NetWellness Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Is Tooth Lengthening A Requirement?

Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:12:00 EST

Question: My mom recently had a crowned tooth break off at the gum line. The roots were evaluated and found to be quite healthy and intact, so she had a root canal. A week later, her dentist installed a post and put on a temporary crown. She was told that she needs to go see an oral surgeon to have a lengthen . . .

Answer: Good question. The procedure they are suggesting is called "crown lengthening". This procedure uncovers more of the tooth to attach the new crown to. It is a legitimate procedure; however. one may want to weigh this option and all of the associated costs against having the tooth extracted and plac . . .

Ask an Expert: Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Proper Dental Crown Length

Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:07:00 EST

Question: I`m 59, and recently had 2 crowns made for my upper left rear molars, one in porcelain and another in gold, as recommended by my dentist. I have had 8 crowns placed on other teeth in past years, all touched the opposing jaw`s teeth. These latest 2 crowns come nowhere near to touching the opposing lo . . .

Answer: Unless there are unusual extenuating circumstances, new crowns should usually contact the teeth in the opposing arch. You should point this out to your dentist who I am sure would be glad to fix the problem, if possible.

Hope this helps!

Ask an Expert: Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Is it Necessary to get a Crown?

Nancy Clelland DMD, MSD — Tue, 31 May 2011 21:05:00 EST

Question: I had a root canal on the bottom last molar. The tooth was severely comprimised after the procedure (a bit of a long story and several visits to a 2nd dentist and endodontist later). I am about to have the temporary filling removed and a permanant filling placed in. I am not sure if I want to spend . . .

Answer: Crowns are recommended after teeth have had endodontic procedures because losing vitality increases the risk of fracture. Certainly, extraction and implants are an option if the tooth fractures. The benefit to risk of crowning needs to be decided on an individual basis.

Ask an Expert: Nancy Clelland DMD, MSD, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Altered Test after 5 Hour Dental Crown Bridge

Nancy Clelland DMD, MSD — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:03:00 EST

Question: Altered taste after 5 hour upper front dental crown and bridge prep. Procedure was done on 1/21/11. After the injections 3+ I was shaking so bad that I had problems separating the pages of the newspaper I was reading. After the numbness wore off I noticed that my taste was off. I could taste salt an . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. I agree with your dentist.

Ask an Expert: Nancy Clelland DMD, MSD, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Older or Younger Prosthodontist?

Nancy Clelland DMD, MSD — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 12:12:00 EST

Question: Should I choose and older or younger prosthodontist? The older one is 60 years old but has a great reputation and is on my insurance. The younger one is good also but is not on my health insurance. Is the older one too old -- not enough updated knowledge or does all his experience make him great? I . . .

Answer: Sixty years old is not old for a prosthodontist. Many prosthodontists work into their seventies. The reputation may be more critical than the age.

Ask an Expert: Nancy Clelland DMD, MSD, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Proper Alignment of Implants

Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:10:00 EST

Question: My pano and x rays show that 2 implants (numbers 6 and 9)were placed at an angle where the tip of the implant almost touches the end of the root of Number 10 next to it. Some resorbtion of the tip of the number 10 permanant tooth root has occured. I am having discomfort in that permanant tooth and m . . .

Answer: All good questions, but difficult ones to answer without seeing the x-rays or clinical result. Remember that Panoramic radiographs are a two dimensional representation of 3D reality, so angles can often appear distorted. However, if an implant has contacted an adjacent tooth root and the patient has . . .

Ask an Expert: Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Problem with Crown

Julie Holloway DDS, MS, FACP — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:09:00 EST

Question: Several months ago I had a gold crown put on one of my molars. The dentist drilled out the old filling and assured me there was no sign of abscess or infection before placing on the crown. I`ve had nothing but pain in that tooth since (sensitive to heat and cold). The dentist says the nerve must be . . .

Answer: While not usual, it unfortunately is not uncommon. A tooth can withstand only so many fillings, and refillings before the nerve can no longer repair itself. One's reparative ability decreases greatly as we "mature." It may be that this procedure was the last your nerve could withstand. I hope this w . . .

Ask an Expert: Julie Holloway DDS, MS, FACP, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Nerve Damage

Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:08:00 EST

Question: I had implants three years ago and there was nerve damage. I am told that there might be something that can be done to bring the feeling back.

Answer: That is a difficult issue. You should make an appointment with an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon for a complete evaluation of your situation and possible treatment recommendations.

Ask an Expert: Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Pain After New Dental Bridge

Nancy Clelland DMD, MSD — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:06:00 EST

Question: Hi,

I had a bridge fitted 25 years age to replace a missing lower front tooth. I never had a moments trouble with it.

Through my dentist, I have recently whitened my teeth and as a result decided to have the bridge replaced (it was looking yellow!). I had the new bridge fitted a couple . . .

Answer: It sounds like you need to see your dentist and have the bite checked.

Ask an Expert: Nancy Clelland DMD, MSD, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants

Can a Titanium Implant Cause Migraine?

Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:06:00 EST

Question: I had a Titanium implant on Tuesday and have now had a migraine headache for three days. I'm taking Tylenol but no relief. Can this be a reaction from the implant?

Answer: It is highly doubtful that this is a reaction to the implant specifically. Migraines and dental implants have never been linked in the literature, or even casually, to my knowledge.

It is more likely related to the stress of surgery in general, the type of sedation that was used or it ma . . .

Ask an Expert: Ed McGlumphy DDS, MS, Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Implants