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Is a Salivary Gland Stone Causing Radiating Ear Pain?
Is a Salivary Gland Stone Causing Radiating Ear Pain?

Is a Salivary Gland Stone Causing Radiating Ear Pain?

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Man holding his ear portraying radiating ear pain, which salivary gland stones do not causeLast 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.

Can I Get a Broken Tooth Repaired While Pregnant?

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My left top premolar just broke in half. I am 5 months pregnant. Can I get an X-ray and the tooth fixed, or must I wait until after the delivery? BTW, I am having some tooth pain. I don’t want any metal crowns, though. Thanks. Myra

Myra – You can have emergency dental treatment during pregnancy. You are not yet in your third trimester, so you shouldn’t experience too much discomfort. Prolonged time lying on your back should be avoided during the third trimester.

Can You Get a Broken Tooth Repaired While Pregnant?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women should continue with routine dental care, including X-rays, ensuring their abdomen and thyroid are protected. If dental concerns require root canal treatment, extractions, or restoration, getting the treatment prevents more complex problems from arising.

A dental crown for a molar tooth

Holistic dentistry includes all-ceramic crowns

A broken tooth must be treated to avoid infection, which can spread into your jawbone and bloodstream in severe cases. The same applies to an infected or abscessed tooth; it must be treated to prevent the infection from spreading. As little local anesthetic as possible should be administered, but you don’t want the pain from having far too little anesthetic to put stress on you or the baby.

Preventive dental care during pregnancy should not be neglected. Preventive care can protect your teeth from decay, which may result in a dental emergency, and periodontal (gum) disease linked to premature birth.

Notify your obstetrician of the dental emergency, and ensure your dentist has a current list of your medication. Ask your dentist for holistic treatment options.

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

Why Are My New Porcelain Veneers Staining?

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Yellow plumeria flowers on a white towel, portraying holistic dentistryIf porcelain veneers are stain resistant, why are there stains around mine? I got the veneers in October 2021 and will finish paying for them this year. They will be yellow before I finish my payments. I wonder if the problem is from some chemicals the dentist used on the veneers. I should have followed my instinct and looked for a holistic dentist. What can my dentist do to stop the staining? Please don’t say that I will need new veneers. Thank you. – Luz

Luz

Yes, intact porcelain veneers are stain resistant. A cosmetic dentist would need to examine your veneers or see pictures of them to determine what may be causing the stains. But we can explain a few possibilities.

Three Reasons that Porcelain Veneers Might Stain

Porcelain veneers may stain if there is damage to the glazed surface if there is a gap where the veneer and tooth meet, or if there is excess composite bonding around near your gumline. These are mistakes that even a holistic dentist can make if they don’t have advanced cosmetic dentistry training:

  • Damage to the glazed surface – Power polishing equipment or acidulated fluoride can damage your veneers. If a dental hygienist mistakenly used either on your tooth and damaged the laze, you can see stains across the surface of your porcelain veneers.
  • Gap between the porcelain and your teeth – If a dentist left a gap between the porcelain and your teeth, bacteria could leak in and stain your teeth.
  • Excess composite bonding – If a dentist does not thoroughly clean the composite around your teeth, it can cause staining.

How to Remove Stains from Your New Veneers

If you have porcelain veneers, a skilled cosmetic dentist can polish your veneers. For regular polishing, a hygienist can use ultra-fine polishing strips and paste to remove plaque and keep your veneers smooth and stain resistant.
Regular maintenance can prolong the life of your veneers. You may want to schedule a second opinion skilled cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers and determine why they are staining. Then you can determine if you want your current dentist to polish them or if you want to find another provider.
San Antonio, TX, dentist Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.

What Will a Holistic Dentist Do for Old Tooth Fillings?

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I have four old tooth fillings that I want to be replaced by a holistic dentist. In 202, a GYN oncologist diagnosed me with cancer, and since that time, I have been even more careful about my health choices. I found a holistic dentist within a reasonable driving distance, but she doesn’t accept dental insurance. What will the dentist do for old tooth fillings? Does the fact that she does not take insurance mean that she charges more than usual? – Jessica

Jessica –  Thank you for contacting 5 Star Dental Group in San Antonio.

What Will a Holistic Dentist Do for Old Tooth Fillings?

A holistic dentist will replace old tooth fillings with composite fillings. If your existing fillings are amalgam (silver), the dentist will remove them with the following steps:

  • Isolate each tooth that requires treatment
  • Break the fillings into chunks to minimize your exposure to mercury
  • Sanitize your mouth
  • Replace the fillings with a dental composite

What Are Composite Teeth Fillings?

