pain in your tongue of unknown origin (you didn't bite your tongue recently, did you?) usually ...
Braces again?	6/1/2007
Q: I had braces about 10 years ago. After all this time my teeth seem to be moving to its original ... A: New retainers can be made to move your teeth back slightly. Then you must wear these or new ...
Teeth Whitening	5/13/2007
Q: I'm a 22 year old female, I used to have really bright white teeth 4 years ago and got compliments ... A: College stresses certainly can bring a dullness to your teeth, as you have proven. You can get your ...
my son	5/12/2007
Q: my son is 9, he has a rotated front tooth so i took him to a orthodontist to straighten his teeth, ... A: Expect that his face will be altered slightly for the better. I know your child is as handsome as ...
potentially painful dentures	5/11/2007
Q: Finnk. I apologize in advance for the length of my query and appreciate your time. After not seeing ... A: I am lost as to why, after what appears to be an alveoloplasty (a procedure to smooth your bone), ...
Adding to a tooth	5/9/2007
Q: I have a good bite on one side of my mouth and the other side I would like my bicuspids to touch ... A: Bonding will be worn down in time. As will your own teeth. What does that mean? Crowns will wear ...
pain in all lower teeth after back molar filled	5/7/2007
Q: about 2 weeks ago I had a large cavity filled in my back right molar,my dentist said it would be ... A: It could take weeks, months, or never get back to normal. Go back to the dentist and have him be ...
Crown Lengthening	5/5/2007
Q: I have had RC's on teeth 14, 15. Gen, dentist has said go for CL with periodontist, he put posts ... A: Sorry for all the confusion. Crown lengthening comes before tooth preparation. Your dentist is ...
lollipop	5/3/2007
Q: I am 55 and have found a chocolate hard candy lollipop that I love. I have started eating one a day ... A: Brushing after, chewing sugarless gum, and mouthwashes (I prefer Listerine in a flavor you can ...
wisdom tooth and lumineers	5/3/2007
Q: i never had anything done to my teeth no check up or anything and im 20 yrs old my 2 back teeth hurt ... A: Your 2 back teeth are probably infected. They will probably need to be removed, or will need root ...
Terminology	4/19/2007
Q: What does these terms means, what do they specialize in and their limitations:- General Dentistry, ... A: DDS is one degree given by U.S. Dental Colleges. It stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. This is ...
retainers	4/19/2007
Q: I'd like to know how long you're meant to wear retainers for after you get your braces off? Every ... A: My rule of thumb is you must wear your retainer for 2X the amount of time you were in braces. So, ...
discomfort and numbness still present, day after cavity fillings	4/18/2007
Q: Dr. Finnk, Yesterday, April 16, 2007, I went to my dentist to have two pinhead sized cavities ... A: It's probably been a few days by the time you read this. I'm hoping that you are beginning to ...
bridge vs implant	4/17/2007
Q: I have had a bridge of my last three left upper molars for about 25 years (it has been chnaged once ... A: Without seeing you and your xrays, I can only speculate. The general rule is one implant per tooth, ...
Alveoloplasty needed	4/17/2007
Q: I am in need of one quadrant Alveoloplasty. What approximately should this procedure cost? A: I have no idea. Each dentist sets his or her own fees. I don't even know what my fee is, as I ...
Void in filling?	4/10/2007
Q: Last Nov/December I had 4 fillings and a crown done. In February there was still some sensitivity ... A: The void in the filling could be causing the problem. Usually voids cause sensitivity to hot or ...
bumps on gums	4/10/2007
Q: i recently had my teeth extracted (3 weeks ago) due to soft teeth and breaking. I now have sore ... A: They will likely go away after a few months. If you are so sore that you cannot wait, then they ...
Broken teeth	4/9/2007
Q: My 25 month old daughter broke her two front teeth. A quarter of one tooth is chipped and the other ... A: Your daughter is just about at the right age for her first visit to the dentist. For now, soft diet ...
receding gumline	4/9/2007
Q: I've got a receding unlined which has caused me to loose 6 teeth already. its gotten so bad that i ... A: If it is simple recession, using an extra-soft toothbrush, and brushing more gently will slow the ...
crown on root canaled tooth	4/3/2007
Q: I had a root canal done on my front tooth when I was 9 due to a sports injury. When the filling fell ... A: Sounds like the root canal has become re-infected. Likely you'll need a new root canal, or a ...
Toddler gum bleeding	4/3/2007
Q: My 32month old son. currently has very smelly breath which we have told is as a result of ... A: Very smelly breath is usually caused by unclean teeth and/or infected gums. It's time to take your ...
childs permanent teeth	4/2/2007
Q: My son is 7 and 1/2 years old. I am concerned because he doesn't seem to be getting his top center ... A: Not to worry. The same teeth didn't come in in my kids until they passed their 8th birthday. ...
Bruxism	4/2/2007
Q: Does a nightguard protect teeth from intense clenching, in addition to grinding? How long should ... A: A nightguard protects teeth from intense clenching and grinding when it is worn 24/7. I don't use ...
Tooth Root Exposure	4/2/2007
Q: Will topical fluoride from the dentist help someone with root exposure sensitivity? A: Usually. In addition, you can use Sensodyne toothpaste, both using it as your regular toothpaste, ...
Dentures	3/22/2007
Q: Could you tell me if there is a way to "cut corners" on regular partial dentures with metal clasps. ... A: The least expensive of these is known as a "flipper". It is usually made to quickly and temporarily ...
Gum problem	3/22/2007
Q: I have a cut in my bottom gum in the front of my teeth and this cut just kept getting bigger and ... A: It is quite possible that you have gum disease. About 60% of the adult population do. If you have ...
Gum problem	3/21/2007
Q: I have a cut in my bottom gum in the front of my teeth and this cut just kept getting bigger and ... A: Without seeing the cut, I cannot be specific about what you can do to help it. If cut from food, or ...
pain after fillings	3/20/2007
Q: after getting some fillings done in a wisdomtooth about a week ago, I've been experiencing pain in ... A: The nerve in the wisdom tooth is inflamed. Likely as a result of the trauma of having the fillings ...
lower lip numbness	3/19/2007
Q: My problem is not directly related to dentistry,butthe numbness in my lower lip is a result of a lip ... A: Sadly, for prolonged numbness, I have no firm answers. Your best bet would be go get with your ...
Help Regarding Gums	3/19/2007
Q: how are you? I just had a question regarding an extraction I just had done a week ago. I had tooth ... A: Odds are very good that everything you describe is all a part of the natural healing process after ...
Black spot in my mouth	3/17/2007
Q: Finnk, I just noticed a black spot on the right side of my mouth while I was flossing today. It's ... A: It might be a bruise, or a blood blister from you chomping on that part of your cheek. It might be ...
metallic taste	3/17/2007
Q: I have been having this problem with a metallic taste on the sides of my tongue. It has become so ... A: The most common cause of metellic taste is patients tasting metallic fillings or metal in dental ...
cyst around wisdom tooth and probability of jaw fracturing/temporary sensation loss due to nerve	3/15/2007
Q: I am 48 years old and they have been consulting since 1991 with various dentists and now have been ... A: The risks of which you speak are true of all wisdom tooth extractions. If you have been consulting ...
front tooth	2/27/2007
Q: I had a fill in my top front tooth,After two days it fell out,it was put back in,and now it has fell ... A: Probably a crown. I don't know how large, or in what shape is the cavity in your front tooth. But ...
toddler's discolored teeth	2/27/2007
Q: I have a 21 month old whose front teeth have developed a dark brown stain, mostly at the gumline. ... A: Of course you should take your child to a dentist. Preferably a pediatric dentist. The dark line ...
What is causing this?	2/26/2007
Q: I have a spot on my front tooth that is whiter than the rest of my teeth, and I don't know what's ... A: This is either a decalcification of the enamel surface, or hypocalcification inside the enamel. ...
Cosmetic - Baby teeth	2/26/2007
Q: I have two baby teeth on the upper left, canine and ? (the two by the left big front tooth). I don't ... A: Without seeing you and your xrays, I can't tell you for sure. But it is likely that you can have a ...
Negligent billing	2/24/2007
Q: Mr Fink, I have a question. I went to a dentist just to have a look into gingivital grafting. The ... A: The first thing you do is contact the dentist's business staff. Tell them that you were told you ...
assymetrical face	2/10/2007
Q: My lower jaw deviates a tad to the left, but i was wondering if it can be because i always rest it ... A: Usually, malocclusions are caused by skeletal (jaw) deviations from normal. However, occassionally, ...
front tooth problem	2/8/2007
Q: Dr. Finnk, Today I looked in the mirror and it looks like one of my upper front teeth has somehow ... A: Whether or not your tooth can be fixed depends on the length and depth of the crack. If your son's ...
tooth pain	2/8/2007
Q: I have recently been going to the dentist to have several teeth filled. I have had pain in my last ... A: This does happen, but is not common. It may be that the bite is hitting to heavily on the new ...
have to have some kind of surgery	2/7/2007
Q: i went to see the orthodontist and he said something was wrong with my jaw or bite severe something ... A: You need to have your orthodontist refer you to an oral surgeon who can explain the type of surgery ...
a question about periodontal surgery	2/1/2007
Q: I am 24 years old and considering braces. My orthodontist wanted me to get checked out by a ... A: I would begin with deep scaling and root planing and disinfectant irrigation of these areas (CDT ...
