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About Mark Bornfeld DDS
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I can respond to all questions dealing with the practice of dentistry, from both the dentist`s and patient`s perspective. I am knowledgeable about all dental disciplines, from cosmetic dentistry to surgery, from restorative dentistry to root canal treatment. I have strong opinions about controversial issues in dental practice, including those topics which directly impact on the reputation of the profession in the eyes of both the lay public and our health profession colleagues.

Experience

Past/Present Clients
Editor, Queens County Academy of General Dentistry newsletter; contributor to Dentistry.com
29 years practicing general dentistry partnered with brother Steve as one-half of the
DentalTwins®

   

You are here:  Experts > Health/Fitness > Dentistry > Dentistry

Questions Answered By Expert  Mark Bornfeld DDS 
In Category  Dentistry

SubjectDate Asked

Swollen Back Gum---where wisdom tooth should come up4/13/2009
  Q: My left hand side of my mouth (at the back) is soo swollen it hurts to talk, close my mouth and eat. ...
  A: You have a case of what is known as "pericoronitis". This condition is common when there are ...
Decay under bridge4/12/2009
  Q: I have suffered lately from major depression and was prescribed 50 mg. of Zoloft. However, I am ...
  A: Your dentist will be able to diagnose any tooth decay under the bridge, through a combination of ...
toothache4/11/2009
  Q: I have a toothache that is a lot like the pain I have had in the past and ended up with root canal. ...
  A: Actually, the most accurate way of determining which tooth is responsible for a patient's specific ...
repair for 2 cracked front teeth - temporary4/10/2009
  Q: Both upper front teeth are cracked-tip to gum, front and back in the middle, probably from clenching ...
  A: No-- by definition, a veneer only primarily covers the front surface of a tooth, and provides little ...
Core Build-up/Root Canal4/10/2009
  Q: I went to a dentist (long overdue) and he has done a core build-up with a pin on two teeth. Both of ...
  A: It is true that had your dentist been able to anticipate the current turn of events, he certainly ...
repair for 2 cracked front teeth - temporary4/10/2009
  Q: Both upper front teeth are cracked-tip to gum, front and back in the middle, probably from clenching ...
  A: If there is sufficient enamel still present on the two broken teeth, it may be possible for your ...
New immediate dentures / extraction "irrigation" fee4/10/2009
  Q: I recently had a complete immediate upper denture made, and had the 12 remaining upper teeth ...
  A: I share your suspicion. While I don't profess to know the conditions under which irrigation was ...
bone loss4/9/2009
  Q: Is it true that bone can regenerate itself? How long would it take? Are there supplements that can ...
  A: In the dental/periodontal context, bone has only a very limited capability of regeneration. In most ...
sinus perforation with extraction4/9/2009
  Q: If a sinus perforation is left un treated what will be the outcome?
  A: The consequences of unrepaired sinus perforation can vary from case to case, depending on the ...
2 failed root canals on molar, question about apicoectomy4/8/2009
  Q: In 2002 I had a root canal on top molar #3 as a result of much pain in that area after having a ...
  A: Any answer I provide would be purely speculative, because I don't have access to the relevant ...
teeth spreading apart4/8/2009
  Q: I am 30 yrs old, female.I told my dentist that I have been noticing my front teeth spreading apart. ...
  A: It is not uncommon for teeth to spread apart in an adult patient, but the phenomenon is strongly ...
Removal of my Briged crown3/26/2009
  Q: I had my 2 front top teeth with root canal treatment. When i had to have it capped, my dentist ...
  A: Although it is often possible to remove a fixed bridge using specialized tools for this purpose, it ...
sensitivity after composite fillings3/25/2009
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld; I recently went to the dentist at the beginning of this month to have my teeth ...
  A: It's not possible to provide reliable guidance, because the answers to your question depend entirely ...
Conservative treatment of small cavities3/25/2009
  Q: I recall reading a research article several years ago that described a technique that chemically ...
  A: The system to which you refer is called "Caridex". To my knowledge, it is no longer in production, ...
Instrument Cleaning3/24/2009
  Q: My 7 year old went for a cleaning this morning. I went back with her and noticed a metal instrument ...
  A: I think the hygienist's reply is consistent with what would be considered acceptable practice. The ...
crown cost and what's best3/24/2009
  Q: I need a crown on my rear molar and was told that it was best to use a high noble without porcelian ...
  A: Although there is a fragility factor to ceramic, it is not time-related. It depends entirely on the ...
Mis-aligned canine (eye) tooth3/23/2009
  Q: I am 40 years old and my #11 tooth (the canine on my left side) grew in very high on my gum line. ...
  A: I would strongly recommend against extracting the canine. Not only would you sacrifice the strongest ...
Crowns3/23/2009
  Q: After falling in the sixth grade and cracking my two front teeth in half, I have received three root ...
  A: A gray color that appears immediately after crown placement is usually due to a dark metal collar on ...
drank alochol after root canal treatment3/23/2009
  Q: I had root canal treatment 6 days ago. I drank alcohol 3 days after root canal treatment. After an ...
  A: I very much doubt that the alcohol you consumed had anything to do with the flareup of that tooth-- ...
condensing osteitis3/23/2009
  Q: Bornfeld...I wrote you a couple of weeks back about strange bilateral tooth and face pain I've been ...
  A: No-- condensing osteitis does not spread, much less jump to the other side of the jaw. If a lesion ...
crown cost and what's best3/21/2009
  Q: I need a crown on my rear molar and was told that it was best to use a high noble without porcelian ...
  A: In general, a ceramic fused to high noble metal crown will command a higher fee than a full cast ...
periodontal charting3/21/2009
  Q: As a working hygienist, I have a question about periodontal screenings - specifically probe and ...
  A: Although there is a separate CDT code for comprehensive periodontal exams (D0180), it is customary ...
bad taste after wisdom teeth extraction3/12/2009
  Q: I had four impacted wisdom teeth removed on Mon (four days ago) and I'm experiencing a bad taste in ...
  A: It would be normal to experience some bad taste and smell from recent wisdom tooth extractions, and ...
teeth cleaning3/12/2009
  Q: what is the recommended frequency for cleaning by the hygienist. I am 60 years old with some deep ...
  A: There is no single standardized frequency of dental cleaning that is appropriate for all patients. ...
Root canal abscess3/12/2009
  Q: I got a message today from AllExperts which only said "You are welcome" at the top of the message, ...
  A: The CDC information was not referenced by either of the sources you cited. Yes-- it is well ...
dis comfort after having a bridge put on3/11/2009
  Q: I had a temporary bridge put on my lower left side ( 3 teeth )10 days ago and have been having some ...
  A: The flexibility of the typical temporary fixed bridge, as well as the softness of temporary cement, ...
Root canal abscess3/11/2009
  Q: I got a message today from AllExperts which only said "You are welcome" at the top of the message, ...
  A: It had seemed to me that your last message did not contain a question, but simply an acknowledgement ...
Doubting My Dentist3/10/2009
  Q: Good Day, I came across this forum in a desperate search for information before an emergency appmt ...
  A: Yes-- a brown/black spot could be something other than tooth decay. Of course, there is no way to ...
Root canal abcess3/9/2009
  Q: I had root canal done by my dentist last Friday and it was very painful.I had an abscess for 5 days ...
  A: The necessity of antibiotics must be decided based on individual circumstance. Antibiotics are ...
Knot in gum after extraction3/9/2009
  Q: I had 2 of my lower front teeth extracted 5 days ago and the pain is still there. I have a large ...
  A: Yes-- you should consult with your dentist. Although your description is insufficient on its own to ...
Root canal abcess3/9/2009
  Q: I had root canal done by my dentist last Friday and it was very painful.I had an abscess for 5 days ...
  A: Although it is not possible in this forum to accurately assess whether your root canal treatment was ...
Tooth broken off at gum line3/8/2009
  Q: My husband (who is 63 and a diabetic) has been having trouble with a bridge staying in. It fell out ...
  A: The bridge should be left out of the mouth, because it cannot be securely re-attached if one of the ...
Cracked Tooth3/7/2009
  Q: I have had a root canal done on one of my back molars. It hasn't been capped. The molar cracked ...
  A: As long as there are no symptoms, there is no harm in waiting until Monday. Short delay will do ...
root canal over temporary bridge complications3/7/2009
  Q: This is a quite lengthy problem so I will try to make it as brief as possible. About 2 1/2 months ...
  A: It seems likely that the failure of your extraction to relieve pain is due to the fact that your ...
post and core / core build up3/7/2009
  Q: I am trying to figure out the difference between a post and core, pins, and a core buildup. My ...
  A: There is some ambiguity here, because the terms "core", "build-up", "post", and "dowel" are ...
Crown not extending past gum line3/6/2009
  Q: Just had a crown placed, the crown placed does not go all the way to the gum line, barely visible in ...
  A: There is no absolute requirement that the margins of a crown be extended under the gum line. In ...
Ethics and standards in a practice.3/6/2009
  Q: I recently had and awful experience with a dental office. I am new to the area and have a badly ...
  A: If the events were as you have presented them, then the actions of your dentists are unconscionable. ...
Extractions & changing of a plan3/6/2009
  Q: I have booked an appointment (in a week time) with my dentist for extractions on 12 upper teeth. ...
  A: There is nothing rude about expressing your treatment preferences, and you have an absolute right to ...
Unexplained tooth pain3/5/2009
  Q: Bornfield, I apologize for the long message; my story is complicated and unusual. 6 months ago I ...
  A: Yes-- pain that originates in the teeth does have a tendency to radiate and refer along the ...
Post wisdom teeth extract, inflammation3/5/2009
  Q: I had all four of my wisdom teeth extracted in mid december. Now it's March, I haven't had any ...
  A: Although it's uncertain what you are describing, the most likely possibility is that it is what is ...
Wisdom Teeth Extraction3/5/2009
  Q: Today, March 4th, I had all four of my wisdom teeth taken out. All four were impacted and im 16, I ...
  A: I generally counsel patients to stay on a soft diet for a full week, especially in cases like yours ...
broken metal bridge3/4/2009
  Q: i have a porcelin fused to metal full upper bridge attached by 7 implants the bridge broke with 12 ...
  A: No-- there is no cement that will provide a durable repair in this case. However, depending on how ...
gum irritation3/4/2009
  Q: I have a larger space than usual between my two back molars on my left side. This often leads to ...
  A: From your narrative, it seems probable that you sustained a physical injury to the gums. Assuming ...
Unexplained tooth pain3/4/2009
  Q: Bornfield, I apologize for the long message; my story is complicated and unusual. 6 months ago I ...
  A: I usually refer my hard-to-diagnose patients to an interdisciplinary pain facility, where diverse ...
dry socket3/3/2009
  Q: If a dry socket is going to form, What is the amount of time it takes to form once a tooth is ...
  A: When they develop, dry sockets usually first become manifest between three and ten days after the ...
Sensitivity problems3/3/2009
  Q: I recently had some new fillings drilled and filled with amalgam filling almost a month ago. Ever ...
  A: I would advise against any active intervention at this point unless it is clearly necessary. Any ...
tooth extraction3/3/2009
  Q: I had my left upper back tooth removed today, and without thinking about it, I smoked a cigarette. ...
  A: Although smoking is a presumed risk factor in the development of dry socket, it does not mean that ...
New crown adjustment.3/3/2009
  Q: Today I received permanent crown on second to the last tooth on bottom. It is porcelain on metal, ...
  A: If the crown was improperly seated on your tooth during the cementation process, it needs to be ...
can't have epinephrine3/2/2009
  Q: I am taking an MAO inhibitor and can only have the pure novocain, no ephnephrine. I need all of my ...
  A: Technically speaking, the term "Novocaine" refers to an anesthetic that is not much used anymore. ...
ameloblastoma3/1/2009
  Q: My nine-year-old son was just diagnosed (yesterday) with an ameloblastoma in the right mandible. ...
  A: Implicit in your question is the suspicion that your son's previous dentist was careless in not ...
Can medication cause teeth to crumble?2/28/2009
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, I am a Vietnam Veteran and on 80% disability as an out-patient at a VA Hospital. For ...
  A: Medications that inhibit salivary secretion and thereby cause mouth dryness can significantly ...
Toothpaste / Sugar2/27/2009
  Q: I have two questions. First, does sugar immediately start eating away the enamel on your teeth or ...
  A: It is quite common for the pain from a tooth with pulpitis or alveolar abscess to be intermittent. ...
Nerve Dead/Calcification in Incisor2/27/2009
  Q: I went to the dentist yesterday and was told that the nerve inside my left central incisor has died ...
  A: There is always some risk of tooth loss in the future, regardless of current status. Granted, the ...
Toothpaste / Sugar2/26/2009
  Q: I have two questions. First, does sugar immediately start eating away the enamel on your teeth or ...
  A: Sugar has no direct effect on tooth enamel-- it exerts a deleterious effect on teeth because it ...
6yo daughters teeth2/26/2009
  Q: I have a couple concerns and questions about my 6yo daughter. Let me start by saying that the reason ...
  A: You can view a tooth eruption chart that lists the average age when the various primary and adult ...
six year molars2/26/2009
  Q: my daughter (turned 7 in november 08)just had her 6 year molars sealed and she is having pain with ...
  A: It is highly unlikely that your daughter at age 7 would have any new teeth erupting in the immediate ...
perforated sinus2/24/2009
  Q: I recently had a tooth extraction #5, I have had constant pain since the extraction even before the ...
  A: It is unclear from your narrative just why you entitled your question "perforated sinus"-- has the ...
Dental anesthetic side-effects2/21/2009
  Q: I have had TMD since age 13. On 1/19/09, I had an old crown removed, a build-up for the new crown ...
  A: I'm surprised that any dentist with 25 years of experience would not have encountered this ...
chin numbness2/21/2009
  Q: I had a really bad toothache on a tooth that already had root canal surgery done on it four years ...
  A: The fact that the onset of the numbness coincided with the acute infection makes it almost 100% ...
endodontics2/19/2009
  Q: could you please tell me the harmful or deleterious effects if there are any of sodium hypochlorite ...
  A: Sodium hypochlorite is a very caustic material, and will cause severe injury on any patient if it is ...
ultra sonic scaling2/19/2009
  Q: My hygienist uses a cavitron to clean all her patients teeth, because "it's easier". Is it harmful ...
  A: All dental instruments, whether mechanical (e.g., Cavitron) or manual (curettes and scalers) have ...
is deep cleaning always necessary?2/19/2009
  Q: Bornfled, I was told by my dentist when I did regular cleaning a year agon that my gum was very ...
  A: Unfortunately, a reliable diagnosis is required in order to prescribe an appropriate course of ...
my daughter2/19/2009
  Q: My daughter will be 7 next week. She appears to have the same mouth and teeth as me. Her baby ...
  A: Answers to your questions depend on a formal arch-length analysis to determine whether there is ...
cracked tooth2/18/2009
  Q: I am 59 years of age and in good health. In the last five years I have had three cracked teeth, all ...
  A: Brown, The answer very much depends on why your teeth are cracking. For example, if over the years ...
Pediatric Receding Gum2/18/2009
  Q: My 13 year old has a signficantly receding gum on her lower incisor. It seems to have developed ...
  A: Rapid recession of the gum on lower incisors is something that may occur when the teeth are moved ...
gum bleeding after crown replacement2/17/2009
  Q: I had an old crown replaced recently and everything was fine before the treatment. My gum started ...
  A: Gum inflammation is common after the placement of a new crown-- it may be partially due to the ...
dental question2/17/2009
  Q: I was hit in the face about three ago while cheerleading and the left side of my lip became really ...
  A: The sequence of events clearly indicates that you have injured the pulp of your tooth and will ...
Can I leave a cracked tooth alone?2/17/2009
  Q: I have a cracked molar, #19 that is covered by a porcelain onlay. The crack occurred after I had ...
  A: The answer really depends on the location, orientation, and extent of the crack. What is ominous ...
apicoectomy vs. implant1/7/2009
  Q: I had a root canal on #24 in the mid 1960's when I was around ten years old. In 1996 I developed an ...
  A: The dentist who removed your cyst in 1996 almost certainly performed an apicoectomy at the time, ...
Jaw1/7/2009
  Q: Bornfeld, Late December 2008 I had a deep cleaning of my lower and upper right side because of ...
  A: In all likelihood, you are experiencing spasm of the muscles that close the jaw. This causes the ...
Dental bridge problems1/6/2009
  Q: I fractured a tooth about 5 years ago while grinding my teeth at night(I have a bite-guard now), and ...
  A: In the absence of diagnostic information, I can't offer much more than speculation-- the black area ...
Laser1/6/2009
  Q: What do you think of the use of laser to perform a deep cleaning on the teeth? Is it new? Is it ...
  A: Disclaimer: I have no personal experience with lasers in dental applications. However, I am unaware ...
crown1/6/2009
  Q: I had a crown put on 7 months ago, #19, he adjusted it 3 times and it still hurts. It is hurting ...
  A: No, it is not normal to experience pain for 7 months after crown placement. Sadly, some dentists are ...
Bonding chip tooth1/6/2009
  Q: Over 5 years ago i had a chipped front tooth rebuilt by my dentist. Recently i noticed that a crack ...
  A: Although cyanoacrylate cements such as Super Glue once were used in dental applications, they fell ...
pediatric dental surgery vs. papoose1/5/2009
  Q: My grandson was evaluated by 2 dentists. One said will put him on a papoose, pull 6 teeth and have ...
  A: Although I concede that in some situations the use of patient restraints such as a papoose board is ...
Root Canal Post Fell Out1/3/2009
  Q: I had a root canal done on a tooth years ago. A few months ago I felt this horrible pain when I bit ...
  A: Although it is theoretically possible to do what you propose, it is seldom practical to move teeth ...
dry socket1/3/2009
  Q: What would happen if dry socket is untreated? Can you get endocarditis Thank you.
  A: Dry socket is a benign condition that has no health implications other than the discomfort it ...
Mucocele Removal and Pregnancy1/3/2009
  Q: I have had a mucocele on my bottom lip for several months now. I would like to get it removed as ...
  A: Although the removal of a mucocele would not pose significant risk to most pregnancies, I think you ...
Torus Mandibularis1/2/2009
  Q: I have had these bumps in my mouth which has gotten increasing larger over time, now they are almost ...
  A: Mandibular tori are seldom an issue unless dentures are worn. The gum that overlies these bony ...
jaw alignment1/2/2009
  Q: a 14 year old girl has had braces and blocks to realign the jaw and teeth. The top teeth started off ...
  A: Teeth change their spacial relationships for a wide variety of reasons besides orthodontic treatment ...
how to fix a front tooth that is grown sideways?12/31/2008
  Q: frontal tooth grown completely sideways how would this be fixed? what is it called? attaching a ...
  A: Although I cannot conclusively tell if it is possible from the photo alone, I think your best ...
crown on broken tooth?12/31/2008
  Q: My husband had root canal on a molar tooth about 2 months ago. My dentist told me the fee for the ...
  A: There are many different kinds of crowns, and some of them command a higher lab fee than others. ...
9 millimeter pocket12/31/2008
  Q: I have a 9 millimeter pocket in a tooth in the upper jaw in the back. It still seems pretty strong. ...
  A: There is no way for me to know what that dark spot in your pocket may be in the absence of any ...
pain after fillings12/31/2008
  Q: I recently had 5 fillings done (I am really good about brushing teeth/flossing/using listerine and ...
  A: There is very little that can be reliably inferred from qualitative assessment of subjective ...
Crown came out12/30/2008
  Q: I wrote you yesterday.My crown came out in my top left side.The existing tooth had a root canal done ...
  A: Although it may be possible to re-cement the crown temporarily, that may not be the best strategy. ...
Bridge Problem12/30/2008
  Q: I had a 4 tooth bridge (top front tooth going back) break eating corn-on-the-cob this past summer. ...
  A: You certainly could have a fractured root on one of the bridge's abutment teeth-- in fact, that's ...
novocaine12/29/2008
  Q: I have found little information regarding novocaine poisoning; and would like to know if such ...
  A: An accurate answer to your question requires consideration of the specific local anesthetic agent ...
Which type of crown would be best?12/28/2008
  Q: I am a 27 year old female who has a crack (can't be seen on x-ray) on a lower molar which was ...
  A: Lower molars are relatively bulky teeth, and the differences in the depths of preparation between ...
intubation12/28/2008
  Q: I was intubated during an operation,can this cause cracked front caps & natural back teeth
  A: I would like to believe that most anesthesiologists are respectful of their patients' teeth, and ...
Treating an open-bite with Invisalign.12/28/2008
  Q: I am a 25 year old male and recently began orthodontic treament using invisalign to correct spaced ...
  A: Sanchez, The resin attachments used in Invisalign are just small bumps made of tooth-colored ...
Veneer/Cap Whitening12/27/2008
  Q: I fell back into an old bad habit (smoking) about 3 months after I had my full set of top teeth done ...
  A: Unless your veneers and caps were badly cemented, any staining you see will be on the surfaces of ...
Can dental work damage teeth in proximity?12/26/2008
  Q: Recently I had two fillings put in in the top and bottom molars on the left side of my mouth - far ...
  A: Although even the most unlikely events cannot be unequivocally excluded as possibilities, it would ...
Root Canal Post Fell Out12/26/2008
  Q: I had a root canal done on a tooth years ago. A few months ago I felt this horrible pain when I bit ...
  A: I'm guessing here, because a reliable assessment requires direct, in-person examination. However, ...
Wisdom tooth extraction and root canal treatment for neighbouring tooth12/25/2008
  Q: I had my impacted wisdom tooth (lower left 8th tooth) extracted very recently(6 days ago) along with ...
  A: It is customary to make an incision in the gum as wide as necessary in order to provide adequate ...
New upper dentures12/25/2008
  Q: after 4-5 weeks visits to my dentist I had yesterday my new full upper dentures.They fit nice.The ...
  A: Almost every person who first starts wearing complete upper dentures experiences some subjective ...
swollen gums12/24/2008
  Q: Help! My gums are swollen, my cheek has puffed up and I seemed to have lost a dimple! But in all ...
  A: I'm surprised that your dentist didn't see anything wrong, given the swelling, which is a sure sign ...
questin about my bite!12/24/2008
  Q: when i bite down my top mollars are about 1/3 a tooth behind my bottom teeth. i do not have an ...
  A: Yes-- the bite pattern you describe is formally referred to as an "Angle Class I Occlusion", and it ...
Wisdom teeth12/24/2008
  Q: could you please have a look at this x-ray of my teeth here: ...
  A: Dr. Teig is entitled to his opinion, and I am sure that many dentists would agree with him. On the ...
Wisdom teeth12/23/2008
  Q: could you please have a look at this x-ray of my teeth here: ...
  A: Although it is clear from the x-ray that your lower wisdom teeth will probably never erupt properly, ...
canker sore12/23/2008
  Q: I have a canker sore on the gum near my lower left molar. Could the canker sore cause a sensation ...
  A: Although a canker sore can be quite sensitive to direct contact, it would not cause an adjacent ...
gum pocket size12/22/2008
  Q: What is usually done to bring a gum pocket size down? Is it root scaling OR bone grafting? Mine is ...
  A: The benefits of root planing are quite inconsistent, because they depend in large part on the ...
gum pocket size12/22/2008
  Q: What is usually done to bring a gum pocket size down? Is it root scaling OR bone grafting? Mine is ...
  A: Excessive pocket depth is not a discrete disorder in itself-- it is merely one diagnostic parameter ...
Help!!! PAINFUL tooth12/21/2008
  Q: I had a root canal on the second to back tooth on the botton left last january. For the last 2 ...
  A: It is indeed possible for a tooth that has recently received root canal therapy and a crown to hurt, ...
Mucocele excision12/21/2008
  Q: I read a post addressed to an oral/maxofacial surgeon on this site. It was in regard to issues ...
  A: When used to treat mucous retention cysts (i.e., "mucoceles"), marsupialization is primarily ...
Extraction with bone graft11/17/2008
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, I was seen for tooth pain and the dentist told me I need to have #4 extracted (#4 had ...
  A: I cannot assess the urgency of your situation, because it depends on local and systemic factors that ...
implant/flipper11/16/2008
  Q: Can a flipper help prevent teeth from shifting? I had a lower molar out 6 months ago and an implant ...
  A: Although a flipper can prevent tooth shifting, it's uncertain whether another two or three months ...
tmj and ear pain11/16/2008
  Q: I read through a lot of the questions and answers, and I just wanted to tell you my concerns with my ...
  A: I'm uncertain whether you wanted to direct this question to me, judging by your salutation to Susan. ...
Dental Implant10/20/2008
  Q: My periodontist stated that dental implants on lower second molars (#18 and #31) are not a good idea ...
  A: Sometimes there is risk of nerve damage, and sometimes there isn't. It is true that the nerve that ...
gum sore10/18/2008
  Q: I have had a sore on my gum for the past two months. I does not hurt or bleed and has apparently not ...
  A: Any sore or lesion that persists more than two weeks must be properly identified in order to assess ...
Double Vision after a Root Canal10/17/2008
  Q: I recently underwent root canal treatment which was done in two sessions by an endodontist. After ...
  A: Hansen, It is possible that either the local anesthetic injection or the root canal treatment ...
dental crown-bite not correct10/16/2008
  Q: I recently had two crowns done on back molars one above the other. I had the second tooth preped ...
  A: It is indeed permissible to adjust tooth surfaces-- even intact enamel surfaces-- to optimize the ...
Extraction with bone graft10/15/2008
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, I was seen for tooth pain and the dentist told me I need to have #4 extracted (#4 had ...
  A: Although I cannot make any specific recommendations with regard to your available options, there are ...
Root swelling?10/12/2008
  Q: I have a question. On Thursday, October 2nd, I was eating a slice of pizza. When I bit down on the ...
  A: The clinical presentation you describe is strongly suggestive of a dento-alveolar abscess, ...
emamel hypoplasia10/12/2008
  Q: I'm 22 years old and have had a spot on one of my front teeth ever since my adult teeth grew in. My ...
  A: Although your dentist's use of language may be a bit imprecise, it is substantively correct, because ...
help with wisdom teeth10/11/2008
  Q: i had my 2 wisdom teeth removed on the right side of my face on aug. 26 a few days before that the ...
  A: Small sinus perforations can heal without surgical intervention. However, larger openings into the ...
help with wisdom teeth10/10/2008
  Q: i had my 2 wisdom teeth removed on the right side of my face on aug. 26 a few days before that the ...
  A: I can't comment fully on your condition, because I am disadvantaged by a lack of access to the ...
molar extraction10/10/2008
  Q: Two weeks ago i had a molar on the upper left side pulled the second one from the back. It was ...
  A: A deepening of the socket does not necessarily mean that anything unfavorable has occurred. I infer ...
Pain after root canal10/10/2008
  Q: I had a root canal about 2 weeks ago. Currently I have a temporary filling in the tooth and will be ...
  A: Some amount of discomfort is the rule rather than the exception following root canal therapy. ...
Will the holes left from my extraction fill in?10/10/2008
  Q: Like many others here, I had all four of my third molars removed. The surgery was in September and ...
  A: It takes several months for the bone that supports and gives shape to the overlying gum tissue to ...
dry sockets?10/10/2008
  Q: I had all four wisdom teeth pulled about a week and a half ago and, besides the swelling, bruising, ...
  A: "Dry socket" is defined by pain; therefore, if you are not in pain, you do not have a dry socket-- ...
tooth infection10/8/2008
  Q: I visited my dental surgeon for a regular implant control. She told me the implants are fine but ...
  A: Verandi, 1. is it possible that the infection developed in just a month and my dentist did not see ...
Choosing a Dentist & Care Expectations10/7/2008
  Q: My husband & I are finally able to have our teeth fixed. We chose a dentist through our discount ...
  A: It is clear from your description of events that your new dentist is not psychologically invested in ...
3rd epicoectomy vs. implant10/7/2008
  Q: I've had 2 epicoectomy done since year 2001. The 1st procedure left me a hole in the bone area that ...
  A: If I understand you correctly, you have already had two apicoectomies on the same tooth-- and you ...
PERMANENT BRIDGE/GUM RECESSION10/5/2008
  Q: I have a permanent 8 unit bridge. now have gum recession in front teeth. Does the bridge have to be ...
  A: No-- there is no effective way to hide an exposed margin caused by gum recession on a fixed bridge, ...
Temporary filling and pregnant10/5/2008
  Q: I had a a root canal done 4 weeks ago and was given a temporary filling. I have been able to go to ...
  A: Most admonitions with regard to herb derivatives and pregnancy are boilerplate warnings, because ...
In pain with me teeth10/5/2008
  Q: and so is my family. We havent been able to afford the cost to be seen, let alot have our teeth ...
  A: Although the Georgia dental Medicaid program is rather limited in scope, you should investigate to ...
teeth pain after filling replacement10/5/2008
  Q: I recently had a large filling replaced on the bottom right side of my mouth and had a small cavity ...
  A: Despite the fact that the pain seems to be originating from a different tooth, logic suggests that ...
Implant Supported Bridge10/4/2008
  Q: I will need to get a permanent bridge for four front teeth replaced by implants soon. My regular ...
  A: Properly made, porcelain fused to metal crowns and bridges look quite nice. Although there may be ...
Implant Supported Bridge10/4/2008
  Q: I will need to get a permanent bridge for four front teeth replaced by implants soon. My regular ...
  A: The decision as to whether a base metal alloy or a precious metal alloy is used is irrelevant to the ...
pain after root canal and crown10/3/2008
  Q: I am a 66 years old female. My teeth #31 and #18 had been extracted a quite long ago, which caused ...
  A: Pain is a non-specific symptom, and could reflect a wide variety of different problems. The fact ...
AMSA technique/palatal injections10/2/2008
  Q: Is this technique recommended for lengthy procedures? Based on all of the info I can find about ...
  A: I must confess that I don't use the anterior middle superior alveolar nerve block-- I find the ...
Dental Crown10/2/2008
  Q: I have two questions. I hope you will answer them. Firstly, my father has a crown on his two upper ...
  A: The feasibility of repairing an old crown depends on more than just the condition of the crown ...
Dentistry Requirements9/30/2008
  Q: I'm currently in high school and was wondering if I need to take physics in order to enter a ...
  A: Yes-- one year of undergraduate physics is required in college in order to qualify for admission for ...
Permanent vs Removable Bridge9/29/2008
  Q: I am 68 years old and in good health except for my teeth for which I have had extensive dental work ...
  A: The relative merits of the available prosthetic choices in the abstract are straightforward: ...
loose permanent teeth9/28/2008
  Q: I have a 6 yr old who sucked a pacifier only a daily basis until about 9 months ago. Now he ...
  A: Although almost anything is possible, I think that any causal relationship between sucking a ...
loose permanent teeth9/28/2008
  Q: I have a 6 yr old who sucked a pacifier only a daily basis until about 9 months ago. Now he ...
  A: Unless your son is very precocious, those loose teeth are probably primary rather than adult teeth, ...
dental caries and triage9/28/2008
  Q: I recently asked Benjamin Schwartz, D.D.S. a question and received my response... I have a followup ...
  A: Tooth decay follows an indolent, slow course, and the passage of only one or two weeks' time will ...
Is this really a surgical stent?9/27/2008
  Q: A few months ago I had to get 2 of my front teeth removed due to resorption. I then went to a oral ...
  A: You are correct in noting that the device your dentist made is rather flimsy; it is known ...
wisdom teeth extraction9/27/2008
  Q: I am 22 and have 4 impacted wisdom teeth, all are bony impactions. I am having them removed by my ...
  A: The intent of general anesthesia and/or conscious sedation is to manage anxiety; the local ...
infected toot? severe jaw pain9/27/2008
  Q: Two months ago I had a root canal on tooth #14. The tooth had several earlier fillings and had a ...
  A: I am unaware of any occurrence of tetanus arising from a dental infection, and you may safely ...
My teeth hurt after flossing!9/26/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, I am a very busy mom of a 3, 2, and 1 year old. After the birth of my last baby, I have ...