Before and after pictures of composite fillings, available from Dr. Tostado of San Antonio

Holistic dentist use white composite fillings

Composite teeth fillings are a mixture of quartz or glass with dental resin. The fillings are biocompatible. Your dentist will select a composite shade that matches your natural teeth. Dental composite strengthens tooth structure.

How Much Do Composite Fillings Cost from a Holistic Dentist?

A holistic dentist’s fees for composite fillings depend on the condition of your teeth and the extent of decay that requires removal and replacement with composite. You may contact the dental office again to ask about their holistic dentistry fees. The dental office may offer payment plans for treatment. Also, contact your dental insurance company to determine how much you may be reimbursed for treatment and estimate your out-of-pocket costs.

If you cannot find a dentist who advertises holistic care, look for an advanced cosmetic dentist that only offers mercury-free fillings. You can ask about their procedure for sanitary amalgam removal or how they minimize your mercury exposure.

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

 

How Can I Get Silver Fillings Removed Without Any Side Effects?

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I want the silver fillings out of my mouth because of the mercury in them, but I want to avoid side effects. I have a cousin who is very health conscious. She says that I shouldn’t let my regular dentist take the fillings out and that I should go to a biological or holistic dentist (is there a difference?) instead. Would a holistic dentist remove fillings differently than a regular dentist would? I don’t want to go to a dentist who charges more for a fancy name and a “special process” that I cannot afford. Thanks. Journey from Hempstead, NY

Journey,

Thank you for your question.

How Can You Get Silver Fillings Removed Without Any Side Effects?

Silver fillings in lower teeth - for info on removing fillings without side effects

Consult with a holistic dentist to replace amalgam (silver) fillings

You can get silver (amalgam) fillings removed without any side effects by visiting a dentist who practices sanitary amalgam removal. Although holistic or biological dentists practice sanitary amalgam (silver fillings) removal, each dentist’s procedure may vary. Some general dentists that do not advertise as holistic dentists still use a process that minimizes mercury exposure while removing amalgam fillings.

In general, you can expect the following steps:

  • Rinse your mouth with a solution that binds to the mercury
  • Isolate the affected teeth with a rubber dam to prevent amalgam particles from floating around in your mouth
  • Give you pure oxygen to breathe while extracting the silver fillings
  • Divide the amalgam fillings into pieces for easier removal
  • Use a high-speed oral vacuum to remove the bits of amalgam
  • Rinse your mouth clean with a mercury-binding solution that removes residue from your mouth
  • Prepare your teeth for composite fillings

How Long Does Sanitary Amalgam Removal Take?

Sanitary amalgam removal takes less than a minute per tooth. You will spend most of your time in the dental chair while the dentist prepares your teeth for composite fillings, places them, and light-cures them. Switching from amalgam to composite fillings can take 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of teeth affected.

Schedule a Consultation

You can schedule consultations with one or two cosmetic dentists who practice holistic dentistry or sanitary amalgam removal. Each dentist will provide details on how they safely remove the fillings while minimizing your exposure to amalgam particles.

San Antonio prosthodontist and cosmetic dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.

 

My Implant Crown Color Is Off. Should I Switch Dentists?

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Although my dentist replaced the first mismatched implant crown, he gave me, the second crown is no better. Twice I went to the lab my dentist uses for color assessment. But my dentist attached the crown without assessing the color. He did not even ask my opinion. I thought he was putting the crown on for me to check—not cementing it. It felt as if my jawbone would break because my dentist had trouble attaching the crown to the implant. Well, now the crown is the wrong color, and it hurts. I chose this dentist for his holistic approach, but it doesn’t seem like he is good with crowns. Should I ask for a refund and find a better dentist? Am I wrong for thinking this is ridiculous? Thank you. Sherry from Utah

Sherry,

Your frustration is understandable. Unfortunately, you are the victim, but your case shows the difference between dentists who understand aesthetics—creating beautiful dental work—versus those who want to fix it and get it done.

Although your dentist is interested in holistic care, it seems your dentist lacks aesthetics training, so your crown does not match. And your description makes it seem that your dentist is not interested in your satisfaction with the work either.

What Can You Do If Your Implant Crowns Do Not Match?

Dental implant with crown, abutment, and implant screw tagged

Dental implant

If your dental crowns do not match and your dentist cannot correct them, you need to find a dentist trained in aesthetics and with artistic inclination. A skilled cosmetic dentist is your best option for getting predictable results.

A cosmetic dentist would ensure the crown color is correct before cementing it. And if the color is off, they will return your crown to the lab to correct it.