Permanent Dentures	1/17/2007
Q: I have spent many thousands of dollars on my teeth the past couple of years. (root canals, crowns, & ... A: There are probably other things that can be done, other than removing the bridge, removing the ...
bite equilization	1/16/2007
Q: I have a problem with the contact of my 2nd molars. My lowers tilt lingually and the uppers tilt ... A: Without a thorough workup, I can't answer you. What you probably need first, if you are this ...
#18 Molar Cracked -- Do I Need RCT?	1/16/2007
Q: I’m a 43 year old male. My #18 molar has been cracked for about 4 weeks. The crack appears to be ... A: It is possible that your tooth is not cracked into the nerve. Which means that you likely will not ...
loose front teeth	1/14/2007
Q: My name is Mary-Jane and my two bottom front teeth have been really loose for a while now. I have ... A: You'll need to see a dentist, who will likely tell you to have these teeth removed and replaced with ...
Drilling through porcelain crown	1/12/2007
Q: Regarding your response, I've never used this site or asked this question of anyone before. This ... A: My answer must not have made it through the internet maze to you (It was a great answer, too). The ...
Possible cracked root	1/11/2007
Q: I've been through root canal therapy...tooth was extremely calcified...Dentist did the root ... A: If the cap is connected to 2 other front teeth, it is likely that you will need to replace the other ...
Pain after fillings	1/11/2007
Q: I hadn't been to the dentist in 4 years and I just went for a cleaning and a check up when they told ... A: This is not normal. But it can happen after a great deal of dental work is done at one sitting. ...
About Braces	1/10/2007
Q: I'm 18 now and i've finally decided on getting braces. My condition is not serious, i would only ... A: My best answer is that you need to see an orthodontist or two or three. Some orthodontists will ...
Molar tooth infected/cracked	1/9/2007
Q: I have a big molar tooth that is infected. It has had a cavity since I was a kid. (now 35) the tooth ... A: Be sure to tell your dentist that you need to be sedated before any procedure is done. You might as ...
Post after root canal	1/9/2007
Q: When I got the root canal he put a wire or somthing inride where the root was. He wanted to do a ... A: I still don't know how much tooth structure remains to hold the filling. If this tooth is not ...
white strips	1/9/2007
Q: I want to try crest white strips premium. Can I drink coffee on the days that I use the strips? ... A: You can drink coffee or anything that will stain your teeth, at any time after the bleach ...
cosmetic dentistry	1/8/2007
Q: how many years of dental school all together is there? how is it like being a cosmetic dentist? what ... A: Dental school is usually a four year program, after two to four years of undergraduate university ...
Temporary numbness	1/7/2007
Q: Last week I had a severe toothache- I visited the dentist and was numbed up- I had a hard time ... A: You have what is called "paresthesia". Anesthesia to a region, usually caused by what you describe, ...
Loose Teeth	1/7/2007
Q: I recently had a tooth cleaning done because it seemed my front bottom teeth were shifting and ... A: You've told me that you feel they're loose, but you went to the dentist ahd she said they are not. ...
Can a tooth infection cause a sinus infection?	1/7/2007
Q: You asked if I could let you know what I did. I have gotten my teeth fixed but I'm not sure if I'm ... A: Although this appears to be infection of some kind, I believe it has gone too long to be of simple ...
Can a tooth infection cause a sinus infection?	1/6/2007
Q: Can a tooth infection cause a sinus infection? Last month I woke up two days in a row with ... A: It is possible for a tooth infection to cause a sinus infection. It is also possible for a sinus ...
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: If you really want to solve this mystery, you would need to keep an accurate diary of ALL your ...
Still having pain after extraction	1/5/2007
Q: On Nov. 29 I had what was supposed to be a simple extraction performed by an oral surgeon. He said ... A: One month is too long to go with painful healing from extraction. It is likely that you have ...
bone exposed after extraction	1/5/2007
Q: I am male, 47. I had a lower wisdom tooth extracted about 3 weeks ago. About 4 days ago i noticed ... A: Chances are your dentist is right. If in a few weeks, you still feel the bone, contact your dentist ...
please help	1/5/2007
Q: About 2 weeks ago i noticed a white bump on my gum (right by the left side of my nose). I didn't ... A: It is likely that it is all connected, and is certainly something you should be worried about. I ...
Post after root canal	1/4/2007
Q: I am a 25 year old male. I had a filling on my front #7 tooth about 3 months ago. The tooth hurt ... A: The rule for a front tooth is: Post and crown after root canal. This rule assumes that the root ...
Crowns/Fillings	12/11/2006
Q: My dentist has all the latest technology, but she is charging me $970 for a crown on a molar ... A: Sorry for the delay. The site was not responding this morning. Here in South Florida, $970 for a ...
Dentistry requirements	12/10/2006
Q: what are the prerequirements for dentistry? A: I can only tell you the prerequisites from my era: At least 2 years undergraduate study, which ...
Black Spots on my lower front gums.	12/10/2006
Q: I recently had a wire taken off my lower back teeth from my braces I had before. My gums were ... A: Could be pigment from your gums themselves (natural on some people). Could be tiny bruises in your ...
Ramification on delaying a root canal	12/7/2006
Q: Finnk. It appears I had an infection near one of my back molars. I was given some penicillin which ... A: The general rule is that the infection usually comes back worse, more virulent, and more likely to ...
Ionic vs Electric Toothbrush	12/6/2006
Q: I've done some research on the net regarding electric toothbrushes and have found information on ... A: I have no information on ionic toothbrushes, other than what's in the websites. My gut tells me ...
numb tongue	12/3/2006
Q: its been 5 days since i had a filling, the first part of the injection was fine but after moving the ... A: It's very rare, but "paresthesia" is known to occur after injection. This happens when the ...
Adult Braces and Gum Recession	11/18/2006
Q: I am 49 years old and considering braces for cosmetic reasons. My dentist (not the orthodontist) ... A: Neither am I. As with any medical or surgical procedure, there can be complications, which usually ...
Restormation Crown Strength on an Implant/ Abutment	11/18/2006
Q: I am thinking about having my crown restored and have been given two choices. One will cost $350 and ... A: Your subject line says "...on an implant", so I will assume you already have the implant in your ...
"clicking" jaw	11/16/2006
Q: My wife's jaw starting "clicking/popping" (I can hear it too!) a few weeks ago, and she says it is ... A: Your wife has what we call TMD (TemporoMandibular joint Dysfunction). Clicking and pain are ...
Dry Burning mouth	11/16/2006
Q: I have written to you several times over my fear of cancer and dry mouth. Well I will try to make a ... A: It is likely that your burning dry mouth is anxiety related, as the Xanax seems to help. Continue ...
Bony Bump above upper molar	11/14/2006
Q: I have a white bony bump above my left upper molar (I believe it is 15) on the side facing my cheek. ... A: Sounds like a boney protuberance called an "exostosis", a benign lump of bone which grows in an odd ...
Problem Crowns	11/13/2006
Q: Years ago, I had a crown put on a tooth that was too short. The dentist said that he would have to ... A: Buildups are done, more often to fill up a huge hole left from decay cleanout, than to make a tooth ...
Child Tooth Braces and Extraction	11/10/2006
Q: My twelve year old daughter has a severe overbite. The Orthodontis wants two upper side teeth pulled ... A: 1. The headgear is probably a requirement. My daughter wore one for a year, and she's gorgeous and ...
What is the difference between a crown and an inlay/onlay	11/9/2006
Q: This is in follow up to your earlier response. What is the differnce between an onlay/inlay and ... A: An inlay is made to fit inside the cavity inside a tooth. An onlay is similar to an inlay, but ...
about my daughters loose tooth	11/4/2006
Q: What should i do w/my daugthers loose tooth?she's 6 yrs old. Her bottom front teeth are loose and ... A: If her permanent teeth are coming in, and her baby teeth are still not out, it is likely that the ...
baby root cana	11/3/2006
Q: My child is 7. One of her teeth in the mid jaw has an abscess. Her dentist said a baby root canal ... A: Having the tooth out provides its own trauma. However, there are times when a baby tooth root canal ...
black spot on gums	10/25/2006
Q: I have had a black spot on my lower gums for several years. My dentist didn't say anything about it, ... A: I just answered another question about black spot on gums. Must be going around. Might be a ...
x-rays	10/24/2006
Q: normally, how often should you receive x-rays? A: Normally, a full set of xrays (about 16 exposures) at the initial visit, then again every 5 years. ...
Filling	10/21/2006
Q: This is going to sound elementary, but what foods should I avoid to reduce sugar in my diet? I eat ... A: I can't answer your question until you produce a 2-week intake diet, which includes everything you ...
