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Dr. Thomas

Archives for October 2023

Will Antibiotics Work for an Abscess Instead of a Repeat Root Canal?

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After a root canal, the temporary filling fell out of my upper left first molar. My dentist says I need a repeat root canal because the tooth is abscessed. The abscess isn’t painful, though. Why can’t I eliminate the abscess with antibiotics instead of another root canal? I dread going through another round of sedation and a root canal. Thanks. Simon from Huntington, NY

Simon,

It would be best to have a repeat root canal to eliminate an abscess and infection. Antibiotics alone are not enough for root canal failure.

A dentist removes the infected tooth pulp during root canal treatment and replaces the pulp with a dental filling material and cement. A temporary filling protects the tooth from saliva and infection. However, a temporary filling must be replaced with a dental crown. Otherwise, your saliva will wear the seal between the filling and your tooth. When bacteria enter the tooth, infection recurs.

Can Antibiotics Alone Treat a Tooth Abscess?

Model of a dental implant with its parts labeled, for information on root canal failure and implants

An infection can progress without repeat root canal treatment, leading to extraction and a dental implant.

Antibiotics alone cannot treat a tooth abscess. The medicine circulates through your bloodstream to remove the infection but does not remove the infection inside the tooth. When you stop taking antibiotics, the abscess will return. A cycle of starting and stopping antibiotics can breed antibiotic-resistant bacteria, creating the need for increasingly more potent medicine.

In contrast, root canal treatment removes the infection. Antibiotics assist in removing the infection from your system. Infection can spread to your jaw, eye, bloodstream, and brain without repeat root canal treatment. As your tooth breaks down, it may become unsavable, requiring removal and a dental implant.

Please do not allow dental anxiety to prevent you from getting repeat root canal therapy. A repeat root canal with dental sedation is less time-consuming and healthier than allowing a tooth infection to linger. Without treatment, your oral and overall health will worsen, resulting in more dental appointments and possible medical concerns.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post.

Can I Trust My Dentist to Remove My Mercury Fillings?

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I want three mercury fillings removed, but I don’t know if I can trust my dentist to do it. The fillings are in my lower left second molar and the two teeth in front of them. When I asked my dentist about amalgam removal, he said I should keep the fillings until they wear out. I no longer want mercury in my mouth due to some health problems within the past two years. I am trying to clear my body of toxicity by changing what I eat and my environment. As part of my health transition, I want to replace the mercury filling with composite. I am concerned that if I insist on replacing the fillings, I cannot trust my dentist to follow the protocol to limit my mercury exposure. How would I know whether he is truly following the protocol anyway? I get sedation before dental appointments, so I won’t be fully alert. Should I find a dentist who routinely replaces mercury fillings with composite, like a biological or holistic dentist? Any advice? Thanks. Mo

Mo,

Your efforts to achieve a healthier lifestyle are commendable. Your healthcare providers should respect your choices and patient rights, including your desire for sanitary amalgam removal and replacement with composite fillings.

Can You Trust Your Dentist to Replace Mercury Fillings?

Three lower molar teeth with silver fillings, for information on Sugar Land sanitary amalgam removal

Holistic dentistry provides sanitary amalgam removal

If you have talked with your dentist about the process, you can trust your dentist to replace mercury (silver or amalgam) fillings with composite. Your dentist should be willing to explain how they practice safe amalgam removal and replacement. Some dentists isolate the teeth containing amalgam fillings and ensure you are not exposed to amalgam material or vapor.

If you are concerned about mercury in your teeth, you may want to consider a dentist who customarily practices mercury-free dentistry and removes amalgam fillings.

We suggest finding two dentists who practice biological or holistic dentistry, scheduling complimentary consultations with them, and asking questions to see if they will address your concerns. After your consultations, selecting a dentist you can trust will be easier.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post.

Will a Root Canal Darken My Porcelain Veneer?

