Movement of a post/core
Two years ago, I had a post-and-core build-up for the third time. While eating dried apricots, I noticed that my premolar (tooth number four) feels like it is slightly moving elastically. I am wondering if this is normal, since there was no tooth structure above the gum before—could it be that the gums are moving?
Dear Sir/Madam,
A tooth should not have visible movement to the naked eye. If the post and core are moving, you should visit a dentist.
Movement of dental crowns
Dear Doctor,
I am 30 years old and had crowns placed two years ago. For the past two days, I feel a tingling sensation, and it seems like they are moving. Honestly, when I touch them, they feel like they shift. What should I do?
Dear Sir/Madam,
If you feel that the crowns are moving or have become dislodged, you should visit a dentist so they can be repositioned. If this is not done, there is a risk that the teeth underneath the crowns may start to decay.
Replacement of a filling
An old amalgam filling on my lower first molar was replaced. Since then, the tooth has been sensitive when biting for about a month. My dentist says this sometimes happens, but if it continues, the nerve may need to be removed. The filling was close to the nerve, but the tooth was completely healthy. When I run a toothpick over one spot, I feel a sharp pain. It doesn’t hurt with hot or cold, and it doesn’t hurt on its own.
This can sometimes happen when replacing amalgam fillings. It is possible to try treating this type of pain with a medicament that is placed on the tooth for a few weeks. Only if this does not help and the pain does not decrease should the nerve be removed.
Discomfort with a New Bridge
Good evening. Three days ago, I had a bridge placed in my lower jaw. It was temporarily cemented so we could see how it suits me. However, I am experiencing mild pain and I keep hitting it with my upper teeth. It feels very uncomfortable, and I have a sensation of tightness and irritation. Is this normal, or should I contact my dentist? Thank you.
Dear Madam,
Mild sensitivity can be present with temporary cementation. However, what should not be happening is contact with the upper teeth. You should contact your dentist so that your bite can be adjusted and balanced. This can be done even while the bridge is temporarily cemented.
Noise with Zirconia Crowns
I had zirconia crowns placed three weeks ago in both my upper and lower jaw. In the front, I have two bridges, each consisting of six teeth. Today, I noticed that when I slightly move the upper bridge, I hear a kind of tapping sound. Nothing feels loose, everything seems stable, but I have the sensation that there is some play or space. Also, during prolonged speaking, I feel that my lower teeth are hitting against the upper teeth, tooth on tooth. What is your opinion? What could be the cause?
Thank you in advance.
Dear Madam,
It would be advisable to check whether everything is in order and whether the bridge is still properly cemented. You should schedule a follow-up appointment with your dentist.
Pain After Root Canal Treatment
Dear Madam,
Greetings. My upper fourth and seventh teeth were prepared for the placement of a metal-ceramic bridge. After the preparation, while I was waiting for the bridge, the nerve in the seventh tooth became inflamed and we had to treat the tooth. First, a medicament was placed, which I kept for a week. Then the canals were cleaned and the nerve was removed, another medicament was placed, and the following day the canals were filled. Throughout this entire process, I had no pain at all. After the canals were filled, an X-ray of the seventh tooth was taken immediately and it looked perfectly done. On the same day, the bridge was placed with temporary cement. For the first few days, I had no pain. However, around the fifth day, I started to feel a dull pain in that seventh tooth, even though it no longer has a nerve, and the pain goes away with medication. Now I am experiencing pain that gradually starts within a minute, reaches a certain peak, and then subsides; after a few hours, it happens again. In short, the tooth has no nerve, there is no infection, and yet I am still experiencing some kind of pain.
Thank you in advance. Kind regards.
Dear Madam, the tooth may remain sensitive for some time after treatment. The discomfort should gradually decrease and eventually disappear. It is good that the bridge was placed with temporary cement, so there is no reason for concern.
Fracture of a Zirconia Crown
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have a zirconia bridge (block) in the lower jaw and one crown (tooth #45) cracked in the middle. What is the procedure — does the entire bridge need to be replaced because of that one crown? Thank you in advance for your answer!
Dear Madam,
If all the teeth in the bridge are connected, the entire bridge needs to be removed and a new one made.
Painful Wound Healing
Three days ago, I had my lower right premolar (tooth #44) extracted. It’s now the third day after the extraction, and I still have pain — it eases at times and then starts again. I have slight swelling, and something whitish has formed over the wound, but I’m confused because the pain isn’t calming down. As far as I can see, there is no pus. I don’t have a fever, but the pain is making me nervous. Sometimes I take a painkiller, but it feels like it doesn’t help. What should I do, and is this normal? The first anaesthesia didn’t work; I felt pain while the dentist was working, so he gave me a stronger one near the jawbone. I still feel mild pain in that area, too, but not as much as where the swelling and the wound are. Is this normal, or what should I do? Thank you.
Dear Madam,
If you have pain that does not go away with analgesics and is not decreasing day by day, it would be best to go for a check-up with your dentist. Based on how the wound looks and the symptoms you have, the dentist will decide whether it is necessary to place a medication inside the socket to help relieve the pain.
Injury to the Nerve
Good evening, after the extraction of a lower wisdom tooth I have tingling and numbness on the side of my tongue, probably due to an injury to the tongue nerve. My doctor says it may last 3 to 6 months. I am taking vitamin C, B-complex, folic acid and Neurovit. Do you recommend anything else to take, and is there a need for any additional examination? Thank you.
Dear Madam,
The therapy you are taking is standard in these situations; you only need patience for the nerve to recover.
Swelling of a lymph node
About seven months ago, I had my lower right first molar treated. According to my dentist, the tooth was successfully treated — the canals were cleaned and the nerves removed. The plan was to place a post afterward, but I kept postponing it due to personal reasons. A few days ago, the tooth cracked. I don’t feel any pain, but this morning I noticed a swollen lymph node under my chin on that same side. Could this be due to an infection in that tooth? I repeat, the tooth doesn’t hurt — probably because it’s non-vital, I guess.
It is necessary to take an X-ray of that tooth to determine whether there is an infection in the root. That would also clarify the reason for the swollen lymph node.