Filling	10/21/2006
Q: I recently had a filling placed in a tooth (bicuspid?) that had a cavity. The dentist said that a ... A: No and No. If your tooth needs a root canal, the filling will not interfere. And root canal teeth ...
tongue tie, underbite, and speeck	10/20/2006
Q: My 3 1/2 year old son was a late talker (2 1/2) and when he then began to work with a speech ... A: In one part, you say your son has an underbite, and in the next you say overbite. With regard to ...
tightness in jaw after filling 2 1/2 wks ago	10/20/2006
Q: I had a tooth on the lower left side of my mouth filled on oct 2 and ever since i have had a ... A: I don't know exactly what happened. It is likely a result of the injection. Sounds like minor ...
Is it really infected?	10/18/2006
Q: Finnk, Over the last 18 months, I have had extensive dental work done. 3 root canals, 2 ... A: I cannot answer your question for you. Now that you know the condition of the tooth, it becomes ...
Expander	10/17/2006
Q: My daughter is 11 years old and in the process of getting braces. She now has a expander on which ... A: Your orthodontist has determined that the width of your daughter's upper and/or lower jaws are ...
Dry socket	10/16/2006
Q: I had a tooth extracted Tuesday, it is still painful. I am assuming I have a dry socket. What can ... A: If it is a dry socket, most dentists usually pack it with sterile gauze soaked in eugenol. This ...
Nitrous Oxide	10/14/2006
Q: I am considering using nitrous oxide for an upcoming dental procedure and do not know what to ... A: Nitrous Oxide usually helps patients get through procedures without swallowing. But, just in case, ...
infected tooth	10/14/2006
Q: My boyfried, about 2 weeks ago, started experiencing mouth pain, at first, mild. yesterday it was ... A: It is very likely an infected tooth. Your boyfriend must see a dentist immediately to have the ...
spit lines	10/12/2006
Q: My husband has spit lines when he talks. They connect the bottom and top of his teeth.It is very ... A: Spit lines are usually caused by the thickness and viscosity of your husband's saliva. Usually ...
Crown	9/19/2006
Q: I had a root canal performed on my left very back bottom tooth several weeks ago. I had the ... A: What you describe is, in fact, uncommon. There are times, usually on the very last molars, when we ...
Broken Front Tooth	9/18/2006
Q: I chipped my right front tooth during a fall. My dentist told me that I also chipped the tooth to ... A: I would probably recommend the same for you, if the chips are small. Composite is a conservative ...
teeth moving	9/17/2006
Q: I woke up in the middle of the night with the sensation that my upper teeth had moved. I used to ... A: Your teeth probably did move. Your teeth will probably continue to move slowly, over time. While I ...
when is it too late to get a root canal	9/13/2006
Q: I have had a bad cavity for a while, but also had to get my wisdom teeth pulled. So that took ... A: The wiser choice might have been to fix the tooth first, then remove the wisdom. Unless the wisdom ...
Burning gums	9/12/2006
Q: For the last few days, my gums have started burning. They are fine in the morning but get worse as ... A: Could be allergy. Could be viral or bacterial. Hard to tell without looking at it, and without ...
4 days after wisdom teeth extraction eating?	9/12/2006
Q: is it okay to eat 4 days after getting all 4 of my wisdom teeth out? two were impacted, 2 not. I'm ... A: This is a question you should put to your dentist. A phone call would answer your question more ...
Dentistry	9/11/2006
Q: I'm 34 and very scared to go to the dentist,need help with my teeth and very worried about how to ... A: It sounds like you may need some time with a therapist before you visit a dentist. Your high level ...
Braces	9/10/2006
Q: my name is Marie, and I'm 17. I have only about three teeth that are crooked, but I'm self ... A: The best solution is braces, almost always. Other options might be caps or veneers. But since I ...
Injection injury	9/8/2006
Q: I had a molar tooth extracted 7 months ago, in February 2006. I was given 3 injections prior to the ... A: You are experiencing what appears to be reversing peripheral nerve damage to the mandibular nerve ...
Receeding Gum Lines	9/8/2006
Q: I am a 20 year old male with receeding gum lines. I use an extra soft brush, but as of recently, ... A: Odds are, in addition to scrubbing too hard with a harder-than-soft brush, plus scrubbing your gums, ...
Chipped tooth	9/6/2006
Q: I had gone for a routine exam about two months ago and realized that I had a small chip in my front ... A: Unless there is pain, swelling, or it is disfiguring, this is not an emergency. But at this point, ...
Thanks for reply	8/20/2006
Q: Subject I need your good advice Question Hi there, one side on my face jaw or lower face little ... A: The only antibacterial rinse I recommend without a prescription is Listerine. But it won't solve ...
teeth whitening	8/19/2006
Q: What method do you recommend for teeth whitening? Thanks Rich O Newton, NH A: Unless they're in a big hurry, I recommend my patients start with Crest Whitestrips. If that ...
I need your good advice	8/19/2006
Q: one side on my face jaw or lower face little hang I thing due to my crown broblem which is two years ... A: I'm not quite clear on what you mean by "face little hang". BUT, if you mean it looks swollen or ...
The specialists could not find what was causing my excruiciating pain.	8/16/2006
Q: Last month my dentist put a crown on my lower right side wisdom tooth. 7 to 10 days later I ... A: After several visits to your dentist, a periodontist, an endodontist, then back to your dentist for ...
Pain after filling	8/14/2006
Q: About 2 weeks ago I went to the dentist (after I hadn't been for about 2 years) and found out that I ... A: I doubt it is an area of decay. I bet it was near the gumline of the tooth. If so, it was an area ...
fosamax and extraction	8/13/2006
Q: I have had 2 teeth treated with root canals recently, one just one month ago, and one one year ago. ... A: I'm glad you responded. I've been thinking about your problem since you wrote. I would like you to ...
a	8/13/2006
Q: When you prepare the tooth to allow enough surface area and thickness for bonding do you mean that ... A: The rule of thumb is 1mm. This means that I would roughen the enamel margins around the chip to ...
a	8/12/2006
Q: I chipped two teeth as a result of stress related grinding. I went to a dentist and was told a ... A: I almost NEVER use a rod, a screw, a pin or a post. I would prepare the tooth to allow enough ...
flouride	8/11/2006
Q: I know a lot of people are paranoid about flouride. I am not one of those. My dentist suggested that ... A: Do not be concerned at all. If your children drank the well water during most of their growth, they ...
underbite in my three year old!	8/11/2006
Q: My three year old has an underbite and people have a hard time understanding her speech, are these ... A: Yes. And your child must be taken to an orthodontist right away, so that he or she may be evaluated ...
Jaw and Neck Pain	8/8/2006
Q: I have been experiencing lower jaw pain (to touch), tingling numbness and tightness for the past 6 ... A: It sounds like a nerve inside one or more of your teeth is infected. The infection is apparently ...
Son's front tooth damage	8/7/2006
Q: My 14 year old son had a biking accident which resulted in a fractured front tooth (#8) with exposed ... A: Nope. This used to be true before bonding materials became as strong, and as attractive, as they ...
Restoration after root canal	8/7/2006
Q: I had a root canal done a couple weeks ago and currently have a temporary filling in it. So far, so ... A: It's good that you trust your dentist as much as you do. I generally make a build-up (rebuilding ...
sinus pain? something else?	8/7/2006
Q: Recently i have been having some strange symptoms, my upper back teeth hurt, but they are not ... A: My first thought was that you are clenching your teeth lately, causing the mild toothaches, ...
injured teeth	8/4/2006
Q: My 2-yr-old fell and hit his mouth about 3 weeks ago. His gums bled and one front tooth was ... A: The front two teeth may, in fact, become infected. You would do best to see your dentist to be ...
Lump?	8/1/2006
Q: I am a 29 yr. old female. Borderline hypocondriac, take anti-anxiety drug daily. Huge fear of cancer ... A: It could be a lymph node. It could be a small sac of connective tissue fluid, produced by your ...
To use invisalign or lumineers	7/31/2006
Q: I had orthodontic tr when I was a child, but had to get my braces removed early as it was extremely ... A: If your upper central tooth protrudes forward, a Lumineer will only make it protrude more. If ...
Pain in gums	7/13/2006
Q: I had my wisdom teeth extracted almost one year ago exactly and a few days ago the gums behind my ... A: Obviously this is cause for concern, expecially if the pain is worsening. Usually the pain you ...
tooth pain only when biting	7/12/2006
Q: I really hope you can help. I have been dealing with bite tooth pain for about 6mos. My dentist is ... A: The tooth needs to be shortened (adjusted out of your bite). Then stay away from it for one week, ...
Tooth discoloration... smoker	7/12/2006
Q: I have been smoking since a teenager and have always had brown spots on the inner side of my bottom ... A: First, visit your dentist. I certainly can't tell from here if your teeth are becoming decayed. And ...
Tooth	7/12/2006
Q: I recently have noticed for about four days that I have a tooth that is a bit sensitive and feels a ... A: Jeremy: Don't freak out. See your dentist. Sounds like the nerve in this tooth has become ...