  A: Phillips, Assuming that your dentist is a competent diagnostician and hasn't missed anything, and ...
wonderful dentist9/26/2008
  Q: I work for a great dentist but he is terrible about cross contamination. He is 55 and has been ...
  A: He may be "wonderful", but if he's terrible about cross contamination, he's not a "wonderful ...
dry socket and food9/26/2008
  Q: I had a tooth extracted wed. the 17th and have been in and out with a dry socket since. I had the ...
  A: Although there is little danger that the socket will open at this point, your continued pain merits ...
hematoma9/26/2008
  Q: I received a filling two weeks ago bottom molder #3. Went back to the dentist for the fourth time, ...
  A: You may or may not indeed have a hematoma, but the sequence of events suggests that you incurred ...
Jaw Pain 1mo. after fillings (still)!!9/26/2008
  Q: I went to my dentist to have three cavities filled (two upper and one lower) on the right side of my ...
  A: King, Your description suggests that you have had a subluxation (a type of dislocation) of one of ...
filling removal question9/24/2008
  Q: I'm going to be having a mercury filling removed in the near future, and my understanding is that a ...
  A: Most dentists use high-volume vacuum evacuators during drilling, and the majority of the coolant ...
cheek retractors9/24/2008
  Q: Can cheek retractors used at the dentist cause permanent stretching of the cheek/facial muscles? I ...
  A: Although I suspect that it is theoretically possible to inflict injury on the tissues of the mouth ...
Wisdom Tooth Extraction9/22/2008
  Q: I am 51 years old. My dental hygienist told me that I should eventually have my wisdom tooth ...
  A: I am not a big fan of commercial antiseptic mouthwash products, because they don't offer much ...
toddlers teeth9/22/2008
  Q: At what age should my toddler begin seeing a dentist? Also, my 3 year old's incisor teeth are very ...
  A: Page, The "company line" regarding the optimal age to begin professional dental care is when the ...
sensitivity after fillings9/21/2008
  Q: Your answers have been very helpful. I recently had three white fillings placed in two of my top ...
  A: Unfortunately, desensitizing toothpastes are of no benefit for the sensitivity that follows ...
Top Front Tooth Slightly Longer9/19/2008
  Q: Bornfeld. I went in the other day to my dentist office to remove a white spot on the lower part of ...
  A: Although you may well be able to file down your own tooth, I strongly discourage you and any other ...
please help if possible9/19/2008
  Q: yesterday i went and had a tooth removed,the whole process was horrible to begin with and i was in ...
  A: Although this type of reaction does occasionally happen, it is most assuredly NOT normal. I can't ...
Chart Documentation9/19/2008
  Q: Is it legal to document a dental chart in blue ink? black ink? or both? State of NJ
  A: I am unaware of any regulations, either in New Jersey or elsewhere, that stipulate what colors are ...
wisdom tooth extraction9/18/2008
  Q: son, 26 yrs old, had upper wisdom tooth removed. Check-up 5 days later showed root broken off in ...
  A: Boutwell, I would categorize this problem as a "wait and see" issue. Although I agree that the ...
ihad white patch on my gum for 3month9/17/2008
  Q: ihad white patch on my gum for the last months easy to scrub with red base used nystatin without ...
  A: As a general rule, it is best to biopsy any white patch on the oral mucous membrane that persists ...
shifting teeth in elderly9/17/2008
  Q: My mom is 83 years old and her teeth are shifting such that she has gone to an orthodontist to see ...
  A: The shifting of teeth in elderly persons is often a result of some combination of periodontal (gum) ...
Crown after RCT9/16/2008
  Q: How soon after RCT on a molar should I get the tooth crowned? If I get RCT in early October, can I ...
  A: Although there is some risk of either fracture or leakage of the temporary filling for as long as ...
Problems with a root canal9/16/2008
  Q: I have chronic dry mouth which causes me to have ongoing dental problems. It is very frustrating. I ...
  A: There are two separate questions with regard to this tooth: 1. Was the root canal performed well, ...
Are Captek Crowns worth the extra cost?9/16/2008
  Q: I'm 55 years old and have at least 4 crowns, including on tooth #30 and 31. Those 2 crowns were ...
  A: Conventional porcelain fused to metal crowns are functionally equivalent to Captek crowns. Properly ...
Composite Filling coding9/15/2008
  Q: I just took my son in to have cavities filled. The dentist told us at his last cleaning that he had ...
  A: You are correct, and your dentist's latter position is not supported by the prevailing convention. ...
Composite fillings with deep molar pits/valleys9/14/2008
  Q: When I was in my mid-teens it was recommended that I get prisma-shields on my molars due to having ...
  A: Composite resin may have some bitter taste if it is not completely polymerized. Normally, ...
Wisdom Tooth Extraction9/14/2008
  Q: I am 51 years old. My dental hygienist told me that I should eventually have my wisdom tooth ...
  A: Contrary to popular opinion, teeth do not apply any eruptive force to neighboring teeth. If this ...
number of teeth9/13/2008
  Q: what is the number of teeth a normal human should have?
  A: The number of teeth that are normally found depends on the person's age. A newborn usually doesn't ...
problem with dental bridge9/13/2008
  Q: I asked my dentist about and she said it was normal. i just need a second opinion. Is it really ...
  A: No-- it is most assuredly NOT normal for a bridge to manifest with pain a full two months after ...
wisdom tooth removal9/12/2008
  Q: I am a healthy fit 58 yo male with all 4 wisdom teeth. They have never given me any problems in all ...
  A: Whether or not the restoration of a tooth is either feasible or advisable depends entirely on the ...
Crown Fit9/12/2008
  Q: I recently had a crown put in on tooth 3. About 6 months ago I had a crown put on the contacting ...
  A: You are right to be suspicious. Although it is perfectly legitimate to terminate a crown margin ...
dentists of record9/12/2008
  Q: I'm curious... I moved to a new city last year and never really selected a dentist until I had an ...
  A: Legally speaking, there is no limit to the number of "dentists of record" that a patient may have. ...
D2620 and D23929/11/2008
  Q: I have a quesion after my first visit to a new dentist. My dentist found I have a cavity on the left ...
  A: The use of the two codes cited would be considered redundant if performed on the same tooth. Ceramic ...
bleeding after tooth extraction9/10/2008
  Q: I recently had my #15 molar surgicially extracted. The oral surgeon gave great post-extraction ...
  A: With due respect to your oral surgeon, his "great post-extraction advice" wasn't so great if he ...
apico v extraction and implant9/10/2008
  Q: I am a 37 year who is scheduled for apico surgery sept 15 for a tooth that was root canaled 20 years ...
  A: I agree-- and that's just what your endodontist is trying to do: save the tooth. However, some teeth ...
root canal breastfeeding and infection9/6/2008
  Q: i noticed my silver filling was cracked so i went to my dentist with minimal pain to have the ...
  A: Although both clindamycin and Tylenol are distributed in breast milk and there are isolated reports ...
pain when eating chocolat9/6/2008
  Q: I have never had problems with my teeth but for about two months my teeth hurt when i eat chocolate ...
  A: Tooth sensitivity in response to exposure to sweets is a non-specific symptoms of exposure of dentin ...
Pressure Inside Tooth9/6/2008
  Q: I have a very wierd sensation occur in my left front tooth every time I eat or drink something cold. ...
  A: Any answer I provide is highly speculative, since I am handicapped by not having access to the ...
Wisdom Teeth - Should they all be removed9/5/2008
  Q: I'm a 35 year old women, and recently my upper left wisdom tooth broke through the gumline. I went ...
  A: I'm a bit of a cynic, so you won't be surprised when I say that most oral surgeons seem to find more ...
numb tongue after wisdom teeth extraction9/5/2008
  Q: I had all four wisdom teeth out a week ago and the tip of my tongue is numb. I am still in a lot of ...
  A: At one week postoperative, one normally would not expect sharp pain. Because your description ...
Cleanliness with in the practice9/4/2008
  Q: I am a non certified dental assistant for a family owned private practice. I have been with these ...
  A: The answer depends on how much you value your job. Although the law is clearly on your side, many ...
wisdom tooth9/4/2008
  Q: dr.i want to know that any flaw in wisdom tooth can lead to excessive sweating on that side. as my ...
  A: No-- a wisdom tooth would not cause symptoms such as you describe. It is possible that you have a ...
Sore front tooth after trauma9/4/2008
  Q: Five days ago I got hit in the front of the mouth with part of a chair that broke off when I picked ...
  A: Unfortunately, the full scope of this type of injury can never be known until weeks or even months ...
cleaning9/3/2008
  Q: I saw on the internet that I can purchase a 35% Carbamide Peroxide jell. To put on me teeth to clean ...
  A: Millette, Although carbamide peroxide can bleach teeth, it does not clean them; if your teeth are ...
Composite fillings with deep molar pits/valleys9/3/2008
  Q: When I was in my mid-teens it was recommended that I get prisma-shields on my molars due to having ...
  A: Although it is true that almost all teeth manifest some inflammation in the pulp, I use the term ...
Composite fillings with deep molar pits/valleys9/2/2008
  Q: When I was in my mid-teens it was recommended that I get prisma-shields on my molars due to having ...
  A: Your case aptly illustrates the trade-offs between composite resin and amalgam as filling materials: ...
High Noble Crown9/2/2008
  Q: I believe my dentist may be operating unethically, so I have a few questions about some recent ...
  A: Not too much useful information as to a crown's composition can be inferred by its color, because it ...
dental clasp9/1/2008
  Q: I am getting a plate to wear on the top, it will mean i am giong to have 2 teeth left, my dentist ...
  A: A partial denture clasp is a device that helps hold the denture in its correct position by deriving ...
Pain associated with root canal8/31/2008
  Q: Dr., I am at a loss as to how to proceed. Any words of advice would be of great help seeing that I ...
  A: There are options for pain relief in this type of situation, but the final disposition of your ...
Tongue is numb after surgery8/29/2008
  Q: I had my wisdom teeth cut out 10 years ago. They cut into some nerves causing damage and I lost ...
  A: Although the severance of a sensory nerve is sometimes followed by any of a number of neuropathic ...
instrutments in cleaning teeth8/28/2008
  Q: I have had my teeth cleaned once a yr for over 40 yrs.They used a manual tool to clean my teeth. I ...
  A: If I'm not mistaken, the electronic instrument to which you refer is an ultrasonic scaler, often ...
wisdom extractions8/28/2008
  Q: I had four impacted wisdom teeth taken out exactly 1 week ago (aug20) everything's healing pretty ...
  A: Infection is rare following wisdom tooth extraction, but the severity of postoperative symptoms ...
root canal8/28/2008
  Q: is there any possibility that there is a relationship between the date of hygeniest cleaning( done ...
  A: Although almost anything is possible, I know of no established relationship between a dental ...
night guards8/27/2008
  Q: I have TMJ, and grind my teeth in my sleep. When I was living in California, I had a doctor who ...
  A: No-- there is no standard practice, and a night guard may be made either for the upper or lower jaw ...
Blurred vision after injection8/26/2008
  Q: Prior to having a root canal I visited with my allergist who determined that Mepivacaine should be ...
  A: Allergic or toxic reactions to mepivacaine are quite rare. It is possible that your symptoms are the ...
8yr old girl (baby 1st molar extracted)8/25/2008
  Q: my daughter just had her bottom (baby) 1st molar removed due to abscess. Suggestions were made to ...
  A: I'm not sure I understand your question, because the first bicuspid erupts in the same position as ...
Protruding lateral incisors8/25/2008
  Q: Both of my lateral incisors are angled slightly forward. In the past I had pre-molars on both sides ...
  A: Although the situation you describe can only be managed by orthodontic treatment, there are ...
Micro leaking on Crowns8/25/2008
  Q: What can be done when a new crown does not completely seal and there are micro leakage, but the ...
  A: It is uncertain whether the pain you are feeling is truly due to "microleakage", or perhaps due to ...
Interproximal filing8/24/2008
  Q: I had asked a similiar question to another expert who is currently on vacation and so I thought I'd ...
  A: Always? That depends on your orthodontist, but IPR SHOULD always be followed by polishing. He may ...
Interproximal filing8/24/2008
  Q: I had asked a similiar question to another expert who is currently on vacation and so I thought I'd ...
  A: Interproximal filing, interproximal reduction, or (euphemistically) "reproximation"-- i.e., the ...
Listerine use 4 days after extraction8/24/2008
  Q: I am a 40 yr old male who had the two bottom wisdom removed on 20/8/08. The gums were stitched and ...
  A: Yes-- it is generally unwise to use OTC mouthwashes when there are surgical wounds in the mouth, as ...
fixing teeth8/24/2008
  Q: I had put a bridge cap on 3 teeths last 6 month back.Now this cap is comming out and i want to fix ...
  A: Although you will find temporary dental cement at your local pharmacy (this product is often ...
Pain8/23/2008
  Q: , I recently replaced 3 silver filings with composite filings. One on the bottom left, and two on ...
  A: I have indeed seen many cases of sensitivity following the placement of composite resin-- this ...
cosmetic procedure8/8/2008
  Q: My 24 yo daughter fell on her face about 2 yrs ago and broke off about 1/3 at an angle of her upper ...
  A: A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is applied to the facial surface of a tooth; a Lumineer ...
missing tooth8/8/2008
  Q: One of my adult teeth did not come down, so I am missing a tooth on the top near the front of my ...
  A: Your orthodontist should be able to add a prosthetic tooth to your braces, unless he is planning to ...
Normal Socket size following surgery8/6/2008
  Q: I had emergency surgery 9 days ago for removal of all 4 wisdom teeth. My top right tooth was ...
  A: Although it's not possible to provide reliable guidance without seeing the sockets myself, most ...
root canal8/6/2008
  Q: My wife had a root canal performed about 5 months ago, during which the dentist perforated her ...
  A: Whether or not your wife's dentist should be held accountable is something that must be properly ...
crowns for implants8/3/2008
  Q: Why are crowns for implants more expensive than crowns for root canals or broken teeth? My dentist ...
  A: I cannot judge whether the quoted fee is exorbitant, because that very much depends on customary fee ...
braces8/3/2008
  Q: My daughter is 13. Our pediatric dentist recommended braces for her top teeth. Her 2 front teeth ...
  A: There is a history of "turf wars" between pedodontists and orthodontists, so the answer partly ...
Healing process of tooth extraction?8/2/2008
  Q: I had my two premolars removed four days ago,but the look of them keep changing I am TERRIFIED of ...
  A: At four days post-surgery, you're already almost past the point where dry socket would occur. It is ...
bridge vs implant8/2/2008
  Q: #10 needs to be extracted. #11 needs a new crown (only a temp there now). I'd like to replace the ...
  A: This is a case of the patient knowing more than the doctor. The only explanation is that your ...
Wisdom teeth oozing.8/1/2008
  Q: I got my wisdom teeth out a week ago, and the past few days there has been slight oozing out of ...
  A: Delayed exudation of the type you describe, especially when accompanied by a bad taste, is ...
Wisdom teeth oozing.8/1/2008
  Q: I got my wisdom teeth out a week ago, and the past few days there has been slight oozing out of ...
  A: That depends-- when you say "oozing"-- what type of fluid is coming from the socket-- pus? blood? ...
cyst8/1/2008
  Q: I had an abcess 3 yrs ago which resulted into a black eye.I seen my dentist and he pulled the nerve ...
  A: The proper means of treating a dental cyst is to surgically remove the cyst. It is generally ...
Tooth with a crown which needs a root canal7/31/2008
  Q: , Eighteen months ago I had a lot of pain in a tooth which had many old fillings. My (new) ...
  A: Although it's certainly preferable and more elegant to perform root canal therapy PRIOR to placement ...
Lopsided crown?7/31/2008
  Q: I have a badly decayed upper first molar that will probably need RCT. The decay took away most of ...
  A: The problem with limiting the extent of the crown lengthening to one small area is not that the ...
root canal and crown back molar7/30/2008
  Q: In a teen is it sometimes preferable to allow the wisdom tooth the space rather than root canal and ...
  A: Although it may be feasible to extract a second molar with the intent of allowing a wisdom tooth to ...
CROWNS IN CHILDREN7/29/2008
  Q: My 12 year old nephew had an accident recently and knocked a large piece out of his front tooth and ...
  A: Although a formal "permanent" crown is inappropriate for a child, there are ways of restoring ...
bad breath7/28/2008
  Q: I can't figure out why my breath stinks. I brush my teeth with a Sonicare toothbrush and I use a ...
  A: Bad breath can be the result of a wide variety of causes. Although dental disease (gum disease ...
Reaction to anesthesia post root extraction7/26/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, This is not exactly a pure dental question. My mother went to her dentist to pull a tooth ...
  A: Although it's unlikely that two cartridges of local anesthetic would have any significant health ...
Shooting Pain On a filled tooth7/25/2008
  Q: I recently had a filling on my tooth which is next to the canine.The decay was quite deep.When the ...
  A: The re-emergence of pain is usually an unfavorable sign, and probably indicates that there is still ...
dental bridge for 2nd molar7/25/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, I have been missing tooth #15 for 3 years now, I don't have either the wisdom tooth #16. ...
  A: The consequences of your missing #15 depend largely on the position and distribution of the other ...
excessive root canal therapy7/24/2008
  Q: Over the last 3 years I have had 5 root canals. All on last 2 back molars top and bottom. These ...
  A: Anderson, No-- although drugs of the bisphosphonate class such as Actonel and Boniva can impair the ...
No holes after wisdom teeth removal7/23/2008
  Q: Hopefully you can help me. I got my 4 wisdom teeth removed a week ago (all under the gum/bone, 2 ...
  A: You probably have no holes because your oral surgeon was able to stitch the flaps of gum tissue over ...
Locked Jaw7/23/2008
  Q: I am 20 and have never been to a dentist before. For the past 4 years or so, my jaw has been popping ...
  A: Although some orthopedic surgeons have been known to "dabble" in temporomandibular joint dysfunction ...
Crown fit / food impaction7/22/2008
  Q: Two weeks ago I had the completion of the final step in an implant replacement for two teeth in my ...
  A: Dentists generally distinguish between two types of food impaction: horizontal and vertical. ...
wisdom teeth extractions7/22/2008
  Q: I have to have all my wisdom teeth out. Two are part bony and two are complete bony. I'm 28 and ...
  A: You are technically correct-- properly administered, a local anesthetic will eliminate any ...
Difference in resin based composite7/22/2008
  Q: It was discovered that my son needed to have some work done on his teeth. A Pre-Auth was submitted ...
  A: From your description, the following changes were made between the pre-treatment estimate and the ...
gum infection?7/22/2008
  Q: i cut my gum while brushing my teeth. i have been rinsing with salt water but i don't think it is ...
  A: Assuming the lesion to which you refer is truly a cut from your toothbrush, there is no need to take ...
Crown7/21/2008
  Q: I had asked one of the other dentist here a question and I am unsure if I explained my situation ...
  A: I'm not sure I have a clear picture of what you mean by "a very small arch/space". The lingual ...
composite filling vs crown7/21/2008
  Q: My nine year old daughter fractured her bottom front tooth. I went to my family dentist who was ...
  A: A bonded composite resin is exactly what I was speaking of when I mentioned a composite resin or ...
Staining at margin of composite filling7/20/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, About 7 years ago I had a large tooth colored filling placed on tooth #15. It was a bad ...
  A: You're right-- because I cannot personally evaluate your filling, there is no way for me to reliably ...
root canal7/20/2008
  Q: hi couid you help me with a big concern of mine please i am not very good with dentist cause the ...
  A: You may indeed be able to have general anesthetic (or, perhaps intravenous sedation) to facilitate ...
Severe jaw pain after cleaning and discluder7/20/2008
  Q: on Thursday I went in to my dentist for a cleaning and for help with jaw pain. TMJ runs in my ...
  A: The precise nature of temporomandibular joint ("TMJ") dysfunction is not fully understood, and the ...
Abcessed tooth7/20/2008
  Q: Are there signs of an abcessed tooth? If there are what are they? And if you don't do anything about ...
  A: The clinical presentation of dental abscess is highly variable and inconsistent. Abscess can ...
gum care7/19/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, My husband has had laser surgery (LANAP) to correct 6,7 & 8 pockets on one quadrant of ...
  A: The actual timing has no influence on the efficacy of oral hygiene against gum disease. Timing may ...
injured teeth7/19/2008
  Q: My 16 year old son was attending a no contact football camp and was not wearing his helmet. He took ...
  A: Unfortunately, it is usually impossible to predict what will happen to an injured tooth. The only ...
Full mouth debridement7/17/2008
  Q: I've just been referred to to a new dental office, because my previous dental office no longer ...
  A: You are right to be suspicious. While I can understand from the doctors' perspective the frustration ...
Route Canal7/16/2008
  Q: I got A route canal on the top tooth farhtest back. Don't know what number. Since i got this my nose ...
  A: Although this phenomenon may be unrelated to the root canal therapy, it may be due to perforation of ...
Indirect pulp cap7/15/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, I recently went to a dentist because an old crown had become pressure sensitive and I was ...
  A: Pulp capping, whether direct or indirect, is intended to manage pulp exposure or near pulp exposure ...
Loose Crown7/14/2008
  Q: I had a crown put in today (porcelain over metal). I went shopping afterwards to waste time. I was ...
  A: There are several possible reasons for a freshly-cemented crown to loosen so quickly, and ...
large cyst #107/14/2008
  Q: I want to save my tooth, I have large cyst on #10 and not sure if a should have an extraction or a ...
  A: If your #10 tooth is otherwise healthy (i.e., structurally sound and periodontally healthy), ...
Root canal7/14/2008
  Q: I had 2 root canal's on tooth 6 and 7 today may,19 The dentist told me the post on tooth 6 broke and ...
  A: It depends on how long your pain has continued after the last root canal attempt. Some amount of ...
legality of dental assistant / dental lab tech taking impressions7/13/2008
  Q: Is it legal for a dental assistant and or dental lab tech to take impressions on a patient for the ...
  A: Although I am not directly familiar with the laws as they apply in Pennsylvania, I have found an ...
Small bump on gum by new tooth7/12/2008
  Q: The Dentist had to put bottom two new molars in late 2006. I now have a small bump on gum by tooth ...
  A: Swellings on oral tissues generally fall into three categories: inflammatory (infection, mucositis, ...
Visibility of gold crown7/11/2008
  Q: If a gold crown has already been put in on a molar, and it turns out to be noticeable when smiling, ...
  A: Sadly, there is no way to make a gold crown look like anything other than a gold crown once it's ...
5.5 year old losses baby tooth shortly after falling on chin7/11/2008
  Q: I have a 5.5 year old son that fell heavily on his chin a few weeks ago. His mouth was bleeding but ...
  A: No, nothing is wrong. Although the eruption of the permanent incisor may have been slightly hastened ...
decaying tooth and bleeding7/11/2008
  Q: I have a tooth that the filling has partially come out. The tooth now has a hole in the side next ...
  A: I can't authoritatively comment on why the bleeding was so profuse, since it might be due to ...
wisdom teeth post op7/10/2008
  Q: Two weeks ago had 4 wisdom teeth removed due to recurrent infection in gum around bottom right ...
  A: It's difficult to infer just what is happening from your description of subjective symptoms. ...
dental work before or after vacation7/9/2008
  Q: I woke up on the 4th of July with a toothache in a tooth I had broken months ago but never had any ...
  A: Stewart, As long as the Cipro is working, it would be inappropriate to change medications. However, ...
Teeth Sensitive After Filling7/9/2008
  Q: I recently had two fillings done on June 11, 2008, one on each side of my mouth. Since the fillings ...
  A: Although some sensitivity is the norm after deep fillings, the duration and severity implied by your ...
dental work before or after vacation7/9/2008
  Q: I woke up on the 4th of July with a toothache in a tooth I had broken months ago but never had any ...
  A: Stewart, Delay of treatment would be a calculated gamble; there is no way to predict whether the ...
pregnancy and extraction7/9/2008
  Q: im dentist from egypt.i just graduated. last night a pregnant woman came to my clinic and she had ...
  A: The conventional wisdom is that any stress sustained by a pregnant woman has the potential for some ...
Arestin7/7/2008
  Q: My dentist plans on doing SRP and arestin on my teeth. Well arestin in 4 pockets. Ive researched it ...
  A: That depends on your response to the initial treatment. One of the greatest complicating factors in ...
Arestin7/7/2008
  Q: My dentist plans on doing SRP and arestin on my teeth. Well arestin in 4 pockets. Ive researched it ...
  A: Arestin is used on an as-needed basis. As is the case for any therapeutic technique, there is never ...
Popcorn Hull in Soft Palate7/5/2008
  Q: Dr. Mark: About 6 months ago while eating popcorn, it felt like a hull had lodged in the gum ...
  A: No-- a popcorn hull will not be visible on x-ray. Assuming you're correct that there is a hull ...
Root Canal7/5/2008
  Q: We are set to have root canals done on our 2 year old's four front teeth, along with fillings of the ...
  A: Although the amount of remaining enamel may not directly affect whether root canal is feasible, it ...
Hello!7/5/2008
  Q: I just asked a question about having extra teeth. I had an orthodontist look at my teeth and he ...
  A: The extra teeth are called "supernumerary teeth", and the condition of having more than the normal ...
pain and swelling7/4/2008
  Q: I had a small wisdom tooth fixed on the upper left side, it had a small fracture in it. I had no ...
  A: Your symptoms suggest that your problem is NOT from the injection; there is something else going on ...
Followup: Fixed Bridge on Molars7/4/2008
  Q: Mark, This is Dr. Adel who contacted you yesterday regarding the molars being extracted. Thanks once ...
  A: Adel, Exactly what does it mean when one sees the term "chewing ability"? Granted, the term didn't ...
Molars Separating due to Extraction7/3/2008
  Q: Mark, Thanks for being here and answering the patients questions. I will try to be short and clear: ...
  A: Adel, A fixed bridge would be a reasonable alternative to an implant-supported prosthesis, provided ...
Molars Separating due to Extraction7/3/2008
  Q: Mark, Thanks for being here and answering the patients questions. I will try to be short and clear: ...
  A: Adel, You're overlooking the obvious-- the entire problem was caused initially by the failure to ...
root canal pain7/3/2008
  Q: I had a root canal done this morning at 11:30 am. I was still numb around 5 pm. At 11 pm, I went ...
  A: Although the postoperative course you describe could not be considered favorable, it is certainly ...
Dental bridge issues7/3/2008
  Q: I have had numerous issues with my bridge that was placed approximately 5 weeks ago. I will say ...
  A: I can only offer speculative guesses, but none of them are particularly good. First, a tooth should ...
Bump under tongue7/2/2008
  Q: I am a 31 year old male and about 2 weeks ago after working in the yard all day I felt a sort of ...
  A: Although worry is seldom a useful reaction, there are other responses that are appropriate. ...
Over Age 30 - Removal of Impacted Bottom Wisdom Teeth?7/2/2008
  Q: I am 30 years old and I still have all my wisdom teeth. I am having the top ones removed in just a ...
  A: I can't answer just why your dentist would choose to refer you to a specialist while he didn't need ...
pain after wisdom teeth removel!7/2/2008
  Q: 9 days ago i had all 4 wisdom teeth removed! is it normal to be waking up every 2-4 hours at night ...
  A: It is certainly not uncommon for some pain to persist for a week or two following the extraction of ...
Tooth Extraction and Immediate dentures7/1/2008
  Q: I am sure you get many similar questions but I am very confused on what to do in my personal ...
  A: Your question is more in the realm of philosophy than right and wrong. As such, my job as a dentist ...
Pain following onlay6/30/2008
  Q: I would be really grateful if you could give me some pointers as to what might be causing me ...
  A: Your description of the chronology of the events suggests that your tooth is cracked. I recommend ...
Mouth Wash6/30/2008
  Q: I was wondering what would be the best mouth wash for myself. I've been told by my dentist that I ...
  A: Commercially available mouthwash products are not universally endorsed by dentists unless a ...
LATERAL TONGUE DISCOMFORT6/30/2008
  Q: BORNFELD...OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD CHRONIC IRRITATION WITH DYSPLASIA OF MY LEFT LATERAL ...
  A: Although it may indeed be possible to construct either a fixed bridge, a removable partial denture, ...
Root canal6/29/2008
  Q: My mum recently (2 days ago) had a root canal done, when she got home after she having it done she ...
  A: Hanson, This is clearly an unfavorable treatment result, and represents an acute infection. Your ...
Resin Based Composite Filling - Are we lied to?6/28/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, My wife has three teeth that need fillings according to our dentist. They were done ...
  A: No-- there are no resin filling materials that look like amalgam filling material-- in fact, there ...
root canal6/28/2008
  Q: I started to feel nerve pain in my tooth around the end of april. An abscess started to form about ...
  A: The answer is unknown. Ideally, that root canal should have been performed in April-- as soon as an ...
High Porcelain Crown6/28/2008
  Q: I just have changed the metal crown on one of my teeth that showed to the porcelain crown. After I ...
  A: Yes-- porcelain crowns can be "shaved" or adjusted, but with care, and within certain limits-- if ...
My new denture6/27/2008
  Q: I had an immediate denture placed 2 weeks ago. I have severe panic attacks as it is and an violent ...
  A: There is nothing that you need to specifically ask your dentist in order for him to help you-- ...
Fitting a dental Crown6/27/2008
  Q: My dentist has tried fitting a crown three times on my tooth. Each time he cuts away more of the ...
  A: Vanderpriem, It is sometimes perfectly acceptable to grind an opposing tooth to allow a crown to ...
Jawline and wisdom teeth6/26/2008
  Q: If a person have his or her 4 wisdom teeth removed, will the missing wisdom teeth lead to bone loss ...
  A: No-- the contours of the face in the wisdom tooth region are not determined by the presence of the ...
shock-like pain6/26/2008
  Q: recently I have been experiencing a shock-like pain that comes intermittently for no apparent reason ...
  A: net, I assume that your pain is perceived as coming from the mouth. As such, your best first step ...
root canal or extraction.6/25/2008
  Q: I know you cannot be specif and only generalize. As a whole, is it better to try to save your tooth ...
  A: The decision as to which option is preferable is entirely dependent on the individual circumstances. ...
Implant. fixed bridge or wait6/25/2008
  Q: I have a crown with a cast post on #13 from around 1980. My hygienist and dentist examined it and ...
  A: Allowing a tooth with a fractured root to remain is not a good strategy-- it may become acutely ...
high filling6/24/2008
  Q: I had a 3 fillings on my lower left side(molars) done last week by a subsitute dentist as mine was ...
  A: Yes-- a "high" filling indicates that the dentist allowed too much filling material to project from ...
brown stains on teeth6/24/2008
  Q: My daughter has had braces on her teeth for 8 weeks. She has brown stains around all of her ...
  A: It's uncertain whether staining will be entirely avoidable. Not only does this depend on the quality ...
pre whitening mouthwash6/21/2008
  Q: I started using a Dollar General pre whitening mouthwash. I noticed strings of white stuff that ...
  A: I'm not sure I'm fully qualified to answer, since the majority of your symptoms seem to be located ...
High spot on filing sensitivity6/20/2008
  Q: I would like to start out by saying I like my dentist very much. Several months ago I had a ...
  A: If several months of adjustments have not effectively addressed your complaint, then your dentist ...
Bridge Necessary?6/20/2008
  Q: I had a molar pulled (#30 i believe) a year ago due to a root canal gone wrong. I have now changed ...
  A: It is almost never a matter of whether a particular therapeutic endeavor is truly "necessary"-- ...
baby root canals6/19/2008
  Q: My son is 7 years old and has 3 molars that need root canals. I am wondering if this is necessary ...
  A: The answer depends on which molars are under consideration. It is sometimes possible to prematurely ...
Retained root tip after wisdom tooth extraction6/19/2008
  Q: I am 28 years old and had my lower left wisdom tooth extracted by a general dentist. The tooth was ...
  A: I will respond to each of your questions: 1. Is it common practice to leave a root tip in after an ...
Whitening and Root Canal6/18/2008
  Q: I am having a root canal next week, and also want to whiten my teeth. MyI have several small ...
