Hope Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry

Archives for July 2021

Should I Be Able to Floss Between My Porcelain Veneers?

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Before I got porcelain veneers in February, I was able to floss with no problem. I’m trying to take care of my veneers, but I worry about not being able to floss. Earlier this month, I had my six-month checkup and cleaning. I told my dentist about the flossing issue, but he didn’t seem to be concerned. I use a water flosser instead, but I’m not sure it is effective since the veneers are so tight. Should I be able to floss between my veneers? – Thank you. Rhea from Arkansas

Rhea,

Thank you for your question. We are concerned that you cannot floss between your veneers, and you should be concerned, too. After you get veneers, floss you easily glide between your tooth without catching or snagging.

What If You Cannot Floss Between Porcelain Veneers?

If you cannot floss between porcelain veneers, the result is the same as not being able to floss between natural teeth. Plaque buildup can promote gum irritation, inflammation, and disease.

Flossing is a vital part of oral hygiene because it is an effective way to remove plaque. The American Academy of Periodontology confirms that without flossing between your teeth, dental plaque causes inflammation. And advanced gum disease is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. So, flossing between your porcelain veneers is essential.

Why Can’t You Floss Between Your Porcelain Veneers?

If you cannot floss between your porcelain veneers, your dentist’s bonding technique may be at fault. When bonding veneers on, a skilled cosmetic dentist takes these precautions:

  • Prime each tooth with etching and bonding agents
  • Place bonding composite in each veneer and press the veneer onto each tooth
  • Removes excess composite (bonding material) before hardening it
  • Use an ultra-small light curing tip only on the center of the composite of each tooth
  • Floss between teeth to remove excess composite and ensure surfaces between teeth are smooth
  • Curing remaining composite with a larger curing tip to ensure a solid attachment
  • Use fine polishing strips between teeth to smooth them

We recommend that you ask your dentist to correct your veneers so that you can floss between them with ease. If your dentist does not readily help you, schedule an appointment for a second opinion with an advanced cosmetic dentist who is concerned about helping you achieve healthy teeth and gums.

 

Dr. Jerome Cha, a Tulsa, OK accredited cosmetic dentist (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry), sponsors this post.

Twelve Shots of Novocaine to Get Numb

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I had a tooth extracted and it’s been nothing but a disaster. First, it took the dentist twelve shots of Novocain to get me numb enough for the procedure. That was fun. Then, a few days later a bone spur appeared. This took the dentist over 30 minutes to remove. Now, a week after everything, this ridge has appeared with something sharp sticking out. I sort of don’t know how good my dentist is at this point and am just wondering if this is a normal part of the healing process or should I be concerned?

Jack H.

Dear Jack,

man in a blue clothes posing on white holding his jaw in pain

Let’s start with the problem of getting numb. There are two possibilities for why it took so many shots of Novocaine to get you numb. The first is that your dentist missed many times, possible but unlikely. The second is that you had some dental anxiety. Many dentists still haven’t recognized the connection between dental anxiety and the ability for the anesthetic to work. The higher your anxiety, the more it burns off the medication. If you had trouble getting numb at first, that would only increase the anxiety, making it even harder to numb you.

I am going to suggest for your next appointment that requires anything other than a cleaning and checkup that you ask him or her to use dental sedation. If they don’t offer that this will not be the best dentist for you. In that case, do an internet search for a sedation dentist and go there. You will need some pain free experiences under your belt again before you will be able to get numbed quickly.

As for the sharp ridge that has appeared. This is actually quite normal. When your tooth is removed, those sharp edges are already there. You don’t notice it then because your gums are swollen and covering it. As the swelling goes down and the gums recede from the extraction it becomes more obvious. Your dentist can easily smooth it over or clip it. Again, though, I’d ask for some form of sedation.

One other thing. When a tooth is removed, it really does need to be replaced. If you don’t, the other teeth can shift or tip into the spot, which will throw off your bite. A misaligned bite is one of the causes of TMJ disorder and that is not something you will want to mess around with. The best tooth replacement is a dental implant, so I’d look at that first.

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

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