Worried about the health of my gums	7/10/2006
Q: Dr.Finnk, Hi there, my name's Valerie, and I'm 19 years old. Just to let you know, this is probably ... A: Get an extra soft toothbrush, and brush these areas very gently until you can get to your dentist. ...
FREAKED OUT!	7/5/2006
Q: I took my son to the Dentist today, he saw the hygeinest (sp?) and the Dentist, I watched carefully ... A: Believe it or not, the dental staff wears masks to protect themselves more than you! Being exposed ...
Hit tooth out of place...	7/5/2006
Q: At about 6:30 today, I was playing catch with some family members, when the baseball popped out of ... A: Splint was a good idea. Take it out once a day to brush your teeth with a very soft brush. Soft ...
Infection?	7/5/2006
Q: Several months ago, I had problems with a front lower tooth - I was very sensitive to hot and cold. ... A: It sounds like an infection. Will need to be treated, first with antibiotic, then with a procedure. ...
Replacing porcelein veneers	7/4/2006
Q: Replacing porcelain veneers Dear Doctor Finnk, I recently had 8 veneers installed on my upper arch ... A: You sound very knowledgeable on the subject of veneers. And I understand your disappointment. If ...
two front teeth	7/4/2006
Q: my two front teeth were wearing away and thining, so my dentist filed them down and took and ... A: I really can't tell you if this is ok without looking at your crowns and your gums. And I don't ...
Possible allergy to commonly used dental products?	7/4/2006
Q: Dr. Finkk . . . Six days ago, my dentist prepped teeth #7-#10 for new crowns. While I was not ... A: Sounds like a reaction to something. But most likely a profound reaction to the procedure itself, ...
Recent posting regarding Sonicare	7/1/2006
Q: Dr. Finnnk, I came across your recent answer to a posting regarding Sonicare toothbrush (3/20/06). ... A: I am amazed at the number of people who believe that if they spend big bucks, they'll get their ...
dental shots without epinephrine	7/1/2006
Q: I need to have dental work done that i have put off for 10 years because the shots with the ... A: Find another dentist. There are several anesthetics that do not contain epinephrine, that block ...
sore spot behind lower right second molar	6/10/2006
Q: The sore spot has swollen quite a bit more and now hurts somewhat more than it did originally. I ... A: I can't, as I can't see the area, nor do I have an x-ray of it. If you have been taking amoxicillin ...
peeling gums	6/8/2006
Q: My gums on the inside part of my cheeks and in the front of my mouth are always peeling. I wouldnt ... A: It could be from some of the foods you enjoy, like citrus. There is also citric acid in many ...
Periodontal Disease Treatment Rationale	6/8/2006
Q: It is my understanding that routine gum disease treatment consists of scaling the teeth every three ... A: Jan Wade: If you could clean all your teeth completely, from stem to stearn, fronts and backs, ...
crowned tooth pain	6/8/2006
Q: I had a molar on bottom crowned approx 1 year ago. the last month or so I have had pain in that ... A: It sounds like you're going to need a root canal. On average, around 4% of all teeth prepared for ...
numbness?	6/8/2006
Q: Recently I had a UTI, and I took Macrobid for one day and i got rid of it, and i was drinking ... A: Good question. Any answer I give would be pure speculation, as I have never heard of this reaction ...
t	6/8/2006
Q: Do you have any recommendations on how to treat sensitive teeth? I chipped a tooth slightly years ... A: I would disagree with your dentist. Normally this type of sensitiviey is relieved by covering the ...
gum disease	6/6/2006
Q: i developed gum disease when i fell pregnant with my first child and thought i had gotten rid of it ... A: It appears you have gum disease which requires professional attention. I usually begin with what is ...
ceramic restoration-- central incisor in place without proper core buildup	6/5/2006
Q: Finnk, A cycling accident when I was 8 years old caused immediate extraction of tooth #9 and ... A: You have a father who is a retired dentist, and you are asking me for advice? A tall order here. ...
dental workat little to no expense	6/4/2006
Q: Dr. Finnk, both myself and my best friend are in need of dental work. We both need teeth pulled. I ... A: I do not know where your location is. However, there is the widely known Simmonds Dental Clinic in ...
post RCT	6/2/2006
Q: I'm 25.3 years ago my upper premolar developed caries for which RCT and porcelain crowning was ... A: Ann: If you are chronically packing food in this space, you are developing a mild periodontitis in ...
Post Root Canal Pain	6/2/2006
Q: I had a root canal completed 3 days ago by my dentist. I was told that I had an "extremely angry" ... A: It sounds like you are a tooth clencher. You'll need to have this tooth adjusted out of your bite ...
What's my problem?	6/2/2006
Q: Ok so i'm 15 years old and this past summer i got into a car accident and knocked out my front tooth ... A: It is likely that you have some type of infection in these teeth. Often after trauma, like your ...
Root canal xray	6/2/2006
Q: I went to my dentist due to gum bleeding and possible cavities between two teeth on the left top ... A: Yes it is possible that he cannot tell which tooth is the one causing the problem. It may be that ...
Intravenous Sedation	4/30/2006
Q: This particular oral surgeon had never met me prior to the consultation, which is why I got the ... A: Remember, doctors don't know your wants or needs until they meet you and hear what you want and ...
Gingival Recession	4/29/2006
Q: I am a recently graduated dentist, and am starting to have dental concerns of my own. I have noticed ... A: Congrats on your recent graduation, and welcome to our unbelievably great profession. About your ...
Intravenous Sedation	4/29/2006
Q: My question is...is intravenous sedation absolutely necessary during the surgical extraction of my ... A: It is not absolutely necessary, unless your surgeon feels that you will have a difficult time with ...
gum surgery	4/22/2006
Q: One week ago today I had gum surgery with skin graft. The gum on my front bottom tooth was receeding ... A: If you had a frenectomy with skin graft, and it was sutured, it is unlikely that the graft came off. ...
Tooth Fillings	4/10/2006
Q: I have been going to the dentist twice a year for my entire life. Ive never needed a filling ... A: It is possible to have no cavities your entire life, and then get cavities. The vast majority of ...
Bone grafts	4/9/2006
Q: Surgeons I've consulted feel that donor or synthetic bone is not reliable, what is your opinion? I ... A: Your own bone is most reliable. Next best is demineralized, freeze-dried bone. Last is synthetic ...
Dental Implants?	4/8/2006
Q: I have seen many people with dental implants, at least I think they were. Problem is, they seem to ... A: I have never seen dental implants turn green. Odor and color might come from gum infection, which ...
Sealing of Bridges	4/7/2006
Q: I'm curious how does a dentist determine that the crown on a abutment tooth (part of a bridge) is ... A: I will almost always make my crowns to fit so that their edge is 1/2 to 1mm. under the gum, so that ...
have a cavity	4/1/2006
Q: I have a cavity. Yep, that is bad, I know. So my question is this...what do I do? I currently attend ... A: I thought I had answered your question. But I received it again, so here goes. Again. Pain with ...
All Ceramic Bridges	3/30/2006
Q: Are these a viable option for 4 unit posterior bridges especially the ones of zirconia? Why do these ... A: I have not yet made an all-ceramic bridge on posterior teeth. The reason is that they tend to be ...
swollen, sore gum area	3/24/2006
Q: All four of my wisdom teeth have been removed around October 2005 (5 months or so ago). The holes ... A: If you're going to see your dentist soon, you probably don't need my guess about what's going on. ...
gingervitis	3/24/2006
Q: I'm 20 years old and have pretty much neglected to brush my teeth my whole life, sometimes months ... A: First, call your dentist to set up an appointment for a checkup and cleaning. While you are waiting ...
recommended electric toothbrush	3/20/2006
Q: I am looking for an electric toothbrush. I know of Sonicare (leading towards Sonicare) and Oral-B ... A: I don't know anything about the WaterPik. I do know about the Sonicare, and I don't like its ...
abscessed tooth relief	3/18/2006
Q: about 2 years ago I had a root canal that failed and i never got it taken care to so at this point ... A: That bubble is an infection. You can pop it, but popping it won't get rid of the source of the ...
Hi, I had a root canal...	3/14/2006
Q: I had a root canal done awhile back ago, when I was younge, probably 12-14 years old may eyounger ... A: I don't know how rotted your tooth is now, or whether there is enough tooth left that it can be used ...
Dental Implants	3/9/2006
Q: I require 5 dental implants in total (Upper right 2 and 5, Lower right 5 and 7, Upper left 6). I was ... A: Yes it is possible, and preferable, to receive two or more implants in one visit. The only ...
diet pills	3/9/2006
Q: <h1>automata quartile wildcats Americas daybreak frigate.monastic evoke reformatory sojourn gad,<A ... A: The following is what I got. Is it what you meant to send? <h1>automata quartile wildcats Americas ...
problem with porcelain	3/8/2006
Q: Finnk, I,ve got a new fixed bridge for about two months. Before it was installed I had a lot of ... A: I can't answer for sure. But do you clench or grind your teeth during the day or at night? It may ...