  A: Yes-- if your tooth will need a crown, it should be done after the whitening is complete; it is far ...
Wisdom Teeth Removal6/11/2008
  Q: I have a few questions and im sorry to ask them but I am rather paranoid when i have surgeries and I ...
  A: The danger of dry socket is for all practical purposes over at approximately 10 days ...
bleeding after tooth extraction6/10/2008
  Q: My husband just had a tooth cut out, and they put stitches in. It is not bleeding profusely, but it ...
  A: If the wound continues to bleed more than three or four hours, your husband should return to his ...
ice6/8/2008
  Q: My wife and I have had an ongoing "discussion" on chewing ice. She claims it is not good for your ...
  A: Using the teeth for any purpose other than what nature intended has the potential for damaging the ...
crowns vs bridges6/6/2008
  Q: Last week end I broke two upper teeth. I went to a dentist today and he recomends that I do root ...
  A: If it has been conclusively established that the two damaged teeth will need root canal therapy, it ...
Nerve pain following filling6/5/2008
  Q: I had a filling redone on a wisdom tooth just over 2 weeks ago. The filling was not large and had ...
  A: The answer to your question is uncertain, and will depend on factors that cannot be assessed in this ...
tooth pain after a root canal6/4/2008
  Q: I had root canal done about 2 years ago on a back molar and have since had a bridge put on the ...
  A: Stark, Yes-- if the pulp of the tooth was incompletely removed during the root canal therapy, the ...
permanent incisors6/3/2008
  Q: My 6 year old lost her lower front incisors. Her permanent teeth are coming in crooked. Her baby ...
  A: Normally, the lower primary incisors have at least some space between them, which is consistent for ...
wisdom tooth5/28/2008
  Q: My gums are currently swelling in the back near the wisdom tooth which has not fully surface. This ...
  A: The appropriate course of action depends greatly on individual circumstance. For example, episodes ...
Pain 5 day after extraction5/26/2008
  Q: I had a back molar extracted 5 days ago, because the tooth broke and filling it left me in pain, so ...
  A: Your description most closely suggests a postoperative complication known as "dry socket". This ...
Complications after wisdom tooth removal5/25/2008
  Q: I had my bottom left wisdom tooth extracted six days ago, using local anaesthetic. Before the tooth ...
  A: It is true that a therapeutic endeavor implicitly and legally requires informed consent, and that ...
Desensitize?5/25/2008
  Q: I underwent routine deep cleaning and for each of both visits was charged for "Perio Scale" $280 as ...
  A: I think it's best to challenge any charge that you don't understand, since a lack of understanding ...
Are there precautions with joint replacement and ultrasonic cleaning?5/25/2008
  Q: I have bilateral artifical hips and have been considering using ultrasonic cleaning instead of the ...
  A: Mann, The concern with dental treatment and artificial joint prostheses is the possibility of oral ...
Bell's Palsy5/24/2008
  Q: What problems will a dentist go through when he has a patient with Bell's Palsy? What will make the ...
  A: Although Bell's Palsy will present some functional difficulties for the person so afflicted, it will ...
Dental treatment5/23/2008
  Q: Today, I went to my dentist to get an ONLAY on one of my molars. But, he told me that he can not ...
  A: Each case must be judged on its individual merits. In some cases, the periodontal disease is so ...
Brittle Teeth5/22/2008
  Q: I am 48 years old. Although my teeth are discolored from use of Tetracycline as a child, I have had ...
  A: No-- calcium supplements will do little to strengthen teeth, since the majority of the mineral ...
Brittle Teeth5/21/2008
  Q: I am 48 years old. Although my teeth are discolored from use of Tetracycline as a child, I have had ...
  A: The teeth are no different from any other mechanical system-- after years of exposure to cumulative ...
Root canal5/20/2008
  Q: I had 2 root canal's on tooth 6 and 7 today may,19 The dentist told me the post on tooth 6 broke and ...
  A: Whether or not you develop problems as a result of the breakage of the endodontic instrument within ...
Invasilign5/19/2008
  Q: I was wondering on What is invasilign?
  A: Invisalign is a technique used to move poorly-positioned teeth; it is sometimes used as a substitute ...
tooth extraction pain-possible dry socket5/17/2008
  Q: I am so greatful that this site exists! I had the third lower molar on the right side extracted one ...
  A: If you're still in that much pain a full month after the extraction, it's unlikely you're dealing ...
Dry Socket5/17/2008
  Q: I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed 8 days ago,the bottom left side was impacted.I feel I am ...
  A: At 8 days post-op, you're already in the clear. You can safely resume normal oral activities now, ...
well i've talked to my parents5/16/2008
  Q: i talked to my mom and she called the dentist and the dentist said that there is nothing that can be ...
  A: And how does your dentist propose that the infection will get cleared up? If my memory serves ...
sealants5/16/2008
  Q: Are sealants safe- today many are saying plastics - such as bottled water once warmed could have a ...
  A: That's a good question. It is true that bisphenol A-based plastics such as those used in dental ...
whitening despite periodontal disease5/16/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, My husband had root planing and scraping one month ago, and seems to be healing ...
  A: The wisdom of continuing with the whitening is uncertain, and will depend on your husband's ...
PLEASE help me5/15/2008
  Q: 2 days ago i went to the dentist because for 2 weeks my bottom front 4 teeth have been really ...
  A: Since you clearly have an acute infection, you need to be seen by a dentist as soon as possible. If ...
Pain after crown placement5/14/2008
  Q: I had two crowns put on a week ago and wanted to ask what would be considered "normal" for pain ...
  A: Although it's risky to draw any reliable conclusions from subjective symptoms, an amount of pain ...
Dark spots on the upper surface of the teeth5/14/2008
  Q: I have some black (dark brown) spots on my chewing teeth and the dentist has decided to remove them ...
  A: This kind of procedure is not unprecedented, but it's not common either. If there was no confirmed ...
Long term flipper usage.5/13/2008
  Q: I lost a front tooth in school and the dentist fitted a flipper because the nerves in adjacent teeth ...
  A: The long-term wearing of a flipper is no more or less hazardous than long-term wearing of any other ...
invisalign?5/13/2008
  Q: I know youre not an orthodontist but there aren't any orthodontist experts listed here....and i just ...
  A: No-- although Invisalign is not a particularly versatile technique, it can be used to correct an ...
Crown Replacement During Pregnancy5/12/2008
  Q: I have an old crown that needs to be replaced because there is a small gap between it and my tooth. ...
  A: Because any dental treatment could potentially have an adverse effect on pregnancy, it is customary ...
painful gums5/11/2008
  Q: I had all my teeth extracted over a year ago and had immediate dentures. Since then I have had my ...
  A: Unless your dentist can identify the problem with your current dentures and have reasonable ...
Wisdom tooth extraction complications5/9/2008
  Q: On 4/4/08, over a month ago, I had 2 wisdom teeth extacted on one side of my mouth. (I don't have ...
  A: It's difficult to infer reliable information from subjective symptoms such as pain; my general ...
Provisional Crown5/9/2008
  Q: The information you gave was actually very useful and much appreciated. May I just follow up by ...
  A: There is no formal definition of the term "provisional crown", at least insofar as its construction; ...
root canal5/8/2008
  Q: How long should an infection persist following a root canal? Is three weeks normal?
  A: The time required for resolution of a dental infection can vary following a root canal treatment, ...
Dental Neuroma5/7/2008
  Q: Over a year ago I had a root canal. Later it was discovered all the root had not been removed, so ...
  A: You are quite correct-- it is not possible to suggest appropriate treatment, on two counts: 1. I ...
gingival grafts5/7/2008
  Q: I am concerned about the safety of tissue donated for gingival grafts. My periodontist has ...
  A: Although allograft and xenograft materials (i.e., derived from human or animal donors, respectively) ...
lower incisors5/7/2008
  Q: My daughter is 6 and lost her two bottom incisors. These are her first teeth to lose. I noticed ...
  A: This is the normal eruption pattern. Unless there is insufficient room to accommodate the adult ...
"Bonded buildup" for crown5/6/2008
  Q: My question to another expert (who is now not available) wasn't answered with full clarity - please ...
  A: Crowns are fabricated from a replica of a prepared tooth which is created from an impression. The ...
Tooth Extraction5/6/2008
  Q: First of of all thank you for offering this service! My upper-left 1st molar had a cavity when I was ...
  A: Although the removal of the first molar may indeed permit the wisdom tooth to erupt, it is doubtful ...
gum inflamation after RC retreat and new crown5/5/2008
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, I had a root canal retreat 7 months ago, and a new crown put on 3 months ago. Since ...
  A: I cannot comment on whether any your dental treatment may have an impact on your IVF. However, there ...
Wisdom teeth removal necessary?5/3/2008
  Q: I am skeptical on the notion of removing wisdom teeth. What's wrong with these teeth? The majority ...
  A: Your question actually touches on several philosophical points, but in all cases, wisdom teeth ...
receding gums5/2/2008
  Q: Is there a way to reverse receding gum lines? Natural remedies or others ways.
  A: The only technique that provides benefit in reversing the recession of gums (inconsistent benefit, I ...
Asymmetric midline/condylar hyperplasia5/1/2008
  Q: Bornfeld. I have an asymmetric face, my lower jaw deviates to my left, and my whole mouth looks ...
  A: Although orthodontics does not (at least directly) affect the position in which the jaw rests (while ...
Asymmetric midline/condylar hyperplasia5/1/2008
  Q: Bornfeld. I have an asymmetric face, my lower jaw deviates to my left, and my whole mouth looks ...
  A: The term "condylar hyperplasia" does not refer to a distinct clinical entity or disease process-- it ...
Sensitivity to hot/cold after root canal5/1/2008
  Q: I had a root canal almost a year ago and have recently been experiencing sensitivity to the ...
  A: Normally, a tooth that has successfully completed root canal therapy is insensitive to thermal ...
Root canal vs crown w/build-up4/30/2008
  Q: Are the two related somehow and does a root canal require or sometimes require a crown w/build-up?
  A: Root canal therapy is a separate and distinct procedure from a crown and crown build up, although ...
Recent fillings4/29/2008
  Q: I just had some fillings done yesterday. They told me I would feel some discomfort in the gums ...
  A: Johnson, The difficulty you are now experiencing in opening your jaw (technically referred to as ...
Correcting a chipped top inciser...4/25/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, I appreciated a response you provided to a question asked of you a few years ago that I ...
  A: The meaning of the term "short tooth" is self-evident, and its implications are clear even if the ...
Pain on whole side of left face and feels like someone has stuck a knife in my ear.....?4/25/2008
  Q: On March 5th 2008 I broke tooth #20 (possibly 29) from the gum line. As it was 2 days before my ...
  A: I cannot provide a reliable answer to the questions you posed, because the symptoms you describe are ...
wisdom tooth removal/ tissue resection4/24/2008
  Q: My lower left wisdom tooth started erupting maybe 2.5/3 years ago (I am now 37), although my upper ...
  A: A general rule of thumb in all of health care is that a diagnosis must necessarily precede ...
jaw stiffness4/24/2008
  Q: I got a Novocaine shot a week and a half ago, ever since the shot I can not open my mouth more than ...
  A: The type of reaction you describe typically occurs after an anesthetic injection intended to numb a ...
Air Bubbles in fillings ?4/23/2008
  Q: Ever since I had a white filling in one of my back molars (#31) I have sensitivity to Pressure ...
  A: Although air bubbles can indeed become entrapped in resin fillings, they would not manifest as ...
Root left in after ectraction4/23/2008
  Q: I had an extraction yesterday where the tooth was in poor condition after its filling fell out. ...
  A: What your dentist said is essentially correct-- in many cases, an inadvertently retained root tip ...
After effects of jaw wired shut4/23/2008
  Q: Very recently, I was involved in a car accident. I was taken to the hospital with nothing more than ...
  A: I cannot reliably account for your sensory deficits, because neither the fracture of your jaw near ...
Tooth Trauma4/23/2008
  Q: 9 days ago I received some serious trauma to my right, upper, central anterior tooth. Basically a ...
  A: Cases such as you describe often follow an unpredictable course. Although the x-rays may not have ...
Wisdom Teeth4/22/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, I am writing because today I had a crown put in for the first time. I took some tylenol ...
  A: 1. Do you have to have your wisdom teeth taken out if they are not infected nor impacted? A: It ...
Fillings4/22/2008
  Q: I went to a new dentist today to have a crown put on teeth that recently had root canal performed. ...
  A: If a crown was not already cemented over the core, it would be a simple matter for a dentist to ...
Fillings4/21/2008
  Q: I went to a new dentist today to have a crown put on teeth that recently had root canal performed. ...
  A: Ketac-Silver may be applied using a proprietary delivery system (Applicap), where the ...
Swollen face after a shot4/19/2008
  Q: I recently went to the dentist and he gave me two shots before starting my filling on the left side. ...
  A: Regardless of whether your swelling represents a subcutaneous emphysema, a hematoma, or perhaps ...
Fillings4/19/2008
  Q: I went to a new dentist today to have a crown put on teeth that recently had root canal performed. ...
  A: It appears that your dentist used a material called "Ketac-Silver", which is indeed a silver-colored ...
Wisdom Tooth Removal4/19/2008
  Q: I had my wisdom teeth removed about a week and a half ago. Everything went well, I really wasn't in ...
  A: In all likelihood, you are experiencing something called "dry socket"-- a painful but otherwise ...
Swollen face after a shot4/19/2008
  Q: I recently went to the dentist and he gave me two shots before starting my filling on the left side. ...
  A: Although air can be forced into the tissues (subcutaneous emphysema) from the compressed air driving ...
Removing gold crown from pulled tooth4/18/2008
  Q: I am having a tooth pulled that has a gold crown on it. Is it possible to remove the gold from the ...
  A: The gold does belong to you-- after all, you paid for the crown. Technically speaking, though, your ...
spacers4/18/2008
  Q: My 5 year old daughter fell and knocked her two bottom front teeth out. Prior to this she has lost ...
  A: No-- the current consensus is that premature loss of primary front teeth does not necessitate the ...
Pimple on roof of mouth4/17/2008
  Q: Almost everytime I eat anything I get a hard little pimple type bump on the roof of my mouth.It is ...
  A: Your description strongly suggests that you have a mucus retention cyst, or "mucocele". This type of ...
Jaw Spasm4/17/2008
  Q: About two weeks back i had a root canal done for my second molar on d lower jaw(RHS). Before the ...
  A: Because the onset of your symptoms closely followed the anesthetic injection, it would seem far more ...
Cracked front teeth4/11/2008
  Q: In a very recent fall I cracked my two front teeth. One crack is vertical and the other is ...
  A: The term "best" represents a value judgment-- whether you most value conservatism in treatment ...
Dental Crowns4/10/2008
  Q: I had 2 root canals completed about 3 weeks ago on teeth #4 and #5. I have have since gone for a ...
  A: Dental casting alloys fall into three broad groups: 1. non-precious (base metal) 2. semi-precious ...
Dental Crowns4/10/2008
  Q: I had 2 root canals completed about 3 weeks ago on teeth #4 and #5. I have have since gone for a ...
  A: Because the term "white gold" has no formal definition, I cannot unequivocally guess what your ...
Dental Crowns4/10/2008
  Q: I had 2 root canals completed about 3 weeks ago on teeth #4 and #5. I have have since gone for a ...
  A: The composition of metal used under a porcelain crown has nothing to do with whether a black line is ...
Eye tooth extraction4/10/2008
  Q: My son is 15. His eye tooth came in high in his gums. The rest of his upper teeth are actually ...
  A: The problem is not that the extraction of a canine (eye) tooth is a "bad" or challenging procedure-- ...
Crown Replacement4/7/2008
  Q: I had a crown done on an upper molar and then a root canal done on the same tooth a few yrs after ...
  A: The replacement of the crown should have no negative impact on the prognosis of the tooth-- as you ...
Normal Pain following Cerec Crowns4/7/2008
  Q: I just had 2 Cerec Crowns done on my bottom right molars, #30 & #31. My regular dentist recommended ...
  A: It would be a reasonable explanation if the pain had started prior to your dental intervention. ...
Normal Pain following Cerec Crowns4/6/2008
  Q: I just had 2 Cerec Crowns done on my bottom right molars, #30 & #31. My regular dentist recommended ...
  A: It is true that continued exposure to excessive chewing force due to improper bite can negatively ...
to remove or to fill decay in rear molar?4/6/2008
  Q: I have some decay in my upper right rear molar. My dentist says that he can fill it or remove it - ...
  A: Malnick, Although most wisdom teeth contribute little or nothing to oral function, this judgment ...
root canal4/4/2008
  Q: I was told that I will probably need a root canal due to a tooth that has decayed pretty close to ...
  A: Although there's little doubt that the sedative filling can be done, it is less certain whether it ...
Oral Surgery/Swollen Lymph Nodes4/3/2008
  Q: I believe I contacted you once before about this issue, I suppose you get lots of questions so I ...
  A: Normal lymph nodes are commonly described as soft, small, and freely movable. However, these ...
root canal failed after surgery three weeks ago!4/3/2008
  Q: I am very upset to find out (after followup @ my general dentist) that my root canal has produced a ...
  A: Although a poor clinical outcome is by no means a reliable indicator of whether the quality of your ...
Floss or Proxy Brush with ceramic crowns?4/3/2008
  Q: I recently had nine new, white, perfect ceramic crowns put on my front upper teeth. What is the ...
  A: I find that interproximal brushes are more useful in cases of moderate to severe gum recession, ...
Oral Surgery/Swollen Lymph Nodes4/3/2008
  Q: I believe I contacted you once before about this issue, I suppose you get lots of questions so I ...
  A: There are a wide variety of things that could potentially cause swelling of the neck lymph nodes, ...
root canal4/2/2008
  Q: should my wife's dentist told us that root canal was a possibility before she drilled her tooth ...
  A: Although it is sometimes obvious before working on a tooth that the need for root canal therapy is a ...
root canal3/20/2008
  Q: Please. About seven years ago my #5 tooth broke and required a crown. Many years prior to this ...
  A: The exact timing of the emergence of your cheek swelling relative to the course of antibiotic does ...
root canal3/20/2008
  Q: Please. About seven years ago my #5 tooth broke and required a crown. Many years prior to this ...
  A: Your dental infection will not be eliminated by a course of antibiotic therapy, as you have already ...
dental anesthesia3/18/2008
  Q: I'm in the process of having a permanent bridge done on the bottom lower right. This involves ...
  A: I don't think that this event alone is sufficient justification for changing to another dentist. ...
dental anesthesia3/18/2008
  Q: I'm in the process of having a permanent bridge done on the bottom lower right. This involves ...
  A: Although I would not characterize the event you experienced as "normal", it is certainly not ...
Career in Dentistry3/17/2008
  Q: I would really like to know if a Dental Hygienist with an A.S. or B.S. degree can pursue a career in ...
  A: Abed, Although I cannot see why you wouldn't be able to plan a career change of the type you ...
bone like piece pushes through gum3/16/2008
  Q: on the inside of my gums i have had these two small bumps for has long has i remember. these last ...
  A: The bumps to which you refer are known as "mandibular tori", and are considered a variant of normal ...
Wisdom tooth extraction3/16/2008
  Q: I had my lower left wisdom tooth extracted 3 days ago, I had terrible pain due to the surgery an ...
  A: Although some swelling, with difficulty swallowing and opening of the mouth are normal following the ...
swelling,bruising3/15/2008
  Q: I had all my upper teeth removed a day ago i have swelling and bruising all the way up to my eye.is ...
  A: Although swelling and bruising is not an uncommon sequel to extraction, some cases of these symptoms ...
Teeth and gum problems3/15/2008
  Q: First of all I have an upper plate and had some teeth capped 5 years ago. My lower partial hooks in ...
  A: Notwithstanding your prior medical status, the presenting symptoms are primarily dental in nature. ...
baby tooth3/14/2008
  Q: My daughter just turned 6 years old. She was a late teether as a baby first tooth at 10 months). ...
  A: Although the lower primary incisor may not have been quite ready to fall out, its root is ...
crown showing metal3/14/2008
  Q: i had a crown put in this week. I think the lab built it too high, to get the bite right the ...
  A: Assuming that the metal hasn't been ground too thin, then a bit of exposed metal doesn't pose any ...
painkiller injections in lower jaw3/6/2008
  Q: I just returned from the dentist where I received an injection that was one of the most painful ...
  A: Sadly, this is an unavoidable risk of anesthetic injections for lower teeth. The so-called ...
Possible 2nd Molars in 6 year old.3/6/2008
  Q: My 6 year old has 24 teeth on her bottom jaw and she says the gum behind her last tooth hurt and ...
  A: No, it is highly unlikely that the lump you're seeing is a second permanent molar; it's far more ...
Do I really need a Root Canal?3/5/2008
  Q: Bornfeld For the past year or so I have felt some discomfort in between the second from last and ...
  A: A determination of whether an area of tooth decay has breached the pulp is sometimes difficult to ...
Tooth pain3/5/2008
  Q: I had a bridge that started breaking it was about ten years old and I went to the dentist to have a ...
  A: Yes-- the scenario you describe is certainly not unprecedented. The implication is that one or more ...
bite problem3/5/2008
  Q: I have 2 new crowns on my upper left back side. Since then, my bite has changed in another area and ...
  A: Almost anything is possible, including a re-make of the crowns. However, it is uncertain whether ...
high roof3/3/2008
  Q: My husband and I have been told by several different doctors that are niece (we have guardianship) ...
  A: A high palatal vault does not in itself cause difficulties. Rather, the reverse is true-- the ...
infection after baby root canal3/3/2008
  Q: Our daughter is 5 years old and she had to go through a baby root canal on January 7th for her lower ...
  A: Root canal therapy on primary teeth is significantly less reliable than it is on permanent teeth, ...
Gum Grafts3/2/2008
  Q: ood morning. I enjoy reading all of you answers! I had gum grafts on my front, lower teeth (7 of ...
  A: Although the time interval traditionally offered for healing is about one month, some patients will ...
facial swelling3/2/2008
  Q: I had 10 teeth pulled 3 days ago. I am pretty swollen. when i sleep i wake up and can barely ...
  A: It's difficult to accurately assess the seriousness of your situation from your description alone, ...
root canal treatment2/29/2008
  Q: I'm currently wearing a crown on my 5 front teeth. I was advised by my dentist to replaced the old ...
  A: Leaving a tooth open to drain is a legitimate strategy to avoid the pain of accumulating pus. ...
Intense pain in all fillings2/29/2008
  Q: About four months ago I went to the dentist and for the first time in my life was told I had ...
  A: Although some postoperative pain is quite common when composite resin is used as a filling material, ...
Herpes type 12/28/2008
  Q: Hopefully you can answer this question?! I was dx with herpes type 1. I have sores on my lips & ...
  A: Unless the diagnosis of herpes simplex type 1 was made by a combination of cytological and serologic ...
crowns2/28/2008
  Q: .and also when getting ready for impressions is it not customary to use a string or floss around the ...
  A: Yes-- it is customary to check the bite of a newly-constructed crown, although there are several ...
broken needle tip inside gum2/28/2008
  Q: i just had a root canal yesterday and when the dr. was showing me the final ex-ray he pointed to an ...
  A: Are you certain that you accurately understood what your dentist told you? If the tip of the ...
lava vs captek vs high noble2/27/2008
  Q: you recently recommneded against captek as opposed to metal/ceramic -- is that still your opinion? ...
  A: I don't recall the context of my preference for ceramo-metal restorations as opposed to Captek-- ...
Core Buildup D29502/26/2008
  Q: I have a question about the possibility of a core buildup (D2950) being done twice on the same ...
  A: I'm guessing here, because your endodontist is (I think) using language intended to be understood by ...
Prolonged bleeding after extractions2/26/2008
  Q: I recently had #14,13 and 12 extracted last Tuesday. It is now a week later and there is still a ...
  A: I can't make a strong recommendation one way or the other, because the determination of whether your ...
Abnormal tissue?2/20/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, After getting my braces off, I went to my regular scheduled cleaning and upon examination ...
  A: You clearly need to get that abnormal tissue identified. I recommend that you ask your general ...
Core Buildup D29502/19/2008
  Q: I have a question about the possibility of a core buildup (D2950) being done twice on the same ...
  A: Yes, it's possible to perform multiple crown/core build-ups on the same tooth. However, I think that ...
Wisdom tooth2/18/2008
  Q: I have a cavity in the 3rd molar (tooth #1) that was filled 3 years ago. The filling came off ...
  A: Although it is certainly an option to expend the effort required to salvage the wisdom tooth, it is ...
wisdom pain2/18/2008
  Q: I recently had my wisdom tooth pulled and it was infected. It has been 4 days and I'm having the ...
  A: You may have developed a dry socket-- a relatively benign but very uncomfortable postoperative ...
root canal question2/18/2008
  Q: I had a two part root canal. Feb 11 the procedure was finished. During the filling of the three ...
  A: The symptoms you report are consistent with a slight over-fill of the canals. The materials used to ...
foul smell and taste with new crown2/17/2008
  Q: 3 weeks ago I went in for a crown prep and mold. in 2 weeks i noticed that I was having a horrible ...
  A: Claussen, You may indeed have an infection or inflammation in the gum surrounding the crown. This ...
gum laser2/17/2008
  Q: If the dentist have to cut (or laser) little gum off so that they can access a tooth decay ...
  A: No-- every general dentist is not necessarily proficient with a laser. In fact, one could ask ...
root resorption2/17/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, I sent a question to you the other day butI left out a few things that may be of ...
  A: As to your questions... 1. Is this progressing fast? A: This is a matter of opinion. How fast is ...
root canal on crowned molar2/16/2008
  Q: I have a crown that is probably going to need to be canalled because of sensitivity to cold, and ...
  A: Yes, it is quite routine to perform a root canal treatment right through the crown without the need ...
tooth root disappearance2/16/2008
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, I'm not sure if what I have is call root absorbtion or what but since 2004 based on ...
  A: Root resorption in the front teeth is most commonly seen in patients with a prior history of ...
fillings2/15/2008
  Q: Three weeks ago I had 14 fillings done at once. After the fillings which are white my teeth which ...
  A: Although the exact nature of your problem cannot be properly assessed from your description alone, ...
Pain after fillings2/14/2008
  Q: On January 31st, I had three fillings done (2 on upper left and 1 on upper right). Afterwards, I ...
  A: Pain of the sort you describe is a non-specific symptom, so it's not possible to infer anything too ...
x-rays2/14/2008
  Q: I went to a dentist who I dislike. He finds too many cavities and after fillings I'm in pain. I want ...
  A: Although x-rays are not dangerous in the dosages used in dental radiography, it doesn't make sense ...
piece broke off during root canal2/14/2008
  Q: I was told by my dentist today that the tip of the tool used to clean the canal broke off in the ...
  A: Whether a problem will result from this broken instrument will depend on if the canal was adequately ...
pain with permanent crown placement2/13/2008
  Q: I've just had two crowns done on molars 2 and 3 (I think - top right, the two in the very back), one ...
  A: It's difficult to infer too much useful information from measuring subjective factors such as pain. ...
Building up a tooth2/13/2008
  Q: My new dentist wants to "build up" an upper first bicuspid, in other words, add composite filling to ...
  A: No-- if the intent is to increase the contour of the upper tooth, then removal of tooth structure ...
root canal and tooth decay2/13/2008
  Q: Let's say that there is a tooth decay close to the nerve. The patient for some reason wants to do a ...
  A: Yes, you could do a root canal and put a crown on without removing decayed tooth structure, but you ...
root canal2/13/2008
  Q: Generl dentist will tell you that they can perform everything. For a root canal, is it best to see ...
  A: I think it's a bit unfair to characterize all general dentists as having unrealistic perceptions of ...
facial/jaw pain2/12/2008
  Q: Had 4 front lower teeth extracted 8 yrs. ago following 4 yrs. of tooth pain and 3 root canals. ...
  A: Actually, orofacial pain does not correlate well with structural deformity in the TMJ. Severe ...
WISDOM TEETH COMPLICATIONS2/12/2008
  Q: I HAD MY 4 WISDOM TEETH EXTRACTED (WHICH WERE IMPACTED) A WEEK AGO AND HAD THE STITCHES REMOVED ...
  A: Depending on the circumstances, it is sometimes not possible to completely close the wound opening ...
Runnig out of people and places for info2/12/2008
  Q: I'm not sure if this is an appropriate question for this particular site-but-my husband is in ...
  A: First, allow me to say that your husband's dentist may be a bit too creative in arriving at that ...
filling frustration2/11/2008
  Q: i recently had one of my bottom molers refilled. I had had it refilled because of pain and ...
  A: Barr, Because pain is a non-specific symptoms that could reflect a wide variety of disorders, it is ...
Root Canal Problems2/11/2008
  Q: First let me Thank You for this awesome service. Here is my story: I had a filling done on my 2nd ...
  A: The roots of the upper molars are indeed quite close to the sinus, and they share a common sensory ...
extraction root canal.2/10/2008
  Q: i had a tooth extracted 2 days ago. its still swollen and stitched. TOMORROW i have to go for root ...
  A: What's the rush? If you wait for your current extraction wound to heal before you get your root ...
severe pain/wisdom teeth2/9/2008
  Q: I had my wisdom teeth removed this passed wednesday, it is now saturday morning and i am in pretty ...
  A: Your description is highly suggestive of a dry socket-- an uncomfortable but otherwise non-serious ...
root canal and crown2/8/2008
  Q: My husband had tooth pain in a back molar a few month ago and a dentist told him to see a specialist ...
  A: The decision as to whether a tooth needs a crown must be made based on the individual circumstances, ...
impressions done for a crown, need temp?2/8/2008
  Q: had impressions done for a crown and didn't get a temporary crown placed in the meantime ---should I ...
  A: Gray, It is sometimes feasible to omit a temporary crown if the involved tooth has previously ...
New Crown Bite Pain2/7/2008
  Q: I am a 25 year old male, who recently had some crown work done. My dentist informed me about a year ...
  A: While I cannot offer much other than speculation, I think you're on the right path. A consultation ...
Cracked molar2/7/2008
  Q: I have a cracked molar. It is cracked front to back and my Dentist recommended pulling the tooth. ...
  A: No, cracks do not heal; in this regard, teeth behave differently from bone. The sensitivity is a ...
tooth abcess2/6/2008
  Q: In December 07 I had onlays done to tooth #3 & #31. I have had both hot and cold sensitivity on this ...
  A: Although I cannot reliably infer exactly where things went wrong, it was clearly during the ...
Root canal2/6/2008
  Q: I have to do a root canal tooth #7, I was given amoxcillin for the pain and the pain is gone. I ...
  A: Postponement of treatment is a calculated gamble-- it leaves you open to risk of recurrence of acute ...
root canal2/5/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, I had a root canal 2 weeks ago by my dentist. He said that when he did the root canal ...
  A: Yes, you may request either a hard copy (paper print-out) of your digital x-rays, or your dentist ...
Root Canal Retreat2/5/2008
  Q: I went to my dentist with tooth pain 6 months ago and was advised that I had and infection and ...
  A: It is not possible to determine fault in matters such as these from a verbal narrative alone-- a ...
Dental bridge problem2/4/2008
  Q: About a week ago I had a bridge made. The anchor teeth are the 3rd from the middle (on the top) ...
  A: The type and severity of pain symptoms following root canal therapy can vary from none to severe. At ...
Pain that continues after treatment2/4/2008
  Q: My husband (43) began to have pain in in #3 tooth (upper right molar) in April of 2007. The tooth ...
  A: Unfortunately, any answers I offer would be purely speculative, and your husband's doctors have been ...
Root canel2/3/2008
  Q: I had a root canal and the dentist perforated the root of my tooth and when be put in ten ...
  A: Although I cannot determine the extent of the damage to your gums from the injected sodium ...
Removable of irregular upper wisdom teeth2/3/2008
  Q: My son aged 10yrs 2months, started developing irregular teeth at the age og 9,one of his upper Front ...
