Hope Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry

Archives for August 2019

3 Surgeries and No Dental Implants

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I am a little frustrated. I had planned on getting a couple of dental implants. My dentist has placed many of them so I felt I was in good hands. When he first started the implant surgery he decided I needed some bone grafting done. So, we scheduled that procedure and completed it. After a period of healing, he went back in to do the implants, but decided there still wasn’t enough bone. Now, he’s saying I may not be a good candidate. What’s going on?

Luke

Dear Luke,

Illustration of dental implants in three parts

You should know right off the bat that there isn’t a specialty in dental implants. That being said, some dentists invest more times and training in the procedure than others. It sounds like, while your dentist has placed a lot of dental implants, he is new to the bone grafting procedure.

We’re all new at some point in our careers with every procedure. Plus, you’ve got two things going for you with your current dentist.

1. Your dentist is increasing his skills. That means he is doing more than just keeping up with his continuing education. This is the sign of a good dentist.

2. He’s being honest with you. He could have placed the dental implants in the third surgery in order to not admit the bone grafting procedure failed. They would have lasted for a while and then suddenly failed. You’d have no way of connecting it to the grafting.

Does this necessarily mean you are not a candidate for implants? No. If you really want them, you can still get them. It will mean you have to go to a dentist with a little more experience than your current dentist. I wouldn’t give up this dentist completely, though. He sounds like a good dentist. Instead, just find the right dentist for this particular procedure.

Finding the Right Implant Dentist

You want a dentist with extensive post-doctoral training in both the placement and surgical procedure for dental implants. Ideally, someone with so much training and experience they’ve attained a fellowship with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. You can click here to see Dr. Cha’s implant qualifications to give you an idea of what you’re looking for in an implant dentist.

I hope this helps you.
This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Porcelain Veneers and Root Canal Treatments

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Is it safe to get a root canal treatment when you have porcelain veneers? I’m hoping it won’t damage them. I really like my smile now. I don’t know for sure, I just know there’s been some pain in one of my teeth. The last time I had a tooth feel like this it required a root canal treatment. I’m not sure what to do.

Kelly

Dear Kelly,

a porcelain veneer wafer being placed on a tooth

The first thing I’d like you to do is to see your dentist and have the tooth in pain evaluated. It may be nothing, but if it is you don’t want to leave it until it becomes a dental emergency. It is always much easier to treat something early on.

A root canal treatment can be done, even with porcelain veneers. It’s fairly simple to open a path to the canal of the tooth at the back of the tooth. This won’t affect the veneer at all. What you have to beware of is whether or not the tooth behind the veneer will turn dark, which can sometimes happen after a root canal treatment.

Fortunately, there is a way to prevent this. You just have to find a dentist who understands the right procedure.

Keeping a Tooth White After a Root Canal

Before agreeing to a root canal treatment, you’re going to test the dentist by following these instructions.
1. First, ask your dentist if the darkening of the tooth can be prevented. If he says yes, you can move on to the next part of the test. If he says no, he’s already failed.
2. Once you find a dentist who says the darkening can be prevented, ask him how. He or she should answer they will make sure any gutta percha and other root canal filling materials are cleaned out of the inside of the crown of the tooth.
3. If they say that, you’re in good shape and the dentist has a good knowledge of keeping this a true color for you. If they don’t say that, consider them failed. Whatever you do, don’t try to teach them about what you were listening for.

You want a dentist who cares enough about his or her patients to keep up with their continuing education and learn these developed techniques.

A dentist may try to insist on a dental crown to keep it from breaking. If it is a front tooth, either incisor or canine, a crown will actually weaken your tooth, not strengthen it. What you need instead, is a dental post. They’ll need to provide you with a flexible whitish post.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

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