Toddler's Teeth	3/7/2006
Q: My daughter is 21 months old. She has 20 teeth (got second molars about 6 weeks ago). In the last ... A: Sounds like she has some severe staining. Usually from something she's eating, drinking or sucking. ...
prosthetic problem	3/1/2006
Q: Finnk, I have endless prosthetic problems with two of my upper bridges (3-8, and 9-14), which I ... A: I cannot answer any of your questions without a thorough exam and xrays, except the one about ...
Dental cap pain	2/27/2006
Q: I had a cap put back in place some months ago. I complained about low grade discomfort a few weeks ... A: It is possible that the cap is a bit "high" in your bite, or contacting slightly before your other ...
Cosmetic Dentistry	2/27/2006
Q: I am in need of cosmetic work. I have been saving for veneers and had anticipated spending about ... A: Not necessarily superior, but maybe more conservative, in that they are tooth-sparing. Some, but ...
I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS...	2/25/2006
Q: I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF WHITENING MY TEETH BY A HOME KIT AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THE GUM ... A: The gum may grow back several weeks after you stop bleaching. It may not. It may be possible to ...
teeth	2/24/2006
Q: Behind 2 teeth on my upper jaw they have become sharp,almost slightly cocaved where the tooth enters ... A: Sounds like a combination of excessive wear, usually due to chronic clenching/grinding (bruxism), ...
white fillings	2/16/2006
Q: are white fillings available on the nhs ? my daughter has had 1 filling today at check up she was ... A: I'm sure white fillings are available in the nhs. I can offer no information concerning fees or ...
Tongue bite pain days later	2/10/2006
Q: Two or three days ago I was eating and accidentally bit down on the front / tip of my tongue with my ... A: A tip-of-the-tongue bite is often similar to a minor laceration or paper cut is to the skin. Much ...
wider smile?	2/8/2006
Q: I was wondering if there was anything i can do to make my smile wider. I am ok with the rest of my ... A: Sounds like you may need 2 visits. First to a prosthodontist, who will evaluate your smile to see ...
wider smile?	2/7/2006
Q: I was wondering if there was anything i can do to make my smile wider. I am ok with the rest of my ... A: I can't see you. So I don't know exactly what you mean by "wider smile" Do you have narrow jaw ...
Crown Prep	2/7/2006
Q: What are the benefits and downsides to the following two different scenarios? In what cases might a ... A: I've done it both ways, and I've now reverted to string, packed lightly between gum and tooth. This ...
Post Dental Work - Sensitivity	2/6/2006
Q: A month ago I had some old silver-type fillings drilled out on the back teeth on the left side ... A: Could be the bite. It usually is. But in about 4% of all teeth with otherwise normal nerves, the ...
Must stains be treated?	2/1/2006
Q: Finnk, I went to a Coast Dental office for a dental examination and was told that I had a cavity ... A: 1. I cannot express any opinion on what you may or may not need done. I haven't seen you or your ...
single missing tooth: non-invasive options	1/30/2006
Q: Years ago I had a back tooth extracted and was scheduled for a crown when the company I worked for ... A: Did you ask your dentist this question when you were discussing the possibilities? You should have, ...
pain after extraction	1/27/2006
Q: Monday I had my lower right wisdom tooth removed and was placed on amoxicillin. I had pain the first ... A: This is not normal. I don't know if it will go away on its own. I usually have my extraction ...
Cleaning or debridement?	1/25/2006
Q: I recently went to an office for a routine clean-up because it has been a while ( about 3 years ). ... A: I like to use your car as an example. If you neglected your car for 3 years (no washes, no oil ...
Uvula question	1/20/2006
Q: I'm 28 yrs. old. You might remember me... huge fear of cancer (grandmother died of Ovarian cancer 4 ... A: Uvulas (uvulae?), like people, come in all shapes and sizes. I'm sure yours is fine. Now, how ...
crowns	12/26/2005
Q: I need 2 crowns on my left front tooth and the one next to it --football injury in high school 38 ... A: I did not gather from your question how some of the work has been done. You say that root canals ...
Receding gum line?	12/25/2005
Q: During the past week I have been having some gum pain while brushing my teeth. After brushing, there ... A: What you have is irregularly receeding gums, caused by either brushing too hard, too often or too ...
Exposed bone	12/22/2005
Q: I live and work in France and I am 41 years old. I had 2 lower impacted wisdom teeth removed on 4 ... A: I wouldn't call what happened to you "common", but it happens enough that I've seen it (and have had ...
Crown	12/2/2005
Q: Finnk, I see that you have practiced in Michigan, I used in live in Ann Arbor when my father taught ... A: Small dark line at your gumline might be permanent staining inside the edge of the gum from bleeding ...
bad breath	11/24/2005
Q: i just went to my dentist on wednesday for the first time in 14 years. he said my teeth are very, ... A: About 80% of bad breath comes from gum infection. You didn't say whether your dentist cleaned your ...
Total Teeth Repair	11/19/2005
Q: Let me make this as quick as possible. I basically have let my teeth go to the point of no ... A: Your words tell me that you are committed to LOSING all your teeth. If this is true, then you will ...
prosthetic	11/15/2005
Q: I moved to Florida 3 years ago. I am having very bad luck finding a dentist. The first dentist ... A: I moved to Florida 4 years ago. I've found a few good dentists near where I live in the Fort ...
Fluoride	11/3/2005
Q: I daily use fluoride w/ a .64% concentration. The product label says that I am supposed to mix it ... A: As long as you don't swallow it, it won't cause any problems. If the fluoride is a gel, you should ...
Irritated palate.	11/2/2005
Q: Last year I had a strep infection and severe hives. The WORST symptom was swelling in the gums on ... A: First be sure that you are not putting something in or on your mouth which might be touching off ...
Extraction causing mis-alignment of bridge?	10/28/2005
Q: I recently had a 6 unit bridge (teeth 6-11) done. It was completed about 5 weeks ago. Then, this ... A: The bridge didn't shift, but your bite did, after the loss of your 2 molars. They were probably ...
Dental Infection	10/21/2005
Q: I had a root canal done (lower left tooth)several years ago where they did not remove enough of the ... A: I can't help here. There could be several causes for your problem. Accessory canal. Root fracture ...
Infection	10/20/2005
Q: I had a tooth taken out two days ago which was infected, but im still getting the infection taste ... A: Yes. Instead of salt water, use Listerine, as long as it does not burn. Hold it over the area for ...
Does the toothpaste that one...	10/20/2005
Q: Does the toothpaste that one uses contribute towards healthy gums and teeth? If yes, could you ... A: Yes. The fluorides in most toothpastes help prevent cavities. The antibacterial in Colgate Total ...
impacted wisdom tooth removal	10/6/2005
Q: I had an impacted wisdom tooth removed 4 days ago. I develop huge swelling and bruising. I am on ... A: I'm sorry for your pain. The questions you ask me, you should be asking your dentist. I don't know ...
cavities	9/29/2005
Q: My 5 year old son had dental x-rays yesterday, and the dentist noticed 2 small cavities (one in the ... A: I can't second-guess your dentist. I don't know how large or deep the cavities might be. If you ...
I need your advise!	9/27/2005
Q: Finnk, I've got in unpleasent situation at teaching dental center and don't really know how to ... A: Although I am saddened by hearing about your problems with your teeth, and your dentists, I cannot ...
loose tooth that won't let go	9/26/2005
Q: My 7 y.o. daughter has lost three four of her baby teeth to date. She has a very crowded lower jaw ... A: See your dentist to have the tooth removed. No root canal required. In addition, if your daughter ...
dentures	9/18/2005
Q: I am thinking about getting dentures. I need teeth pulled and the dentist said that they give u a ... A: Sorry I'm so late. I'm guessing goofy juice is a liquid medicine they give you before the procedure ...
Root Planing	9/5/2005
Q: In your opinion, do 6MM pockets necessitate root planing and antibiotic treatment? My dentist tells ... A: The simple answer is "yes". If your dentist probed your gums and measured 6mm of detachment, he is ...
Aftermath of Surgery	9/5/2005
Q: how are you? My name is Paul and I am from South Portland, Maine. I am writing you today in high ... A: You have certainly presented a many-faceted problem in this book you have written me. First, ...
school	9/2/2005
Q: I am conducting a science fair project for school and am required to write a 2 page paper invoving ... A: The coloring in these beverages is what stains teeth. However, most beverages contain acid in some ...
Implants	8/26/2005
Q: Finnk, I have decided to get implants(2)#12 & 13 which my Dentist says I need. I have seen two ... A: The type of anesthesia used is mostly up to you. If you are comfortable and can sit still with your ...
dentures	8/19/2005
Q: I have dentures. They do not make my gums sore. I can eat anything I want to eat.I have no problems ... A: My general rule is the same as your friend's dentist. The reason is that the bone that supports ...
bridge or implant	8/16/2005
Q: I have a tooth, #7 that used to have a crown. It fell off and there's nothing left of the tooth. It ... A: You are absolutely correct. Going with an implant or a bridge would be best for you. Without being ...