  A: Although removal is always an option, it is not necessarily the best option, because doing so ...
tooth extraction2/3/2008
  Q: I just had my two upper front teeth pulled. They had root canals years ago and due to infection it ...
  A: The purpose of the flipper is purely cosmetic-- it serves no other function. So, if you're more ...
Tooth Reabsorbion2/2/2008
  Q: #8 has a root canal, post & crown, and 4 years ago an apicoetomy. Recently post a crown loosens up, ...
  A: That would depend on the particulars of your case-- based on the oral surgeon's recommendation, I ...
Jaw Pain2/1/2008
  Q: I have been having pain in the joint of my jaw on the right for a few days now. I am having problems ...
  A: In my experience, hospital emergency rooms provide palliative interim treatment, and are unlikely to ...
Oral surgery and bruxism2/1/2008
  Q: I had all four wisdom teeth removed 7 days ago,but I now have dry socket. I have heard that this is ...
  A: Symptoms of dry socket typically last anywhere from 5 days to two weeks. It is entirely appropriate ...
To pull or not to pull.1/30/2008
  Q: Do I pull out my child's loose tooth or let it fall out on its own?
  A: I generally advise my patients to let nature take its course, unless the child is in great ...
Dental bridge problem1/30/2008
  Q: About a week ago I had a bridge made. The anchor teeth are the 3rd from the middle (on the top) ...
  A: Severe pain following an operative procedure such as you describe suggests an infected dental pulp. ...
Crowns on front teeth1/30/2008
  Q: This past year I had an implant placed on #9. During the process I had a root canal on #8 and needed ...
  A: It is true that it may not be possible to achieve total symmetry as regards gum contour-- the way ...
root canal on a bridge1/30/2008
  Q: i had a root canal done on my bridge,the specialist that did the root canal, sent me back to my ...
  A: Whatever the reason for the persistent pain may be, it's not because of a failure to place a post in ...
Pain and Bruising after filling1/29/2008
  Q: I went to the dentist to get a filling done on friday, the dentist commented that the cavity was ...
  A: It sounds like your dentist inadvertently nicked a small artery-- probably during the anesthetic ...
Mouth surgery as a child1/29/2008
  Q: "In about 1965 or so I had surgery twice, at approximately the age of 6. I believe that I had a ...
  A: I suspect that rather than a bone, what was removed between your two front teeth was an extra ...
cracked # 31 tooth at age 651/27/2008
  Q: I had a root canal performed on # 31 last year and then my dentist filled this tooth. Incidentally, ...
  A: Weinman, I would suggest that you suspend any judgment until a dentist has had an opportunity to ...
root canal1/27/2008
  Q: I had my first appointment for my root canal on Friday the 25th. the dentist drilled the tooth and ...
  A: I'm guessing here, because the specific steps taken in the course of root canal therapy are quite ...
dental procedures during Pregnancy1/25/2008
  Q: I have an upcoming appointment to have a crown done on my top right tooth in the very back of my ...
  A: Your question has as much to do with medico-legal convention as it does with real risk. I do believe ...
Various General Dental Care Questions1/25/2008
  Q: I have a few different general questions. I have not had access to professional dental care for a ...
  A: You are spending a disproportionately large amount of attention to selection of various commercial ...
Flared tooth1/24/2008
  Q: My top second from the center tooth has flared out and looks awful. Since I am 72 years old, I do ...
  A: If the primary problem is simply one of poor position, it might more directly address the cause by ...
How to locate a Dentist1/23/2008
  Q: My name is Dana and I live in Westchester County, NY. My son has defused scleroderma and I am having ...
  A: Although scleroderma may present some specific difficulties in the dental setting (most ...
problem after a filling1/22/2008
  Q: Back in December, I had a tooth cleaned and filled. I had had a cavity in it before, and apparently ...
  A: Although over-aggressive removal of tooth structure performed in the process of filling placement ...
root canal complication1/21/2008
  Q: I have been undergoing root canal treatment since before Christmas and everytime my dentist tries to ...
  A: Something is clearly wrong, and your tooth deserves the most skilled treatment available, given its ...
Gum Recession1/21/2008
  Q: I have seen two periodontists about gum grafts for receding gums on my lower front teeth. One wants ...
  A: The chief advantage of using externally-derived graft material is that it eliminates a second ...
mercury fillings1/18/2008
  Q: i have had mercury fillings for 20+ years - is this creating a health risk for me? is it advisable ...
  A: Unless you are one of the very few who have an allergy to mercury, your amalgam fillings do not ...
Osteoarthritis of the jaw1/17/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, I'm a 24 year old girl who has been suffering from jaw pain for 6 years. In the ...
  A: No, I am unfamiliar with either Dr. Michael Goldberg or Dr. Kenneth Goldberg (is it possible they're ...
Problem with old root canal?1/17/2008
  Q: I had a root canal with a post and crown on #2 when I was a teenager. It was actually done 25 years ...
  A: Although there are never any absolutely unequivocal ways to diagnose a subtle diagnostic picture ...
wear spots1/17/2008
  Q: I went to the dentist expecting them to tell me I had a cavity in my molar. But he said I have no ...
  A: Yes-- if the sensitivity of a tooth does not respond favorably to desensitizing toothpaste, the ...
fear1/14/2008
  Q: I am a 35 year old woman who is afraid of dentists. I know you hear that all the time. When I was ...
  A: Although nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") does nothing to diminish the perception of pain, it can ...
Overlapping of front teeth1/14/2008
  Q: Recently I have noticed my upper left front tooth beginning to overlap the one immediately to the ...
  A: Although dental infections have been known to cause temporary movement and/or loosening of the ...
Too old to go to dental school?1/14/2008
  Q: I received my BS degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in '96...was a teacher for a few years then ...
  A: There are far too many variables to reliably calculate the information you request, even if assuming ...
dental training1/12/2008
  Q: Doctor, I am middle aged and would like to go back to college to study either dental assisting or ...
  A: Dental assisting consists essentially of being an extra two hands for the dentist. Duties vary, ...
Root canal metal post leaching1/12/2008
  Q: I'm a 58-year old woman with a root canal on a front tooth that was done about 35 or so years ago. ...
  A: Most dental alloys are quite safe, except for those rare instances where a patient develops an ...
root canal!1/12/2008
  Q: My younger sister just got told that she needs to have a root canal done. She has always been afraid ...
  A: Yes-- it is certainly possible to provide general anesthesia for routine dental procedures. However, ...
Craze Lines Vs. Bruxism1/9/2008
  Q: I visited a new dentist for the first time yesterday (my former one closed practice). He showed me ...
  A: It is difficult if not impossible to distinguish cracks due to bruxism from the type of craze lines ...
tooth pain from resin fillings?1/9/2008
  Q: Last fall, on the advice of my dentist, I had two amalgam fillings removed and replaced with resin ...
  A: One cannot say unequivocally that resin is an inappropriate choice of material for a molar, or any ...
Food and Disruption of the Extraction Site1/9/2008
  Q: I have researched a similar answer to the following question. I'm afraid I may have disrupted the ...
  A: Unless you are in acute pain or are bleeding profusely, there's little reason to fear that the clot ...
wisdom teeth regrowth1/8/2008
  Q: I had my wisdom teeth pulled @ 15 yrs ago. I recently had extreme infection and pain in the lower ...
  A: Yes-- due to the thin sharp edges of the bony socket that typically surround partially impacted ...
tooth.1/8/2008
  Q: Bornfield. I have a tooth that I believe that I chipped when trying to open a bottle cap one time. ...
  A: You are not crazy simply because your dentist has failed to diagnose your problem. In other words, a ...
Cracked Front Tooth1/8/2008
  Q: I was chiseling steel when a small piece broke off and hit my tooth. The big front upper middle ...
  A: Your dentist will need to determine whether the cracks sustained by your teeth penetrate through to ...
wisdom teeth regrowth1/8/2008
  Q: I had my wisdom teeth pulled @ 15 yrs ago. I recently had extreme infection and pain in the lower ...
  A: No-- wisdom teeth do not "re-grow" in the sense that an inadvertently retained root can grow a new ...
Captek crown vs. Procelain-Noble or Porcelain-Hi Noble crown1/7/2008
  Q: My tooth #5 had filling since 1992, and a few weeks ago the filling broke off. I saw a dentist ...
  A: The functionality of the two metals would be equivalent, and the only situation where high noble ...
sensitivity in recently cemented crown1/7/2008
  Q: I am Dr. Chintan from India. I am a general dentist and have been practicising dentistry since last ...
  A: Chintan, It is difficult to reliably diagnose the condition of the tooth in the absence of ...
root canal1/6/2008
  Q: My dead incisor ( due to an accident one year ago) needs a root canal. Is this more difficult to ...
  A: Actually, root canal therapy is typically more simple in the incisor than it is on a molar: there is ...
Captek crown vs. Procelain-Noble or Porcelain-Hi Noble crown1/6/2008
  Q: My tooth #5 had filling since 1992, and a few weeks ago the filling broke off. I saw a dentist ...
  A: Although some dentists (and some of their patients) may prefer the "warmer" look of Captek crowns, ...
infection on the bottom of implant1/5/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, A week ago, on Dec. 29, I have installed four implants – (#28, 29 and 30 on lower right ...
  A: Sadly, some implants fail to integrate, or become infected, and often the only recourse is to remove ...
Advice needed1/5/2008
  Q: I have an impacted bottom wisdom tooth, I believe it is considered partially impacted. There is a ...
  A: This is much more of an issue than your oral surgeon is making it. For one, the use of antibiotics ...
On and Off pain after a filling1/4/2008
  Q: I had a filling done about a month ago and since then i have had on and off soreness in that tooth ...
  A: If the sensitivity began immediately after the filling was placed, it would be a leap of logic to ...
Dentures1/3/2008
  Q: My husband needs extensive dental work after years of neglect (fear of dentists). His top teeth are ...
  A: I cannot make any specific treatment recommendations, because the selection of an appropriate course ...
Tooth extraction site1/2/2008
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld- I had two second molars (2, and 15) removed 5 days ago. I am very concerned about Dry ...
  A: You can safely resume normal activity now. Dry socket is relatively uncommon in the upper jaw, and ...
pain after direct pulp cap1/2/2008
  Q: Bornfeld, Thank you for taking the time to hear my question. I am 24 years old and have never had ...
  A: I don't mean to seem dismissive, but the nature of pulp caps makes their use inappropriate for those ...
root canal tooth1/2/2008
  Q: Many years ago i had gotten root canal done on my 2nd to last tooth on the left side of my mouth. at ...
  A: Although there is always a possibility of mortality from dental infection, this usually happens to ...
root canal tooth1/1/2008
  Q: Many years ago i had gotten root canal done on my 2nd to last tooth on the left side of my mouth. at ...
  A: Since it has been a long time since you've had dental care, your best first step would be to ...
Tooth Pain12/31/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld. I've replaced the white resin filled inlay with an amalgam filling because I 've had a ...
  A: As I mentioned last time, the presence of gum swelling is compelling evidence for an infection, ...
Iffy Bridge12/30/2007
  Q: I have a bridge that spans teeth 9-12, 9 and 12 the abutments. When I suck on a straw or draw on the ...
  A: I think your dentist is a bit overly negative regarding the prospects for removing the old bridge. ...
Maxillary nerve pain after dental work12/29/2007
  Q: Extra deep fillings 90 days ago have led to alot of intermittent mild pain to throbbing migraine ...
  A: Although pain in the upper jaw area could result from a wide variety of non-dental problems ...
Help Me!12/28/2007
  Q: I had a minor accident and cracked a molar on my bottom left. Instead of trying to save it, I opted ...
  A: Yes, your description is suggestive of dry socket. Although clove oil might help, it is somewhat ...
Back top my left tooth12/28/2007
  Q: My dentist tells me that i have another cavity on the tooth. (I had it filled once before.). I know ...
  A: Whether a tooth can be extracted by a general dentist rather than an oral surgeon depends on both ...
bridge12/27/2007
  Q: My #9 front tooth broke off at the gum line. I wear a flipper for now. 1.Is it possible to have a ...
  A: Most commonly, fixed bridges are constructed so that the pontic (i.e., false tooth) is supported on ...
Pericornitis12/25/2007
  Q: Sir, I have had an on again off again pain back where my bottom wisdom teeth would be for about 10 ...
  A: It's impossible to say whether a delay in treatment is feasible. While the majority of cases of ...
Pericornitis12/25/2007
  Q: Sir, I have had an on again off again pain back where my bottom wisdom teeth would be for about 10 ...
  A: It is usually best to have your mouth properly diagnosed before implementing treatment, and the best ...
pain in tooth beside extraction site12/24/2007
  Q:
  A: No, a pain that persists 2 weeks after an extraction is not a typical postoperative course. It is ...
A Build-up before crown12/24/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld. I have nobody to turn to except you. My resin-based inlayed tooth is so painful and a ...
  A: The first thing that must be done is to identify the nature of your problem, and the treatments that ...
upper/lower jaw pain after a big filling12/23/2007
  Q: I'm an RN with a high pain threshhold, history of crumbly enamel, good dental hygiene practices, ...
  A: I'm afraid you've got me stumped. Most postoperative symptoms following a filling can be attributed ...
onlays, caps, and root canals12/22/2007
  Q: I have been going to a dentist consistently every six months since I was a child. I am in my ...
  A: Although one could paint a scenario where a sequence of events such as yours could be the result of ...
Uneven teeth12/21/2007
  Q: I just had my braces taken off on my top teeth. The orthodontist shaved my two front teeth down to ...
  A: Because your orthodontist's efforts were solely intended to improve the cosmetic appearance of the ...
Tooth Extraction12/21/2007
  Q: Yesterday I had my tooth extracted, and although my dentist said the operation would last at most ...
  A: Although the removal of some bone is sometimes necessary for the purpose of extracting an impacted ...
swelling in the face after filling a cavity12/21/2007
  Q: i have severe swelling in my face on the side i just had a cavity filled on... it had been filled ...
  A: Although it's possible you may have experienced something called a "cutaneous emphysema"-- air ...
Tooth pain12/20/2007
  Q: I just had a perm. crown put on my lower tooth left side i wanna say number 19. The perm crown ...
  A: Although the postoperative course of a crown cementation varies, it is certainly not unusual for ...
Gum Desease12/19/2007
  Q: If a person has a dental exam and is found to have bleeding gums (gingivitis or a worse gum ...
  A: In the course of periodontal therapy, a dentist or periodontist may choose to use antibiotics, ...
infected tooth12/19/2007
  Q: Several years ago i broke a tooth and not having dental insurance or the 2 thousand dollars to fix ...
  A: If you cannot or will not repair your tooth, then the logical alternative would be to extract it. ...
Receding Gumline12/19/2007
  Q: For months I have noticed my gum line receding. Mostly for the lower front teeth. It's rather scary ...
  A: There are numerous possible causes for gum recession, including but not limited to: -inflammatory ...
sensitivity in a tooth 15 years after a root canal12/18/2007
  Q: I'm a 33 year old male. my front left incisor (#9 I think) was broken when I was in the 4th grade. ...
  A: There is no treatment modality of which I am aware that would regenerate a dental pulp after it has ...
Bite Adjustment of Crown12/18/2007
  Q: I lost an incisor due to root resorption. I had the tooth replaced with an implant. When the ...
  A: No, there shouldn't be any problem related to the exposure of the metal, as long as the metal itself ...
Jaw Infection Following Root Canal12/18/2007
  Q: I had a root canal done about 2 months ago. It took several rounds of antibiotics and several ...
  A: Although the majority of infections do respond favorably to treatment, they should always be treated ...
sensitivity in a tooth 15 years after a root canal12/18/2007
  Q: I'm a 33 year old male. my front left incisor (#9 I think) was broken when I was in the 4th grade. ...
  A: Your dentist is correct-- once the pulp of a tooth has been removed, it does not grow back. A more ...
Periodonotis and Braces12/11/2007
  Q: Hey, I had periodontis since I was 12 and now Im 14 and I got 4 of my teeth extracted because they ...
  A: That depends entirely on the nature of your bite aberration and the severity of your gum disease. ...
bad teeth/pain12/10/2007
  Q: my tooth brook it was really rooted but the root still ther a little peace of it can been seen all ...
  A: I don't think there is any doubt that you either have or will have an infection as a result of your ...
Sedative Filling12/10/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I had gone to a "new" dentist to have a root canal tooth finished with a permanent ...
  A: 1.- I had gone to this dentist initially to get the tooth sealed. He put a Sedative filling in the ...
Abcess tooth12/9/2007
  Q: I woke up with a severe toothache on November 10, 2007. The pain was severe. My dentist put me on ...
  A: Clindamycin is well known to cause pseudomembranous colitis in some individuals, which can cause ...
eye tooth pain12/9/2007
  Q: I have had pain in one of my eye teeth for about 5 years now. I have seen several dentists about it, ...
  A: The only thing that is in any way confusing in your case is why it wasn't concluded that you needed ...
(Urgent!!)About side-effect of novocaine shot on the gum tissue.12/9/2007
  Q: I just had deep-cleaning for left hand side of my teeth done last Tuesday, 4 days ago.The dentist ...
  A: Although some local anesthetics (especially 4% articaine) have been implicated in some postoperative ...
what kind of dentist should I seek?12/8/2007
  Q: Twenty four years ago (I was 19) I was in a car accident and broke my jaw in three places. I also ...
  A: Your first step in seeking dental care should always be at a general dentist, because only a general ...
Pediatric crowns12/7/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I would much appreciate your input on the dental work recently recommended for my ...
  A: I really sympathize with some of these pedodontists-- they've been hit hard by the benefits of ...
redish blue color of gym12/7/2007
  Q: . my case is: after doing a crown opperation for my 2 cenral teeth.. i noticed a redish blue color ...
  A: I'm not sure of what that reddish-blue color might represent, but if I had to guess, I would think ...
Root canal in a 16 year old12/7/2007
  Q: We haven't gone to the dentist regular but my 16 year old daughter had 2 root canals when we went ...
  A: I am not aware of the statistical data regarding age-adjusted incidence of root canal therapy; I'm ...
infection after crown12/6/2007
  Q: After getting a crown on a molar several weeks ago, my tooth has remained sensitive. Once I went ...
  A: There are several possible explanations for why the infection didn't show up on the x-ray ...
rough porcelan dental crown12/6/2007
  Q: Why are some porcelain crowns rough instead of smooth? If it's that cement gets on the tooth, ...
  A: There are several possible reasons why your porcelain crowns may feel rough: - the porcelain was ...
Wisdom Teeth Removal12/6/2007
  Q: I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed next week. I was just wondering how long it usually takes for a ...
  A: That depends on what you consider "up and running". Although complete closure of the extraction ...
Crown and root canal12/5/2007
  Q: I had a permanent crown installed and then the pain started. The choices were that the tooth under ...
  A: Although there's no doubt that your dentist is choosing an easier route by not re-doing the crown, ...
Root Canal X-rays12/4/2007
  Q: I recently had root canals done on my front two teeth. The endodontist took 11 x-rays over the ...
  A: I would speculate that 11 x-rays for two teeth (or an average of 5˝ x-rays per tooth) is a bit over ...
piece of tooth in cheek12/4/2007
  Q: I was recently the victim of an assault, where I was punched several times on the face. I was ...
  A: It is standard practice for medical personnel to inspect and clean lacerations and puncture wounds ...
dental erosion12/3/2007
  Q: I am a frequent swimmer and I have suffered from dental erosion from acid after swimming in a ...
  A: Aside from correcting the acidity of your swimming pool and topical fluoride applications to your ...
could postnasal drip be caused by tooth decay?12/3/2007
  Q: 3 months ago developed a bad case of postnasal drip ( despite sinuses being mostly clear)which also ...
  A: Although almost anything is possible, I would consider any connection between tooth decay and post ...
Tongue Thrusting12/3/2007
  Q: I'm 20 years old and I'm trying to stop sucking my thumb. I recently noticed that I also have some ...
  A: Usually, a tongue-thrust swallowing pattern develops due to an anterior open bite, and the two ...
Soreness/pain on tooth12/2/2007
  Q: I'm probably avoiding the inevitable but here's the deal. I've had soreness off and no, some ...
  A: It's hard to say from your description alone. The type of symptoms you report are non-specific, and ...
TOOTH ACHE11/30/2007
  Q: i have done root cannel 10 month before however from few days i feel tooth ache after i eat ...
  A: Unfortunately, not all root canal treatments are successful. I would recommend that you request a ...
flossing nighmare....11/29/2007
  Q: Last night when flossing the bottom front teeth, I noticed something hard that was retrieved from in ...
  A: There is no way to infer with any kind of certainty what it is that you are describing from your ...
tooth pain11/28/2007
  Q: I have been having pain on the right side of my jaw. I can't tell if it is top or bottom as it ...
  A: It depends on what is causing your sensitivity. If it's due to enamel erosion or gum recession, ...
captek vs high noble crowns11/27/2007
  Q: I am trying to decide on which to use for my 3 tooth bridge, and two separate caps. All teeth are ...
  A: Captek crowns look quite nice, but the material is not as well-suited to fixed bridges, because the ...
Implants11/27/2007
  Q: My cuspid, next to the 2 front teeth, upper right, just broke at the gum line. It was thinly ...
  A: There are several different ways to stage the placement of an implant. Although some surgeons are ...
dental bridge problem11/26/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I have dental bridge from third to fifth tooth in the upper jaw. I had it done 3 weeks ...
  A: It is unclear from your description alone just what the problem is, because your symptoms are ...
After dental work problems (not with the work itself)11/26/2007
  Q: Everytime I go to the dentist I get this really aggravating problem.... my tongue swells up, i get ...
  A: Swelling of the tongue after dental treatment suggests angioedema-- a type of allergic reaction. The ...
Toothache after filling11/26/2007
  Q: I had a filling done 3 days ago,my dentist said that it was bad,cos the tooth looked like it was ...
  A: Some pain is to be expected after a deep filling, but pain that is sufficiently severe to keep you ...
SEVERE PAIN11/26/2007
  Q: I have already answered this question for you once before. IF YOU DID I DID NOT GET THE MESSAGE. ...
  A: Although not all root canals manifest with postoperative pain and swelling, it happens frequently ...
2 days after root canal and severe pain!!11/25/2007
  Q: I had a root canal done on the 4th tooth in on the top right...sorry I don't know the exact # of ...
  A: Although not all root canals manifest with postoperative pain and swelling, it happens frequently ...
Applying MI Paste11/20/2007
  Q: I recently went to the dentist, and for various reasons he gave me some MI Paste. But he never told ...
  A: It's best if you ask your dentist how he intended for you to use the product. MI Paste is normally ...
Bump on upper right side of gum11/20/2007
  Q: I just had a root canal done on tooth number 2. The od put a temp crown on it and told me to get a ...
  A: If you are sure that the bump was not there at the time when the root canal treatment was completed, ...
Potential orthodontics along with implant11/19/2007
  Q: Recently I was told I have external resorbtion of tooth #9. This was a tooth injured in an accident ...
  A: For temporary replacement of a missing incisor, a "flipper"-type removable partial denture is used. ...
crown with temporary cemnt11/19/2007
  Q: My dentist cemented my crown, 2nd bicuspid, with temporary cement (my request). I asked him to ...
  A: It is indeed possible for a crown margin that is positioned too far under the gum line to provoke ...
front teeth bridge11/19/2007
  Q: About 3 motnhs ago I had #9 extracted because of a fractured root. #8 had already been crowned ...
  A: I can't provide reliable guidance in your case, since there are so many things that could manifest ...
jaw and ear pain11/18/2007
  Q: I had a cavity filled in my back tooth up top on Wed afternoon. It went fine, although they really ...
  A: It is possible that the prolonged wide opening contributed to your current symptom, but I would have ...
Confirmation @ an extraction11/18/2007
  Q: I got a nonpainful filling on a molar(#30) replaced, and after cont. pain, got a medicated fill, ...
  A: Yes, there is a time limit, but I'm not suggesting that you wait 6 months; you should hopefully see ...
Confirmation @ an extraction11/17/2007
  Q: I got a nonpainful filling on a molar(#30) replaced, and after cont. pain, got a medicated fill, ...
  A: You're right-- I can't offer reliable guidance as to the ultimate fate of your tooth. However, why ...
why do we use warm salt water rinse after extraction??11/17/2007
  Q: sir.. i got my 3rd molar tooth extracted few weeks ago..and doctor had told me to rinse my mouth ...
  A: As I said previously, the intent of adding salt to the water is to make the solution isotonic, and ...
lumineers11/16/2007
  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: Lumineers are a proprietary brand of porcelain laminate veneer. The manufacturers claim that ...
why do we use warm salt water rinse after extraction??11/16/2007
  Q: sir.. i got my 3rd molar tooth extracted few weeks ago..and doctor had told me to rinse my mouth ...
  A: The rationale for rinsing with salt water solution is to try to keep the socket clean during a time ...
numb tongue11/16/2007
  Q: My 17 year old daughter had her 4 wisdom teeth pulled by a dentist 6 months ago. One side of her ...
  A: The course of the lingual nerve takes it perilously close to the lower wisdom teeth, and injury to ...
Potential orthodontics along with implant11/15/2007
  Q: Recently I was told I have external resorbtion of tooth #9. This was a tooth injured in an accident ...
  A: Scaling and root planing is a very fundamental procedure that usually precedes all other periodontal ...
Implant, Bridge, RPD11/15/2007
  Q: and thank you for answering my past question. Well it has been roughly two months. connective tissue ...
  A: I'll comment on your four alternative options... 1. Leaving the teeth and splint? The advantage ...
packing from wisdom teeth11/15/2007
  Q: i had a very difficult extraction done on friday. by monday i was in so much pain that i went back ...
  A: The important consideration is not whether the packing fell out, but whether the pain is still ...
infant teath11/14/2007
  Q: My daghter is 14 months now. but still . does have teath. can you please guide us regarding this? ...
  A: Although it is possible that your daughter may still develop a full complement of normal primary ...
Botched root canal?11/14/2007
  Q: I recently went to a new dentist about a problem I was having with a crown (sat too high). She ...
  A: Because more conservative efforts to remove the broken instrument have failed, I suspect your ...
Repair on Bridge11/14/2007
  Q: I recently chipped a tooth (in the front) on my bridge and was wondering if it was repairable. The ...
  A: Unfortunately, there is no practical way to repair a ceramic fixed bridge while attached to the ...
small white bumps on my gums11/12/2007
  Q: I am a 36 year old smoker (quit 3 weeks ago) and I have noticed that the gum by the last 2 teeth in ...
  A: It is not possible to provide a reliable diagnosis from your description alone, since there are a ...
Follow up11/10/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, You responded to a question back in April regarding a patients painful cheek & jaw ...
  A: I would consider a physical injury due to the anesthetic injection a reasonable possibility, ...
Black spot in mouth11/9/2007
  Q: I have found a black spot on the inside of my cheek. I don't recall having a sore there. I am 2 ...
  A: Although there are a wide variety of trivial things that could account for a dark spot in the cheek, ...
bump in the roof of the mouth11/7/2007
  Q: i have a top denture plate have had it for years now but i get this lump/bump in the roof of my ...
  A: Although this problem may indeed be what your dentist calls a "blocked gland" (technically, this is ...
Suspected dying tooth although x-ray seems fine.11/6/2007
  Q: I have a tricky situation here. I had impact trauma on my front teeth while rollerblading when I ...
  A: Your upper right central incisor is clearly devitalized, as evidenced by its darkened color, and the ...
Cold sores11/6/2007
  Q: I noticed a reply you wrote to a worried mother whose infant had shared food with an infected ...
  A: Burton, Although it is remotely possible for you to have contracted herpes by sharing food, this ...
fixed bridge vs removable partial11/5/2007
  Q: I am women age 57 . My problem is I am missing front teeth #7 and #8 as well as #3,#11,I think #13. ...
  A: It is difficult to determine just which course of treatment would yield the most durable result ...
Multiple rows of teeth in six-year-old boy11/5/2007
  Q: My son, who is 6 years old, still has all of his baby teeth, none of which are loose. In the bottom ...
  A: The situation you describe-- with the adult lower incisors erupting behind the primary incisors, ...
perforated root wall, broken instrument11/4/2007
  Q: My 25 yr old daughter had an attemptd root canal the end of June 2007. The dentist told us he ...
  A: If a dentist breaks off an instrument in the canal, removes the instrument and doesn't realize that ...
abscess root canal pain11/3/2007
  Q: I was diagnosed with an abscess root canal today. If I look in the mirror, it is the 5th tooth ...
  A: If ibuprofen isn't providing sufficient pain relief, then certainly you should ask for stronger pain ...
prolonged sensitivity after new filling11/3/2007
  Q: In April 2007, my dentist was repairing a cavity and also replace a fairly big silver filling with ...
  A: I think you misunderstood my recommendation. Although I suggested that you might be able to more ...
Tooth extraction and lidocaine11/2/2007
  Q: I am planning on getting my upper teeth pulled and getting dentures due to soft teeth! I have 14 ...
  A: Although the amount of lidocaine required will not come anywhere close to a toxic dose, what your ...
prolonged sensitivity after new filling11/2/2007
  Q: In April 2007, my dentist was repairing a cavity and also replace a fairly big silver filling with ...
  A: I agree that your narrative suggests a cracked tooth. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to see ...
severe pain after a root canal11/2/2007
  Q: I had my fourth and final appointment for my root canal 2 days ago. Since then I have had severe ...
  A: The fact that it took four visits to perform this root canal indicates that something is wrong-- I ...
Excessive pain after temporary crown11/2/2007
  Q: Any help would be greatly appreciated: A week and a half ago I had a 2 temporary crowns put on my 2 ...
  A: One cannot infer too much reliable information from the symptoms you cite, because they are ...
Pit in tooth11/1/2007
  Q: You have kindly and completely answered questions for my wife in the past. We very much appreciate ...
  A: If you're getting professional attention every 3 months, I doubt that this dark spot could have ...
endo retreatment post procesure pain11/1/2007
  Q: This could just be the way I heal, but I have had two attempts at root canal therapy done within the ...
  A: I am inclined to be pessimistic in nature, but I think it's too early to assume there's a problem ...
root canal11/1/2007
  Q: about one week ago, my left side upper teeth was hurting and it finally settle on a crown that i had ...
  A: No, it is unlikely that your unfortunate ant incident had any effect on your tooth or its symptoms. ...
filling compound11/1/2007
  Q: One year ago I moved to a another state and had to get a new dentist. The dentist identified and ...
  A: 1. Is it possible that the dentist and/or the filling material are of poor quality? It's impossible ...
abnormal root canal pain?10/31/2007
  Q: I had a root canal done last Thursday on tooth #20. After the procedure my Dentist put in the plug ...
  A: A certain number of root canal treatments are followed by soreness even if everything ultimately ...
Suspect one loose abutment of a bridge10/31/2007
  Q: I had a bridge with the following conditions: 1- Its spanning over teeth 3,4,5 and 6 of the upper ...
  A: I would advise you against ignoring this problem. Even if tooth #3 is strong enough to support the ...
Exposed Bone10/31/2007
  Q: A few weeks ago, I developed what felt like a cut on the tongue side of my lower left gums. It ...
  A: There are two possibilities that should be considered: 1- your complaint is what you think it is-- ...
crown or no crown10/30/2007
  Q: Mark, I had a Root canal retreatment on #14 a month ago. Now all the pain that was bothering me ...
  A: The answer depends largely on the current condition of the tooth, and whether the crown can be ...
Cracked tooth10/30/2007
  Q: I recently cracked the tooth next to my front tooth, I cracked near the gum line, I went to the ...
  A: A tooth as badly damaged as you imply is best treated by placing a crown. Quick fixes such as the ...
Upper Jaw Pain After Root Canal10/30/2007
  Q: I had an emergency root canal about 4 weeks ago and after the root canal I started having pain in my ...
  A: First, let me state that although it is quite possible for a sinus infection to present with ...
Root Calcification10/29/2007
  Q: I have just gotten back from a trip to dentist. They are saying that I need a root canal on a molar ...
  A: Pulp calcification is most assuredly not nature's way of doing a root canal. In fact, pulp ...
