Archives for March 2024

Why Are My New Crowns Darker Than at First?

Posted on March 31, 2024 by AllSmiles.

Two weeks ago, my dentist placed ceramic crowns with a porcelain glaze on my upper center front teeth. They perfectly matched my natural front teeth. I approved my dentist to cement them in. After he cemented them, I noticed a gray tent, so I asked my dentist about it. He said he uses transparent cement, so maybe it is the lighting. I have looked at my teeth in sunlight, fluorescent light, and natural light indoors, but I still see the gray tint. I think that my dentist will not acknowledge the mistake because I am scheduled to get two dental implants next week. He probably just wants to keep moving forward with my treatment plan. How do I know if my dentist really used transparent cement? Or did something in the bonding process go wrong? – Thank you. Bethany from Wyoming

Bethany,

We are concerned about whether your dentist let you try in your new crowns before bonding them. However, we will provide some insight on what may have happened.

Why Would Crown Color Look Good Then Look Gray?

If your new crown color initially looks good then looks discolored, the issue could be with the try-in of the lighting.

Dental Crown Color During a Try-in

Did your dentist use a try-in paste between your crown and tooth for you to check the fit and color? The paste could create a perceived color difference from when the crowns were cemented. Tooth color, stain, or a metal post in teeth can cause crowns to have a hint of gray. Some dentists use clear glycerin to try in crowns and mimic transparent cement or bonding.

Color Metamerism in Dental Crowns

Color metamerism is a situation that occurs when a color appears one way in a specific type of light but looks different when the lighting changes. Some porcelains match perfectly under fluorescent light but look different in sunlight or other types of light. But high-quality bonding cement will not change colors, and curing will not cause your crown color to look different from your natural teeth.

If the grayness in your crowns is significant and noticeable, your dentist should agree to correct it at his expense. Pay attention to the type of light that makes your crowns look gray. Schedule an appointment with your dentist and ask him to look at your crowns in different lighting, including the type of light that affects your crown color. Your dentist should be willing to help you achieve the natural results you want.

Best wishes on a quick but thorough resolution so that you can start planning for dental implants.

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

Can Dental Implants Replace Canine Teeth Never Erupted?

Posted on March 26, 2024 by AllSmiles.

Neither of my top permanent canine teeth erupted. I still have my baby teeth. A dentist removed my lower canine teeth to help the permanent ones come in, but they are not in line with my other teeth. My former pediatric dentist recommended seeing an orthodontist, but our family could not afford it then. Now I am 26 years old and very self-conscious about the small teeth when I smile. My current dentist recommends removing the small teeth and replacing them with implants. I don’t know if I should see an orthodontist like my pediatric dentist recommended years ago or get dental implants. Does it matter? Thank you. Nabil from NV

Nabil,

Your permanent canine teeth may be impacted if you still have primary canine teeth as an adult. If your dentist took X-rays, they would show whether you have permanent teeth and their location.

Permanent Teeth That Do Not Erupt

When permanent teeth do not erupt, an orthodontist can help release them and use braces to guide them into the correct position.

Make a surgical opening to expose the tooth
Attach a bracket to the tooth if needed
Use braces, if needed, to help the tooth erupt and guide it into position

If your teeth are crowded or there is not enough room for the permanent tooth to erupt, an orthodontist may remove another tooth. When canines do not emerge, removing the first molar can make room for it. Braces will straighten and position the remaining teeth.

Permanent Teeth That Never Form

Permanent teeth never form sometimes, but it usually applies to lateral incisors, lower premolars, and wisdom teeth. It is rare for canine teeth not to develop.

Dental Implants for Impacted Permanent Teeth

Dental implant

Although you can agree to remove and replace your impacted permanent teeth with dental implants, it may not be necessary. Why remove impacted teeth if an orthodontist can release them and help them erupt? Unless the teeth are unhealthy or malformed, you should not need to replace them with implants.

Your former pediatric dentist’s suggestion was appropriate. We recommend you schedule a consultation with an orthodontist and then agree to X-rays and an exam. The orthodontist will explain the condition of your canine teeth and if they can do anything to save them and help them erupt. Consult a prosthodontist if you need dental implants.

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

Do I Need a Repeat Root Canal for an Abscess?

Posted on March 12, 2024 by AllSmiles.

The temporary filling fell out of my upper left canine tooth, which developed an abscess. My dentist said I needed another root canal to get rid of the abscess. If the abscess is not painful, why can’t I take more antibiotics to get rid of it? Do I really need another root canal? Thanks. Warren from MI

Warren,

Yes, you need another root canal to remove the abscess.

Can Antibiotics Remove a Tooth Abscess?

Antibiotics can fight an infection in your bloodstream. However, they cannot remove a tooth infection because there is no blood circulation inside the tooth. Although antibiotics can temporarily remove the abscess from your gum and bone, it will return when you stop taking the medication. A cycle of taking antibiotics increases your risk of breeding antibiotic-resistant bacteria in your body.

Infections of the jawbone, particularly the upper jaw, are risky because they can spread to the eye or the brain. Also, oral bacteria in a tooth promote decay from the inside out. If left untreated, a tooth will be unrestorable.

How Does an Abscess Develop in a Root Canal Tooth?

If a temporary filling falls out of a root canal tooth, bacteria from saliva can get into the tooth. Saliva can break down the seal of the root canal, reinfecting the tooth. After root canal treatment, a dentist must seal the tooth root with a filling material and cement and protect the seal with a temporary filling.

Five-step diagram of root canal treatment: accessing tooth, from removing the infection to filling and sealing the tooth

Root canal treatment removes tooth infection

After placing the temporary filling, your dentist should schedule your final restoration with a dental crown or permanent filling. Temporary fillings are easy to take off and not made to last long, so if you don’t get a final restoration promptly, it can fall out, leading to reinfection.

We encourage you to schedule an appointment for repeat root canal treatment and promptly get a crown or permanent filling according to your dentist’s recommendations.

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