Gum Treatment	8/15/2005
Q: I have red, puffy, sensitive gums and bad breath. My regular dentist has told me that I need gum ... A: Too bad your dentist is not very approachable. You should feel comfortable asking your dentist the ...
help	8/11/2005
Q: I need a bridge on both sides. Here is my rate qwote can this be right? core buildup w/p 3 $236.00 ... A: I don't help with Dr.'s fees. All dentists charge differently. You may wish to visit different ...
pain after abscessed tooth and root canal	8/2/2005
Q: I have had consistent pain under my bottom teeth for about 3 weeks now with no relief - or virtually ... A: I am assuming you had an adequate root canal performed. The first thing I would do is adjust this ...
Bump on the gum	7/31/2005
Q: This is the timeline: 10 months ago, my #30 suddently feel very painful. It lasted for several ... A: What you describe is most likely an abscess coming from the infected nerve of that tooth, now broken ...
diagnosis discrepency	7/2/2005
Q: Dr. Howard Fink, I would appreciate your feedback on this situation: Dentist (A) claimes I ... A: Sad you have such anger over your interaction with 3 different dentists. However, it is fairly ...
dentures	6/29/2005
Q: Wondering about dentures. Are there different styles, some better than others? I've heard you can't ... A: There are many different styles and colors of dentures. Most are made to fit the individuals mouth, ...
tooth pain	6/28/2005
Q: my front top teeth have been paining on and off for about a month its worse on the right side, one ... A: I thought I already answered your question. But, just in case, here goes: If your teeth are ...
lumineers	6/27/2005
Q: im really interested in lumineers im just wondering around how much would it cost if i just want two ... A: Plan on about $900.00 per tooth for Lunineers. Fees vary in different parts of the country, and ...
Gums	6/26/2005
Q: I noticed today that my 2 front teeth are loosening and the gum area surrounding them is sore. Is ... A: It sounds like you're experiencing the end stages of gum disease, at least around these 2 teeth. ...
crooked lips	6/26/2005
Q: I had braces for 7 years, and have had them removed now for about 3 years. I've noticed for a long ... A: I wish I could see your condition, and thus be able to make a better assessment. If this condition ...
this dentist said i need to...	6/21/2005
Q: this dentist said i need to remove one of my wisdom teeth that has a cavity because ti may help ... A: I can't tell from here whether your wisdom tooth should come out or not. I doubt that taking out ...
enamel	6/16/2005
Q: Helo Dr. Finnk- I am 37 years old and have tetracycline stains on all my teeth. When I was 18 yrs ... A: Porcelain itself will not stain or wear. It can chip, and the junction where the porcelain meets ...
enamel	6/15/2005
Q: Helo Dr. Finnk- I am 37 years old and have tetracycline stains on all my teeth. When I was 18 yrs ... A: First, if your dentist is skilled at bonding veneers, I don't think much enamel is being removed at ...
veneers	6/14/2005
Q: How do veneers hold up over the long time, my teeth are ok but look dark. I also have front caps ... A: Veneers hold up well over the long term. However, since you already have caps on your front teeth, ...
Root Canal Therapy	6/8/2005
Q: Finnk, I'm near the end of having root canal therapy of a tooth that has a gold crown in the lower ... A: It is not uncommon to prescribe antibiotic on completing a root canal. I don't know how old you ...
TMJ	5/29/2005
Q: My daughter started orthodonture with a rapid palatal expander and lip bumper at age 10. She is now ... A: TMJ can be developmental, and may occur regardless of braces or bite. Often, we dentists see TMJ as ...
Crown repair for chipping, shearing and wear	5/29/2005
Q: Finnk, Thank you for offering to assist me by answering my questions. About 8 years ago, a local ... A: I moved your questions below so I could answer them... 1) When I decided to have all the teeth ...
Swollen Gum behind the Wisdom Tooth	5/28/2005
Q: I am 23, and I have a wisdom tooth and i think i have had it for years, my question is, you know ... A: Yep. Peanuts tend to irritate. And that little gum behind your wisdom tooth tends to be very ...
fixed bridge	5/27/2005
Q: I'm going to be getting an 8 tooth fixed bridge (PFM). My former dentist had advised that all his ... A: None. There are several metals that are actually more biocompatible today than is gold. In ...
Dental anxiety	5/26/2005
Q: I sent you some dental-related questions (on local anesthesia) a few months ago. Thank you for your ... A: A great story about your youthful experience with the dentist. One that will help me to remember ...
baby tooth that won't come out	5/26/2005
Q: Dr. Finnk, My 7 year old son lost one front tooth last year. The other one has yet to fall out and ... A: Kids almost never lose the front teeth together. Thus the reason for "All I Want For Christmas Is ...
what do you think	5/22/2005
Q: I am 33 years old. I have 2 wisdom teeth on top that have been partially through the gum for quite ... A: By now, you've probably seen the dentist, and you have your answer. My favorite tooth pain remedy ...
Serious advise for serious problem!	5/21/2005
Q: Finnk, I am a 52 yr. old man from Swansea, MA. in dire need of your expertise and knowledge. ... A: Sounds like you are on the brink of losing your teeth. The infection of which you speak is combined ...
Bad experience with novacaine	4/28/2005
Q: I am having a root canal and last time i went to the dentist i screamed with pain because i felt ... A: If you are feeling pain, even a small amount, your dentist should be able to eliminate it with more ...
braces	4/23/2005
Q: My son is 22, and has had braces for 8 months to correct an overbite. I checked his bite today and ... A: No, neither you, your son, nor his orthodontist are nuts. As the orthodontist moves teeth, they go ...
Gum discoloration on eye teeth where bridge is connected/some gum disease?	4/23/2005
Q: I have had a rather large top brige for over 6 years. The tops of my gums on my eye teeth where the ... A: It appears you need treatment for your gum disease. And I recommend you stop flossing until you get ...
Stains	4/21/2005
Q: Wissot- I am 35 yr old male with very good teeth and healthy gums. I had a check up today and ... A: First, you got Dr. Finnk rather than Dr. Wissot. But I will answer your questions anyway. ...
bit my toungue	4/14/2005
Q: .i bit my tongue over an hour ago...it's still bleeding? what do i do A: Sorry my answer is probably a bit late. By now you probably know that the best thing is to suck on ...
endodontics	4/12/2005
Q: i want to ask u if the patient came in the 2nd visit of root canal filling and he has tenderness if ... A: Too little information. If the patient is tender at the second visit, I will usually complete the ...
Tooth	4/1/2005
Q: I recently bent my front tooth outward but i managed to push it back into place. After a week, the ... A: Before I can answer, I'll need a few answers myself. First, how did you bend your tooth forward? ...
filling chips when flossing	3/14/2005
Q: Why does a filling chip when flossing--filled approximately 2-1/2 years ago? Answer - Dear ... A: I am not a dentist-rater. As I do not have all the facts surroounding your case, I would not render ...
cosmetic	3/9/2005
Q: I recently had a composite filling on my front tooth to imrove the shape and colour of the tooth. ... A: If the original color is not right, you must return to show your dentist. It is your dentist's ...
Hi! I'm 33 years old & i've...	2/9/2005
Q: I'm 33 years old & i've been having problem with my yellow teeth eversince i was in my teen years. ... A: Yes. Just ask your dentist about tooth whitening. There are now many different methods. I'm sure ...
ROOT PLANNING	1/31/2005
Q: If someone had root planning and scaling and after two months one quadrant is still redish and ... A: Sadly I do not have enough information to answer your question well. There can be many reasons for ...
Deep Cleaning	1/31/2005
Q: My Mom, who's a very healthy almost 83, needs a root canal. The dentist recommended first doing a ... A: If your mother has gum disease, it is important that she have the "deep cleaning". If she has no ...
extraction	1/29/2005
Q: i had a molar extracted 2 days ago.i am still experencing pain and a bit of swelling.im worried ... A: No, the way you describe the site is not normal. It is not uncommon, however, to experience ...
WHITE TEETH	1/26/2005
Q: BJ, I have teeth not yellow, but not bright white...am getting married in less than 6 months...I am ... A: The only toothpaste I have actually seen whiten teeth is Aquafresh Whitening. There may be others. ...
perodontal pockets	1/21/2005
Q: About 4 months ago, I went to a dentist for a root scaling/planning procedure. My pockets are ... A: Our policy is to have you back 6-8 weeks after scaling to check healing and home care. After 4 ...
Gum Problem	1/19/2005
Q: Followup To Question - HI, I have a red bump over an upper tooth that does not hurt, I am not ... A: My suggestion, if you want to try more things at home: 1. Do NOT use the ultrasonic water thingie ...
Gum Problem	1/18/2005
Q: I have a red bump over an upper tooth that does not hurt, I am not taking pain killers, doesn't ... A: Glad you wrote back. Not many questioners do. For right now, I have to trust your dentist's ...