Pain caused by sugar?10/29/2007
  Q: I have an upper molar tooth that, for several years, has given me pain... but only when I eat sugar. ...
  A: Although sensitivity to osmotic stressors such as acidic or sweet foods can be due to tooth decay, ...
pain during procedures10/29/2007
  Q: Prior to the birth of my son, I had no dental issues. After my son was born I noticed a major ...
  A: A substantial number of anesthetic failures are due to factors that cannot be controlled-- ...
Dissatisfication with partial denture10/28/2007
  Q: I recently had dentures made for my two front teeth and a few in the back. I am adjusting to them ...
  A: Wilkins, Your dentist can replace the teeth on the denture in an attempt to more accurately match ...
Root Canal post-treatment pain10/28/2007
  Q: I am a seasoned dental patient having poor genetics and many problems. I am no newbie to endodontic ...
  A: For your post root canal pain, I recommend that you contact your dentist for assistance with pain ...
root canals10/26/2007
  Q: I have two molars 2 in from last one on bottom right. My insurance has no endodonists(sp) listed. ...
  A: A general dentist has the discretion to either offer a particular service or recommend specialty ...
Abscess on gum - Root Canal?10/26/2007
  Q: So, this is a long story, so I will try and just give you the basics. About 1 year ago I had to get ...
  A: No, there is no known way to foster healing of a chronic dento-alveolar abscess other than the known ...
Nickel allergy and crown10/25/2007
  Q: I have a terrible nickel allergy (this has been confirmed by an allergist). I recently had 2 crowns ...
  A: Permit me to correct what your dentist said-- because there is always a reason for inflammation-- ...
Implants - conflicting recommendations10/24/2007
  Q: I am a 50-year old non-smoking female in good health. I have seen several dentists and am receiving ...
  A: Let me preface my answer by pointing out that much of the variation in opinion comes as an ...
Multiple Extractions10/24/2007
  Q: I am a 28yr old woman with many severe dental caries. I have no insurance so I have not been able to ...
  A: Before you embark on a course which may only at the outset seem like the easy way out, I urge you to ...
Silver filing removed now dentist wants to do root canal10/24/2007
  Q: I went to a dentist for a cleaning and he told me he wanted to take out my silver filling and put in ...
  A: Markgraf, The margin of a filling is the line of demarcation at which the filling material meets ...
Bridge Crown vs. Implant10/23/2007
  Q: At the age of 7, I cracked my #8, #9, and #10 teeth. #9 required a root canal. I wore temporary ...
  A: Samanic, It is true that the extraction of a tooth is usually followed by some degree of bone loss. ...
Silver filing removed now dentist wants to do root canal10/23/2007
  Q: I went to a dentist for a cleaning and he told me he wanted to take out my silver filling and put in ...
  A: Markgraf, I'm not sure I fully understand your dentist's rationale for replacing the previous ...
Bridge Crown vs. Implant10/23/2007
  Q: At the age of 7, I cracked my #8, #9, and #10 teeth. #9 required a root canal. I wore temporary ...
  A: Samanic, There are several legitimate arguments for favoring a more traditional fixed bridge in ...
bands for braces10/22/2007
  Q: im going to have braces within a few months and the ortho told me that i will have bands with them ...
  A: Bands are metallic straps that are cemented to some of the teeth in order to attach the orthodontic ...
recent root canal10/22/2007
  Q: i'm in the process of undergoing two root canal surgeries ? second from back lower and fourth from ...
  A: Berndt, There is not likely any connection between your upper and lower root canals. However, there ...
Tooth Extraction Mistake10/22/2007
  Q: I had my bottom right molar removed 5 days ago and have been waiting for the clot to smooth over. ...
  A: If a part of the tooth was inadvertently allowed to remain in the socket, this would indeed reflect ...
root canal10/22/2007
  Q: My top next to back tooth cracked horizontally & I had a root canal done in July. Due to my ...
  A: Although subjective symptoms such as pain are unreliable indicators, especially when assessing them ...
Pain with Temp Crown10/21/2007
  Q: 12 days ago I had the prep for and a temporary crown placed on upper back left molar. Seemed to be ...
  A: A tooth is significantly weakened and embrittled following root canal therapy, so it's important to ...
Abscess on gum - Root Canal?10/21/2007
  Q: So, this is a long story, so I will try and just give you the basics. About 1 year ago I had to get ...
  A: I very much doubt that the abscess on the gum near your tooth has anything to do with your TMJ ...
Change of dentist needed?10/20/2007
  Q: and apologies in advance for the length of this. I live in New York City and have been going to a ...
  A: I can't really judge whether your dentist was careless about failing to anticipate the outcome of ...
Change of dentist needed?10/19/2007
  Q: and apologies in advance for the length of this. I live in New York City and have been going to a ...
  A: It's difficult to determine with certainty the answers to all your questions, but I'll try.. Could ...
infection after fillings10/19/2007
  Q: My 15 year old daughter recently had teeth filled. I think she must have chewed up the inside of ...
  A: Unfortunately, it's sometimes difficult to determine after the fact just what may have caused ...
Keep getting cavities10/19/2007
  Q: I had a rude wake up call last year about my oral health and had a bunch of filling and a couple of ...
  A: Although a finding of three cavities does not constitute a hopeless situation by any means, it ...
Name of a filling for a broken tooth10/18/2007
  Q: I would like to know what they call a composite filling that is placed on a half broken tooth to ...
  A: Fillings are usually designated by the tooth surfaces they encompass, and there are five available ...
Pain with Temp Crown10/18/2007
  Q: 12 days ago I had the prep for and a temporary crown placed on upper back left molar. Seemed to be ...
  A: It's difficult to draw any reliable conclusions from your symptoms, since they are non-specific in ...
Root canal or wait?10/18/2007
  Q: I had a composite restoration done in an upper molar 2 months ago because I had a cavity near the ...
  A: Yes--- the sad truth is that root canal's reputation is not totally without basis in truth. There is ...
husband's teeth10/18/2007
  Q: My husband saw a dentist this week after several years of no professional dental care. The X-rays ...
  A: The answer to your question is as much a matter of personal philosophy as it is a question of right ...
A Dentists'10/18/2007
  Q: I just recently got a second opinion from a different dentist that my root canal was not properly ...
  A: Although there may indeed be a basis for litigating this in the courts, I suspect you might have ...
Wisdom tooth removal10/17/2007
  Q: I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed on 10/09. Surgury went well but on 10/12 one lower side ...
  A: The "skin" you see is probably a bit of the fibrin clot that has broken free, and this has no ...
Molar extraction tomorrow.10/17/2007
  Q: As the title says I am going to the dentist tomorrow to have my back-right molar removed. I haven't ...
  A: I regret it if this reply does not reach you in time to help you in deciding on your appointment. ...
Intermittent SEVERE Lightening Bolt like pain10/16/2007
  Q: I have always had a variety of dental issues and pain. Mostly genetic, but some due to my own ...
  A: A cracked root is pretty much like what it sounds like-- a crack that runs down the root of a tooth. ...
wisdom tooth removale10/16/2007
  Q: I had 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed yesterday.I am taking motrin and percocet but still in a lot ...
  A: I don't know how practical it would be to increase your pain medication, since Percocet is one of ...
Intermittent SEVERE Lightening Bolt like pain10/16/2007
  Q: I have always had a variety of dental issues and pain. Mostly genetic, but some due to my own ...
  A: I think it's best if you defer any additional treatment until you have your pain properly diagnosed, ...
Intermittent SEVERE Lightening Bolt like pain10/16/2007
  Q: I have always had a variety of dental issues and pain. Mostly genetic, but some due to my own ...
  A: It's always unwise to be prematurely dismissive about anything, because diagnostic pride is indeed ...
mandibular tori10/15/2007
  Q: My father doesn,t have a good computer so I am asking this for him. His dentist says that his ...
  A: The gum tissues can be stretched thin over prominent tori, and they may theoretically be prone to ...
Root Canal and antibiotics10/15/2007
  Q: I have a mildly throbbing tooth ache in a lower left molar. One endodontist said I need a root ...
  A: There are no general rule that can be applied to all situations; the decision as to the approach ...
Root canal or wait?10/15/2007
  Q: I had a composite restoration done in an upper molar 2 months ago because I had a cavity near the ...
  A: Sometimes, the need for root canal therapy is unequivocal, and sometimes it is a subjective ...
Root Canal and antibiotics10/14/2007
  Q: I have a mildly throbbing tooth ache in a lower left molar. One endodontist said I need a root ...
  A: I suspect that the problem is not that you have a dental infection and there is a disagreement of ...
tooth coming in to early10/14/2007
  Q: I have a 7 year old that has an abcess on his gum took him to the dentist who referred us to another ...
  A: There is seldom any rational reason to prevent a tooth from erupting prematurely, even if it could ...
Pain after cavity10/14/2007
  Q: I had two cavities filled with the resin composite material about 5 weeks ago. I still have pain ...
  A: The newer resin materials are particularly hard on teeth, for two reasons: 1. They're irritating to ...
dry socket treatment10/13/2007
  Q: Have a question and need advice. Had my bottom left molar extrated 11 days ago.After care ...
  A: Some doctors have an association in their minds between narcotic drugs and evil, and it's difficult ...
Subjectivity of cavities10/13/2007
  Q: I went to a new dentist today, and was told that I have 16 cavities that need to be filled. I'm 23 ...
  A: You've neatly articulated some of the problem-- that diagnosis is uniformly a subjective process-- ...
all uppers removed10/12/2007
  Q: my son is 48 years old and becasuse he neglected his warning about gum disease years ago, he is now ...
  A: Triplett, No, it is not mandatory to make a new set of dentures. A reasonable alternative would be ...
swelling long after surgery10/12/2007
  Q: i had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed about 3 years ago, and i still experience the sensation of ...
  A: It is indeed possible for a cyst to recur if the original cyst is not completely enucleated at the ...
root treatment and antibiotics10/11/2007
  Q: i have been refferred to my local dental hospital by my dentist after a reccurring problem with a ...
  A: Although a course of antibiotics may help, I think a minor recontouring of the tooth to reduce its ...
Dentist broke my tooth10/11/2007
  Q: Is it possible to break a tooth from scaling/root planing? I recently moved to a new area and ...
  A: Although anything is possible, I think it's highly unlikely that a tooth could be broken by forceful ...
Crown Problems10/10/2007
  Q: When I went in for placement of my permanent crown, the dentist did not do it as they had when I ...
  A: Assuming your tooth is properly protected by a well-fitting and well-cemented temporary crown, your ...
tooth trauma10/10/2007
  Q: About 3-4 years ago I took a traumatic blow in the mouth during judo practice.Luckily,the tooth ...
  A: 1]Is it true that a tooth with a root fracture cannot be saved? A: Although there are some ...
gum pain from flossing10/9/2007
  Q: I recently started having a great deal of pain when flossing between the last 2 molars on the top ...
  A: It is sometimes difficult to determine any one specific reason why periodontal inflammation suddenly ...
Crown problems10/9/2007
  Q: In short, I had to replace a cracked crown that I'd had for 15 years. The new crown took them a ...
  A: The particulars of your case are difficult to infer, since there is conflicting information-- it's a ...
periodontitis10/9/2007
  Q: I have roughly 9 teeth with pockets ranging from 4-6mm mostly in the rear of my mouth. All other ...
  A: Periodontists and oral surgeons are latecomers to the discipline of prosthetic tooth replacement; ...
tooth extraction vs. crown10/8/2007
  Q: My back molars on the top (located next to where my wisdom teeth use to be) constantly get cavities. ...
  A: The prosthetic replacement of the rearmost tooth in the arch may present some difficulty, because ...
Lumineers for teenager10/8/2007
  Q: My 15-year old daughter has enamel hypoplasia, and would like veneers. Is her age a barrier to ...
  A: It's a bit too early for your daughter to have laminate veneers placed on her teeth, since there ...
tooth trauma10/8/2007
  Q: About 3-4 years ago I took a traumatic blow in the mouth during judo practice.Luckily,the tooth ...
  A: It's difficult to draw too many reliable conclusions from the symptoms you describe, since they are ...
post extraction complicatin10/8/2007
  Q: my dentist extracted my lower 2nd molar 1 week before now i cant open my mouth,i feel pain ,i have ...
  A: It is not possible to predict how long it will take for symptoms to resolve in any particular case, ...
post extraction complicatin10/7/2007
  Q: my dentist extracted my lower 2nd molar 1 week before now i cant open my mouth,i feel pain ,i have ...
  A: It is not uncommon to experience some limitation of jaw opening following the extraction of a lower ...
Porcelain veneers10/6/2007
  Q: I had porcelain caps applied to my front teeth over a year ago, and have found they have ...
  A: It would be indeed unusual to experience a true yellowing of your caps/veneers if they were truly ...
Deep cleaning10/6/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I just did a deep cleaning few hours ago, it bled and sore, even until now, there are ...
  A: Truth be told, the term "deep cleaning" has no uniform meaning; it is a vernacular term that is ...
crown pain10/6/2007
  Q: Im a 47 yr. old. I had a crown put on my left upper rear (#15 I think). Ive been having pain when ...
  A: I think your dentist's are hoping against hope that they don't need to implement additional ...
pain after composite filling10/6/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I had a composite filling on #15 last Monday. I experienced some soreness afterwards, ...
  A: You are going to need to get your dentist and obstetrician to collaborate on a course of action that ...
periodontitis10/5/2007
  Q: I have roughly 9 teeth with pockets ranging from 4-6mm mostly in the rear of my mouth. All other ...
  A: Your answers turn more on a question of treatment philosophy rather than what is right or wrong. And ...
to crown or not to crown10/5/2007
  Q: I recently had a root canal on tooth #8. The endodontist gave me a temp filling and asked that I ...
  A: The decision as to whether a tooth requires a crown is based on structural considerations-- i.e., ...
Root Canal/Calcified Root10/4/2007
  Q: I had a root canal performed on 9/25/07 on my lower left, second one in molar (sorry i don't know ...
  A: It is far too soon to infer any reliable information from subjective symptoms. Even a successful ...
need another cap for partial10/3/2007
  Q: The dental school where I am going put temporary caps on my teeth last August and took my partial to ...
  A: Negligence is not something that can be determined by either a patient or his treating doctor-- ...
Root Canal failing - sched. for surgery10/3/2007
  Q: I Had a root canal.. on the top left (#10) tooth 11/1999. Root canal re-infected (same infection ...
  A: No, I did not mean to imply that antibiotics should not be used, either in your case or in others ...
open margin on a crown10/3/2007
  Q: My dentist just recently noticed that I have an open margine on one of my crowns. I did notice it ...
  A: Although an open crown margin can ultimately lead to the development of tooth decay, in most ...
Root Canal failing - sched. for surgery10/3/2007
  Q: I Had a root canal.. on the top left (#10) tooth 11/1999. Root canal re-infected (same infection ...
  A: A lack of trust in your doctors is a bad way to start a clinical intervention. While I am perfectly ...
front teeth ridges near tips10/2/2007
  Q: I'm a 53-year old male. I've noticed distinct horizontal ridges on the inside of both my upper and ...
  A: The phenomenon you describe is usually referred to as "erosion". It is thought to represent the ...
Dental Crowns10/2/2007
  Q: First off, thanks in advance for your time to respond. Here is my situation: I have two upper ...
  A: Although your dentist's failure to remove the decay from your tooth/teeth was a significant ...
pulectomy & root canal10/1/2007
  Q: A couple of months ago I had a pulpectomy done which with my insurance cost ~$200 - they wanted $900 ...
  A: If anything was a scam, it was that $200 you were charged for the pulpectomy. This is a quick ...
Root Canals9/30/2007
  Q: I have a front tooth which has been tender, right up to my nose, for 6 weeks. I took antibiotics ...
  A: No-- pulp capping may be appropriate in situations where tooth decay has approached or even breached ...
Dry Socket9/30/2007
  Q: My mother had a jaw tooth pulled Wednesday and she is still hurting like it was before she had it ...
  A: It is difficult to draw any reliable diagnostic conclusions from subjective symptoms alone. ...
Swallowed bridge9/30/2007
  Q: I accidently swallow my gold bridge. Will it pass? Let me know. Thanks ANSWER: Dear brent, ...
  A: Intestinal transit time varies greatly from person to person; it can be as quick as only a few hours ...
Terrible Tooth Ache9/29/2007
  Q: Last weekend i was out of state and the tooth right before the molar on the left side was killing ...
  A: Unfortunately, I don't think the stage of infection in which your tooth finds itself will be much ...
question about a new crown I have9/29/2007
  Q: I replaced an old crown on my front upper tooth with a new porcocin crown. The old crown was 16 ...
  A: Although further preparing the tooth might have eliminated some of the darkness, it also would have ...
toothache at altitude9/29/2007
  Q: I had a deep filling in one of my top rear teeth approx 3 months ago. I recently took a flight to ...
  A: Kirwan, The timing of your dental problem is unfortunate. The phenomenon you describe, technically ...
wisdom tooth extraction9/28/2007
  Q: Good evening, My name is Deb, I just wanted to ask some questions with regards to my recent wisdom ...
  A: You'll need to ask the oral surgeon why he doesn't think you have a dry socket, but your description ...
2nd Apico / Failure9/28/2007
  Q: I've read many of your responses and am impressed by your intelligence and overall knowledge. ...
  A: I'm a bit too removed from the situation to comment authoritatively, but I think the endodontist's ...
teeth pain9/27/2007
  Q: Approx 2 months ago my dentist replaced a childhood filling ( I am now 50) and I have been in pain ...
  A: Although it's possible that your symptoms are not related to your recent dental intervention, the ...
temporary filling9/27/2007
  Q: I have been to my dentist today for an aching tooth and he has put in a temporary filling as it ...
  A: There are no hard and fast rules; it depends mostly on the particulars of your case-- where on the ...
fractured tooth after root canal9/25/2007
  Q: I had a root canal on a tooth maybe 2 or 3 years ago. I have several teeth with root canals. My one ...
  A: A fracture may or may not allow salvage of a tooth, depending on its extent and orientation. For ...
pulled tooth9/25/2007
  Q: I had my front tooth #9 pulled 8 weeks ago. I also had a rooth canal in #10 and a crown on #8. ...
  A: It's not possible to offer a reliable assessment of your case based only on the subjective symptoms ...
Further questions about root canals9/24/2007
  Q: I have read through many questions pertaining to root canals but mine is a bit more complicated. I ...
  A: There are limits to the accuracy of diagnosis performed at a distance and lacking the required ...
Tooth Pain9/24/2007
  Q: About a month ago, I had three small filling filled on my right side. The day after I had it done, ...
  A: It's difficult to draw reliable conclusions from quantitative assessments of subjective symptoms ...
dentistry laws9/23/2007
  Q: Is it legal in the state of Georgia (or anywhere) for a general dentist to attempt to extract wisdom ...
  A: I am unfamiliar with the specifics of the dental laws in Georgia, but the laws that deal with ...
Floss9/23/2007
  Q: My hygienist gave me "gum mint waxed floss by butler" on one visit and on another follow up visit ...
  A: Absolutely not. Floss is floss-- what is most important is that you know how to use it and you do so ...
filling9/22/2007
  Q: Yesterday, my son was getting a filling and when he complained that the outside of his mouth was ...
  A: Assuming your son's dentist placed a resin (tooth-colored) filling, there are two possibilities: 1. ...
Space between 2 filled teeth causing pain?9/21/2007
  Q: My new dentist recently recommended that I have two teeth next to eachother re-filled. They were ...
  A: It's difficult to infer what's going on in a reliable way, because pain is a non-specific symptom-- ...
disolored bonding9/21/2007
  Q: Bornfeld. My front two teeth were bonded about 15 years ago. In the last two years the bonding has ...
  A: Unfortunately, any efforts at lightening discolored composite resin are probably ill advised. Resin ...
Tooth Placement9/20/2007
  Q: I had my 6 remaining teeth extracted 2 1/2 weeks ago and an upper denture put in place the same day. ...
  A: The answer to where the upper front denture teeth should be placed depends on several different ...
Cracked Tooth9/20/2007
  Q: My 19 year old daughter went to the dentist to have a small cavity filled. Within a couple days ...
  A: Although there is no way to logically exclude the possibility of careless dentistry here, this ...
lumineers9/20/2007
  Q: I have my lumineers now for little over two months. I can't get use to the color and the brightness ...
  A: Unfortunately, the color of any porcelain laminate product such as Lumineers cannot be changed; what ...
My Gums9/19/2007
  Q: I don't usually floss everyday and I'm starting to floss everyday now but the other night when I did ...
  A: In my experience, many patients use floss more like a weapon than as the finesse-type tool it is. ...
overbite9/19/2007
  Q: I have been told in the past that I have TMJ but recently ( im 28) dentists have not mentioned it. ...
  A: Palatal expansion is often employed during childhood, since it can more easily separate the two ...
root canal/ electrodermal testing9/19/2007
  Q: My dentist recommended I undergo compatibility testing for various dental materials. I went today ...
  A: I am unfamiliar with "electro" dermal testing, although the use of skin tests to determine immediate ...
teeth stains9/18/2007
  Q: I love drinking coffee and tea, but unfortunately the result is the ever growing stains on my teeth, ...
  A: It all comes down to effective oral hygiene. When food, tobacco, or coffee stain first begin, they ...
tooth discoloration9/18/2007
  Q: I am a 62 year old male Caucasion. I have been taking Clindamycin HCL 150mg CA & ...
  A: No-- although both medications you cite have several well-known side effects, staining of the teeth ...
Dislodged root9/18/2007
  Q: A patient today presented with occassional pain in the upper RHS. Upon examination with a PA, I ...
  A: It is possible that the root tip is causally related to the pain. However, if there is no obvious ...
follow-up question9/17/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, Here is the original email I sent Dr. Tieg. He asked for more information but he it ...
  A: You could indeed be reacting to the grafting material, although these products are usually well ...
problems with fillings9/17/2007
  Q: I had fillings in two of my bottom right side teeth done 10 days ago. After 4 days I went back ...
  A: Some postoperative sensitivity is common after filling placement, especially if the fillings are of ...
Crown Problem9/16/2007
  Q: I had a crown put on my top second last back tooth(left side of face)and it has had difficulties ...
  A: Some crown problems are subtle, and evade easy diagnosis-- at least at first. However, it sounds ...
Question on local anesthetic9/15/2007
  Q: I recently changed to a new dentist and he did fillings on #11 and #12. The local anesthetic numbed ...
  A: Response to local anesthesia is sufficiently variable that one could not call yours "atypical". ...
Bone infection9/14/2007
  Q: I hope you can help. I had an abscess in my third molar in May of this year. After a course of ...
  A: At this point, if you are not under the care of an oral surgeon rather than a general dentist, it's ...
root canal problems9/14/2007
  Q: I am having problems with a tooth that needs a root canal. The dentist has tried twice but can't ...
  A: There is a practical limit to the number of times a dentist should attempt a root canal before a ...
Permanent Bridge Size of Teeth Question9/14/2007
  Q: I just had my permanent bridge put on for my four front teeth; it is a 6 tooth bridge for #'s 6-11. ...
  A: You're right-- your description suggests that one or more teeth on the bridge are over-contoured. ...
complications from filling9/13/2007
  Q: I recently saw a new dentist, who said I needed some of my old silver fillings replaced due to wear, ...
  A: Postoperative sensitivity is quite common, especially when using composite resin rather than the ...
Infection under crown... Tx options9/13/2007
  Q: I had slight sensitivity to the outer gum of tooth #3, which had a root canal probably 10 yrs ago ...
  A: Apicoectomy and other root surgeries are disciplines that are part of both oral surgical and ...
Infection under crown... Tx options9/12/2007
  Q: I had slight sensitivity to the outer gum of tooth #3, which had a root canal probably 10 yrs ago ...
  A: I cannot comment authoritatively about your sinus and throat symptoms, since these areas are beyond ...
Root Canal9/12/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I have been told by my dentist that I am in need of a root canal. I have had several ...
  A: There are unscrupulous people in all walks of life, and unfortunately there are some dentists who ...
Composite filling9/11/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, I had a two composite fillings (#2 and #3) done about a week and a half ago. There ...
  A: Although some teeth manifest with pain after placement of composite resin fillings, the pain is ...
Pain when biting or chewing9/11/2007
  Q: Last week I had a root canal on tooth #15. It was a 2 visit process with two days between the 1st ...
  A: Pain in response to biting pressure is a non-specific sign of inflammation in the periodontal ...
Temp. Crown9/11/2007
  Q: I was sent to see a root canal doctor for sensitivity to hot, cold and sweets. I was examined and ...
  A: Although postoperative pain of the type you describe is not uncommon, it cannot be presumed to be ...
Wisdom teeth removal.9/10/2007
  Q: I had two wisdom teeth removed the last Friday and have a few questions for you regarding this. ...
  A: Davidson, First, as to the ruptured blood vessel and hematoma-- this is a complication that ...
Root Canal needed?9/9/2007
  Q: I saw a new dentist at my last cleaning because my prior dentist retired. The new guy says my front ...
  A: There are several criteria used to determine if a tooth is vital-- among them x-ray interpretation ...
Lightning Bolt Pain in lower left jaw9/8/2007
  Q: On Jan 31, I had 3 bolts of severe lightning-like pain hit my lower left jaw area (seemed like ...
  A: One cannot always judge a person's suitability for a job from their credentials alone, although Dr. ...
Lightning Bolt Pain in lower left jaw9/8/2007
  Q: On Jan 31, I had 3 bolts of severe lightning-like pain hit my lower left jaw area (seemed like ...
  A: Performing a root canal treatment on a tooth only makes sense if there are no other unrelated ...
Hygene rules for dentists9/7/2007
  Q: My wife recently went to a dentist in Texas. The dentist did not wear a mask and her long hair kept ...
  A: Although I'm unfamiliar with the specific applicable laws in Texas, all dentists in the U.S. must ...
Missing tooth root9/7/2007
  Q: My husband who is 33yo finally went to get his teeth cleaned and checked for the first time in four ...
  A: Root resorption such as you describe is usually the result of overzealous orthodontic treatment ...
Bridge vs Implant9/7/2007
  Q: I have lost a tooth in front of a capped root canal molar and the next adjacent tooth that is also ...
  A: There are no controlled studies I know of that measure durability of fixed bridges with abutments ...
Darkening around old silver filling9/6/2007
  Q: I just got back from my dentist and he wants to re-do one of my old fillings because there is a ...
  A: Nicole, The answer depends on just what that darkening represents. Old fillings can stain around ...
My 3 year old's problem at the dentist!9/6/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I've got a big problem on my hands... At 2 1/2 years old, I took my son to the dentist ...
  A: I usually defer to the opinion of the treating dentist, since it takes a bit of intuition to sort ...
My 3 year old's problem at the dentist!9/5/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I've got a big problem on my hands... At 2 1/2 years old, I took my son to the dentist ...
  A: There is no one answer that is applicable to all children. Kids' personalities are as variable as ...
my 15 month old has no teeth9/5/2007
  Q: I HAVE A 15 MONTH OLD NIECE AND SHE HAS NOT YET DEVELOPED TEETH HER DOCTOR SAYS NOT TO WORRY BUT HER ...
  A: Although anodontia-- the congenital absence of teeth-- does happen, it is relatively rare, and ...
mitral valve prolapse9/5/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I've been diagnosed with MVP a couple of years ago and since then I've been taking ...
  A: Your medical doctor has the final word in these matters, but you should know that the American Heart ...
front tooth cavity filling keeps failing?9/4/2007
  Q: When I was young I developed a cavity in one of my front teeth. I went to an old retired navy ...
  A: There are indeed several different "white" dental restorative materials, although the material used ...
Filling loose9/3/2007
  Q: I have had for the last couple of days a strange sensation in one of my back teeth as if they were ...
  A: You can safely consume liquids, and chew solid food on the other side of your mouth. Since the ...
Crown9/3/2007
  Q: I recently had a temporary crown placed on my rear upper molar. During the fitting process, my ...
  A: Although it is sometimes appropriate to adjust the contour of an opposing tooth to bring it into ...
Past root canal9/2/2007
  Q: I recently experienced a mounting pain in either a past root canal or the adjacent tooth. When a ...
  A: You should indeed treat the matter with importance, on two counts: 1. Any oral infection that is ...
tooth whiteners and sensitive teeth9/1/2007
  Q: I hope this is my last question. I was born with yellow teeth (my entire family has them). I drink ...
  A: Crest WhiteStrips is an effective and safe product, but I'm not sure you're a good candidate for ...
bitewing x-rays9/1/2007
  Q: I have a phobia of x-rays since I was a "guinea pig" at a dental school for 10 years (30 years ago) ...
  A: You are correct-- the amount of radiation exposure in the typical set of diagnostic dental x-rays is ...
Wisdom teeth8/31/2007
  Q: I had my wisdom teeth taken out about a month and a half ago. About 2 weeks after the surgery I ...
  A: It is not unusual to see some residual inflammation after extraction, and especially after a delayed ...
bad tooth pain!8/30/2007
  Q: I have recently had a lot of dental work done. I have severe pain on my left side of my mouth. I ...
  A: It is common to experience some sensitivity following deep fillings, this is true. However, there is ...
Funny Feeling After Root Canal8/29/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I had a root canal 3 months ago on tooth #3 due to sensitivity to hot drinks and also a ...
  A: Until or unless the full nature of the problem with this tooth is determined, any action taken to ...
Crown doesn't fit correctly8/28/2007
  Q: I had a very fine crack in my last molar that occassionally caused sever pain when I bit into ...
  A: It is clear that your dentist is having trouble getting your crown to fit correctly, but at least he ...
swollen gums8/28/2007
  Q: I do not have wisdom teeth, they were removed about 10 years ago. My gums on the right side where ...
  A: Swelling is usually a symptom of either inflammation or outright infection, and rarely even a sign ...
Tooth filled never has stopped hurting8/28/2007
  Q: My daughter had a tooth filled some months back and it has never stopped bothering her. She returned ...
  A: It is indeed possible that an unrelated non-dental problem is contributing to your daughter's ...
Still have sensation after a root canal8/28/2007
  Q: Hope you can help me with this. 2 years ago I fractured my front tooth and had a large filing done. ...
  A: Your dentist was a bit over-optimistic when he estimated only two days of postoperative symptoms. In ...
Filling gone bad8/14/2007
  Q: I lost a filling in my lower right molar and started to feel a bit of pain when I ate between the ...
  A: Since I am disadvantaged by my inability to assess the diagnostic information, I am inclined to ...
Jaw pain after freezing injection8/13/2007
  Q: I had a tooth filled a week ago and after the freezing wore off, I felt excruciating pain at the ...
  A: This type of reaction is usually due to injection for a lower molar, since the trajectory of the ...
dentures8/12/2007
  Q: My wife had a full set of dentures 2 years ago, she is 57 years old. right from the start she looked ...
  A: There are several different parameters of denture construction that can promote or avoid a "denture ...
Teeth Hole8/12/2007
  Q: Referring to this guys question http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dentistry-966/Gum-Hole-healing-wisdom.htm ...
  A: If you were developing a dry socket, you would know it from the pain. In the absence of pain, I ...
Periodontal "quadrant"8/10/2007
  Q: You may (or may not) recall that I asked last week about having a root canal after periodontal ...
  A: I can't comment on whether the fee you were quoted is excessive, since the term "periodontal ...
Composite Fillings Vs. Amalgam8/9/2007
  Q: I'm really hoping you can help me. I got my first cavity when I 26, it was a composite filling. That ...
  A: I will take your questions in the order you presented: 1)Should I have him take out the white and ...
Tooth filling8/9/2007
  Q: I need a tooth filled. A dentist tells me that I need a root canal. I have no pain. I have been ...
  A: Wood, A dentist is legally obligated to follow a pattern of treatment that is appropriate to the ...
primary herpetic gingiv.8/6/2007
  Q: My 5 year old daughter starts kindergarten in exactly 3 weeks. Today she was at a playdate and ...
  A: Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis has an incubation period of three to six days, manifests in acute ...
