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Dr. Thomas

Archives for May 2024

My Tooth Broke After My Dentist Attempted a Root Canal

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My dentist says I need a root canal on a tooth that has had a crown on it for over 30 years. I have no problems with the tooth. My dentist attempted a root canal on the tooth and said that due to calcification, he needed to stop the procedure and referred me to an endodontist. He put a temporary filling in the tooth. I haven’t seen the endodontist yet, but my tooth broke last week. Is it worth trying a root canal, or should I get the tooth replaced with a dental implant? – Thanks. Shane from KY

Shane,

We are sorry to hear about your experience and difficulties with root canal treatment. After drilling through a tooth for root canal treatment, a temporary filling cannot strengthen the tooth. Although your dentist did not perform root canal treatment, he should take responsibility for your broken tooth.

What Is the Treatment for Decay Beneath a Crown?

A dentist must perform root canal treatment to remove decay beneath a dental crown. Removing the crown aids visibility. These steps are often successful:

  • Remove the crown
  • Remove the decayed tooth pulp and disinfect the tooth
  • Find the canal
  • Crown the tooth

Save or Extract a Tooth?

Whether a dentist should shave or extract a tooth depends on its condition. The tooth may not support a dental crown when little tooth structure is left. If you don’t have a forceful bite when chewing a dentist may decide to insert a dental post in the tooth, fill it in with composite, and attach a crown. However, a tooth-post procedure requires advanced training and experience.

Schedule a Second Opinion

We recommend scheduling an appointment with a dentist with post-graduate training in root canal treatment and tooth restoration.  The dentist will determine whether they can save your tooth or if you need a dental implant.

Sugar Land, Texas, dentist Dr. Siny Thomas of Cornerstone Dentistry sponsors this post. Read about Dr. Thomas’s commitment to giving his patients the best dental care he can.

My New Dental Crown Is Still Uncomfortable

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A dental crown that I got two years ago fell off. My dentist wanted to make a new crown instead of cementing the crown back on. I should have questioned my dentist about why she recommended a new crown, but I agreed to it. The new crown changed my bite, although it didn’t hurt. It feels weird and the sensation is hard to describe to my dentist. Her answer is vague about why the crown has changed my bite, but I have an adjustment appointment next week. Will I need another new crown? Thanks. Lyle from NM

 

Lyle,

A new crown should feel like a healthy, natural tooth. It should not disrupt your bite or feel uncomfortable.

What to Do About Discomfort with a New Dental Crown

If your new dental crown is uncomfortable and your dentist cannot resolve your concerns, get a second opinion. Untreated decay in the tooth beneath the crown can cause lingering discomfort. If the crowned tooth had a root canal in the past, you may not feel pain or have a toothache because root canal treatment removes infected tooth pulp and its nerves.

What Causes Tooth Decay Beneath Crowns?

Tooth decay beneath a crown can occur if bacteria or plaque get trapped between your teeth and the crown. Root canal failure can also lead to decay or an infection.

Your tooth’s condition will influence whether a second-opinion dentist recommends any of these options:

After retreatment, your tooth and bite should be comfortable.

 

Sugar Land, Texas, dentist Dr. Siny Thomas of Cornerstone Dentistry sponsors this post. Read about Dr. Thomas’s commitment to giving his patients the best dental care possible.

Can a Root Canal Save a Tooth that Broke at the Gumline?

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What’s the cheapest way to fix my left front tooth that broke at the gumline yesterday? I prefer not to pay thousands of dollars for an implant. Will a root canal work? Thanks. Dixon

Dixon,

Unfortunately, a cheap fix for a tooth broken at the gumline won’t last or fully protect your tooth.

What Is the Treatment for a Tooth Broken at the Gumline?

When a tooth breaks at the gumline, options are root canal treatment and a dental crown or implant. Depending on the tooth’s condition, it may not be savable, requiring an extraction and implant.

Can Root Canal Treat a Tooth Broken at the Gumline?

Depending on the tooth’s condition and location, a root canal and crown can treat a tooth broken at the gumline. Root canal treatment weakens a tooth, so if the tooth is subject to intense stress when you chew or bite, root canal treatment may not be the best option.

A dentist may recommend placing two flexible fiberglass posts in the tooth to stabilize it. After filling the tooth with composite to build up the tooth, the dentist will protect it with a crown (cap).

Can a Dental Implant Treat a Tooth Broken at the Gumline?

A dental implant can treat a tooth broken at the gumline. However, you must have an extraction first. If the tooth is savable without compromising your oral health, you may not need a dental implant. An exam and X-ray will reveal the tooth’s condition.

Seeing a dentist promptly after tooth trauma increases the chances of saving it. Schedule an appointment with a dentist skilled in root canal therapy and dental implants to explain your treatment options and what to expect.

Sugar Land, Texas, dentist Dr. Siny Thomas of Cornerstone Dentistry sponsors this post. Read about Dr. Thomas’s commitment to giving his patients the best dental care he can.

Can I Get a Refund for Dental Implant Failure?

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I cracked my upper left first premolar while eating last fall. My dentist pulled the tooth because he said he couldn’t save it. When he injected the numbing medication, I felt burning and tingling on my tongue and the roof of my mouth. My dentist did the extraction and placed a dental implant. When I returned months later for the implant crown, the installation hurt so bad that my dentist kept injecting the local anesthesia.

The implant crown fell off two months ago. My dentist said the implant was infected, so he performed another surgery and bone grafting. Then, he said I should not get implants but need a dental bridge instead. I don’t want a dental bridge. Can I get a refund for dental implant failure and for a dentist creating a situation that prevents me from getting an implant? Thanks. Aarya from GA

Aarya,

A dental implant with the crown, abutment, and implant screw labeledWe are sorry to hear about your traumatic experiences with tooth replacement. Your burning tongue and roof of mouth may be related to burning mouth syndrome. Although the exact cause of the syndrome is unknown, it often occurs after traumatic dental experiences. Your symptoms may improve when you find a dentist to resolve your concerns. Otherwise, the dentist can look for an alternate cause.

What Causes Dental Implant Failure?

A few factors that can cause dental implant failure include improper implant placement, too much force on the implant while placing the implant crown, insufficient bone volume, or a patient’s noncompliance with dietary restrictions or smoking.

Burning mouth and a lost implant crown don’t definitively point to dentist error. You would need a second opinion from another implant dentist, an oral surgeon, or a periodontist. An exam and CT scan will help identify the cause of your failed dental implant. If you can prove your dentist was at fault, you can file a complaint with the state dental board and notify your insurance company. Based on the second opinion, you can decide whether it is appropriate to ask for a refund.