When a dentist sends you to the lab for a color check, it is a clue that the dentist is not skilled in matching restorations (e.g., a crown) to your tooth color. Your dentist should be more qualified than the technician and instruct the technician with notes on what to do to color-match the implant crown to your natural teeth. A cosmetic dentist also sends a shade guide and pictures of your smile to help the lab tech craft an accurate match.

How to Find a Reliable Cosmetic Dentist

We recommend looking for a holistic dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training. How can you find a trustworthy cosmetic dentist?

  • Look for a dentist with extensive post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry.
  • Look at a few holistic dentists’ websites and smile galleries to see the quality of their work.
  • Then, schedule consultations with two of them, discuss your concerns, and decide who you can trust to finish the work.

Best wishes for a beautiful new implant crown.

Gilberto Tostado, DDS of San Antonio, TX, sponsors this post. Dr. Tostado is a prosthodontist, or specialist in tooth replacement and restoration.

My Dentist Replaced Crowns and Fillings and Can’t Fix My Bite

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My dentist replaced a fused-to-metal crown with a ceramic one. She also replaced silver fillings with white ones. I have had the same dentist for five years with no problems. I chose her because she is the only holistic dentist within 75 miles of my home, and I work from home. My dentist used CAD/CAM technology to make my crown and cemented it without checking my bite. Unfortunately, my bite was off, so she sanded the crown and asked me to let her know how it felt in a few days.

I returned to the office the next week with no improvement, so my dentist sanded the tooth in front of the crown, as well as two front teeth. A dental assistant helped the dentist and did some of the work while my dentist saw other patients. My bite was still off, so my dentist said I needed to see an orthodontist. None of these problems existed before my dentist replaced the crowns and fillings.

Last week, I got a second opinion, and the dentist said the crown is too high and too small. He would need to replace the crown and build up the teeth that my dentist and assistant sanded down. The dentist also mentioned that Invisalign might help.

Now, I neither trust my dentist nor the dentist who gave me the second opinion because I am unsure whether he sees me as an opportunity to get money. I would rather get a temporary crown and take time to think this through, but who do I trust for that? – Thank you. Jazmin T.

 

Jazmin,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Tostado’s office and sharing your experience. We are sorry that you have experienced so many disappointments while getting metal-free and mercury-free solutions to preserve your teeth.

Should You Switch from a Holistic Dentist?

You can consider switching from a holistic dentist if your dentist cannot restore your teeth correctly. Many dentists who do not advertise as holistic respect patients’ rights and needs for mercury-free or metal-free options. They are also alert to chemical sensitivities and other factors that can affect the quality of your care.

Your dentist violated the standard of care by giving you faulty tooth restorations and damaging your natural teeth while adjusting your bite. You have grounds for contacting the state dental board and an attorney.

Does CAD/CAM Technology Produce Faulty Crowns?

Ceramic crown as an example of what holistic dentists use

Look for a trained cosmetic dentist who offers holistic or biocompatible options

Many dentists use CAD/CAM technology and complete dental crowns successfully. Digital impressions have greater accuracy than physical impressions. But building a high-quality crown requires a trained, skilled dentist to direct the equipment. And a dentist must understand how to adjust your bite before cementing a crown.

How Can You Find a New Dentist?

You can find a new dentist by looking for one or two highly skilled dentists sensitive to patients’ requests for biocompatible dental materials and advanced cosmetic and restorative dentistry training. Schedule a consultation with each dentist to discuss your treatment options. The dentist may be willing to explain what you must do to get a refund or compensation from your previous dentist.

Dr. Gilberto Tostado, a San Antonio cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

Dental Practice Did the Wrong Treatment. Can I Get a Refund?

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One dental crownI’ve been a patient at a large dental chain for the past four years. Depending on my circumstances, I’ve had work done at two locations – one close to home and the other near work. When I recently visited the office near my house, the dentist asked me who placed fillings on two molar teeth because they looked deteriorated on my x-rays. She said that I probably needed root canal treatment and crowns.

After I told the dentist that I received the fillings at the same practice to replace old silver fillings with white ones, she was silent for a few seconds. She explained that if I didn’t get root canals and new crowns, an infection would worsen the situation.

I got a second opinion at a dental practice that is not a chain. The dentist confirmed that I need root canal treatment and crowns. I’m not sure why the chain dental practice didn’t recognize that before wasting my money on fillings. How can I get a refund before leaving this practice? Thank you. Gerard from Memphis

 

Gerard,

Thank you for contacting us. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Placing composite fillings takes more skill and time than placing silver fillings. But composite fillings are healthier for teeth, and when completed correctly by a cosmetic dentist, the fillings preserve tooth structure and seal out bacteria. But if you needed crowns instead of fillings, a dentist misjudged the condition of your teeth.

