Kirsten – When a baby tooth is infected, a pulpotomy is done to remove the infection. The infected pulp, down to the roots, is removed. The area inside the tooth is disinfected, and the tooth is sealed and covered with a crown that is usually made of stainless steel.

This process is similar to a root canal treatment for a permanent tooth. A pulpotomy is performed to save baby molars, so that they stay in place and help the permanent premolars to properly erupt.

If a baby molar is too infected, it may be extracted, and a space maintainer is put in its place to prevent the second baby molar from drifting and blocking the eruption of the permanent tooth.

For more information on dentistry for children, review our pediatric dentistry web page.

This blog post is sponsored by the Mesa dentists of Mountain View Family Dentistry.

Sandra – There are side effects of chemotherapy, such as vomiting and dry mouth that can affect your teeth. Dental problems increase with the length of the chemotherapy treatment.

The acid from vomiting can erode tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. If chemotherapy causes you to vomit, you can neutralize the acid. Add ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to 8 ounces of warm water and rinse your mouth with the mixture. After 30 minutes, brush your teeth with an extra soft toothbrush.

If the chemotherapy causes your mouth to be dry, the dryness can promote plaque and tooth decay. Keep your mouth moist throughout the day by chewing sugarless gum, sucking on sugar-free candy or ice chips, or by sipping water. Ask your dentist for prescription fluoride toothpaste to help prevent decay, and floss your teeth twice daily.

There are other oral side effects of chemotherapy, including conditions such as gum disease that can occur as a result of a weakened immune system after chemotherapy. Speak with your dentist and your oncologist about the side effects and what can be done to preserve your teeth and oral health.

This blog post is sponsored by the Mesa dentists at Mountain View Family Dentistry.

My teeth look horrible. I’ve lost 8 or 9 teeth already and my dentist says that it will be difficult or impossible to save about 9 more. I don’t think I’ll have any teeth left. Money is a problem. The bills from trying to recover from the disorder are stacked up. We have a young son at home that I must home school, so work is not much of an option for me. We depend on my husband’s income. I am 42 years old now and am fighting depression with the thought of needing dentures. I think it is three times in the past two weeks that I heard conversations about false teeth. Better than no teeth at all but who really wants false teeth.

I have read enough to know that dental implants are the best way to replace my teeth but I could never afford them. Am I out of options? – Anonymous (name withheld) from Mesa

Dear anonymous reader,

You’re correct, dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. If your budget is very limited, dentures may be your only option. If you receive dentures, a cosmetic dentist can give you dentures that reflect your personality and that look natural—instead of looking like false teeth as you mentioned.

If you have your natural lower teeth, it’s best for the dentist to save as many of them as possible. Keeping your lower teeth will help delay the jawbone shrinkage and facial collapse that occur when all of your teeth are missing, including if you have dentures.

An upper denture is kept in place by suction, so it is more stable than a lower denture. A lower denture can slip or fall out easier. Your lower natural teeth are likely to last longer if they are chewing against an upper denture.

A caring cosmetic dentist will discuss your options with you. Meet with a few of them to find one that you’re comfortable with. You’ll find some comfort in knowing that you can get a natural-looking new smile, even if it is with dentures.

This blog is sponsored by the Mesa dentists at Mountain View Family Dentistry.

Cyndee – It is common for young children to grind their teeth while sleeping. Teeth grinding will result in chipping, or cause the teeth to look worn. Stress, anxiety or improper bite can be a cause of the grinding.

Has your son’s appetite changed? Is he moody or having difficulty sleeping? Behavioral changes can be signs of stress. Give your son a consistent bedtime and ensure that he gets enough sleep each night. His baby teeth will fall out in a couple of years, so there is no need for concern about the chipping. If you still have concerns about your son’s teeth, mention them to his pediatric dentist.

This blog is brought to you by the Mesa dentists at Mountain View Family Dentistry.

Josh – Based on your description and your dentist’s input, it does sound as if you need a root canal treatment. The treatment will get rid of the infection in your tooth. And it’s critical to get rid of the infection, because it will continue to spread until it is treated. There have been a lot of horror stories about root canal treatment, but it can be a painless procedure.

You can find an emergency dentist in your area that can relieve your pain first. Then, he or she will treat the cause of your pain. There are emergency dentists who will see you the same day. It’s not likely that you’ll receive a root canal treatment during the same visit, but at least you won’t have to suffer with pain.

This blog is sponsored by the Mesa emergency dentists of Mountain View Family Dentistry.

Michele – Crest Whitestrips will whiten your teeth, but not as effectively as teeth whitening systems that you can get from a dentist. The strength of over-the-counter whitening products is limited, because they can be used without supervision of a dentist.

Brite Smile to Go is an over-the-counter product that is brushed on your teeth. Its ingredients indicate that it has a mild whitening effect, but we haven’t seen any studies that show how effective it is. Like Crest Whitestrips, it is not as effective as products that are available through a dentist.