Honest mistake/misdiagnosis?8/6/2007
  Q: I began to have pain in molar region. My dentist sold his practice so first time with new Dentist. ...
  A: It is difficult to assess whether your dentist's diagnosis of periodontal infection was a ...
Thanks8/6/2007
  Q: Dr. Mark Thank You for responding so quickly. I have talked to my dentist again,he said I have a 96% ...
  A: The success of a bone graft depends entirely on how it is used; it works well when placed in ...
extraction8/6/2007
  Q: I am too scared of the syringes and cannot tolerate the pinching of LA needle. is there any other ...
  A: You should seek care from an oral surgeon who offers sedation and general anesthesia. Although it ...
Implan ts8/5/2007
  Q: My dentist did what he called an implant on me. It was unlike any I've heard of and now he wants to ...
  A: Your dentist is using an MDI, or "Mini Dental Implant", manufactured by the Imtec Corporation. These ...
Tooth Pain8/4/2007
  Q: Monday evening the left side of my mouth started bothering me (suffice to say I have BAD teeth). I ...
  A: There's one glaring omission in your story-- a diagnosis. Your dentist was unable to see anything ...
Sore tongue from new crowns8/4/2007
  Q: Had 2 new crowns put on bottom back 2 molars and my tongue is so sore from them. I assume this will ...
  A: Calabrese, Any of the over the counter topical anesthetic preparations available at your local ...
bleeding8/4/2007
  Q: I had #9 extracted 9 days ago. The OS said on my follow up that it healed fine. I had a black and ...
  A: To still be experiencing bleeding nine days after a simple extraction is unusual. Although the ...
Waiting to crown broken tooth.8/3/2007
  Q: About 3 months ago my dentist put a filling in my back molar. (A very deep filling is what they ...
  A: There are no hard and fast rules, other than the conventional wisdom that the sooner a tooth with a ...
SORE TONGUE8/2/2007
  Q: I HAD 2 ONLAYS DONE TODAY ON THE LEFT SIDE. AFTER THE NOVACAINE WORE OFF, I HAD A SORE/RAW TONGUE ...
  A: I can't do much more than offer guesses as to why your tongue is sore; it could be anything from ...
Extraction discomfort on adjacent tooth8/1/2007
  Q: Dr.Bornfeld, As in a previous ? I asked, I had #29 extracted after 2 yrs of discomfort and pain. It ...
  A: Linden, As i remarked earlier, I would still have suspicions about that tooth #31. However, if you ...
crown8/1/2007
  Q: I wanted to know, if the root canal on my wisdom tooth fails later,will it cause pain as i guess the ...
  A: If the root canal fails and it is not feasible to re-treat the root canals, then the tooth will need ...
rotting teeth?8/1/2007
  Q: i have just discovered a yellow and black substance on the back of my front teeth. this is very ...
  A: Braces make it more difficult to keep the teeth clean, and the growth of stain and other deposits is ...
wisdom teeth extraction7/31/2007
  Q: On Wed. the 25th I had all 4 wisdom teeth surgically removed. I used Morin and a prescribed ...
  A: Yes-- your narrative suggests that you have a dry socket, and the treatment seems appropriate. As ...
crown7/31/2007
  Q: for your reply regarding putting a permanent filling on the wisdom tooth.The dentist had told me to ...
  A: As long as the temporary filling completely fills the opening in the tooth, it will prevent the ...
Replaced filling turning into a crown7/30/2007
  Q: I was recently convinced by my dentist to replace 9 silver mercury fillings to composites after I ...
  A: While I won't say that the need to replace a just-placed filling with a crown is typical, it is ...
Root Canal redo & extraction7/30/2007
  Q: I had a root canal done on #29 6 months ago, after having several fillings done in Sept. 2005. ...
  A: Linden, I don't wish to push this issue too strongly, but your perception of the location of pain ...
Root Canal redo & extraction7/30/2007
  Q: I had a root canal done on #29 6 months ago, after having several fillings done in Sept. 2005. ...
  A: Linden, I don't know about you, but I would suspect the problem is with that #31 tooth. Keep in ...
Implants7/29/2007
  Q: I have read some of your responses on implants. They tend to be more negative than others. Why? ...
  A: A meaningful appraisal of the road on which you have embarked cannot be made without diagnostic ...
Implants7/29/2007
  Q: I have read some of your responses on implants. They tend to be more negative than others. Why? ...
  A: I never intentionally expressed or implied that I was somehow "against" implants; if you inferred ...
Is a crown necessary?7/29/2007
  Q: I have severe sensitivity to cold in a couple of my molars, and my dentist wants to do a root canal ...
  A: Viable temporary measure?-- yes, until it isn't. It's difficult to chart the progress of a root ...
Is a crown necessary?7/28/2007
  Q: I have severe sensitivity to cold in a couple of my molars, and my dentist wants to do a root canal ...
  A: It depends. If you have a crack that exposed the nerve, the tooth needs to be protected from chewing ...
crown7/28/2007
  Q: i had a root canal done on my lower 3rd molar(wisdom tooth) on 15th May.The dentist,then put a ...
  A: Although there's little point in second-guessing your dentist now after the fact, there is usually ...
tooth extraction7/28/2007
  Q: I had #9 extracted three days ago, OS said it was not infected, but tooth under crown was shattered. ...
  A: You may begin your root canal therapy on tooth #10 as soon as you feel comfortable enough to do so; ...
tooth pain7/28/2007
  Q: I had three lower back teeth filled today, my dentist said my cavities were not too bad. During ...
  A: Sensitivity to biting pressure can result from several different things, including: -your dentist ...
Post apicoectomy7/26/2007
  Q: I had two apicoectomies done on the same day (2 teeth). Two months later I still had a pus sac on ...
  A: No, this does not seem normal, and I suspect your oral surgeon's hope that continued rinsing will ...
Tooth Restoration Concerns7/26/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, Am 50 years old, with #18 molar that is severely worn, presumably from grinding. Did ...
  A: 1. Aside from the obvious difficulty of cleaning between two teeth which are conjoined with a ...
gum and facial pain after dental procedures7/25/2007
  Q: Five months ago I had four deep, old fillings changed upon dentist's recommendation. They were two ...
  A: Unfortunately, I can do no more than speculate in the absence of diagnostic information. Perhaps the ...
infection and clindamycin7/25/2007
  Q: I have had three re-treatments on a root canal that keeps getting infected. I was put on ...
  A: Although clindamycin does present a risk of developing pseudomembranous colitis, you will have ample ...
Extracting a crowned tooth7/24/2007
  Q: My back molar has abscessed. It is covered with a porcelain crown. I am choosing to have it ...
  A: No, there is no more difficulty in removing a crowned tooth than there is in removing an uncrowned ...
bitter/sour taste in left side of mouth7/24/2007
  Q: #18 tooth had a root canal and crown which started the bad taste August 05. Tooth became fractured ...
  A: Dysgeusia, or abnormal taste sensation, can be the result of quite a few different things, including ...
bad smell/taste after wisdom teeth extraction7/23/2007
  Q: 10 days ago i had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed. None were impacted. They all looked upright in ...
  A: Every extraction socket is unique in some way, and it is normal for some sockets to heal faster than ...
TEETH7/23/2007
  Q: My 5 1/2 year old daughter fell down and now one of her two top front teeth is slightly loose. It is ...
  A: If your daughter does not feel pain from the tooth and no sign of infection develops, you need not ...
Root Canal/Bridge7/19/2007
  Q: Bronfeld, About four months ago I had a full set of digital x-rays taken and was told by the ...
  A: Questions about cysts or other abnormalities within the sinus are, strictly speaking, better ...
Cleaning7/18/2007
  Q: I went to the dentist and they said I need a deep cleaning but all I wanted was a normal cleaning ...
  A: It is perfectly legal for a dentist to refuse to provide a service to his patient when he feels it ...
Adult Tetracycline Use7/18/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, I am a 33yr. old female and have no tooth decay, however, I do have gingivitis. ...
  A: No, tetracycline will only affect teeth that are in an active state of embryonic formation; the drug ...
anterior filling & bleaching7/17/2007
  Q: after teeth bleaching, when we can have anterior fillings to be done?? i appreciate ur answer ...
  A: , Anterior fillings can be placed at any time after the teeth have been bleached to their desired ...
Clindomycin and "fatal colon syndrome"7/16/2007
  Q: My 80 year old sister took the above antibiotic and is having sharp "tummy pains" and called me ...
  A: Fason, I am unaware of the term "fatal colon syndrome", nor have I ever heard the phrase used in ...
Wisdom teeth7/14/2007
  Q: I have had one wisdom tooth out (lower mandible) and it has been 18 days since the extraction. My ...
  A: The admonition not to drink liquids through a straw is intended to reduce the risk of provoking ...
Root Canal/Bridge7/13/2007
  Q: Bronfeld, About four months ago I had a full set of digital x-rays taken and was told by the ...
  A: The protocol for managing heart defects is in a state of flux, primarily due to policy changes that ...
replace two teeth7/12/2007
  Q: Bornfield I need to replace my two botton front teeth. I'm concerned about using titanium metal ...
  A: You might wish to consider an all-ceramic fixed bridge, with crowns placed on the teeth immediately ...
mising teeth in toddlers7/11/2007
  Q: My 23 month-old son is missing his top left canine tooth. The right canine came in many months ago. ...
  A: Primary teeth occasionally never form; this in itself seldom has significance, nor does it provide ...
root canal7/11/2007
  Q: I had a root canal on tooth #3 and when I was injected in the roof of my mouth I felt it go into my ...
  A: Unless there is an opening in your palate that communicates to the sinus (most persons don't have ...
Could lump in lower jaw be related to dental procedure7/11/2007
  Q: On June 19th I lost the crown in my #3 upper jaw tooth for the 2nd time in 6 mos. The X-Ray revealed ...
  A: A lump in the area you indicate would not be related to a dental infection or a bite aberration. ...
bone exposed after wisdom tooth removal7/10/2007
  Q: I had both of my wisdom teeth extracted about two and a half weeks ago. It seemed to be healing ...
  A: One of two things is happening-- either you have a slight dry socket, or there is a dislodged bone ...
Routine Cleaning Question...7/9/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, Last month I had a routine cleaning done on my teeth. I had one the previous 6 months as ...
  A: You are correct-- you should not have needed to explicitly ask to be seen by the dentist; you should ...
Baby teeth7/9/2007
  Q: My daughter is 7 and her bottom right front is loose, but she has a big tooth growing in behind it ...
  A: Your daughter's dentist can examine the primary tooth and assess the progress of its loosening by ...
Routine Cleaning Question...7/9/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, Last month I had a routine cleaning done on my teeth. I had one the previous 6 months as ...
  A: Your question touches on several issues. The first is a matter of communication, and whether you ...
Aftercare for Wisdom Teeth Extraction7/8/2007
  Q: I had a not so great experience getting my teeth pulled at a college of dentistry. The dentist told ...
  A: You don't specify how long it has been since the procedure, so I cannot judge whether the pain ...
3-year old son in pain7/8/2007
  Q: My 3-year old son was seen on July 3rd for the filling of some cavities on the right side of his ...
  A: No-- this is most assuredly not normal. You're doing exactly the right thing-- administer ...
jaw pain7/7/2007
  Q: I had a filling done in my back molar about 2 weeks ago. ever since i had the filling, my jaw been ...
  A: The most probably cause for your symptoms is minor injury to the jaw muscles from the anesthetic ...
Aftercare for Wisdom Teeth Extraction7/7/2007
  Q: I had a not so great experience getting my teeth pulled at a college of dentistry. The dentist told ...
  A: Since your surgeon opted to extract on one side at a time, specific care instructions are ...
facial numbness7/7/2007
  Q: I had a crown put on the 18th of June this year, the left lower molar,2nd from the back. It was a ...
  A: The answer depends on the severity of the swelling and pain and whether you think you can wait until ...
Pain after root canal7/6/2007
  Q: My daughter had a filling in May. She started hurting and had ulcers in the area of the numbing ...
  A: I believe that the type of dental specialist that is most likely to be able to identify the problem ...
Pain after root canal7/6/2007
  Q: My daughter had a filling in May. She started hurting and had ulcers in the area of the numbing ...
  A: I suspect what the endodontist said was that there was an irritated ligament rather than a tendon ...
pain in tooth following filling7/6/2007
  Q: the dentish told me i needed two fillings - one quite shallow but due to grinding etc. i had the ...
  A: You are correct that it is improbable your pain is unrelated to the fillings since the pain started ...
pulp caps7/5/2007
  Q: I got a filling yesterday on a bottom molar. After it was done the dentist very rapidly informed me ...
  A: The best way to determine what treatment you had is to ask your dentist; procedure codes and their ...
tooth capping7/5/2007
  Q: I was a thumb sucker for 15years which put my teeth out of shape.I ended up with braces on the top ...
  A: The problem you cite-- referred to technically as an "anterior open bite"-- is something that should ...
composit fillings7/4/2007
  Q: I had severe wear at the gum line on the 1st upper molar and 2 teeth forward of it on both sides due ...
  A: There are no laws that compel a dentist to warranty the successful outcome of his services. However, ...
composit fillings7/4/2007
  Q: I had severe wear at the gum line on the 1st upper molar and 2 teeth forward of it on both sides due ...
  A: No, it's not normal for a composite resin filling to fall out of a tooth so soon after placement. ...
pain after filling7/3/2007
  Q: I got a filling yesterday on a bottom molar. After it was done the dentist very rapidly informed me ...
  A: Allow me to address your questions one at a time... 1.I asked for the white composite but the ...
Implant Question7/2/2007
  Q: doctor, for previous reply about my extraction of a molar and the decision to do an implant. I DID ...
  A: Dentists by nature tend to be tinkerers, and naturally gravitate toward novel methodologies. ...
Sensitive tooth after fall7/1/2007
  Q: About two and a half weeks ago I took a bad fall (on my face) causing a bad chip in one of my front ...
  A: The delayed emergence of symptoms such as you describe suggests the development of a pulpitis. This ...
severe pain after fillings6/30/2007
  Q: I had 3 fillings a week and a day ago. Two days after the fillings were completed I began having ...
  A: Your symptoms do not suggest an allergic reaction, but rather an injury to the pulps of the teeth. ...
Antibiotics6/29/2007
  Q: Advice on the (over) use of antibiotics in dentistry will be greatly appreciated. Your 1/12/2005 ...
  A: The problem of bacterial resistance is a real one, and efforts to address it are beginning to get ...
root canal treatment6/29/2007
  Q: about 1 month ago i was punched in the mouth. I have braces but when i got hit my front right tooth ...
  A: Yes, the symptoms you describe are highly suggestive of a pulpal inflammation or frank infection, ...
root canal treatment6/29/2007
  Q: about 1 month ago i was punched in the mouth. I have braces but when i got hit my front right tooth ...
  A: Although a root canal treatment may make the tooth slightly more prone to breakage than it would be ...
internal resorption6/28/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, our dentist has told me that I need a root canal in a front tooth (lower jaw) that ...
  A: Internal root resorption appears as an abnormal widening of the pulp chamber or root canal on an ...
Bonding and crown on children6/28/2007
  Q: My son jack age 9 fell and broke his front tooth. I took him to the dentist( not a pediatric). The ...
  A: The determination as to whether a crown should be placed depends on the severity and depth of the ...
Bonding and crown on children6/28/2007
  Q: My son jack age 9 fell and broke his front tooth. I took him to the dentist( not a pediatric). The ...
  A: There are a multitude of reasons why a bonded restoration would repeatedly fail-- insufficient ...
Root Canal/Bridge6/27/2007
  Q: Bronfeld, About four months ago I had a full set of digital x-rays taken and was told by the ...
  A: Sudbury, Although both of your dentists used digital x-rays, they were not necessarily looking at ...
Root Canal/Bridge6/27/2007
  Q: Bronfeld, About four months ago I had a full set of digital x-rays taken and was told by the ...
  A: Sudbury, Quite naturally, I am at a disadvantage in determining which of your dentists is coming ...
Cavities in Wisdom Teeth?6/27/2007
  Q: I am 50. Sometime ago I had 2 wisdom teeth extracted. The other two were left alone because they ...
  A: 1. Dentists do not fill cavities in wisdom teeth Reply: unless I'm not a dentist, this statement is ...
Fused baby and permanent teeth6/27/2007
  Q: My daughter is 7 and her baby 2 front teeth on the top were fused. It had 2 roots and one tooth. It ...
  A: Technically speaking, the phenomena affecting the primary and permanent teeth as you have described ...
Post Root Canal Pain6/25/2007
  Q: I had a problem with #14. I had an old amalgam filling fall out and was going to have it replaced by ...
  A: Brodeur, Granted, there are no nerves that remain within the root of a tooth after root canal ...
root canal6/25/2007
  Q: I had a root canal on my last upper molar about 4 weeks ago. Had bad pain for three days and strong ...
  A: I think it best that you request a referral to an endodontist (root canal specialist) at this point. ...
Gum Hole - Oral Care6/24/2007
  Q: I had two wisdom teeth removed last week (one lower tooth and one upper tooth), and until today, I ...
  A: Assuming there is no longer any pain from the extraction sites, you may resume normal oral hygiene ...
Tooth knocked out of place6/23/2007
  Q: One of my front teeth was knocked backwards 7 days ago and the root of the tooth went forward ...
  A: The fact that your dentist was able to re-position the crown of the tooth but the root tip remained ...
Will antibiotics cover up Xray diagnosis of infection?6/23/2007
  Q: Ive been struggling w diagnosing a tooth ache, pain in lower jaw, and swelling and finally low grade ...
  A: It sometimes takes substantially longer than two months for radiographically conspicuous signs of a ...
Will antibiotics cover up Xray diagnosis of infection?6/23/2007
  Q: Ive been struggling w diagnosing a tooth ache, pain in lower jaw, and swelling and finally low grade ...
  A: The type of changes in the bone caused by dental infections develop and disappear very slowly. As ...
root canal6/22/2007
  Q: I had a root canal on a front broken tooth two months ago and crowns put on both front teeth(the one ...
  A: Regardless of whether you leave the tooth opened or closed, you still presumably have an infected ...
Root canal retreatment vs. apicoectomy on front crowned tooth6/22/2007
  Q: I had a root canal performed approx. 10 years ago on one of my front tooth (#7). My last x-ray ...
  A: It's difficult to compare the two procedures' costs in a meaningful way without having some idea of ...
Root Canal and Crown6/20/2007
  Q: I've never had anything other than a filling done and that was a while ago. I have an appt. for a ...
  A: The answers to your questions depend very much on the specifics of your case, so it is not possible ...
spinning and vomiting upon novocaine needle insertion6/19/2007
  Q: I was at my dentist today and he began to give me an injection in my lower left jaw for my wisdom ...
  A: Doyle, There are two possible explanations for what you experienced: 1. Your dentist accidentally ...
Best Tooth Friendly Diet6/19/2007
  Q: After having just had the root canal from hell, with searing post procedure pain, I have resolved to ...
  A: Diet impacts on dental health primarily by either supporting or not supporting the growth of ...
severe pain after dental treatment6/18/2007
  Q: After losing my job and insurance and falling into a depression, my dental health declined greatly. ...
  A: The implications of your narrative are clear: 1. dental care is unduly postponed 2. dental care is ...
rootcanaled tooth sore w symptoms6/17/2007
  Q: I hope you can shed some light on my problem. Discomfort and pain started under #30 7 wks ago. ...
  A: Low grade fever and swelling could certainly be caused by a root fracture, but may also be the ...
rootcanaled tooth sore w symptoms6/17/2007
  Q: I hope you can shed some light on my problem. Discomfort and pain started under #30 7 wks ago. ...
  A: Pain that is provoked by pressure on a tooth is a non-specific sign, and could indicate several ...
Crowns too big?6/15/2007
  Q: I just had crowns placed on #12 and #21, and they seem to be too big. They're wider side to side ...
  A: No-- the crowns will not settle down on their own, and if something isn't done to correct the bite ...
Bitewing X-Rays w/o Lead Apron6/13/2007
  Q: I recently had a set of 4 bitewing x-rays taken in which the operator forgot to put a lead apron on ...
  A: The radiation absorbed dose of x-rays can vary depending on the speed of the film used, the peak ...
Possible dental infection6/13/2007
  Q: I have pretty poor teeth and a history of trouble with gum disease. I have been seeing a dentist ...
  A: There are innumerable different clinical disorders that present as tongue irritation, as well as ...
multiple extractions6/12/2007
  Q: I am having 8 teeth pulled out on Thursday. I am terrified. I won't be asleep, just in his chair ...
  A: Local anesthesia is completely effective in preventing the perception of pain. General anesthesia ...
suspicious xray6/11/2007
  Q: I went to the dentist last week as I needed a root canal. They did xrays the week before and again ...
  A: Multiple sclerosis does not cause any characteristic change in dental x-rays. Unless your dentist ...
Nite White 22%6/11/2007
  Q: I had the Zoom whitening process done three days ago. I was instructed to use Nite White 22% each ...
  A: Sleeping with the bleaching trays is roughly equivalent to wearing them for one or two hours; the ...
re-treat? and other questions6/10/2007
  Q: Bornfeld thanks for taking the time to read my questions concerning endodontics. My first question ...
  A: As for the infected lower incisor-- I find it difficult to believe that your undoubtedly unpleasant ...
Tooth Extraction!6/10/2007
  Q: I had my top and bottom wisdom teeth extracted on Wednesday (almost 4 days ago now) and the pain is ...
  A: Actually, this does sound like a dry socket. I would advise you to return to your dentist so that ...
unresolved pain after RC's/bridge replacement6/9/2007
  Q: Bornfeld! In October of 2006 I had a bridge replaced involving one capped front tooth, the space (no ...
  A: da Silva, I won't pretend to have any insights beyond what your dentists have told you; obviously, ...
Root canal on wisdom tooth6/7/2007
  Q: My wisdom tooth was paining me(not a lot) since the last week.Its only painining when i bite with ...
  A: Before I answer, I just want to be sure that you're truly referring to the wisdom tooth, because my ...
Dentist DOH lookup / Xrays Safety6/5/2007
  Q: I saw the link you provided for DOH in Florida to look up disciplinary action there. Can you please ...
  A: In New York State, dentists are licensed and disciplined by the State Education Department rather ...
root canal6/5/2007
  Q: I went to the dentist today to get a root canal on one of my back teeth. To start with, the dentist ...
  A: All teeth vary in their internal anatomy, and the degree to which that anatomy conforms to the ...
Post Root Canal & Crown Pain6/5/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, I am writing for some advice on how to proceed on a long and sometimes painful ...
  A: LaFreniere, The fact that the symptoms have lessened since the bite adjustment is a favorable sign, ...
After Root canal PAIN6/4/2007
  Q: I had a rootcanal performed 2 weeks ago. On the same day I got the procedure done, my jawline ...
  A: Symptoms alone are insufficient to determine if your root canal therapy was successful. Granted, ...
After Root canal PAIN6/4/2007
  Q: I had a rootcanal performed 2 weeks ago. On the same day I got the procedure done, my jawline ...
  A: You should be encouraged by the improvement in the symptoms. However, I think it would be prudent to ...
Horrible Jaw Pain6/3/2007
  Q: I have horrible jaw pain on the right side of my jaw. It does not reach to my ear, but stays close ...
  A: It is difficult to provide a reliable diagnosis based only on the information you have provided. ...
splinting6/1/2007
  Q: my dentist recommends splinting on my 8 front bottom teeth and i should have those filled in the ...
  A: Splinting is usually performed in order to reinforce teeth that have become unstable due to ...
root canal & resulting fracture5/31/2007
  Q: Two yrs. ago a dentist told me I needed to have an old root canal redone. It was not causing me any ...
  A: Although the sequence of events as you have related them are rather inculpating, I won't go so far ...
interested in a career in dentistry but concerned about neck pain5/31/2007
  Q: I am considering a career in dentistry as a second career (I'm in my 30's). My concern about ...
  A: Although I don't wish to disregard or trivialize back or neck pain, I don't think that dentistry is ...
Regardimg the efficacy of Chlorhexidine Gluconate & Povidone Iodine.5/30/2007
  Q: I would like to know that whether their has been a head to head study between Cholrhexidne Gluconate ...
  A: There have been several studies that attempt to quantify the effectiveness of various topical ...
Tooth Whitening (veneers)5/30/2007
  Q: I am thinking of having my teeth whitened using Zoom, I have 6 upper veneers which I have had for ...
  A: Certainly, it's easy enough to re-make the veneers. All it takes is the time, money, and resolve. ...
Tooth Whitening (veneers)5/30/2007
  Q: I am thinking of having my teeth whitened using Zoom, I have 6 upper veneers which I have had for ...
  A: Whitening systems such as Zoom! and BriteSmile, as well as the more conventional tray bleaching ...
Re: dental pain after pulp cap5/29/2007
  Q: In March 2007 Tooth #30 presents with deep decay, close to nerve but possibly not touching based ...
  A: Radak, The current consensus is that pulp caps have a very uncertain future, and the majority ...
After Root Canal, Have Throbbing Sensation after Warm or Cold Foods5/28/2007
  Q: I am new to this, and I appreciate and thank you beforehand for looking at my Question, About 3 ...
  A: It is very rare to see sensitivity to heat and cold in a tooth that has had root canal treatment. ...
partial denture5/27/2007
  Q: I received a partial upper denture about 2 months ago. It provides 8 upper teeth, four on each side ...
  A: I can't make specific recommendations, because the available options are determined by the type of ...
porclein crowns5/26/2007
  Q: I had 16 porcelain crowns (8 top and 8 bottom) put in 3 weeks ago and the pain is unbearable, I can ...
  A: To say that nothing can be done until the pain stops is untrue-- there is a diagnostic protocol that ...
Recently crowned tooth5/26/2007
  Q: Greetings, First, thank you so much for volunteering your services to this site. People like you ...
  A: Olsen, Your possible recourses include: 1. Doing nothing (to my mind, not an option) 2. Appealing ...
Recently crowned tooth5/25/2007
  Q: Greetings, First, thank you so much for volunteering your services to this site. People like you ...
  A: Olsen, My opinion, to put it quite bluntly, is that your dentist performed sloppy work, and he's ...
dentistry5/24/2007
  Q: i just want to know that how to stop bad breath my mouth stinks very bad even though i brush every ...
  A: Bad breath can be the result of anything that may occur in the path of the airway. This may include ...
crown over root canal issues5/22/2007
  Q: there was a porcelain crown put on it, but on my top left side there is another crown, but this one ...
  A: Pain that is provoked by biting pressure is a non-specific symptom, and could indicate the presence ...
Deep Filling Discomfort5/21/2007
  Q: I had a deep filling done 5 days ago. The day of the filling, after the drugs were off, I didn't ...
  A: Although it may be too soon to assess the tooth for objective signs of complications, the delayed ...
Tooth, gum and sinus pain after Resin fillings5/18/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, After allowing my teeth to get into pretty bad shape (won’t do that again) I visited ...
  A: You're correct that it would be foolhardy for me to try to attempt to diagnose your problem without ...
Dark line on teeth5/14/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, My 15 year-old daughter has recurring dark lines on her bottom front teeth that are near ...
  A: Extrinsic staining (that is, staining caused by deposits on the surface of the teeth rather than the ...
teeth whitening5/13/2007
  Q: I'm a 22 year old female, I used to have really bright white teeth 4 years ago and got compliments ...
  A: The answers to your questions are quite subjective, so there is no truly objective answer; it ...
Questionable Dental Practice5/12/2007
  Q: Bornfield, I just arrived home from my dentist's where he began re-treating my #2 and #19 teeth. I ...
  A: Although I am not in a position to judge whether your previous dentist was in any way negligent in ...
Dry mouth and outer lip area5/11/2007
  Q: I had neck [disk] surgery in 2003. One year later I noticed in July I woke up with a very dry mouth, ...
  A: Dry mouth is usually the result of impaired salivary secretion (it can also be due to mouth ...
Bridge trouble5/9/2007
  Q: Last September 06, I had a 3-unit bridge replaced on #'s 29, 30 & 31--30 being the pontic. In ...
  A: Most of these questions cannot be answered reliably without seeing you in person, and that is the ...
Crown Lengthening5/6/2007
  Q: I have had RC's on teeth 14, 15. Gen, dentist has said go for CL with periodontist, he put posts ...
  A: I don't see why it would be necessary to prepare the teeth before determining whether sufficient ...
temp cap fell off!5/6/2007
  Q: I just had a root canal and had a temporary cap put on. Three days later it just fell off. I am on ...
  A: No, this is not an emergency, but it would be better both cosmetically and functionally if the ...
Bridge trouble5/5/2007
  Q: Last September 06, I had a 3-unit bridge replaced on #'s 29, 30 & 31--30 being the pontic. In ...
  A: While I commend you for your loyalty to your dentist, it is clear that your loyalty is misplaced. ...
Crown Lengthening5/5/2007
  Q: I have had RC's on teeth 14, 15. Gen, dentist has said go for CL with periodontist, he put posts ...
  A: It's unfortunate that your dentists cannot collaborate in your best interest. Your periodontist is ...
Baby Teeth5/4/2007
  Q: My son was in the dentist yesterday, he's 8. The dentist says that 2 of his baby teeth need root ...
  A: The answer depends on the specific circumstances. Some of those baby teeth do not normally fall out ...
root canal filling5/4/2007
  Q: Today I had my root canal done. All 3 root canals have been cleaned in my molar tooth. But no root ...
  A: Pure and simple, your dentist gave you bad advice. Leaving the root canals unsealed makes no sense, ...
lollipops5/3/2007
  Q: I am 55 and have found a chocolate hard candy lollipop that I love. I have started eating one a day ...
  A: The factors that determine whether tooth decay will occur are many-- inherent decay resistance of ...
Root canal done on wrong tooth5/1/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, Yesterday I went in for a root canal on tooth #4 and the dentist did it on #5. We did not ...
  A: On the face of it, there is no way to logically exclude the possibility that your dentist is being ...
suspicious dental practices5/1/2007
  Q: I recently went in for my six month dental hygiene appointment to a dentist I've been seeing for one ...
  A: Although receiving bad dental news is not necessarily suspect just because it's not what you want to ...
root canel and bridges5/1/2007
  Q: I have a multiple problem. NO 2 was root canalled and capped around 5 months ago. It has hurt on ...
  A: A bigger question suggested by your post is "why are you suddenly getting all these infections at ...
Root Canal And tetracycline4/30/2007
  Q: I had the beginning of a root canal a week ago. (Right upper molar, I believe they called it #2) ...
  A: Was this dentist an endodontist, or a general dentist? Although tetracycline will not present any ...
Dry Socket4/26/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, I had my lower right wisdom tooth pulled on Monday (3 days ago) and realized today I ...
  A: Every dentist has his own "recipe" for dealing with dry socket. There is a definite advantage in ...
Root Canal/Burnt Tongue4/26/2007
  Q: I went to the dentist 2 days ago for a root canal. I don't know the exact procedures for this, but ...
  A: Yes-- the dentist should have used a rubber dam if possible. However, there are situations where the ...
Replacement Teeth4/25/2007
  Q: Ok here goes. Where can i get low cost/no cost dentistry for my brother who has no money is on a ...
  A: First, your brother should check to see if he qualifies for Medicaid benefits if he is in a state ...
root canal problems4/23/2007
  Q: I was just wondering how likely/unlikely it might be for two root treated teeth to fail at the same ...
  A: I can't give you precise statistics, but the circumstances of the two teeth are so similar and their ...
Fixed Bridge and crowns4/23/2007
  Q: I just had #19 molar extracted last Friday. Since I have TMJ, I am anxious to replace it. Right ...
  A: Although I can't offer a reliable answer to individual cases without access to diagnostic ...
mitral valve prolapse and waterpik use4/23/2007
  Q: I have mitral valve prolapse. can you shed any research on this condition and the use of a water pik ...
  A: Mitral valve prolapse is a phenomenon of the mitral valve (the bicuspid valve that separates the ...
