Emergency Dentist Archives | Poplar Crossing Dental

Is a Tooth Infection Really That Dangerous?

Posted on September 6, 2024 by writeradmin.

I had a broken wisdom tooth, which has been like that for a while. Recently, it changed. I think it has developed an infection. I’ve been taking an antibiotic, which helped for a bit but now has stopped working. The pain has not gone from my wisdom tooth to my cheek which is swollen. Today some pain started in my temple. I think I should just get another antibiotic from my doctor. However, my sister, who is a bit of a worrier if I’m being honest, thinks that this is a serious tooth infection beyond antibiotics and that I am putting myself in danger. Are tooth infections really that serious?

Calvin

Dear Calvin,

While your sister may be a worrier, there is a benefit to that. I know of a cancer patient who felt stupid for always running to the doctor any time something odd was going on. Rather than make her feel foolish, he said, “It’s the paranoid ones who survive.” In this case, though, your sister isn’t even being paranoid. She is right on the money.

Not only are tooth infections serious, but people still die from them. Antibiotics will not cure an infected tooth. The best they can do is hold it off temporarily. That won’t last long though, as you’ve discovered. There are only two ways to deal with a tooth infection. The first is with a root canal treatment. The second is by extracting the tooth. The ideal is to have the root canal treatment done because that saves your tooth.

However, if the tooth is too far gone and cannot be saved, then a tooth extraction is your only option. The big downside to this is that you have the additional expense of having to replace the tooth. If you don’t, then the other teeth will drift or tip into the open space. This can lead to TMJ disorder.

You have a benefit here in that it is your wisdom tooth which is infected, so you can just extract it without it needing to be replaced. I wouldn’t worry about a root canal treatment and go straight for the extraction in your particular case. This is a dental emergency. Please don’t put this off.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.

Am I Going to Lose My Tooth?

Posted on July 20, 2024 by writeradmin.

I was on vacation when I lost about 1/3 of a tooth. I went to an emergency dentist where I was and they did a root canal treatment. When I got home my dentist checked the work and said it was fine. He later put a dental crown on it. A year later, my tooth became very sensitive to hot and cold. I ignored it at first and when it got to where I couldn’t, I went back in. The dentist didn’t see anything wrong with it and sent me to an endodontic specialist. The specialist said that he thought the problem was the tooth next to the injured one, but didn’t see anything on the x-ray. His opinion is that I’m probably putting pressure on it while I was sleeping. Here’s my problem. The tooth pain comes and goes. It’s hurting less and less, but I’m worried that means something bad. Am I going to lose this tooth?

Minnie

Dear Minnie,

When you had the trauma to the tooth that was broken, it is very likely that your adjacent teeth received some trauma as well. In some cases the tooth does not initially show any signs of that trauma. Then, a year (and sometimes even more) later, your tooth starts to hurt and the symptoms blow up. If the pulp of your tooth is inflamed, it would not initially show up on an x-ray.

If the pain is going away, then one of two possibilities is going on right now. First, the tooth could have resolved itself and everything will be fine. Or, it is possible that the tooth is dying. If it is the second option, then the problem will eventually show up on an x-ray. The tooth will also begin to turn dark.

So, what should you do? Right now, you don’t have to do anything. I would continue with your regular dental appointments and make sure to have the tooth x-rayed every couple of years. If the tooth doesn’t get any worse, then you have nothing to worry about. If it does start to show signs of a problem, then you will need to have another root canal treatment and dental crown.

It’s not currently a dental emergency or anything to worry about. I’m not worried that you are going to lose your tooth. I hope this puts your mind at ease.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.

A Broken Porcealin Veneer

Posted on May 18, 2024 by writeradmin.

