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.
Cantilever bridge
Dear Doctor,
I had a bridge where two adjacent teeth were supporting a third, suspended one. After about ten years, due to loosening and overloading of the bridge, the tooth next to the suspended one began to swell, and eventually the bridge fell out. That tooth had only undergone nerve removal but was never properly treated, and now there is an abscess around the root. Is it possible to treat such a tooth now, or is it too late since it wasn’t treated before the bridge was placed? The tooth doesn’t hurt or swell anymore, there’s no fistula, and the root isn’t painful to pressure, but the X-ray shows pus around the tooth.
Vitality test
Dear doctor, how does a dentist check whether the teeth are “alive”?
Dear patient,
The so-called vitality test can be performed with a special device designed for this purpose.
The tooth is touched with the device to see if there is any reaction in the form of mild pain.
Gap between crowns
Dear doctor,
Three months ago, I had crowns placed on my upper and lower teeth. Now, after three months, a gap has appeared between my central and lateral incisors. I went to the dentist, and he told me I should wear a night guard. Will the night guard reduce that gap?
Thank you.
Dear patient,
A night guard is used to prevent further movement and damage; it does not serve to return the teeth to their original position.
White sore after tooth extraction
Good evening, yesterday I had a lower left first molar extracted. Today the whole area where the tooth was has turned white, like a pocket of pus. I take Brufen two or three times a day because of severe pain. Do I need to see my dentist about this or not?
Dear patient,
If you have swelling in the mouth and an unpleasant taste, you should visit your dentist for a check-up.
Swelling after nerve removal
Hello. About 24 hours ago I had an emergency nerve removal from, I believe, the upper first premolar. I had a feeling of swelling that spread toward the sinuses. I didn’t have a fever until after the procedure, but now I have a slight one.
I used nasal drops. Is that normal? The pain is gone, I just feel pressure.
Dear patient,
If swelling is present, you should see your dentist for a check-up and possible introduction of antibiotic therapy.
Problems with dental treatment
Dear Doctor,
I have been having issues with my lower right seventh tooth for a month now. I went to the dentist, and a medication was placed in the tooth which I was supposed to keep for a month, but it quickly fell out. Since I didn’t feel any pain, I didn’t go back right away—only after a week, when pain started appearing on its own, lasting for about an hour before stopping. A medication was then placed to kill the nerve, and I was without pain for two weeks until a filling was placed. After the filling, I started feeling pain again, so I went back to the dentist. Two days later, he opened it and probably put in another medication and told me to return in seven days. Now he is away on vacation for three days, and I am still in pain. The pain occurs when I bite down, my temple is swollen (but not my cheek), and the right side of my jaw hurts badly. I think the pain is spreading toward my neck, and I feel stiffness. I also have a headache and feel very weak, since this problem has been going on for a month. Is it possible that I have developed an infection that is spreading through my body, and could I get sepsis, given that my dentist won’t be available for three days? I apologize for the long message—I am a big worrier, especially since I’ve never had dental problems before; this is my first time. Thank you in advance.