Opalescence is administered by a dentist, and it’s a good brand for teeth whitening. It is both safe and effective. Opalescence can make your teeth dramatically whiter within two weeks.

Boost and Zoom! are two in-office treatments that will make your teeth sparkling white in an hour.

This blog is brought to you by the Mesa dentists at Mountain View Family Dentistry.

Carlton – Either treatment is appropriate for your broken tooth. So, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Dental bonding – It’s usually less expensive than a porcelain crown. The process is faster—it can be completed in one appointment. But it requires the skill of an artistic cosmetic dentist who can manipulate the bonding to match the color and translucency of your natural teeth. If it’s applied correctly, people won’t be able to tell that you had a broken tooth.

When you’re looking for a cosmetic dentist, visit the dentist’s website to find before-and-after pictures of his or her dental bonding work. Or if you visit the office, ask to see the pictures. If no pictures are available, find another dentist who can show you pictures of his or her work.

Porcelain crowns – Porcelain is more durable and stain-resistant than dental boning. A single porcelain crown on a front tooth must match the natural front tooth beside it; otherwise, it will be easy to tell that it’s not your natural tooth. This also requires the expertise of an artistic cosmetic dentist.

Unlike dental bonding, a crown requires removing a small amount of the tooth structure, so that the crown will fit over the tooth. Once that tooth structure is shaved down, you’ll always need a crown over it.  Getting a crown usually requires two appointments that are about two weeks apart. Also, there is the risk of irritating the pulp of the tooth, and if the pulp is irritated you’ll need a root canal treatment.

Regardless of which treatment you choose, if it’s done by an artistic cosmetic dentist, you’ll get a natural-looking result.

This blog is brought to you by the Mesa dentists at Mountain View Family Dentistry.

I was wondering if the Snap-On Smile will work well for my bottom teeth?

- Sal in Rhode Island

Sal,

Yes, the Snap-On Smile can be used on your lower teeth. Although, there are some limitations depending on your specific case.

The main limitation is due to the fact that for most people, the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. This means that any additions to the front of the lower teeth will affect your bite. You will be biting right onto the Snap-On Smile appliance which would actually cause your bite to open. And if you were only opening your bite in the front of your mouth, it would not be ideal to wear the appliance for any duration of time. It may also make your jaw sore and may even cause your back teeth to drift a bit. Basically, if an appliance was going to be designed for your lower teeth it would be best if it was created to treat the entire bottom arch.

Again, the limitations would vary from person to person. So, if this is something you are seriously considering, I would recommend consulting with an experienced cosmetic dentist.

This post is sponsored by Mesa dentist Mountain View Family Dentistry.

Another link you may be interested in: Looking for the best Mesa dentist

- Sandra from Georgia

Sandra,

You need to be very careful in searching for affordable dental implants. The number one cause of dental malpractice lawsuits in the country is in the are of dental implants. This is because they are typically an expensive treatment and patients are tempted to price shop. Dentists look for different ways to keep their costs down and sadly, far too many will cut corners to do it cheaper. For example, a dentist can save a few hundred dollars by using a panographic x-ray or single CT scan. This may sound good at first, but the risk is great. When the implants are placed you may be subject to nerve damage or we have even heard of implants impinging on the sinus cavity. If cheap root forms are used, again the dentist can save hundreds of dollars per implant. But if the screws aren’t a sufficient fit, they could fall out in a few years and the loose parts may be subject to infection. So be very careful because selecting inadequate care may result in a larger expense over time.

Seek out a dentist with qualifications and credentials with reputable implant dentistry organizations. There are affordable dental implants, called mini implants that are a less expensive treatment. Just be sure you explore all you options before moving forward.

Hopefully this information is helpful to you.

This post is sponsored by Mesa dentist Mountain View Family Dentistry.

So as an adult, I am still petrified of the dentist. I know I need to go in and most likely I will end up needing dentures since my teeth are in such terrible shape. I have been researching dentists in my area but haven’t found one that I think will be a good fit for helping someone like me.

I never smile in photos and I hate the way I feel about my teeth. Can you offer any recommendations to help me take the next step?

- Kathleen from Michigan

Kathleen,

You are not alone in the way you feel about going to the dentist. It is no surprise considering what you have experienced as you have grown up. The most effective way to overcome dental fear is with a dentist that offers sedation dentistry. These dentists truly understand how terrified you are and how you associate your bad memories from your childhood with going to the dentist. They will likely be gentle and offer oral sedation (sleep dentistry) for your appointment. This treatment is a very effective, safe, and simple way to help you through the procedures. All it involves is taking a pill before your appointment. It will make you sleepy and indifferent to what is going on and it is quite likely that you won’t even remember anything about your dental appointment.

Hopefully after you have some positive dental experiences, eventually you may be able to deal better with your fear. Some patients get to the point where they trust their dentist and may not require sedation anymore.

Now if you really do end up needing to have dentures, then you will have a lot of treatments in your future. So take it one step at a time. Find a sedation dentist that will work with you.

Best of luck.

This post is sponsored by Mesa dentist Mountain View Family Dentistry.