infected tooth Archives - Drake & Wallace Dentistry

What’s the Best Treatment for a Calcified Root Canal?

Posted on January 10, 2025 by writeradmin.

My daughter’s dentist said that her root canal is starting to calcify and he wants to do a root canal treatment and crown on the tooth. I’m not crazy about her having metal in her mouth. Is there a way to do this without metal?

Paul

Dear Paul,

I’m going to first recommend that you get a second opinion on your daughter’s tooth before doing anything. Now, if your daughter’s tooth was infected, then it definitely would need a root canal treatment. However, just because the canal of the tooth is calcifying does not mean it needs a root canal treatment. Calcification of a canal simply means more dentin has deposited itself in a canal. This can happen naturally as we age or from a traumatic injury.

Sometimes a root canaled tooth needs a dental crown and other times it isn’t necessary. You didn’t say which tooth of your daughter’s her dentist wants to treat. A back tooth is more liable to fracture so a dental crown would make sense. A front tooth is a different story. A root canal treatment will weaken the neck of the tooth. If it breaks, it will break off there and a crown won’t be much help.

For a front tooth, I recommend to have a translucent fiberglass post placed in order to strengthen the tooth. Before placing the post, make certain that all of the root canal cement and filling materials are cleaned out from the inside of the visible part of the tooth. This helps to prevent discoloration.

As for dental crowns, you can definitely get some without metals. There are all-porcelain crowns, which are better for front teeth, as well as zirconia which does better for back teeth. There are metal-free dentists who can help you pick the best material.

Before you do any of that, though, please get a second opinion in order to make certain that she even needs a root canal treatment. I have my doubts.

This blog is brought to you by Decatur AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.

This Dental Chain Caused Problems with my Teeth

Posted on November 11, 2023 by writeradmin.

I went to a chain dental clinic that has several locations in my city. I’d been at the same location for a year and had several fillings done. A few weeks ago, I went into a different location because of scheduling and the dentist asked me where my previous work was done. I told him one of the other locations. He got quiet then told me one of my fillings actually needs to be a crown. That surprised me because I’d only had that filled six months previous. I decided to get a second opinion. I went to a private dentist who didn’t work for a clinic, even though it cost me more. After looking at the x-rays and doing an exam, he also asked me where I had my previous work done. He ended up telling me that all of my fillings need to be repalced and one of my crowns is improperly fitted and there is something called margins that need to be redone. I do believe him and don’t feel like he is taking advantage, but this is going to cost me a lot of money. Is there any way to get some of this money back? Also, is any of this a dental emergency that I need to take care of right away?

Andrew

Dear Andrew,

I’m sorry you are going through this. I think I can help you. Because there is such a discrepancy between the two dentists, I think you need one more option. Tell the second, private dentist that you believe him, but you need to get a refund from the chain in order to afford what needs to be done. You will have the best shot of that with two dentists in agreement about the shoddy quality of the work. Ask him for copies of the x-rays. Then, go see another dentist a distance away, possibly even another city. Don’t tell them what the first dentist said. You want it to be a blind second opinion. Just ask him to look at the x-rays as well as look you over and ask him what he thinks of the work.

If both dentists are in agreement, then you can go to the chain and tell them you have two independent dentists who found the work was defective and needs to be replaced. The dentists need to be willing to put their name to that, but I don’t think you’ll have much trouble with that. This should help you get the refund.

As to whether any of the work would be considered a dental emergency, the last dentist to treat you would be in a better position to tell you that than I would. I haven’t examined you. However, he could traige your work and tell you what is most urgent. Typically, a dental emergency would mean you have an infected tooth.

This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.

Is It Safe to Wait Three More Weeks for This Infection?

Posted on February 19, 2021 by writeradmin.

I had a root canal treatment that ended up having problems with a fracture in the tooth. My dentist sent me to a specialist who will remove it but he cannot for about three more weeks. I’ve already had this going on for three weeks and there is an infection in the area as well that is causing me pain. Is it safe for me to wait the three weeks?

Erin

Dear Erin,

As long as there is not anything unusual about this tooth that requires a specialist then, no, you do not have to wait. In fact, I would encourage you not to wait. Infected teeth are considered dental emergencies because they will continue to spread until the infected tissue is removed. Normally, you would do that with a root canal treatment. But, if you’ve had a returned infection then your root canal treatment failed. Additionally, you have a fracture in the tooth to deal with. There is no point in keeping that tooth.

My suggestion is you start with calling the specialist and tell him you want to be seen sooner. If he cannot accommodate you, then I would next call your dentist and tell him the wait is unacceptable and ask him to refer you to someone else. In the meantime, ask for an antibiotic to keep the infection under control. It won’t heal the infection, but it will help keep it from spreading.

The next step is what to do after you’ve removed the problem tooth. You will want to get the tooth replaced. That will be important, and not just for aesthetic reasons. If you leave the space open, then the surrounding teeth will begin to tip or shift into the empty space. This will throw off your bite. That type of situation can lead to painful TMJ Disorder.

The best tooth replacement option is to get a dental implant. It is the closest thing to having a healthy, natural tooth there again. In your place, that is the replacement I would want.

This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.

Can’t Afford Dentist with an Infected Tooth

Posted on July 13, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’ve been avoiding the dentist because he expects payment for everything up front. I had a cavity I didn’t have the money to get it filled because he wanted full payment, so I put it off. Now I’m pretty sure the tooth is infected. It hurts like mad and that part of my face is starting to swell. Will going to the ER to get antibiotics help?

Perry

Dear Perry,

Antibiotics alone won’t solve this problem. Tooth infections are different. A dentist has to physically go in and remove the infected pulp with a procedure known as a root canal treatment. You’re in a tough spot, but this is considered a dental emergency and I don’t want you to ignore it. There are ways to get the treatment you need but I want you to understand how serious this is.

Your face is already starting to swell which means your infection has already started spreading. Think about how close your jaw is to your heart and brain. If it manages to reach those areas, it can become life-threatening quickly. This is important.

Ways of Affording Dental Care

Though your dentist expects full payment up front, not every dentist is the same way. Some, especially in the case of an emergency like yours, will allow you to get the treatment you need and then pay it out. I would do an internet search using the term “affordable dentist“. These are the dentists most likely to be willing to work with you on payment.

Either they’ll have in house payment plans and let you pay them directly or they’ll work through Care Credit. This is a health credit card, with low and even no-interest payments depending on your credit.

This will allow you to get the treatment you need and hopefully save your tooth. The sooner you get seen the better chance you have of that. If you end up with a tooth extraction, that will also mean an expensive tooth replacement. Early intervention costs significantly less.

This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.