Sore Jaw4/23/2007
  Q: On Tuesday (today is the following Monday 6 days later) I had some work done on my number 46 tooth. ...
  A: I suspect you are writing from outside the United States based on the numbering system used to ...
nti-tss vs canker sores4/21/2007
  Q: I wore the NTI-TSS device for a week and got the canker sores which lasted for a week until I ...
  A: Although some people are sensitive to acrylic, the reaction does not typically present as a canker ...
root canal or extraction?4/21/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, My #18 left molar is "severely cracked into furcation" (my dentist's words). For the past ...
  A: The answer depends entirely on the trustworthiness of your California dentist. If the tooth indeed ...
State Board of Dentistry4/19/2007
  Q: How do you find IN and GA State Board of Dentistry? I did a search and could not find them. Thanks ...
  A: Below are links to the Indiana and Georgia Boards of Dentistry, where you will find contact ...
How Long Can I Wait?4/19/2007
  Q: Bornfeld: A corner of my left lower first molar chipped off today. It doesn't hurt, and the ...
  A: Optimally, you should have your tooth assessed as soon as possible. Teeth break for all kinds of ...
partial denture occlusion4/18/2007
  Q: I have one free-end cast lower partial with clasps on two cuspids and left (my left) molar (#37?). ...
  A: Frank, This depends on the circumstances. If there are natural teeth adjacent to the denture teeth, ...
partial denture occlusion4/18/2007
  Q: I have one free-end cast lower partial with clasps on two cuspids and left (my left) molar (#37?). ...
  A: I cannot answer specifically to your case, because it largely depends on the spacial relationship ...
Baking soda and cider vinegar instead of toothpaste4/17/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, My 45-year old sister recently told me that she is brushing her teeth every day using ...
  A: Although vinegar is fine in salad dressings, its use in the mouth is inappropriate. Unless the ...
acurracy of bite adjustments4/13/2007
  Q: When a dentist adjusts a patients bite after restorations, how are they certain that the bite is ...
  A: You've hit upon a subject that is quite complex, involves some controversy, and far exceeds the ...
Large filling on front tooth4/12/2007
  Q: I recently chipped half of my front tooth off in a diagonal shape. This tooth overlaps the other ...
  A: It may already be evident that you need root canal treatment, based on the fact that the tooth is ...
Large filling on front tooth4/11/2007
  Q: I recently chipped half of my front tooth off in a diagonal shape. This tooth overlaps the other ...
  A: A crown will definitely provide a more durable restoration, but your dentist's reluctance is not ...
13 year old needs root canal4/11/2007
  Q: my 13 year old son has a cavity in tooth #17. The hygienist kept saying how odd it looked and that ...
  A: I'm a bit confused by your reference to tooth #17, which is the number designation of the lower left ...
Today's dentist visit4/11/2007
  Q: The dentist did a full mouth and jaw xray today and I have one particular tooth in the bottom front ...
  A: Relying on symptoms to determine what is wrong just doesn't work; otherwise, there would be no need ...
Dentist ground 2 holes into my crown4/10/2007
  Q: Today I had a crown put on tooth #2 and the dentist filed it down for a proper fit. When I got home ...
  A: It is important to determine whether your dentist actually perforated through the entire thickness ...
Swelling, bad jaw/ear pain & tooth pain after a filling4/10/2007
  Q: I know you just answered a similar question but it has been 6 days since I had a filling and I am ...
  A: A week is already too long to endure what you describe as "bad pain". You should return to your ...
pain and swelling after dental filling4/10/2007
  Q: I had a filling today on the upper left. it is now 7 hours later and although I have no pain in ...
  A: It is likely that your symptoms are due to injury from the anesthetic injection, which can cause a ...
My son's baby teeth4/9/2007
  Q: Doctor, My 6 month old son recently had both front top teet break through his gums. They have ...
  A: Peg-shaped incisors may occur for unknown reasons, or may be a manifestation of certain systemic ...
broken front teeth4/9/2007
  Q: I recently suffered a very hard fall and broke my two upper front teeth. My dentist has given me ...
  A: The correct selection of treatment depends largely on the specifics of the involved teeth, which I ...
abcess after root canal retreatment4/9/2007
  Q: i had a root canal 1 year ago to a lower molar (tooth #19) in october 2005. that tooth has just been ...
  A: Your symptoms could indeed be caused by a failure of your root canal therapy, but could also be ...
Mouthwash4/8/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, Is it true that too much mouthwash use (3-4 times a day) will result in black teeth? My ...
  A: The answer to your questions depends on just which mouthwash you're talking about. Prescription ...
my grandaughter4/7/2007
  Q: My grandchild fell and hit her front teeth on the floor. the swelling is down now she has one buck ...
  A: Whitehead, Unfortunately, primary (baby) teeth have only limited ability to recover from an injury ...
strange soreness4/7/2007
  Q: I went to the dentist about a week and a half ago and had two cavities filled. Everything went fine ...
  A: It is common for an anesthetic injection to lead to minor injury, such as a small hematoma ...
Temp Crowns for 6 months4/7/2007
  Q: My endodontist wants to remove a molar crown, do the root canal, then replace the SAME temporary ...
  A: Temporary crowns are typically held in place with temporary cement, and it should not be necessary ...
Temp Crowns for 6 months4/6/2007
  Q: My endodontist wants to remove a molar crown, do the root canal, then replace the SAME temporary ...
  A: There's a reason why they call them "temporary" crowns-- they often do not continue to serve ...
Second opinion4/6/2007
  Q: In several of your answers you mention the value of a second opinion. MyHow willing are dentists ...
  A: Checking the public record can confirm licensure, but not much else except disclose the most ...
Second opinion4/6/2007
  Q: In several of your answers you mention the value of a second opinion. MyHow willing are dentists ...
  A: Although I have never inquired of my colleagues about how they feel about rendering second opinions, ...
dental crown replacement4/4/2007
  Q: My dentist recommended that I replace my 15 year old gold crown in Dec 06. I have been to the ...
  A: There can be any of a number of things that would account for pain on biting pressure. Perhaps the ...
second molar (#15) and 2 wisdom teeth (#1,16) extraction4/4/2007
  Q: My oral surgeon extracted 2 wisdom teeth as well as a second molar (#15). He told me to wait ...
  A: Whether or not it is advantageous to replace teeth that have been removed depends very much on the ...
Crown on cracked tooth4/3/2007
  Q: Tooth #31 was cracked and my dentist drilled it down and put on a temp crown. When I returned to ...
  A: The improvement in symptoms should be viewed as an encouraging sign, and you should not be too quick ...
Tongue Crib4/3/2007
  Q: I have a couple question regarding tongue crib/cages. I am getting them installed in my mouth this ...
  A: The length of time you will need to wear the device will depend on just how long it takes to break ...
porcelin crowns4/3/2007
  Q: ..Last week I had several upper front teeth crowned (porcelin)....although I thought the two front ...
  A: I know of no reported cases of allergy to porcelain. However, the type of resin cement that is ...
Twinges under bridge3/31/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I have a bridge and under one of the caps I frequently get twinges. There is no pain , ...
  A: There are any of a number of problems that might account for a non-specific symptoms such as you ...
corn chip stuck in tooth socket3/30/2007
  Q: I had one upper wisdom tooth removed two weeks ago. I have just finished taking antibiotics for an ...
  A: If you cannot withdraw the debris from your socket by conservative means (i.e., brushing or vigorous ...
Rxn to Dental Anesthesia3/29/2007
  Q: I visited the dentist on Saturday for a simple filling (top right section of mouth-3rd molar from ...
  A: Kelly, If the swelling was the direct result of the anesthetic injection, you most probably ...
Root Canal3/29/2007
  Q: Ok, so i had a filling refilled by a new dentist after this filling I had pain chewing crunchy ...
  A: What determines whether a broken instrument in a tooth poses a risk to the success of the root canal ...
Dentist too eager?3/29/2007
  Q: Our previous dentist retired and we got a new, young dentist that replace him. They've also added ...
  A: Your question really boils down to whether your dentist is honest, and I can't truly pass judgment ...
Root Canals and Abscess3/29/2007
  Q: I've been in pain since a filling I got on March 7th, and my dentist (who also does root canals) ...
  A: Each case brings its own combination of unique factors to bear on the clinical course of an ...
Dry Socket3/27/2007
  Q: Dr Bornfeld, I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed 4 days ago. I was warned about dry socket ...
  A: Dry socket is not a condition that requires treatment-- it goes away on its own, without any ...
Oral Lichen Planus3/27/2007
  Q: I have OLP and have trouble with ulcers on my cheeks and the gums of my teeth. I am scheduled for a ...
  A: Although the cause of lichen planus is unknown, its underlying etiology is not thought to be ...
retainers3/26/2007
  Q: I was a young adult when I first had braces, had them removed when I was 26, I am 43 now. Haven't ...
  A: You can still use your retainers, assuming you can insert them so that they are fully seated on the ...
infection after dental surgery3/26/2007
  Q: My 17 year old son had all four wisdom and both no. 4's removed under sedation and five days later ...
  A: Although I'm unaware of the precise statistics, a peritonsillar abscess sufficiently severe to ...
My husband's EXTREME pain...3/26/2007
  Q: I'm hoping for some direction/suggestion/new ideas as the dentist isn't being helpful and at the ...
  A: Unfortunately, I cannot offer a reliable diagnosis in the absence of a visual examination or x-rays. ...
Whitening3/25/2007
  Q: Do the $30 over the counter strips produce as good or nearly as good whitening compared with the ...
  A: Probably the most reliable OTC dental bleaching product is the Crest Whitestrips. Don't waste your ...
Does replacing a filling always require more enamel removal?3/23/2007
  Q: I have a huge filling on tooth #18. Part of the filling broke off. My dentist is now giving me a ...
  A: Every encounter with a dentist's drill entails some risk to a tooth-- risk of weakening, breakage, ...
veneer problems3/23/2007
  Q: I had veneers put on two summers ago. It seems like I have been back in the dental chair about ...
  A: No, there is no practical way to assess the strength of the bond between veneer and tooth. Although ...
Should I get a second opinion3/23/2007
  Q: I just recently moved and have just seen a new dentist. I have a molar that needs to be filled and ...
  A: It is natural to become suspicious of a new dentist when his treatment prescription differs markedly ...
Blocked Saliva Glands3/23/2007
  Q: I have had a blocked saliva gland for almost three weeks. (second time, same gland) My GP referred ...
  A: Most cases of salivary ductal obstruction are caused by a stone. This can be visualized by CT or ...
numbing medication3/23/2007
  Q: I saw my dentist about 1 month ago and had a cavity filled. My tongue on the side I had the cavity ...
  A: Apparently, the anesthetic injection inadvertently injured you lingual nerve. As is the case with ...
cracked tooth3/22/2007
  Q: i have a cracked tooth and now it has hurt for three days and my jaw hurt this is a non stop ...
  A: Because the treatment that is appropriate depends entirely on the nature of the crack (its location, ...
Front Tooth3/21/2007
  Q: I need a root canal on tooth #8. I'm in Seattle w/o dental insurance. Tooth has some historical ...
  A: Whether or not the extra skills of a specialist are required to successfully perform root canal ...
Crown Cost3/21/2007
  Q: I was prepped for a crown, it was ordered from the lab, in the meantime the tooth became painful ...
  A: You do not provide a clear time line of the events, which might contribute to the considerations ...
Retainer3/20/2007
  Q: , I have had my braces off for approximately 10-12 years now. About 2 months ago, one half of my ...
  A: Some movement of the lower incisors is certain-- what I cannot predict is the time frame, the amount ...
my 6 years old son has cavity3/19/2007
  Q: My son is 6 years old and has some cavities. According to the Hygienist, the cavities are (2) 1st & ...
  A: Those primary molars will be in your son's mouth for quite a while longer-- perhaps as long as 6 ...
Post-Extraction Gums3/19/2007
  Q: how are you? I just had a question regarding an extraction I just had done a week ago. I had tooth ...
  A: In the course of an extraction, the walls of the socket are spread; the dentist customarily squeezes ...
Black spot in my mouth3/17/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, I just noticed a black spot on the right side of my mouth while I was flossing today. It's ...
  A: A mole, or "nevus", can arise anywhere in the mouth. However, the most probable identity of your ...
Root canal3/15/2007
  Q: Bornfeld, In your opinion, should general dentists be trusted to perform root canals? Would you ...
  A: Your question goes to the heart of the entire concept of specialization-- not just endodontics, but ...
Hole in crown3/15/2007
  Q: I have a porcelain molar crown with a small hole on the biting surface. Is it possible that the ...
  A: The answer depends on whether the hole goes all the way through the crown-- porcelain AND metal, or ...
underbite3/15/2007
  Q: I'm eighteen years old and I've always had a little underbite. I've never really been concerned with ...
  A: An "underbite", where the teeth of the lower jaw are positioned forward of the upper teeth when the ...
white patch side of tongue3/13/2007
  Q: im 25 yrs old, im staying in u.a.e, last year i noticed a white patch at the back of my wisdom tooth ...
  A: The majority of persons infected with HIV will test positive within 6 months of infection, so it is ...
Wisdom tooth postoperative hole3/10/2007
  Q: Im asking a question on my girlfriends behalf. She just had her 2 bottom widom teeth out about 2 ...
  A: It can take quite a while for the sockets that remain after wisdom tooth extractions to close ...
PREGNANCY3/9/2007
  Q: Bornfeld My daughter is about 2 months pregnant. She has a (she thinks)a filling that has fallen ...
  A: Many dentists are especially wary of providing dental service to pregnant women due to the ...
root canal nothing on x ray no symptoms3/9/2007
  Q: Bornfeld. and Yes you are correct the #20 was determined to be the necrotic tooth. But the first ...
  A: A finding on x-ray of a radiolucent lesion at the root tip, combined with a failure to respond to an ...
Does a filling need to be removed when fitting a tooth with a crown3/7/2007
  Q: Several months ago I experienced a fractured cusp on a lower molar which had previously filled (20+ ...
  A: There are no hard and fast rules that apply here. Although the removal of all prior fillings allows ...
Filling cavitys3/6/2007
  Q: I'm going into get one of my cavities filled on the 16th It isnt really deep...or broken just ...
  A: Unfortunately, filling a cavity does not confer immunity against future tooth decay. You may develop ...
root of tooth still in gum3/5/2007
  Q: and first thank you Dr. Mark, about 12 years I had a tooth in the front of my mouth broken out, ...
  A: Unfortunately, I can't give you the answer you want. Antibiotics will only temporarily suppress the ...
root canal nothing on x ray no symptoms3/5/2007
  Q: Is it possible to need a root canal when you have an xray which shows no sign of a cavity or pockets ...
  A: I wish you could clarify something so that I can consider this further. You said that the ...
Dry Socket3/3/2007
  Q: I had 1 ciggerette after I had my wisdome teeth cut out, just one, will that 1 ciggerette give me ...
  A: The factors that favor the development of dry socket are many-- cigarette smoking is just one. It is ...
Implant Crowns3/2/2007
  Q: Can you tell me the names of some of the RESIN crowns you are referring to? Perhaps that is what he ...
  A: Two of the more popular "ceramic-like" resin crown systems are the OPC and the Sculpture/FibreKor ...
Implant Crowns3/1/2007
  Q: How are implant crowns different than regular crowns? A dentist told me he preferred the newer ...
  A: The crowns that are placed on implants are the same crowns that are placed on natural teeth. There ...
extraction3/1/2007
  Q: I had a back tooth extracted nearly 2 weeks ago. I had to go back 5 days after the extraction ...
  A: I can't reliably tell from your narrative just what went wrong with your extraction, but it seems ...
Legality Question2/27/2007
  Q: I recently visited a new dentist where (after two hours!),the hygienist finally started working on ...
  A: The answer turns on a question of what is legally referred to as the "standard of care". This term ...
Digital xrays and Lead Aprons2/27/2007
  Q: I was told that lead aprons are not required anymore for use with digital xrays, the radiation is so ...
  A: Although the amount of x-rays used in digital radiography is significantly less than that used in ...
root canal2/26/2007
  Q: I had a root canal done in September. I had a post put in and the crown put on, a few days ago, ...
  A: The loss of the post and crown just five months after construction is an unfavorable sign, and ...
10 year old with broken front tooth2/23/2007
  Q: My daughter fell in October and cracked her front tooth. She had to have root canal which was ...
  A: Your daughter's dentist is correct-- your daughter is too young to have a conventional crown placed, ...
tooth extracted2/23/2007
  Q: Last year, my upper back tooth slowly broke away to where there was only the root left and my ...
  A: The risks involved in retaining the broken tooth depend on its condition: -whether there is a vital ...
bridge2/23/2007
  Q: I lost upper teeth 7, 8, and 9 as a child and wore a partial plate until I was 62, two years ago, ...
  A: There are any of a number of things that might have contributed to the untimely breakdown of tooth ...
Hydroxyapatite2/22/2007
  Q: Under what circumstances is this bone graft material used? Will it strengthen the hold of an implant ...
  A: I assume your question is aimed specifically toward its dental applications (it is also used in ...
surgery on 12 year molars2/22/2007
  Q: My daughter is almost 16 years old. Her 12 year molars have not come thru. We saw an orthodonitc dr. ...
  A: Bavol, The failur of second permanent molars to erupt is an uncommon condition; I have personally ...
root canal2/21/2007
  Q: I recently start seeing this dentist around my area because one og my back teeth was hurting and i ...
  A: I think your doctor's obvious rush to do root canal is clouding his judgment. The considerate thing ...
Tooth Pain and Bad Smell in Nose2/21/2007
  Q: I've had pain in a tooth off and on since a root canal. The pain now is in the same tooth area but ...
  A: Hansen, I'll need to guess on this one, since I suspect that your problem may not be dental in ...
Redo-crown problem2/20/2007
  Q: Bornfield, Around 2/1999, the day after replacing a filling on my #29 tooth, I ended up wiht a root ...
  A: Lower premolar teeth are deceptively difficult to treat endodontically (i.e., by root canal ...
complication 1 month after wisdom teeth removal2/19/2007
  Q: My 17 yr. old daughter had all 4 of her wisdom teeth removed on Jan. 12. She developed a dry ...
  A: It is true that the probability of antibiotics eliminating the infection is small. The emergence of ...
Lumineers2/16/2007
  Q: I just read your answer to someone's question on Lumineers stating that they grind their teeth. You ...
  A: I think you misunderstood my intent when I said that Lumineers are more appropriate for someone with ...
eyeteeth crowns2/16/2007
  Q: I used to have upper eye teeth with keen ends. Some time ago my dentist told me that it did not look ...
  A: A truly reliable answer would require that I examine your mouth in person-- something this forum ...
partial denture charges2/13/2007
  Q: I appreciate your help but I'm not sure if I was clear in my question. Quetion: The dentist said he ...
  A: There are denture techniques that permit the construction of a partial denture frame without first ...
partial denture charges2/12/2007
  Q: I have read some of your posts and appreciate your time and sincre,caring and professional answers. ...
  A: The answer depends entirely on whether you gave consent to follow through with treatment. If you ...
Lumineer keeps falling out.2/12/2007
  Q: Thirty one days ago I paid over one thousand dollars for a front tooth lumineer. The Lumineer itself ...
  A: Poor retention of a veneer may arise in any of three places: 1. The bond between the tooth and the ...
front tooth problem and root canals2/8/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, Today I looked in the mirror and it looks like one of my upper front teeth has somehow ...
  A: As to your first question-- whether your tooth can be fixed depends on variables that cannot be ...
TOOTH, JAW, AND FACIAL PAIN2/8/2007
  Q: I HAVE MULTIPLE TEETH THAT NEED FILLINGS, ROOT CANALS, AND SOME NEED TO BE PULLED. I WAS SENT TO AN ...
  A: You are correct-- it is unlikely that extraction of a tooth on the lower right quadrant would cause ...
periodontics2/8/2007
  Q: what kind of education do periodontist need to do their job?
  A: In addition to the normal undergraduate dental school curriculum, a specialist in periodontics must ...
teeth bleach2/7/2007
  Q: A few months ago i had zoom whitening done on my teeth... the result was great. The Dr. gave me 22% ...
  A: It is doubtful whether that gel that is advertized as 35% carbamide peroxide is truly that ...
infection2/7/2007
  Q: what happens if you get an infection from getting cavities filled, and what do you do about it?
  A: Technically speaking, one does not get an infection from treating tooth decay; it is the decay ...
canker sore2/5/2007
  Q: Can you get a canker sore on your upper gum? I noticed a little pain when I drank some cold water. ...
  A: Canker sores do not occur on the attached part of the gums-- that is, the lighter-colored, firmer ...
Possible Implant2/5/2007
  Q: Tooth # 19 has had two root canals. Now facing either an implant or bridge. 56 years of age - ...
  A: Removing #19 without prosthetic replacement will usually cause the migration of the teeth opposing ...
Locked Jaw After Bite Guard2/3/2007
  Q: I grind my teeth. I first tried a boil-it-yourself mouth guard from a sports store (the one with ...
  A: The logic of going back to your old mouth guard is inescapable. However, cheap appliances are not ...
gold dental fillings2/3/2007
  Q: Bornfield, My question's just concerning gold dental fillings. I talked to a dentist recently and ...
  A: The different classes of gold dental casting alloys differ in their hardness and rigidity, from type ...
Braces and retainer1/31/2007
  Q: I am an adult and last February I had my braces removed after having worn them for a little over one ...
  A: If you can still place your retainer in your mouth, it is reasonable to assume that the retainer can ...
What is the best thing to do when you lose a filling1/31/2007
  Q: What is the best thing thing to do when you lose a filling, the earliest appointment I could get ...
  A: It is unlikely that the loss of your filling will pose any risk other than tooth sensitivity. If ...
reddish-black spot in mouth1/29/2007
  Q: I was flossing tonight, pulled my cheek and noticed a flat dark circle (reddish black). It is way ...
  A: The spot could be any of a number of things-- a small blood clot from a recent biting injury, a ...
Posterior Teeth question1/27/2007
  Q: Yes, there are gaps between my 2nd bicuspid and 1st molars. I have difficulty chewing in the back, ...
  A: This condition is known as a posterior open bite, which is usually the result of some type of ...
Dental School1/26/2007
  Q: I was wondering what you believe are the advantages of being a dentist versus a doctor. I have ...
  A: Advantages and disadvantages of a particular profession are related more to the candidate's ...
jaw misalignment1/25/2007
  Q: I'm a 25 year old female. My lower jaw deviates a little to the left, making my face look ...
  A: You are treading on dangerous ground here. Although there is always some asymmetry to the face, this ...
PULPECTOMY1/25/2007
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, On Monday, January 22,I had a pulpectomy done (on # 4) to end the horrible tooth ...
  A: I am unable to determine the urgency of extraction, since the predicted longevity of a pulpotomy ...
swallowed crown and post1/25/2007
  Q: This is pretty embarrassing but here goes .I woke up missing new crown with post.how long to this ...
  A: Although a crown would be expected to pass without incident, the presence of a post makes this event ...
Confused About Root Canal1/24/2007
  Q: Bornfield, how are you? My name is Paul and I am writing you today in hopes of a strong opinion ...
  A: It is not possible to draw any reliable conclusions regarding the direction your treatment should ...
Baby Teeth Eruption1/24/2007
  Q: So how long before they fall out. It has been 5 months now, and the last one got infected. I have ...
  A: There is a two to three year range of eruption for the incisor teeth, and the precise age at which ...
cracked tooth1/23/2007
  Q: "About a month ago, I went to the dentist to have an impression taken of my upper teeth. ...
  A: Although I suppose anything is possible, I find it highly unlikely that the taking of an impression ...
Baby Teeth Eruption1/23/2007
  Q: My 7 year is starting to loose her teeth (Bottom Front), well kind of. Her adult teeth are coming in ...
  A: It is normal (indeed preferable) for the permanent lower incisors to erupt before the primary ...
toungue biteing1/22/2007
  Q: Help I bite my toungue in the middle and it will not stop bleeding. It has been over 2 hours what ...
  A: Dougherty, Prolonged bleeding suggests either impaired clotting ability or rupture of a larger ...
root canal1/22/2007
  Q: On my first visit to a new dentist, I had a deep filling done and immediately developed pain in the ...
  A: Treatment outcome depends on many different things besides the competence of the treating doctor. In ...
root canal on wisdom tooth1/21/2007
  Q: I was recently told I may need a root canal done on my lower left wisdom tooth. I had my 12 year ...
  A: For most people, wisdom teeth are more trouble than they're worth. However, this may not be true in ...
Pain with cold/hot water/food1/21/2007
  Q: There is pain in the lower second molar(have been patched long time ago) whenever I bite hard stuffs ...
  A: I can't offer a reliable assessment of your teeth in the absence of the relevant diagnostic data. ...
Arestin1/20/2007
  Q: I am paying out of pocket for my perio work and am concerned about the recommended use of Arestin ...
  A: It is true that the documented clinical benefits of Arestin are modest at best, and the open-ended ...
Follow-up to Question on Office Practices1/19/2007
  Q: You questioned if my dentist had authority to waive charges and establish office policy. the answer ...
  A: It seems like your dentist's staff has him well-protected. In this case, your best bet is to send ...
Require Dentist's Perspective on Office Practice.1/18/2007
  Q: I need your perspective as to how best handle a billing practice which occurred in my dentist's ...
  A: Is your dentist a principle proprietor/owner of the practice, and empowered to set office policy? ...
Do I need a Root Canal?1/18/2007
  Q: I went to an endodondist for follow up after he had performed a root canal. While I was in his ...
  A: Evaluating a tooth for the need for root canal therapy involves more than assessing symptoms, and a ...
Fixed bridge1/18/2007
  Q: I just want to know if its possible to just have a 2 unit bridge rather than a 3 unit.I was told ...
  A: It is certainly possible to support a prosthetic tooth (pontic) with only one abutment crown, but it ...
please could you put my mind at rest?1/16/2007
  Q: I had an Apicoectomy done about 6 months ago as i had a cyst at the root of my tooth all went very ...
  A: Brown, This is probably not the answer you had hoped for, but yes-- cysts can come back, especially ...
Please help-pain after filling, need root canal?1/16/2007
  Q: I appreciate the seconf opinion. I have one more quick question. I have been calling around a few ...
  A: The use of a post (otherwise referred to as a post and core, a dowel, or a dowel and core) is less ...
Please help-pain after filling, need root canal?1/16/2007
  Q: I hope you can help me. Let me tell you my story. I went to my local dentist, Dr. Robert Spero DDS ...
  A: It is difficult to infer a reliable diagnosis from symptoms alone, but I am inclined to agree with ...
loose front teeth1/15/2007
  Q: Do you know how much permanent implants generally cost?Hello My name is Mary-Jane and my two ...
  A: Dentists generally avoid using the term "permanent" since this word implies something that cannot be ...
loose front teeth1/14/2007
  Q: My name is Mary-Jane and my two bottom front teeth have been really loose for a while now. I have ...
  A: Unfortunately, I cannot offer specific recommendations, since mobility of the teeth may be the ...
Dental1/14/2007
  Q: I am 41 yrs Old,and finally decide to get some dental work done. I just had 4 crowns on my lower ...
  A: Wooley, Some sensitivity is the rule rather than the exception in complex cases such as yours, and ...
dental pain after cerec procedure1/13/2007
  Q: Hey Doctor Marc for your reply. Is it possible to be allergic to the Ceric material itself?Dear ...
  A: Cerec makes three different types of materials; two are ceramic and relatively non-allergenic. The ...
pain after new filling1/12/2007
  Q: I received a composite filling a few days ago on the lower right hand side (tooth 31). When I've had ...
  A: Although some postoperative sensitivity is the rule rather than the exception, especially with the ...
Boney extraction1/12/2007
  Q: Shouldn't the surgeon be aware if he caused some nerve damage and informed me after the surgery or ...
  A: Most nerve injuries are only manifest in their symptoms; unless he's a real ham-fisted operator and ...
Boney extraction1/12/2007
  Q: On Tuesday I had an eye tooth surgically removed. The bill said boney extraction. The day after ...
  A: Numbness that persists beyond one day is not caused by the pharmacologic action of the local ...
large hole in tooth1/11/2007
  Q: I believe my filling fell out of a top, back molar, several months ago. For the past 2 months or so, ...
  A: It does indeed sound like you have an infected tooth, although I am uncertain whether your headache ...
chipped tooth1/11/2007
  Q: My 18 month old son fell and chipped his upper front tooth. The tooth is chipped straight across, ...
  A: It is quite possible that the tooth can be repaired with a resin crown, provided that there is no ...
Pain after a sedative filling?1/11/2007
  Q: I just got a sedative filling today, and my jaw is aching badly. I also notice that there is a pain ...
  A: Unfortunately, there is little useful information that can be inferred from subjective symptoms so ...
Do I need to redo my crowns?1/10/2007
  Q: I'm an expat in my 40s living in Asia. Sorry for the long note and all the questions, but I have to ...
  A: Zirconia is a type of ceramic crown. The most popular brand here in the 'States is Procera, and ...
Root canal - did he go too high? And removing crowns1/10/2007
  Q: I'm in Asia and need some advise; I'm unfortunately not in Singapore or HK and locally there isn't ...
  A: There is not much reliable information that can be inferred from your symptoms. While I cannot ...
Geographic tongue?1/10/2007
  Q: I get these white lines or sometimes white circles on my tongue. I cant clean them out or anything, ...
  A: Without seeing your tongue in person, I cannot offer a reliable answer. However, geographic tongue, ...
Loose front teeth1/9/2007
  Q: I am 37 yrs. old and had braces last year. The orthodontist removed my braces early because my two ...
  A: Cases like yours are usually managed with the use of a temporary removable "flipper" denture that ...
Sinus mouth injury1/9/2007
  Q: I am a 43-year-old male, in good overall health. A month ago I fell while running, causing a ...
  A: The condition of your sinus will not influence the recovery of your front teeth in any way. Sinus ...
Root Canal after filled cavity and other ?s1/9/2007
  Q: I've had a whole lot of work done on my teeth lately. This includes two crowns, 3 filled cavities, ...
  A: Although the timing of the events as you stated seems to implicate your dentist's therapeutic ...
root canals and crowing1/9/2007
  Q: I have been told to get a root canal on #29 tooth. Recently, a cavity had been filled on it and but ...
  A: Most commonly, a lower second premolar has one canal. However, sometimes a lower premolar will have ...
caries1/8/2007
  Q: On an visit to my dentist, she told me that I had a caries on a tooth and that she would treat it ...
  A: Yes-- it is true that dental caries should be treated in a timely manner in order to prevent it from ...
root canal1/8/2007
  Q: I had a root canal on 12/28 and I have a temporary filling right now. I have an apt. for a post on ...
  A: It is important that the opening to the root canal remain closed. If your dentist feels it is ...
Sensitivity in Resin Filled Molar1/8/2007
  Q: I had an old filling replaced (portion fell out from old filling leaving large cavity) approximately ...
  A: Brown, It is true that resin fillings tend to provoke more sensitivity than comparable fillings ...
Pulling permanent teeth down1/8/2007
  Q: i had a baby tooth that got pulled about 2 1/2 years ago. the permanent tooth never grew in on top ...
  A: Unless the unerupted tooth is determined to be impacted, the risks of surgical exposure and ...
22yrs old and 2 of my baby teeth have not fallen out1/8/2007
  Q: I am 22 years old and 2 of my baby teeth have not fallen out. A couple of years ago I had a ...
  A: "Temporary" is a relative term; in a sense, all things are temporary. You'd be surprised how long ...
Crown-Tooth pain1/7/2007
  Q: I had a large filling in my upper right molar that at times would give me a little pain. My dentist ...
  A: Although it is likely that extraction will end the pain, it is probably best to tough it out a few ...
pain in tooth1/7/2007
  Q: any advice would be great. Back in July, after getting a cavity filled on the bottom left, 2nd to ...
  A: It seems that the full nature of your problem has evaded you dentists' diagnostic efforts, and I ...
my friend has a tooth problem1/6/2007
  Q: My friend chipped one of his bottom front teeth and when the piece that chipped off came out of his ...
