Existing Patients: (978) 454-9332 | New Patients: (877) 790-5172 |
Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Archives for April 2020

Can a dentist reuse your crown after root canal treatment?

Posted on by .

There is decay beneath three of my five dental crowns. I need another root canal on one of the teeth. I’m wondering if it’s possible to reuse a crown after a root canal. I have a gag reflex and hate the thought of needing dental implants or dentures. I thought that when I got the crowns in 2011, I wouldn’t need another root canal. It’s disappointing that this process keeps repeating itself. Should I switch dentists? Thanks for your advice. – Harleigh from Portland, ME

Harleigh,

Whether or not your dentist can save your crowns depends on the extent of decay beneath them. Your dentist might need to cut off the crowns, which would make them impossible to reuse.

If your dentist can remove the crowns intact, it may be possible to reline them and bond them back in place.

Switching dentists probably won’t resolve the issue with decay beneath your crowns. If you frequently need crowns and get decay beneath them, several factors can help:

  • Reduce your frequency of eating and snacking throughout the day
  • Brush your teeth regularly and floss between them
  • Keep in mind that good oral hygiene isn’t a substitute for a lot of snacking
  • Keep your regularly scheduled appointments for dental cleanings and exams so your dentist can monitor your crowns
After cosmetic dentistry close-up photo of a patient's smile after receiving dental crowns to close a gap and even and brighten her teeth.

Snack less often to prevent decay beneath crowns and the need for dental implants

Neither dentures nor dental implants should be necessary if you get treatment promptly. Untreated decay will progress and eventually cause infection, which can lead to extraction and the need for a dental implant. Unless all your teeth are unhealthy and beyond saving, you shouldn’t consider dentures.

It’s best to pursue good oral health and take care of the decay beneath your crowns. Even if you need new dental crowns, they are less expensive than dental implants. And it’s worth the cost to preserve your natural teeth instead of extracting them in exchange for dentures.

Accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek of Lowell, MA, sponsors this post.

Do I Need Another Flling Or a Root Canal and Crown for a Sensitive Tooth?

Posted on by .

Last September, my dentist filled a top left tooth with a white filling. The tooth became sensitive to anything cold that I ate or drank. I scheduled an appointment with my dentist. She examined to tooth and said I had a deep cavity. She recommended a temporary crown, although I didn’t understand her explanation for it. She told me to give it a few months, and if sensitivity continued, she would do a root canal on the tooth and give me a permanent crown.

I haven’t returned to my dentist, although the tooth is still somewhat sensitive. My sister advised me to get a second opinion. Is it possible that I don’t need a root canal and crown, or do I need a new filling? I’m not ready to schedule a dental appointment yet, but I’ve been putting off getting my teeth whitened before the issue is resolved.

Thanks, Meghan from Burlington, VT

Meghan,

Thanks for choosing Dr. Szarek’s office to answer your question

Photo of teeth whitening trays in a case, for information on DIY teeth whitening from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Teeth whitening can increase sensitivity in an unhealthy tooth

Your decision to delay teeth whitening is wise. The bleaching gel can cause sensitivity without a pre-existing issue. Whitening your teeth before the issue is resolved would further irritate them.

Several factors affect whether you need additional dental work for sensitivity in your tooth.

Tooth Sensitivity and How to Treat It

  • Increasing tooth sensitivity – If your tooth sensitivity is increasing, you might need a root canal treatment. What we don’t understand is why your dentist put a temporary crown on your teeth. Was your tooth cracked? If so, a dentist would cover it with a dental crown.
  • Additional dental work can make things worse – If a tooth is sensitive, further work on it can make things worse—even aggravating the living tissue inside the tooth and creating a need for root canal treatment.
  • Watch and wait – At this point, we don’t recommend a new filling, a new crown, or any additional work. Just work. Your irritated tooth nerved need time to settle down. If it begins to feel worse, call your dentist. If you’re uncomfortable with your dentist, get a second opinion.
  • If your tooth is sensitive after a filling – If you receive a composite or silver filling and later begin to feel sensitivity in the tooth, bacteria from the original decay has spread into the tooth pulp. Your body’s defenses may get rid of the infection. Otherwise, a dentist will perform root canal treatment. Although people joke about root canal treatment or refer to it in negative ways, skilled dentists make the procedure painless.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.