I had about ten porcelain veneers done several years ago. This week, one of them broke off. I was able to save the pieces. My dentist had me come in and used a temporary try in paste to put it on. It doesn’t feel great and looks funny because it is in two pieces. They want me to come in to have a crown placed on that tooth in about two weeks. I told them I didn’t want to wait that long, but they said it was not a dental emergency and it isn’t a problem to wait. I have a couple of concerns. First, do I have to get a dental crown? Could I not just replace the porcelain veneer? Second, do I have to wait that long to get it fixed?

Maya

Dear Maya,

I have good news for you on both counts. First, do not get a dental crown. There is no reason to grind down healthy tooth structure. It is much better to replace the porcelain veneer. It is best if all the dental bonding material is removed first. While that is not completely necessary, it is useful. As long as the surface is properly treated, that is all that matters. However, I would not push your dentist into doing it. When a dentist suggests a porcelain crown over a porcelain veneer unnecessarily, it usually means that they are not comfortable creating the porcelain veneers because they do not have the adequate training and artistic skill. You do not have to go to the same dentist to have this redone.

Secondly, you do not have to wait the amount of time that your dentist is suggesting. He’s putting you off. While it may not be your typical dental emergency, it is an esthetic emergency and dentists who do a lot of cosmetic dentistry understand that and make time in their schedule for such things. As I’m suggesting you see someone else anyway, do a search for some skilled cosmetic dentists in your area and see if they are willing to get you in sooner. Just make certain to look at their smile gallery in order to be certain they do beautiful work. If they don’t have a smile gallery on their website, they are not a skilled cosmetic dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Cosmetic Dentist Dr. William Becker.

Cyst or Abscess?

Posted on November 23, 2023 by writeradmin.

I have had a lump above one of my teeth for a while. My dentist calls it a chronic abscess and says I can either try a root canal treatment, which has about a 70% success rate or extract the tooth. I sort of hate the idea of going through a root canal treatment, especially if it won’t have that great of a chance of doing anything. At the same time, I’m not sure if taking my tooth out is the right way to go either. I went to get a second opinion from another dentist and he said it could just be a cyst. Now I’m not sure what to do. This has been here for a while as my dentist has kept and eye on it for over three years and I am really worried we’ve left a cyst there.

Callie

Dear Callie,

It would be very rare for this to be a cyst. Yes, they do happen but they are by far the exception. Most dentists go their entire career without seeing a cyst. Your first dentist called it an abscess. My bigger concern is why he has left you with a tooth infection for three years. These are laden with bacteria and have an impact on your general well being. When this is removed, don’t be surprised if you feel better in your body as well as your mouth. In some cases, they spread past the gums or jaw and lead to even more dangerous infections that can reach your heart or brain.

It is always better to get rid of a tooth infection. There is zero benefit to leaving it there and just keeping an eye on it. My recommendation is to get the root canal treatment. This gives you a chance to save the tooth, which is the ideal outcome. As for the 70% success rate he mentioned, I think that is a bit low. Maybe that is his success rate. In general, there is an 85% success rate. If you went to a root canal specialist, called an endodontist, the success rate will be higher than that.

If you were to remove the tooth, then you would also have to replace it. Not only is that not as good as having a natural tooth, it is more expensive. My recommendation is to always save as much natural tooth structure as possible. If for some reason the tooth cannot be saved and you have to remove it, the tooth replacement that is closest to having a healthy natural tooth again, is a dental implant.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.

A Missed Diagnosis that Caused a LOT of Pain and Problems

Posted on September 7, 2023 by writeradmin.