Gum Absess Brought to a Head	1/14/2005
Q: I've had this gum abscess for 2 weeks. I had the tooth root canaled a year ago. It doesn't hurt but ... A: I don't know if your abscess is coming from your gum, your old root canal, or another tooth. ...
toothpaste	1/14/2005
Q: My son is almost 3, and I wondered if the non-fluoride toothpastes do a good job of cleaning a ... A: Fluoride, when applied to teeth, will cause the teeth to be more resistant to cavities. Period. ...
Extracting a tooth	1/12/2005
Q: I would just like to get your opinion. About 2 months ago my dentist suggested I go to a ... A: An 8 pocket in your gums represents some severe infection under your gum, now likely dissolving away ...
made a mistake	1/8/2005
Q: I took my daughter (almost 3 years old) to the dentist for the first time. The dentist asked about ... A: Don't know for sure if this will self correct. Depends on how much has developed or will develop in ...
cavities	1/3/2005
Q: I know you cannot diagnose online. But hopefully you can describe what I need to look for in my ... A: What you describe sounds like cavities to me. Most cavities do not cause any pain until they reach ...
hi, my question is if a person...	12/31/2004
Q: my question is if a person has tooth mobility or slight movement of the tooth what is the best thing ... A: Can't answer your question in specifics. But I can tell you that there may be several causes for ...
Tooth Extraction	12/15/2004
Q: I am going to have a tooth pulled tommorow. I have many worries about this but what I am wondering ... A: While your concern seems valid, I have not heard of birth control pills causing generalized ...
extraction time	12/5/2004
Q: I've gotten some bad but expected news. Through bad gum disease at 43, I have to have all my upper ... A: Sorry to hear you need to lose your teeth. Now for my answer. Yes, the way your dentist has ...
Tooth pulled	12/3/2004
Q: I have a tooth that has given me alot of trouble. It is the second one from the back on the bottom ... A: Even without seeing your tooth, I will recommend that you have a root canal. There is nothing more ...
LASER	12/1/2004
Q: Is there some laser treatment to give health to the gums, and if so what problems can it cure? A: Yes, NdYag lasers are used on occassion to perform needed treatment to the gums. Generally, these ...
Teeth whitening	11/30/2004
Q: Finnk, I have tried several kinds of teeth whitening over the years from carbamide peroxide to ... A: Unless you have had your front teeth bonded, veneered or capped, if Rembrandt worked for you before, ...
teeth	11/20/2004
Q: Why do certain types of beverages stain the teeth at different parts (such as the root and crown of ... A: Certain beverages stain teeth due to a combination of the coloring in the beverage, the density of ...
scaling	11/19/2004
Q: For scaling and root planning is it necessarily better to use sonic instruments instead of manual ... A: Not necessarily. Ultrasonics usually remove gross calcifications more rapidly. Antibacterial ...
3 questions	11/18/2004
Q: I went to the dentist today because I thought I had a cavity. There are 3 little holes (craters) on ... A: Without you here, and without me being able to see your tooth, I can only guess: 1) If there is ...
flouride	11/16/2004
Q: We use children's toothpaste with flouride for my 2.5 year old toddler. We brush her teeth twice a ... A: I have yet to learn of one case of a child that has been harmed by swallowing a small amount of ...
Swollen from extractions	11/14/2004
Q: I had 6 of my bottom back teeth extracted, 4 on the right and 2 on the left, including my lower left ... A: I must assume you are taking antibiotics. If not, you may need some now. When I remove 4 wisdom ...
cavity	11/6/2004
Q: I am 32 yrs old and never had a cavity filled. I currently have a cavity and I am terrified of ... A: Have the tooth fixed. If Monarch doesn't suit you, I'm sure there are other dental offices near you ...
Tongue Soreness	11/5/2004
Q: You might remember me - 27 yr. old white female -hypocondriac/anxiety/panic attacks - huge fear of ... A: Everything you describe sounds like results of the surgery. The feelings in your tongue will likely ...
Mercury dental amalgams	11/1/2004
Q: My main question is about mercury toxicity from dental amalgams. I have heard lots of histories ... A: My take on existing amalgam fillings is that, in general, they are not harmful. There may be a few ...
MOUTHWASH	11/1/2004
Q: I have noticed that if I use Listerine mouthwash 3 or more times a day plaque does not form in my ... A: I recommend Listerine for most of my patients, to be used after brushing morning and night. It is ...
SCALING	10/28/2004
Q: For root scaling and planing, should that be done by a dentist or periodontist? Should that whole ... A: Root scaling and planing may be done by a dentist, a periodontist or a hygienist. Areas of need ...
Abcessed tooth	10/22/2004
Q: A couple questions. What are the symptoms of an abcessed tooth? I always heard that an abcessed ... A: Answers: What are the symptoms of an abcessed tooth? SOME ARE: PAIN, SWELLING, LOOSE TOOTH OR TEETH, ...
Dental Cap Problems	10/22/2004
Q: I just have one moreI was researching on the internet and also came upon information regarding ... A: It is not likely that your dentist is making pre-fabricated crowns. She would not need to make ...
Dental Cap Problems	10/21/2004
Q: I got a root canal done ages back and just recently went to the dentist to get a dental crown placed ... A: I will answer your questions as you put them: - Since it was so loose that it kept falling off ...
Occassional Soreness	10/15/2004
Q: I'm 27 yr. old white female. You might remember me - I was the one with the huge fear of cancer ... A: As i suggested before, your meds contribute a great deal to your dry mouth, as well as the soreness ...
I notice in my front top teeth...	10/11/2004
Q: I notice in my front top teeth there is like lines in my teeth, I don't know if they are cracks or ... A: I have seen many lines of differing causes in people's teeth. I can't see yours, so I can't give ...
possibilites	10/10/2004
Q: I know I actually need to see a Dentist so my problem can be looked at, I have an appt. next week, I ... A: You probably have clogged salivary glands from the dryness your mouth experiences during sleep. ...
PERIODONTAL DISEASE	9/26/2004
Q: I understand periodontal disease is caused by bateria and that a good first step is scaling. But ... A: I don't know your age, so I don't know if 20% is bad, good or average relative to your age. As a ...
questions concerning teeth	9/26/2004
Q: I have three questions: What are teeth? what are they composed of? and why do beverages such as ... A: Teeth are... well... teeth. The word defines that part of your anatomy that is responsible for both ...
PERIODONTAL DISEASE	9/24/2004
Q: I understand periodontal disease is caused by bateria and that a good first step is scaling. But ... A: We use peridex (a chlorhexidine rinse). And, depending on the severity of your disease, your idea ...
braces	9/21/2004
Q: For someone who got braces 20 years ago, is it possible that those braces stained the teeth? Maybe ... A: It is possible that the braces stained the teeth. However, after one or two professional cleanings, ...
Veneers or Caps....	9/21/2004
Q: I just had a quick question wondering if you could help answer it. My teeth are all straight but I ... A: Veneers and caps can stain. But the stain remains on the surface of the porcelain, and is more ...
Ortho made my teeth too narrow...	9/18/2004
Q: I'm 24 years old and got braces recently. I've had them for a few months. I had very very minor ... A: It is often difficult, if not impossible, to widen the lower jaw. What is sometimes done is to ...
Teeth	9/18/2004
Q: I am 20 years old with white, straight, healthy teeth. About 5 months ago I noticed that around the ... A: Near Sandi: Not due to brushing, though you should be using an extra-soft brush. Not due to a lack ...
ears/teeth/jaw	9/16/2004
Q: could you please tell me what maybe happening to my ears...i have eustachian tube dysfunction..and ... A: I am a dentist. SO... for the bad tooth at the top back right side of your mouth, you should see ...
upset	9/14/2004
Q: I went to the dentist today for the first time in a long time. I am having sensitivity on the top ... A: I am confused. Why are you asking me these questions instead of asking the dentist you went to? ...
Just had a tooth pulled	9/2/2004
Q: I just had my tooth number 15 pulled. This morning when I woke up, I noticed that I was biting on ... A: Sorry you had to lose your tooth. What you describe happens occassionally to tooth sockets that ...
what can any of the folowoing...	8/26/2004
Q: what can any of the folowoing speciaties do for tmj? regular dentist oral surgeon tmj ... A: All of the specialties you name can treat tmj. Each may have its own way of doing so. And each ...
mouth pain	8/25/2004
Q: i had a molar pulled friday august 20,04 lower back right side of mouth. my mouth is real sensitive ... A: It is possible that you may have tuna in the socket, that the socket is infected, and that you may ...
Molar Pain	8/24/2004
Q: I am 22 years old and have a problem with molar pain. All my molars are extremely sensitive to the ... A: You probably clench your teeth both day and night. If you have worn the enamel off the tops of your ...
overbite	8/23/2004
Q: I'm so sorry to bother you again! I did give you incorrect information. My son has a deep bite. ... A: I agree that braces are required to correct his bite. But this is really a decision for your son to ...
overbite	8/20/2004
Q: My son is 21 years old and has a overbite 6mm. He refused to have braces. His orthodontist has me ... A: 1. No. 2. Having answered the first question "no", you now know that braces will have nothing to do ...