We recommend getting another second opinion to confirm that you need root canal treatment and dental crowns. Ask for a copy of your dental records from the chain dental practice.

Also, be upfront about getting another second opinion. If you want to get the work done from the first dentist from whom you received a second opinion, explain that you’re upset about the confusion. Also, ask if they will help you get a refund from the chain for placing defective composite fillings or placing them when you need crowns.

After your new second opinion, if the dentist agrees that you need root canal treatment and crowns, ask your new dentist to call the dentist who placed the fillings. Your dentist should explain:

If the dentist from the chain dental practice doesn’t want to issue a refund, you can do three things:

  1. Explain that you will post online reviews on social media and any review platforms the practice uses.
  2. Tell the dentist that you will file a complaint with the state dental board.
  3. Explain that you will speak with an attorney, although you probably don’t have a big malpractice case.

Although we can’t guarantee that the dentist will refund you, you can try.

Large dental practices usually have high overhead costs and are driven to be profitable. They often hire many dentists who come and go. Depending on which day of the week you have an appointment, you may receive care from multiple dentists. It can be challenging to establish a relationship with one dentist you trust. But all large practices are not the same. Some consistently offer high-quality care.

Generally, dentists at smaller practices have a higher level of care, ethics, and professionalism. We hope your new dentist will restore your teeth well and help you regain good oral health and a great smile.

 

San Antonio prosthodontist and cosmetic dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.

Metals in Dental Crowns

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I prefer natural medicine and am in need of a dental crown. Because of my thyroid issues, I do not want any lithium, metals, or metal ions in any of my dental work. I like the look of ceramic crowns and wondered if they would fit the bill for me.

Caolyn

Dear Carolyn,

A porcelain crown being placed on a tooth

 

Ceramic crowns are metal free, However, the metal ions are another issue altogether. There are metal ions in all ceramics. That being said, I want you to understand that metal or metal ions in themselves are not harmful. For instance, you have metal in your bloodstream at all times, with iron. Some metal ions are necessary for your health. Some of these are calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and cobalt. There are others.

The type of dental crown you want to avoid are those with a metal base. Any all-porcelain or ceramic crown will be perfectly safe and even beautiful when done by the right dentist as long as they don’t have that metal base I mentioned.

When you have a metal based dental crown, the results are usually more opaque than you would want them to be for a beautiful result. In addition, they all end up with a gray line at your gumline.

One thing I would look for in your place is a holistic dentist. They are much more willing to work around a patient’s preferences and almost all of them are metal free as a matter of course.

I hope this helps.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Dentist Dr. Tostado.

Implant Overdentures with Metal Allergies

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I wanted to get some advice from you. I am currently wearing dentures and hate them. I want to switch to implant overdentures but have been told that I am allergic to nickel, mercury, and cobalt. I can’t wear jeans that have metal buttons or snaps. Is it possible for me to get implant overdentures with those limitations?

Jack

Dear Jack,

Zirconia Versus Titanium Implants

 

There are many denture wearers that are looking for options. The good news is, you will still be able to get implant overdentures with your allergies. In fact, you’ll have two options. Before we go into that, though, I want to check something. You did not mention how long you have been wearing dentures. That will have an impact as to how quickly you can switch.

When your teeth were first removed, your body began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone because it sensed that you no longer had any teeth roots there. The longer you wear dentures, the less jawbone you have. Unfortunately, you need that jawbone in order to retain the dental implants for the overdentures. When you see an implant dentist, they should do a lot of diagnostic x-rays. Make sure they also include a CT scan. That is important. Those diagnostics can tell whether you still have enough jawbone.

If you don’t, there is a procedure that can be done. You’ll need some bone grafting in order to build back up the necessary bone. Once that is done and has had time to heal, you will be ready for those dental implants.

Dental Implants with Allergies

Traditional dental implants are made from titanium, which are highly biocompatible. They have been used for decades in the human body as prosthetics for things like hips, bones, joints, and teeth roots. It would be foolish to say no one has an allergy to titanium, but I will say it would be extraordinarily rare for you to be. The allergies you listed above, with the exception of mercury (which most patients try to avoid anyway as it is toxic), are fairly common metal allergies. You should not have any problems with titanium.

If you are still concerned, there is a second option. There is a newer material being used for dental implants called zirconia. This is so strong it is dubbed liquid steel. The only downside is that not as many dentists offer it because it has not been around that long. Your best option would be to look for a metal-free dentist or a holistic dentist if that is the type of implant you would like to use.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Dentist Dr. Tostado.

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