I had a tooth that was hurting me and was sensitive to hot and cold. It hurt even just when I touched it. I have a bit of a dental anxiety so don’t have a regular dentist at the moment. I went to one who said he’d see non-patients in cases of emergencies that I found in an advertisement. When I saw him, he said the problem was that my wisdom teeth all needed to be extracted, though one he thought he could do a filling on and it would help. I did tell him that the tooth that hurt me felt further up and on a chart showed him tooth #19. He still felt the problem was my wisdom teeth. I decided to start with the filling he said could help. It didn’t. Then, I had the wisdom teeth extracted by an oral surgeon. At first I thought he had actually solved the problem but I think it was just painkillers. Eventually, my jaw swelled up so I went back in for a 3rd time. This time, he prescribed me antibiotics, which helped until they wore off. I finally gave up on him and went to the ER. They told me I had an infected tooth and showed me the abscess. Guess what? It was tooth #19. I went BACK to the dentist and he referred me to an endodontist. When I called them, they told me it would be at least three weeks before they could fit me in. I could not bear to wait three weeks and I could tell the infection was spreading. It had made its way up to my eye. I ended up just going back to the oral surgeon and had him take it out. I couldn’t take any more. I will admit to being angry. I have wasted so much time and money and if he would have just listened to me about what tooth it was from the beginning, I might still have a tooth. Is there any legal recourse for this?

Andrew

Dear Andrew,

This is a horrific story and you definitely have some recourse here. This dentist has crossed the line into gross negligence and malpractice. Here is what I think your dentist should cover at a minimum:

Your extra visits
Your visits to the oral surgeon, Endodontist, and ER
The cost of your extractions
The cost of replacing this tooth, which could have been saved, with a dental implant.

If he does not agree to this, you have a great malpractice case. Here is a list of some of his mistakes:

It Was Clear a Root Canal Treatment Was Needed

Sensitivity or pain to a tooth with cold means the pulp of the tooth is inflamed. This is dentistry 101. If you include the pain to the touch you were having then the need for a root canal treatment is even higher. I have absolutely no idea why he was talking about your wisdom teeth when these symptoms were present in your tooth.

Antibiotics are NOT the Solution for a Tooth Infection

Next, he prescribes you an antibiotic when his solution didn’t work. First, if he didn’t recognize the infection, he certainly should have now. Plus, antibiotics do not cure a tooth infection because the medicine cannot get inside the tooth. The only thing an antibiotic can do is hold an infection at bay. Maybe he does not like doing a root canal treatment. That’s fine, he could send you to an endodontist, which is sort of did eventually. Then, there was the swelling and he still did nothing. This indicated a spreading infection, which is considered a dental emergency, leaving it put you in danger. People still die from tooth infections.

He Ignored Your Pain and the Danger You Were In

Even after you got a proper diagnosis (from the ER and not from him), he showed a depraved indifference to your situation and suffering. He could have easily gotten you out of pain by drilling an opening in your tooth. With the swelling in your jaw, the pulp of the tooth would have been dead so you wouldn’t feel the drilling. But, no, he left you in pain. Then, he sent you to an endodontist who could not see you for weeks. Honestly, if the infection had spread my more, like to your brain, you would have died.

Why Charge Him for a Dental Implant?

While all the other charges I mentioned he should cover are pretty self-explanatory, you may be wondering what is the justification for charging him for the dental implant. It’s actually pretty simple. If he had done his job properly, it is very likely your tooth could have been saved with a root canal treatment. Now, you’ve lost an important molar. If it isn’t replaced, then the other teeth will drift or tip into the open space. This will lead to your bite being thrown off and TMJ disorder. A dental implant is the only tooth replacement that prevents bone loss.

A Help for Your Dental Anxiety

I am certain this experience has not helped with the dental anxiety you experience. When you see another dentist (and please let it be a different one from the one you just went to) make sure it is a sedation dentist. They can give you an anxiety-free/pain-free dental procedure.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.

If My Gumlines are Receding, Is It A Dental Emergency?

Posted on July 12, 2023 by writeradmin.

I have noticed that my gumlines are receding. Is this a dental emergency? The gums seem healthy, but it looks like they are just pulling away. Why would this be happening? I’m worried something terrible is happening to my teeth.

Candy

Dear Candy,

What causes gums to recede?

There are several reasons why your gums could be receding. The only one that would be considered a dental emergency is if you had advanced gum disease. Though, there is not a “one and done” treatment for that. It would require multiple treatments over a period of time. Advanced gum disease is often accompanied by tender and bleeding gums.

