Archives for February 2024

Is a Salivary Gland Stone Causing Radiating Ear Pain?

Posted on February 29, 2024 by AllSmiles.

Man holding his ear portraying radiating ear pain, which salivary gland stones do not cause Last year, I switched from my dentist to a holistic dentist who replaced a mercury filling with a composite in a lower left back molar. Since then, I have felt pain in the area that radiates into my year. I felt a slight pain before the new filling, but it’s worse now. My dentist said I might have a salivary gland stone. Could I have a cavity beneath the new filling? Maybe I should find another dentist to see me today or tomorrow. – Thank you. Tyler

Tyler,

The symptoms of a salivary gland stone do not match what you describe. It sounds like a toothache. Many dentists offer emergency appointments for patients with escalating toothaches.

What Is a Salivary Gland Stone?

A salivary gland stone is a calcification (hardened minerals) in the salivary gland or the tubes that drain the glands. Calcification hinders salivary flow and can cause salivary inflammation. Although the cause of calcification is unknown, it is associated with dehydration, trauma inside a tooth, smoking, and gum disease.

Do Salivary Gland Stones Cause Radiating Ear Pain?

Salivary duct calcification would cause swelling or pain in salivary ducts, but the pain would not radiate in your ear. The ducts are under the tongue and in the middle of each cheek. An X-ray can reveal salivary duct inflammation.

Radiating ear pain sounds like a toothache. You can get a second opinion on your holistic dentist’s diagnosis. A second-opinion dentist will check the tooth with the new composite filling.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post. Read how they strive to provide patients with some of the best dental care in San Antonio.

Do I Have Nerve Damage in My Jaw After Tooth Extractions?

Posted on February 16, 2024 by AllSmiles.

Do I have nerve damage in my jaw after wisdom teeth extractions? I had the surgery three weeks ago, and my jaw is still numb on the bottom left side of my mouth. I can barely feel any sensation when I chew or eat. It’s almost entirely numb. I told my dentist about it, and she sent me to the oral surgeon for tests. I am waiting for a resolution. I have a follow-up appointment with my dentist next Friday, and I am anxious to see what she says about the lingering damage. Could the damage be permanent? I was waiting to get a dental implant in my bottom first molar, but now I’m afraid to do anything else to my teeth. Thanks. Eduardo

Eduardo,

Your dentist and oral surgeon likely agree that you’ve experienced nerve damage. It can heal in time, but in some cases, the nerves do not recover.

Nerve Damage Categories After Extractions

Bruising, crushing, and severing are nerve damage that can occur with wisdom teeth removal. The extent of damage affects your recovery.

Bruised – The feeling in your jaw will gradually return in about a month
Crushed – It takes about a year for new nerve fibers to grow
Severed – Permanent damage prevents the nerve from growing back

Although you have a follow-up appointment with your dentist next week, don’t expect to feel improvement. It can take a month to a year to regain the sensation in your jaw, depending on whether the nerve was bruised or crushed. Your test results from the oral surgeon will reveal the extent of nerve damage and what to expect.

Symptoms of nerve recovery

You may feel tingling in your lip as the nerve recovers and sensation will increase over time. Even people who do not fully recover report that the numbness becomes less intense than when the nerve damage occurred.

Schedule a consultation with a prosthodontist about replacing your first molar with a dental implant to discuss your concerns and treatment options.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.

Does a Failed Dental Implant Need to Be Replaced with a Bridge?

Posted on February 11, 2024 by AllSmiles.

My upper left first premolar cracked last summer while I was eating. My dentist pulled the tooth because he said he couldn’t save it. After seven lidocaine shots, I felt burning my tongue, and the roof of my mouth began to burn. My dentist said he would start a bone graft and immediate implant. My mouth healed, although the turning never stopped. My dentist placed the implant crown last November. I could feel the force of him trying to get the crown on, and it hurt so bad, so he gave me three more rounds of Novocain.

Over the Christmas holiday, the implant crown fell off. My mouth was burning, and it still burns. Last month, my dentist told me I needed a bridge instead of an implant. I’ve had 19 dental visits since last summer, and my mouth is miserable. Why would I let this dentist remove and replace the implant with a bridge now? What else should I consider before finding a new dentist besides asking for a refund? Thank you. Tyler

Tyler,

High anxiety can prevent achieving numbness during your dental appointment. Anxiety can significantly impact the effectiveness of local anesthesia, possibly explaining the burning sensation you feel. This sensation aligns with symptoms of Burning Mouth Syndrome, which, though its cause remains officially undetermined, has been linked to traumatic dental experiences. The initial diagnosis of thrush by your dentist, which was incorrect as the condition persisted, highlights a misunderstanding of your symptoms.

Dental Implant Failures and Dentist Expertise

Not all dental implant failures stem from improper procedures, yet many do, underscoring the complexity of implant placement. This procedure demands substantial training, which some dentists may lack. Your account raises concerns about the dentist’s competence in placing your implant. The sequence of issues, including the thrush misdiagnosis, the crown detachment, and the implant failure, casts doubt on his proficiency.

Investigating Implant Issues and Potential Actions

Dental implant with crown, abutment, and implant screw tagged

Dental implant success requires advanced training and experience

Questions about handling your implant, especially without mentioning looseness, suggest your dentist overlooked something. An infection typically results in some degree of dental implant looseness. Your first dentist’s attempts to attach the crown caused pain and may have compromised the implant’s integration with the bone, contributing to failure.

You can report the dentist to the state dental board or threaten to inform the insurer if dental insurance paid for some of your treatment. However, asking for a partial refund might be more strategic, considering the difficulty in proving the cause of implant failure.

Challenges in Pursuing Dental Malpractice

Navigating a dental malpractice lawsuit involves hurdles, including an expert witness. The compensation is usually low for such cases. Small claims court offers an alternative path without needing a lawyer, though you will still need expert testimony from a dentist to establish fault.

We recommend scheduling a consultation with a skilled implant dentist for an exam and review of your diagnostic studies. A failed dental implant compromises your oral health.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.