  A: In all likelihood, the tooth chipped because it was weakended by tooth decay. I recommend that your ...
swollen inside of lips1/6/2007
  Q: Me and my dentist are both stumped about something, I'm hoping you might be able to provide some ...
  A: There are several different conditions that could potentially cause either intraoral blistering ...
Pain putting a temporary crown back on.12/18/2006
  Q: I had a temporary crown fall off while I was on a trip. My dentist told me to go to Walgreens and ...
  A: Although it is difficult to draw a reliable assessment from subjective events like this, severe pain ...
cast metal12/17/2006
  Q: my best regard to you and to your valuable family iam student of dentistry.i wana know what is cast ...
  A: Cast metal is any metal that is formed by the casting process-- liquefaction by heating to its ...
Residue left behind in tissues from root canal failure.12/17/2006
  Q: Bornfeld, I hope you can give me some insight please. I had a painful tooth, the dentist said he ...
  A: Thermafill is chemically and biologically inert, and residual material in the socket would not in ...
Swollen Cheek12/14/2006
  Q: All the work was done on my right side and the painful shot to the nerve was on the upper right near ...
  A: Culp, Assuming I am correct in my assumption that the problem is due to a hematoma, it is ...
Swollen Cheek12/14/2006
  Q: I had a deep cleaning and a crown put in yesterday and received 2 - 3 novocaine shots. The first ...
  A: Culp, It would be helpful to know just where the injections were administered and the teeth that ...
Novocaine and how it works12/14/2006
  Q: Two days ago I had the worst dental experience. I had a top tooth (second to the back) drilled out ...
  A: First, let me say that your question is probably of more importance for the visits in the more ...
Pediatric Dentist refused treatment12/11/2006
  Q: I brought my 7 year old daughter (who is "deathly petrified" of dentists for no apparent reason ...
  A: It is true that pediatric dentists are more skilled at managing anxiety in the child patient. ...
Crown on wrong tooth - what do I do?12/11/2006
  Q: I went to my general denistry #A and he told me that my back left tooth needs a crown. He suggests ...
  A: Unfortunately, patients are often caught between the conflicting opinions of different dentists. ...
drilling through crowns for rtc & long term gum infection12/11/2006
  Q: Due to long history of undiagnosed clenching @ night, & poor prophylactic care, I have extensive ...
  A: There is nothing objectively wrong with the treatment your dentist provided, at least to the extent ...
different dental opinions?12/10/2006
  Q: I took my 7 year old daughter to 2 dentists. One said she has one cavity and the other said she has ...
  A: In a nutshell, your question cuts to the heart of the limitation of second opinions. Ideally, ...
dentist error12/9/2006
  Q: I had a bad toothache. The antibiotic was a temp relief. The dentist told me it was worth saving and ...
  A: I think the manager of the dental facility would be getting off easy if you accepted the $340. Based ...
broken tooth12/8/2006
  Q: Similar to a previous question you answered about the repair of a broken molar, I just had the ...
  A: That depends on the specific circumstances of the break. A certain number of teeth will simply ...
post root cancal pain12/8/2006
  Q: About 2 months ago I had a root canal to a lower molar. I have had constant pain in that tooth and ...
  A: No, your pain is not because you don't have a post or crown. Root canal therapy is often followed by ...
Cerec crown for root canal tooth12/8/2006
  Q: I had a root canal done on tooth #13 in July and then had a retreatment done in November because of ...
  A: Cerec crowns are more remarkable for the way they are fabricated than they are for their ...
Ramification on delaying a root canal12/7/2006
  Q: It appears I had an infection near one of my back molars. I was given some penicillin which feels ...
  A: Once an endodontic (nerve) infection has been established, there is little to gain and much to lose ...
Sealants on 6 year molars12/6/2006
  Q: I have an 8 year old son who had sealants on 4 of his molars in August 2004. He had his 6 month ...
  A: Sealants have a variable life span, depending on how well they are applied and the amount of ...
oral cyst?12/6/2006
  Q: I deeply bit the inside of my lip several months ago. When I bit my lip I realized I could move in ...
  A: I'm guessing, of course, but your description suggests that you do indeed have a mucus retention ...
crowns12/4/2006
  Q: I recently had my back crown replaced the first crown was gold porcelain and the new one is gold .I ...
  A: A dentist may use his discretion in positioning the margin of the crown anywhere he deems ...
temporary fixed bridge12/4/2006
  Q: I have a temporary 6 tooth fixed bridge. It's too replace my two front teeth that were damaged years ...
  A: Although your dentist may be able to try seating the bridge in a different position, the discrepancy ...
small cavities./fluoride tx12/4/2006
  Q: I am a medical student with no dental coverage, it's X-mas time and my loan money is toast. I have a ...
  A: That depends on several considerations: 1. Not all holes represent tooth decay 2. Not all tooth ...
Pain in tooth, jaw and ear12/3/2006
  Q: I noticed that I was missing a small chunk out of my filling/crown on #31 (my dentist called it a ...
  A: Although these long-distance diagnoses are far from reliable, the short answer is yes-- although it ...
Crown pain12/3/2006
  Q: Since I emailed you last time I experienced so much pain I was taking Hydrocodone which only dulled ...
  A: Based on the swelling, I think it is likely that one or both of the teeth have become infected (an ...
Toothache on cavity filling12/3/2006
  Q: I had a composite filling done on my Right lower molar ( the one in front of my wisdom tooth) a ...
  A: The legal standard of care is a legal rather than a health care concept, and this is a matter that ...
hey12/2/2006
  Q: ok if you have an infected tooth could it make your stomach feel weird ? and make me feel like i got ...
  A: Yes, localized infections such as an abscessed tooth can cause constitutional symptoms: nausea, ...
sensitivity to cold12/1/2006
  Q: My teeth have always been sensitive to cold, but tonight when I was brushing my teeth I noticed that ...
  A: Sensitivity to tactile stimulation (contact) is non-specific, and could be either the result of ...
Nerve damage?11/30/2006
  Q: Approx. 5wks ago I was experiencing some slight sensitivity to v.cold liquid, so visited the ...
  A: It is true that composite resin fillings tend to provoke more sensitivity than comparable fillings ...
Crown pain11/30/2006
  Q: One more question. With me waiting so long to get to the dentist with my bite off, would this cause ...
  A: Although severe bite discrepancy could conceivably cause permanent damage to a tooth, this would be ...
Crown pain11/30/2006
  Q: I had two crowns put on my left bottom molars a few weeks ago. When the dentist pushed one down the ...
  A: It is indeed possible that the pain you're currently feeling is the result of excessive contour of ...
confused11/30/2006
  Q: Bornfeld, I was very sick for over a year and finally diagnosed with either chronic serum ...
  A: Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with mast cell activation disorder and how it is managed. However, ...
Two white bumps on gums11/29/2006
  Q: My dentist just discovered two small white bumps on the right side of my upper gums. He scheduled a ...
  A: I don't necessarily think it would be productive to give you a list of about fifty different things ...
Wisdom Tooth Extraction under General11/28/2006
  Q: Is weight also an issue, I had the consultation last year and have been waiting for the procedure ...
  A: Except in cases of morbid obesity where there is compromise of the function of the respiratory or ...
Root Canal11/28/2006
  Q: I had a root canal done the end of August. (On my front crowned tooth.) I was feeling sensitivity to ...
  A: There is no one correct answer to your question. The success of a root canal treatment outcome must ...
I bit my tongue11/27/2006
  Q: I inadvertently bit the right side of my tongue yesterday and it hurts when I eat on my right side. ...
  A: Brown, Unfortunately, most of the available preparations do not persist all that well on the tongue ...
pediatric dentistry11/27/2006
  Q: My 2 year old had chipped 2 of her front teeth (one on each side of the front teeth next to the ...
  A: The answer depends on just how badly the teeth were damaged. Normally, the lateral incisors don't ...
silver fillings and breastfeeding11/25/2006
  Q: I went to the dentist 5 days ago and he put in a silver filling, this was my first silver filling ...
  A: Although minute amounts of mercury are thought to be secreted in breast milk, the current consensus ...
tooth/gum pain11/24/2006
  Q: I just recently (past 10 days) had a tooth filled. It wasn't hurting or anything, but the cavity was ...
  A: Increased sensitivity following a deep filling is a common event. Rather than being the fault of the ...
frenulectomy11/24/2006
  Q: My 8 year old son has just been told he should have a frenulectomy performed because it is causing ...
  A: A frenectomy/frenulectomy (either term is OK) is indeed sometimes used if the upper labial frenum is ...
Lump-cheek11/21/2006
  Q: About 7 weeks ago I had a molar pulled on my lower left side. About 1 week later I developed a ...
  A: It would be very unusual to see a hematoma persist for seven weeks. I suspect your dentist is ...
jaw/tooth pain11/20/2006
  Q: I recently went to the dentist for a pain in my lower back molar on the left side. It hurts when I ...
  A: It is difficult to say for certain whether the jaw pain and the tooth are related. Certainly, an ...
Finding a Good Dental Provider11/20/2006
  Q: I read your response to the "no insurance" question. I wonder how to find a dental school or ...
  A: The unfortunate truth is that it is difficult to have all of one's parameters for what is a good ...
lesion11/19/2006
  Q: I have a lesion on the gingiva tucked up into the crease where it meets the mucosa of my right upper ...
  A: Unfortunately, the mouth has a limited repertoire of presenting symptoms for a wide variety of ...
pain after root canal11/18/2006
  Q: on 11/17/06 i had a root canal which the dentist put tempary filling. I was in a lot of pain when he ...
  A: Although some root canals proceed without incident, there are the occasional cases such as yours ...
fear of dentist and worried about treatment11/17/2006
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, thank you for your answer and reassurance yesterday. just a simpleif there were any ...
  A: Your surgeon is being a bit disingenuous to say that it is impossible to break off a root in the ...
toothache under crown11/17/2006
  Q: I had a dental crown on my last upper back tooth years ago and just 2 days ago I ate alot of hard ...
  A: Mundis, Although this pain event may have been provoked by eating nuts, it is unlikely to be the ...
is my filling the problem?11/16/2006
  Q: I have a tooth that overlapps my upper front tooth and have a small filling in that area. Every ...
  A: The filling could indeed be contributing to your perception that something is stuck between your ...
fear of dentist and worried about treatment11/15/2006
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, thank you very much for your quick answer. i actually sent that dentist an email but ...
  A: You have nothing to lose by going back to the oral surgeon to evaluate the situation; you are under ...
root canal pain11/15/2006
  Q: afterrefilling of #20 tooth i still had pain, so on my dentist's advise i got root canal done by ...
  A: I would certainly urge you to defer further treatment until the problem has been properly diagnosed. ...
fear of dentist and worried about treatment11/15/2006
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, After reading some of your answers to other people, it sounds like you would be a ...
  A: Aside from the oral surgeon's apparently inconsiderate manner, it is unclear whether anything went ...
Bad reaction to Injection11/14/2006
  Q: while I was getting the injection into my mouth I had a bad reaction, I felt a burning sensation run ...
  A: The type of reaction you describe sometimes occurs following injection in specific areas-- usually ...
Consequences of putting on a crown on a tooth that is too short11/13/2006
  Q: Years ago, I had a crown put on a tooth that was too short. The dentist said that he would have to ...
  A: The length of a tooth directly affects a crown's retention-- that is, its ability to remain attached ...
Numbness after surgery11/10/2006
  Q: I had my wisdom teeth taken out 8 years ago when I was 16. They had to cut two of them out,and in ...
  A: In order to determine the appropriate means of management, the cause for your complaint must be ...
tooth root resorption11/10/2006
  Q: In the past nine months my dentist has explained that two of my molars have root absorption. One ...
  A: Root resorption can be the result of several different local and systemic problems. For example, ...
xrays11/10/2006
  Q: is there a limit of how many xrays you can have regarding your teeth. i am 62 yrs old have been ...
  A: There has never been any formal regulation regarding limits on the number of diagnostic x-rays that ...
Deep Cleaning Procedure (second round)11/9/2006
  Q: My dentist of 2 years keeps hassling me about getting a deep cleaning done on my teeth (again). I ...
  A: The term "deep cleaning" is imprecise, and is probably a simplified term your dentist has ...
root canal11/8/2006
  Q: One last question. I may need root canals on 2 bisucpid teeth with cavaties. I have very narrow, ...
  A: The use of an operating microscope can help when searching for very fine canal orifices, and for ...
deep cleaning: needed or money-making tool?11/7/2006
  Q: I recently moved and went to a new dentist. At my appointment, the dentist immediately saw me and ...
  A: Without access to the diagnostic data, I am unable to judge whether any of the diagnoses presented ...
Cavity fillings/oral sadation?11/6/2006
  Q: it was a regular dentist that removed my wisdom teeth...not surgen....the only thing they could ...
  A: Then consider yourself lucky that you already found a general dentist who offers sedation! Although ...
Cavity fillings/oral sadation?11/6/2006
  Q: I reciently had my four wisdom teeth extracted under oral seditives...I rember a few things but not ...
  A: Although it is common for oral surgeons to offer sedation, the same cannot be said for most general ...
pain after tooth removal11/5/2006
  Q: I had an permanent teeth grow behind my baby tooth and the baby tooth did not fall out, I've read in ...
  A: I'm afraid I cannot give you a reliable answer without seeing you in person. Although extraction of ...
root canal overfill symptoms11/3/2006
  Q: I had a root canal about a year ago (done by a dentist) and my endodontist has noticed the dentist ...
  A: Although a modest extrusion of root canal filling material beyond the root apex makes for a less ...
split root11/2/2006
  Q: the tooth is capped. i have no pain except if i touch the side of the gum by the tooth. the dentist ...
  A: If the root of the tooth is indeed split, it is an emergency waiting to happen. When/if teeth like ...
Tooth Post11/1/2006
  Q: Dr. Bornfeld, In the near future a close relative of mine will be going through a tooth post ...
  A: The placement of a post is a simple procedure, performed on a tooth that has received root canal ...
Metal sensation in the R/C Tooth with temp crown10/31/2006
  Q: In June'06 I had R/C on tooth #13 & was fitted with a Temp.crown. Ever since, its not felt like a ...
  A: I'm not sure I understand the sensation you're describing. However, there are several potential ...
Bad taste after filling10/31/2006
  Q: I recently cracked a tooth that had a filling in it. My dentist performed an inferior alveolar ...
  A: There's no way for me to be sure, but if I had to guess, I'd say your temporary filling is to blame. ...
Root Canal therapy10/30/2006
  Q: When I was in the military I had severely decayed molars on the top arch. The military dentists ...
  A: Third molars are highly variable in their internal anatomy, and often present complex root canal ...
pain after crown10/30/2006
  Q: I had a root canal done on a upper molar and a new crown put on a lower molar right below it. The ...
  A: Because pressure and temperature sensitivity are non-specific symptoms, they do not imply a specific ...
to bridge or not to bridge or full denture10/30/2006
  Q: my upper jaw has quite a few problems I had two teeth extracted two years ago from clenching down ...
  A: Your options depend largely on the condition of your teeth, the positioning of the teeth in your ...
root canal procedure10/30/2006
  Q: Living in a european country with no dental insurance, I've had a root canal 10 or 12 weeks ago on a ...
  A: I don't know precisely how to interpret your question, because the terminology is not appropriate to ...
hole in gums after extraction10/29/2006
  Q: i had an extraction a couple weeks ago... and had the stitches removed yesterday.. i just noticed a ...
  A: It takes several months after an extraction for the gum tissue to assume a normal shape. In surgical ...
Tooth extracted, possible infection10/28/2006
  Q: I recently had my number 18 molar extracted (10.25.2006) by my oral surgeon. The extraction went ...
  A: I'm not sure about the green coloration-- perhaps this may represent some entrapped food, or perhaps ...
Fillings where gum line has receded10/28/2006
  Q: Bornfeld for your reply! I have discussed the treatment with my dentist before but left out ...
  A: Actually, the placement of gumline fillings does nothing to prevent further gum recession-- it may ...
porcelain crown change in color after final cementing10/27/2006
  Q: I had my porcelain crowns temporarily cemented and they looked great but after they were permanently ...
  A: Assuming your crown is composed entirely of porcelain rather than being porcelain baked to a metal ...
Fillings where gum line has receded10/27/2006
  Q: I have had gum recession since in my twenties and am used to dentists and dental hygenists telling ...
  A: First, don't be afraid of offending your dentist with questions about your dental treatment. You ...
composite filling & bitter taste10/25/2006
  Q: I had a small silver filling removed on an upper molar because it was wearing out and a composite ...
  A: I have heard of this complaint before, although I don't know of a confirmed authoritative ...
temporary crown pain10/25/2006
  Q: I had a tooth # 18 prepared for a crown on 10-10-2006. The temp crown was finally fitted after ...
  A: The first thing your dentist should do is get you out of pain, and I suspect that continuing with ...
Chronic pain with crown10/25/2006
  Q: Five years ago, I had a cracked filling replaced with a crown on a lower molar. I immediately ...
  A: Most dental problems eventually manifest themselves in ways that allow them to be readily diagnosed. ...
Detecting "cavities"10/24/2006
  Q: I noticed that you answered a question similar to this in February of 2005, but my case is slightly ...
  A: The diagnosis of tooth decay involves the use of visual, tactile, and radiographic examination. It ...
crown vs filling10/24/2006
  Q: I recently had tooth number 36 filled by a new dentist. It was bad and required a root canal - so I ...
  A: It's difficult to give a reliable answer without knowing more about your mouth and the treatment ...
canine10/24/2006
  Q: I have a large right canine tooth that protrudes upward and outward. It is very large and comes to ...
  A: Removing the canine tooth would not be a good strategy; this tooth provides important function-- ...
root canal10/21/2006
  Q: "Hi Dr. I recently had a filling placed in a tooth (bicuspid?) that had a cavity. The dentist said ...
  A: A dental filling, regardless of its composition, will not impede in any significant way the ...
a zinging type pain in 1 1/2 month old bridge10/21/2006
  Q: i just had my first bridge installed l=a month and a half ago it was fine until last week it started ...
  A: Your options depend entirely on what is causing your pain, which could be anything. Some ...
Questions about implants (more)10/20/2006
  Q: Can you tell me anything about the difference in survival rates for single stage vs. multiple stage ...
  A: Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with the precise statistics, although those who advocate for the ...
stiffness in jaw after filling 2 1/2 wks ago10/20/2006
  Q: I went to the dentist on Oct 2 and received a filling in the bottom left side of my mouth. I also ...
  A: It is difficult to reliably evaluate the full nature of your complaint without examining you in ...
Abscessed Tooth10/19/2006
  Q: Mark, I had a abcessed tooth recently, the reason the this was that the crown was not fitted ...
  A: As a dentist, I am unqualified to comment on either your ear or throat infection. I suspect that ...
deteriorating enamel10/18/2006
  Q: This question is in regards to my 17 year old son. We have been told that he has a hereditary ...
  A: Although I'm inclined to give weight to the opinion of a dentist who has had the opportunity to see ...
Blocked parotid gland10/17/2006
  Q: My doctor recently diagnosed a blocked parotid gland under my left ear. He said it might go away on ...
  A: It is conceivable that pain originating in the parotid gland may be perceived as coming from the ...
prolonged pain in extraction site10/17/2006
  Q: I had two tooth extractions in the back of my mouth and my mouth still hurts in the same spots where ...
  A: Prolonged pain following an extraction may be the result of any of a number of things. Some ...
exrays10/16/2006
  Q: Had a full set of exrays when I went to a new dental office due to a change in my insurance ...
  A: There is no standardized, general consensus regarding the proper time interval between radiographic ...
chipped tooth concern10/16/2006
  Q: I chipped a tooth, part of the tooth (bicuspid?) before my first left molar looked "bitten off". I'm ...
  A: Although I cannot say for certain without seeing the tooth in question, your description suggests an ...
Non-invasive Bridge?10/14/2006
  Q: Bornfeld, My abscessed first molar was extracted January of this year by a general dentist. A ...
  A: Lawless, Your use of the term "destroying" is a bit judgmental, given that the teeth prepared to ...
Nitrous Oxide10/14/2006
  Q: I am considering using nitrous oxide for an upcoming dental procedure and do not know what to ...
  A: It's anybody's guess whether nitrous oxide will provide enough sedation for you. However, the entire ...
fixed bridge vs partial denture10/14/2006
  Q: my problem: i have a fixed bridge that consists of 3 crowns and 3 pontics on the top front, the ...
  A: I'm not sure I fully understand the proposed configuration of the planned fixed bridge. You will ...
Physical damage to tooth10/14/2006
  Q: Dr. Bornfield, Last night 13/10/06 i fell over and managed some how to land on my face! ...
  A: Martin, It is sometimes difficult to assess the full nature of the damage from an event such as you ...
Root Canal Questions!10/13/2006
  Q: Why is a post needed in a tooth? How many parts are there to a root canal and is a crown the ...
  A: Q: Why is a post needed in a tooth? A: The better question to ask is "when is a post needed in a ...
hitting a nerver while getting novocaine10/13/2006
  Q: I am really concerned, I was at the dentist today getting Novocain and all of a sudden I felt ...
  A: The phenomenon you describe is not unprecedented; I have observed it several times over the course ...
Sore throat after dental work10/12/2006
  Q: Yesterday I had two cavities filled on the lower left side of my mouth. The doctor took out the ...
  A: This is not a common symptom, although its onset immediately after the procedure suggests that the ...
cavities10/12/2006
  Q: well this question isn't directly towards cavities i have really bad sinuses and my teeth have been ...
  A: Gonzales, The sinuses and the upper teeth are supplied by the same sensory nerve. Because of this, ...
Second molar extraction10/11/2006
  Q: I am 52 years old. The outer side of my second molar, bottom left, broke off. There is a gold crown ...
  A: Apuan, Strictly speaking, any given tooth can be thought of as unnecessary. However, there are ...
partial extraction?10/10/2006
  Q: Can you tell me about partial extraction? Can it be done to save this tooth? I don't have bone loss, ...
  A: There is no procedure that is formally called a "partial extraction", so I am guessing about what ...
partial extraction?10/10/2006
  Q: I had my bottom right wisdom tooth extracted 6 weeks ago because it was growing into the tooth in ...
  A: It is sometimes possible to remove one damaged root of a multi-rooted tooth while allowing a good ...
crown lengthening mishap $$10/10/2006
  Q: , In August, I had tooth and jaw pain. X-rays showed an infection down to the bone beneath my left ...
  A: You certainly would be within your rights to ask for some type of compensation. However, your ...
Problem with Dental Crown10/9/2006
  Q: My dentist placed a crown on a tooth (2nd from the back on the bottom, right side) since he said my ...
  A: Sensitivity sometimes follows the placement of a new crown, but normally only for a short time. A ...
tooth pain10/8/2006
  Q: I started seeing a new dentist and apparently I had a lot of cavities. I had 5 cavities filled with ...
  A: Spontaneous sensitivity, tenderness to biting pressure, and thermal hypersensitivity are all ...
Question about Cavities and Filings10/8/2006
  Q: I have a question about cavities. I have never gotten a single cavity in my life until my last visit ...
  A: Yuen, Tooth decay is a progressive disease, and should be treated in order to restore the affected ...
glands swelling10/7/2006
  Q: I have had problems with my teeth for many years. I have absessed teeth from time to time and my ...
  A: Lockhart, Although dental infection can cause the regional lymph nodes located under the lower jaw ...
My gums in the front hurt sooo bad! =/10/6/2006
  Q: I've been having this horrible pain in the front lower region of my gums, I looked in the mirror and ...
  A: I can't give you a reliable assessment of what is going on here, but what has your dentist said ...
Wisdom Teeth10/6/2006
  Q: I have been feeling some sourness and pain in the back of my mouth, i was wondering if my wisdom ...
  A: Smithberry, Certainly, wisdom tooth eruption is often accompanied by pain, swelling, sore throat, ...
Painful crown after 4 months10/4/2006
  Q: I had a root canal on back molar and a crown put in place in June. The RC took an hour because of ...
  A: I cannot comment on the ear popping, since this is a subject that falls outside my field of ...
Root Canal vs Tooth Pulled10/3/2006
  Q: Given the options of having a long painful root canal that is very expensive vs having a healthy ...
  A: I'm not sure I understand the conditions you have set for your question. Normally, a healthy tooth ...
Crown biting surface adjustment10/2/2006
  Q: I had a permanent crown for a lower molar seated today. My dentist, who for the most part is very ...
  A: The tolerances for acceptable crown contour unfortunately are more stringent than the accuracy of ...
tooth bonding or glueing10/2/2006
  Q: I have two fake teeth that were made and one hollowed out and cemented over a "stub" of a real tooth ...
  A: Hunt, Polyurethane cements such as Gorilla Glue are strong irritants and are allergenic, and are ...
Amalgam, composite, or crown10/1/2006
  Q: Bornfeld, Just like Joli's question you answered 9/27/06, I too have had terrific pain in tooth ...
  A: The first thing that must be done before deciding on treatment is to determine what has caused the ...
white streaks on teeth10/1/2006
  Q: very small not so numerous white streaks on my two front teeth..what exactly is the common cause of ...
  A: I cannot reliably know the true nature of the white streaks you describe without seeing them. ...
what to do with a severe tooth infection and no insurance9/30/2006
  Q: i am 27 and have no insurance, my teeth are very bad, and i currently have a horrific tooth ...
  A: mcginty, The majority of dental consumers do not have dental insurance, and still manage to afford ...
BABY TEETH CAVITIES9/29/2006
  Q: GOOD MORNING, I HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD SON THAT HAS SEVERAL CAVITIES ON HIS BABY TEETH-ALL ARE IN BETWEEN ...
  A: MCADE, Although your son's front teeth may be naturally lost within the next year or two, some of ...
white stuff in extraction site9/29/2006
  Q: Im just enquiring, I had a tooth extraction 3 and a half days ago and am so so scared of dry socket. ...
  A: Although you are not yet quite out of the woods with regard to dry socket, the white coating is ...
Toothache!9/29/2006
  Q: I had a temporary filling put in on monday, was told I needed a root canal and to come back next ...
  A: The phenomenon you describe is well documented, and is variably called either "aerodontalgia" or ...
giant cavities9/28/2006
  Q: I am a 21 year old male and for the past few months I have been having terrible headaches non stop ...
  A: Quite obviously, what you need to do is visit a dentist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Most ...
Lump on roof of my mouth9/27/2006
  Q: I have had a lump on the left side of the roof of my mouth for as long as I can remember. I do not ...
  A: Dattilio, There are perhaps hundreds of different pathological and normal entities that present as ...
composite filling giving me problems9/27/2006
  Q: Bornfeld, On Aug 24, 2006 I had an 10 year old amalgram filling replaced with a composite because it ...
  A: You are correct-- my chances of offering a reliable diagnosis are slim, given that your dentists ...
post root canal complications9/25/2006
  Q: mark, I had RC done by an endo about 2 months back and had severe pain for about 12 days,antibiotic ...
  A: Some endodontists will recommend a waiting period following completion of root canal therapy. This ...
Inlay/Onlay vs. Crown9/25/2006
  Q: Two years ago I switched career paths after being in dentistry for 12 years as an assistant for 10 ...
  A: Both crowns and inlays have their virtues and their drawbacks. Inlays are more conservative-- they ...
Tooth ache9/25/2006
  Q: A couple of years ago, I have been fitted with a crown on one of the back bottom teeth. I had a bad ...
  A: Although pulp ("nerve") tissue does not grow back into a tooth after it has been removed, there are ...
loose crown over implant9/24/2006
  Q: In August 2006 I had two adjacent crowns placed over implants on teeth #14 and #15. The crown on ...
  A: Haller, No, it is not OK for a crown on an implant to be loose. Just what is going on is difficult ...
Dentist put hole in tooth while doing root canel9/24/2006
  Q: first off when I went in to have it done I was a little nervous and was told by the dentist (who ...
  A: The laws that govern the practice of dentistry vary from place to place, so I cannot comment ...
post root canel fever9/23/2006
  Q: Today is Saturday and I thought I was over the fever, but it's back. I took my temp and it was at ...
  A: Although anything is possible, I think it unlikely that your fever would be caused by your root ...
Gum/Tooth pain following new Crown9/23/2006
  Q: I recently had my very first crown placed on 9-18-06. I do not remember how to count teeth but it's ...
  A: The firm contact between the new crown and the adjacent teeth is intentional-- that is what prevents ...
deep cleaning9/21/2006
  Q: I had a bad experience with dentist and try to avoid them but I broke a tooth and needed to see ...
  A: Bracy, The terms "cleaning" and "deep cleaning" are vernacular substitutions for more precise ...
tooth root resorption9/21/2006
  Q: I began orthodontic treatment approximately 16 months ago. This week, while seeing my dentist for a ...
  A: Dowden, You do indeed have significant root resorption. Whether it is sufficiently severe to pose a ...
Metal Bracket not bonding to tooth9/21/2006
  Q: I previously had Invisalign and it didnt work correctly so I switched to metal braces. But when they ...
  A: I can only speculate what your orthodontist intends to do. I don't think it should be a problem ...
novacaine injections9/21/2006
  Q: Recently I was having work done to the lower right side of my jaw and my dentist injected me with ...
  A: Davis, The target area for administering local anesthetic for a lower tooth lies close to a vein, ...
Dull ache with temporary crown9/21/2006
  Q: Bornfeld, I hope you can help me. A week ago I had a temporary crown put on, over a tooth with a ...
  A: Robbins, Quite naturally, I know almost nothing about the condition of your tooth-- whether this ...
Jaw Stiffness after filling9/20/2006
  Q: Bornfeld, thank you for this board where we may submit our questions on dental matters. About 3 ...
  A: The stiffness in your jaw may be due either to the prolonged opening of your mouth with a mouth prop ...
peridontal disease9/19/2006
  Q: Recently my family switched to a new dentist on our PPO plan. We've all had healthy exams in the ...
  A: Orth, A lack of symptoms alone is insufficient to rule out the presence of periodontal disease. ...
Staining on front tooth after dental cleaning9/19/2006
  Q: I just had a cleaning a couple of weeks ago and noticed that a large stain was developing on my ...
  A: Boehler, Although it is plausible that a cleaning with metallic instruments could cause a gray ...
Tests9/18/2006
  Q: What tests do endodontists do to determine the need for a root canal? Any special tests for cracks ...
  A: For the purposes of my answer, I will slightly rephrase your question to read "What tests do ...
pain in both sides of the upper jaw after a sinus and fistula problem9/18/2006
  Q: My name is Radina.I am writing to you because of my mom.For six months she has really bad pains-she ...
  A: In these difficult diagnostic cases, it is often helpful to consult with an interdisciplinary pain ...
Abcessed tooth resistant to Rx Tx9/18/2006
  Q: I have an ongoing problem with an abcessed tooth. This tooth is on the lower left and has had a ...
  A: I'm not sure I understand entirely what is going on here-- you state that the tooth had a recent ...
Loose tooth9/17/2006
  Q: I am evie miller. i am 11 years old. i have a first molar loose. and it is driing me ...
  A: I really think that it's better if you let the tooth come out by itself. Sometimes those baby teeth ...
Unstable Crown9/17/2006
  Q: Three days ago I had a permanent crown installed on tooth number 5. The first attempt was a failure ...
  A: Hardenbrook, It is difficult to infer just what is going on from your description alone. However, ...
Dental Implants/Abcessed Tooth9/16/2006
  Q: About 20 years ago I lost my 4 top front teeth in a hockey injury (butt end of a stick, actually!) ...
  A: Plant, The factors that permit use of endosseous implants must be properly evaluated before this ...
extraction9/16/2006
  Q: I had a lower back molar removed and am experiencing sever pain. It has been exactly a week today. ...
  A: I don't think any dentist should start doing an extraction that he cannot easily finish (I suspect ...
crowns9/16/2006
  Q: 3 parts - (taking teeth numbers from DDS report) I have a maryland bridge on teeth 6,7,8 (many years ...
  A: Some dentists have a "style" of doing things-- that is, they render treatment in ways that they have ...