Just curious...	8/18/2004
Q: you might remember me, I'm the hypocondriac from earlier in the week. Background: I'm a 27 yr. old ... A: Probably just a residual film of toothpaste that's not been rinsed out due to your generally dry ...
Dry mouth?	8/16/2004
Q: I'm 27 yr. old white female. Medicine that I am currently taking: Allegra-D along with Flonase for ... A: I'm sure I've answered your question before, though your name has changed. This doesn't sound like ...
Crowns	8/10/2004
Q: My front teeth have five porcelain crowns. I have had them for quite a number of years and am very ... A: Porcelain-metal crowns can be every bit as beautiful as all-porcelain. And Porcelain-metal crowns ...
White Teeth	8/1/2004
Q: So that means that the tray systems dont work THAT good?I am a 16 year old male. When I was 4 years ... A: Tray systems do work well. That would be one system your dentist might offer. If you are trying to ...
dry mouth	7/29/2004
Q: I'm a 27 yr. old female, drink once a week (4-5 beers), ex-smoker, take Aciphex for Reflux, ... A: All the meds you take, plus the coffee, plus the anxiety... all contribute to dry mouth. There is ...
Painful Burning	7/25/2004
Q: my throat feels like it is on fire. One one side of the soft area right before the back of your ... A: Because I can't see the sores, you'll need to see someone. GP physician or ENT likely best. The ...
Temp crown removal & tooth sensitivity	7/13/2004
Q: Finnk, My #14 tooth had a loose filling, and I went to the DDS to get it checked and was told I ... A: Interesting story. All of it. In answer to your questions: 1. Yes, the edge of the crown should ...
Allergy (relevant?)	7/8/2004
Q: I recently got a surfuce filling and braces. I noticed though that after getting those, I developed ... A: Although anything is possible, I've never heard of braces causing a rash. It may be possible that ...
Risks involved with temporary cement in a bridge in someone's mouth for a prolonged period of time	6/24/2004
Q: I have 3 questions to ask: Question # 1: What are the risks involved with temporary cement in a ... A: 1. Temporary cement could wash out from under the bridge, leaving the teeth under the bridge more ...
dry mouth	6/15/2004
Q: a little bit of background... I am a 27 yr. old female, I drink once a week and ex-smoker. I ... A: The answers: 1. Yes 2. Yes 3. Yes 4. Yes. You should discontinue all your medicines. You should ...
your opinion?	6/4/2004
Q: i went to a prosthodontist - missing 4 bottom front teeth, and missing the last 3 or 4 top teeth on ... A: A very long, complicated, difficult and sad story. And I can't see a thing from here. Because you ...
Tongue Bite	6/3/2004
Q: Finnk, This may sound like a weird question. But, while jogging, I accidentally bit my tongue. That ... A: It'll take about a week to 10 days for your tongue to heal. Doing nothing is usually the best ...
Cosmetic Dentistry	6/2/2004
Q: I am interested in becoming a cosmetic dentist. I have tried to find information about the field, ... A: First you become a dentist. This involves from 2-4 years of University undergraduate ...
your opinion?	6/1/2004
Q: i went to a prosthodontist - missing 4 bottom front teeth, and missing the last 3 or 4 top teeth on ... A: I am stunned that you could have had all this damage done in the few months that it should have ...
affordable dentistryI	5/31/2004
Q: I read your response with great interest. We have friend who is impoverished she has medicaid in ... A: I'm no expert on Medicaid in Florida, but it was my understanding that they do pay a very small ...
crown	5/20/2004
Q: My bottom back tooth has a silver-colour, metal crown which a dentist fitted 4 ½ years ago, after a ... A: The reason a dentist shortens an opposing tooth during crown preparation, is that they can see that ...
implants and crowns	5/1/2004
Q: Finnk, Next month I will have surgery to incert 8 upper implants: two front, two on the left and ... A: Sorry that you had bad experiences with bridges. This is very uncommon. I have no idea what the ...
implants and crowns	4/29/2004
Q: Finnk, Next month I will have surgery to incert 8 upper implants: two front, two on the left and ... A: These, of course, are all questions you should have had answered by your dentist, the surgeon who is ...
teeth whitenings	4/9/2004
Q: I'm wondering if you could tell me how these 2 whitening gels are different and which one is more ... A: I cannot answer why the 22% carbamide peroxide did not work for you, unless your teeth are already ...
whitening	3/28/2004
Q: I've heard that cigarette ashes actually whiten your teen! Is this true? thanks, Jenny A: I've never heard this. But I would imagine that some sharp producer might make cigarette ashes into ...
TMJ & Teeth Whitening	3/27/2004
Q: I have a question ref TMJ. How can I ease the clicking when I chew? Also, I have a filling in the ... A: TMJ clicking can come from several sources. The shape of the inside of your jaw socket (or the ...
Pain with flossing	3/22/2004
Q: For the past couple of weeks I have had pain in between the same two teeth whenever I floss. It ... A: If food is not getting caught in this area, then you have likely lacerated your gum with the floss. ...
Upper Jaw Pain	3/21/2004
Q: Finnk, You helped me out before and I hope you will help me again. I am having some upper jaw ... A: The answers to all your questions is YES! 1. YES sinus infections CAN cause tooth pain. But tooth ...
dry socket	3/20/2004
Q: i had a upper back tooth pulled actully 2 of them this was done 2days ago thursday at 3pm and this ... A: May be infected by organism resistiant to the antibiotic you are taking. Or may be dry socket (a ...
Would appreciate advice	3/16/2004
Q: I'm a 55 year old woman who has been wearing a full upper denture and lower bridge for many years. ... A: From the tone of your letter, I thought you had already received the finished product, were wearing ...
Would appreciate advice	3/16/2004
Q: I'm a 55 year old woman who has been wearing a full upper denture and lower bridge for many years. ... A: Yours is a long and complicated story. And I have only your story, not that of the dentist or ...
oral health	3/14/2004
Q: How many times a day do you recommend to brush the teeth? In Brazil,all the dentist insist on 3 ... A: Two times a day: After breakfast and before bed. Soft toothbrush. Fluoride toothpaste. Front ...
tooth problem	3/1/2004
Q: I am 30 Male from Nigeria. i notice that my teeth is cracking and chipping off at the edges. Could ... A: 2 things that crack and chip your teeth at the edges: Coarse, hard food you eat, and a clenching or ...
Dentures	2/27/2004
Q: Finnk, I am in need of an upper denture. I've heard of an outfit called "Affordable Dentures". ... A: Funny how you use the name of an "outfit" to choose who makes your teeth. I worked at an outfit in ...
Sores in the mouth	2/17/2004
Q: I am 25 years old, and I have just recently begun going to the dentist regularly. The last time I ... A: I would really like to see these bumps to know what they could be. The rest is only speculation. ...

All Questions in This Category

Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO

Top Expert on this page

Expertise

I am a Family, Implant and Cosmetic dentist. I will answer questions on any aspect of dentistry and matters relating to the smile, gums, jaws and lower face. Member American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, and Atlantic Coast District Dental Association. I have served as District Council Member of Alpha Omega, as well as serving for one term as its President. I am also a member of The Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, and Mount Sinai Hospital Guild. I have served as a Volunteer for Project Dental Health and The Tri-County Dental Health Council.

Experience

Having attained over 30 years of clinical experience in private practice in Michigan, in 2001 I was re-certified by taking and passing the Florida State Dental Board Examination. After moving to Florida, I spent nearly 10 years re-honing my skills while working as an Associate Dentist for several large dental groups. In September, 2004, I was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor at Nova University's College of Dental Medicine. I am certified in placement of Mini Dental Implants, and I am Director of The Florida Implant Center (floridaimplantcenter.com). On March 1, 2010, at the age of 62, I began all over again by buying a dental practice near my home in the Fort Lauderdale area. As sole owner and Chief Dental Officer of the new Nob Hill Dental Center (nobhilldentalcenter.com), I can now carefully provide dental care to patients who care, all within a caring, joyful environment. Over my career lifetime, I have provided thousands of diagnoses, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, periodontal treatments, TMJ therapies, partials, dentures and extractions, and dozens of implants for my patients. The only aspect of dentistry with which I have very little experience is orthodontics.

Organizations
American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, Atlantic Coast District Dental Society, Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, Alpha Omega Alumni Association, and American Association of Dental Implantologists. Formerly, American Academy of General Dentistry, Michigan Dental Association, Macomb Dental Society, Detroit District Dental Society, Tri-County Dental Health Council (a charitable dental care organization)

Publications
"How To Save Money At The Dentist" Going to press soon.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Psychology from Wayne State University Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Detroit College of Dentistry Adjunct Clinical Professor, Special Needs Department, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Awards and Honors
Membership in The Vedder Honors Society

Past/Present Clients
HIPAA rules do not allow me to post this information.

Encyclopedia

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