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Will a root canal darken my porcelain veneer, so I need a new one? For about a month, I thought I was feeling sinus pressure, but during my last dental exam and cleaning my dentist said I had a periapical abscess. It’s my upper left tooth #12, so if it turns dark, it will be noticeable. My dentist is referring me to an endodontist for a root canal. I have porcelain veneers on eight teeth. Will a root canal darken my veneer? I feel my anxiety worsening just thinking about multiple dental appointments for a root canal and a new veneer. Thanks. Maralina from Austin

Maralina,

We understand your concerns about the effects of root canal treatment on a porcelain veneer tooth. It is unusual for a porcelain veneer tooth to require root canal treatment. We wonder if aggressive tooth preparation for veneers increased the risk of stress on the tooth and the need for root canal treatment. However, getting root canal treatment will prevent the infection from spreading into your bone or affecting other teeth.

Will Root Canal Treatment Darken a Tooth?

One porcelain veneer - available from Sugar Land cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas

Replacing root canal filler material with composite can prevent a porcelain veneer tooth from darkening

Root canal treatment will eventually darken a tooth unless your dentist removes the root canal filling material and cement from the tooth’s crown and replaces it with a light-colored composite. Your dentist can clean the root canal filling material from the portion of your tooth that shows when you smile. Your dentist can take the following steps:

  • Insert a white fiberglass post into the tooth
  • Fill the tooth with a light-colored composite
  • Monitor the tooth and porcelain veneer for color stability

The above method can prevent the tooth behind the porcelain veneer from darkening for five to ten years. During your exam and cleaning appointments, your dentist can monitor the tooth and determine when you need a new porcelain veneer.

By asking your dentist and the endodontist about sedation options, you can anticipate how dental anxiety may affect your upcoming dental appointments.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how he strives to give patients some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.

Can I Get My Tooth Reattached?

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The other day, I had a hard blow to my face, and the upper right first premolar was loose. Now it feels even more loose, and I fear it will come out soon. I have tied floss around the teeth in front and behind the loose one and made a knot to keep it in place. I don’t have dental insurance, so I haven’t really seen a dentist in over a year. If the tooth falls out before I figure out what to do, can the emergency room reattach it? Thanks. Seth from NJ

Seth,

Please see a dentist immediately. An emergency room is equipped for medical emergencies, not dental emergencies.

Can You Get Your Tooth Reattached?

Whether a dentist can reattach a tooth depends on its condition and how long it has been out of the socket. Handle the tooth carefully and keep it moist without touching the tooth roots. See a dentist immediately.

What Is the Treatment for a Loose Tooth?

A loose tooth must be stabilized to strengthen its attachment to ligaments, bone, and gums. According to the American Association of Endodontists, a dentist or endodontist may recommend the following treatment for a loose tooth:

  • Repositioning and stabilizing the tooth
  • Root canal treatment to remove infection
  • Replacing damaged tooth pulp with a root canal filler material

Please don’t delay scheduling an appointment because you don’t have dental insurance. A dentist may be able to save your tooth, but delays can increase the risk of losing it.

Many dentists accept same-day appointments. Call a few of them, explain that you don’t have dental insurance, and ask about payment plans.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post.

Can Porcelain Veneers Cause Loss of Taste?

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Ever since I got porcelain veneers, my taste has been impaired. Sometimes, it goes away completely. I am not sure what the process of getting veneers did because only the tongue depressor instrument was sometimes used on me. I don’t understand it. What is there about the veneers process that impairs taste? Thanks. Dina

Dina – Different factors can cause taste disorders. Porcelain veneers placement is unrelated to loss of taste or impaired taste. Although your loss of taste began after you received porcelain veneers, another issue likely caused it.

One porcelain veneer - available from Sugar Land cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas

Porcelain veneers do not alter or impair taste

Causes of taste disorders include the following:

  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Ear, nose, or throat surgery
  • Radiation therapy of the head or neck
  • Head injury
  • Exposure to certain chemicals or medications
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Certain medical conditions – including sinus and allergy issues, hormonal disturbances, dental problems, and more.
  • Genetics
  • Tobacco smoking
  • Age  (60+)

Why Address a Taste Disorder?

Loss of taste or impaired taste can ultimately affect your health. It can cause you to eat too little or too much. It can cause you to add too much sugar or salt to your food, which can lead to complications with diabetes or high blood pressure. Loss of taste can even cause depression.

Consult an otolaryngologist (ENT) to determine your taste disorder’s cause and treatment methods.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how he strives to give patients some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.