You could have general gum disease. While not an emergency, it does need to be dealt with because left untreated, gum disease advances and you will lose your teeth. With very advanced gum disease they can just start coming loose and falling out.

Your dentist should be able to treat you, but if they can’t, you can visit a gum disease specialist. They’re called periodontists.

Another possibility is the bone in the area of the recession could be thinning. This will cause the root to show through, which means the gum gradually recedes over a period of time. In this case, you will just need to be gentle when you brush. There are also esthetic treatments, such as a gum graft.

If you clench or grind your teeth at night, it can cause notches to develop in your teeth at the gumline. This will lead to your gums receding from that area. Wearing a nightguard will help prevent further damage, but it will not repair damage already done.

Finally, one of the simplest causes of gum recession is brushing too aggressively or using a hard-bristled brush. I always recommend soft toothbrushes.

Hopefully, you are going to a dentist who regularly checks for gum disease. If you’re not, it may be time to find another one.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.

Are There Things Emergency Dentists Cannot Do?

Posted on March 7, 2023 by writeradmin.

I had a problem while my dentist was on vacation. He did have a colleague that was supposed to be seeing us in case of emergencies, but apparently, there was a miscommunication and he could not fit me in. I ended up doing an internet search for an emergency dentist. They fit me in that day, did some tests to see what the problem was, and got me out of pain. They gave me a choice between coming back to them for the root canal treatment I needed in a couple of days or waiting for my dentist. They said they’d prescribe the right amount of antibiotics for either decision. I found them to be efficient, compassionate, and effective. In fact, I sort of want to switch to that practice completely. Before I make the leap, are there things that emergency dentists cannot do that I would need a general dentist for?

Amelia

Dear Amelia,

One important thing to note is that emergency dentists are general dentists. They can do anything any other general dentist does, which would include things such as cleanings, fillings, and dental crowns. Beyond that, it really depends on the dentist and where their interests and additional training resides.

For example, if you are someone who wants cosmetic dentistry done, such as porcelain veneers, you would need to find a dentist who has invested in post-doctoral training in cosmetic work. There isn’t actually a cosmetic dental specialty, so you have to do some research and be willing to ask them what training they received. Teeth whitening, while it is simple enough to be performed by any dentist but may not be offered by any dentist.

Other times, you may have more extensive needs like dental implants or TMJ disorder. For these, you will want a dentist who has done the training necessary for those procedures.

What this boils down to is if you like this dentist, go to this dentist for all your general dental needs. If anything specialized comes up, they can recommend to you a dentist just for those needs. It is not uncommon for people to have a family doctor, then maybe a heart specialist or an endocrinologist. This is the same in dentistry. Go to the dentist who meets the majority of your needs and when you need something special, the two of you can work together to find the right dentist just for that procedure.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.

Will an Emergency Dentist Finish an Infected Root Canal?

Posted on January 14, 2023 by writeradmin.

My general dentist started a root canal about two months ago on one of my molars on the upper right side. Unfortunately, I moved right after that. Because it wasn’t hurting I’ve just kind of ignored it. Well, now it’s really flared up, starting about two days ago. It’s swollen all around it (my cheek looks swollen) and there’s lots of pain. I’m so busy and I don’t have time for this!

I don’t have a new dentist in my town yet, so I’m planning on seeing a local emergency dentist. I’m wondering what they will do, can they actually finish the root canal? Or are they just going to pull it? I’d really prefer to save it if possible.

Thanks,
Jacob

Dear Jacob,

Hang in there. Dental infections are one of those things that can really put a monkey wrench in your plans! Especially at this busy time for you. Though, let’s be honest, is there ever really a “good” time to have a toothache?

Can You Save This Tooth?

Yes, you will certainly want to save this tooth if at all possible. Natural tooth structure is always better than a replacement. Dentists who treat emergencies are capable of most aspects of dentistry, but when they see you, their main focus is just that: your emergency. Depending on the severity, when a patient comes in with an infection the first thing that will be done are actions to address the pain you are in as well as the presence of bacteria. This generally consists of prescribing pain control medications and antibiotics. An image (x-ray) will be taken to determine if the tooth is still viable and to ensure that it is not decayed past the point of rescue.

At times the tooth may need to be opened, cleaned, and allowed to drain if puss and infection have built up within it. This trapped material can contribute to a high level of pain, so allowing the tooth to drain will alleviate some of this discomfort. You’ll be given an antibiotic and asked to give the tooth some time. By time, we are talking days, not weeks. Once the “hot” tooth has been allowed to calm down, the root canal can be completed, either by the emergency dentist or by a specialist.

Will the Dentist Finish The Root Canal?

Sometimes a drain may need to be placed in the swollen area if the surrounding tissue has developed cellulitis (a skin infection). If a drain is placed, you will need to return for it to be removed. At that point, the dentist may be able to clean and finish the root canal themselves. Other times you may be referred to an endodontic specialist once your infection and discomfort have been addressed. This will depend upon many factors, and only the dentist can answer these questions for you.

Once your mouth is healed and pain-free, it’s best to find yourself a great general dentist as soon as possible, to get on the track to your optimal oral health and confidence. Enjoy your new locale!

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.

Store Bought Filling Material

Posted on December 9, 2022 by writeradmin.

I have a cavity that is having trouble and causing me pain. I don’t have money for a dentist right now, but did see that my pharmacy has some store bought filling material. Would it be enough for me to fill the cavity with that material? I’m plain broke right now.

Drew

Dear Drew,

The temporary filling material is designed to only fill the whole for a few days while you wait to get into the dentist’s office. If you wait longer than that, you are harboring bacteria and will end up with a massive dental infection. If you go to the dentist early, like now, it may only be a simple filling that you need to have cleaned out.

A lot of pain will indicate that there is a dental infection. This will mean more than cleaning out the decay. It will mean a root canal treatment, which also cleans out the infected pulp.

I know you are in a bit of a bind, financially. However, the longer you wait the worse (and more expensive) this will get. In general, dentists are compassionate and went into their field because they wanted a career that would allow them to help people. If you don’t have money and have a dental emergency, I am positive you will find a dentist who is willing to work with you financially.

I would start by looking for an affordable dentist. They are usually more apt to have payment plans. Whatever you do, please do not put this off. Speak directly to the dentist if the front desk isn’t willing to work with you. They have to follow the general procedure. However, the dentist has more wiggle room.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.

Do I Have to Tell the Emergency Dentist What Happened?

Posted on October 31, 2022 by writeradmin.

I got hit in the mouth by someone, but don’t want to tell the emergency dentist what happened. I was doing something I should not have been at the time. Because of that, I don’t want to get the authorities involved. Is it required to tell him what happened? I honestly thought this would heal on its own, but the tooth is definitely getting worse and is turning gray and hurting more.

Name Withheld

Dear Anonymous,

There are certain things that are mandatory reportings for medical professionals. This would include people who are a danger to themselves or people who are a danger to others. I don’t know if you fall into that category based on what you said. What the dentist does need to know is the details of the injury.

In your case, that would be that you got hit in your mouth. I’m not sure any other details would really matter. Make sure he or she knows that you were hit in the mouth. A traumatic injury gets looked at differently than other types of injuries because there are hidden dangers to the tooth in those cases.

Please don’t put off having this looked at out of fear of reprisal. You can keep that part secret. The graying tooth means the tooth is dead or dying. When that happens you need a root canal treatment. Under some circumstances, you could put off getting that seen. However, your injury is combined with pain.

Pain indicates an active infection. That is serious and you don’t want to give it time to spread. Your jaw is close to your heart, lungs, and brain. If it reaches that area, a dental emergency can turn into something life threatening.

This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.