Dental crowns are a common solution to protect and restore damaged teeth, but a question often arises: “Can dental crowns cause sensitivity?” The answer is yes, but understanding the reasons and solutions can help manage this issue effectively.

Why Do Dental Crowns Cause Sensitivity?

• Tooth Preparation: Preparing a tooth for a crown involves removing part of its structure, which can irritate the nerve and lead to temporary sensitivity.

• Temporary Crowns: Before the permanent crown is placed, a temporary crown is used. These may not fit as well, allowing temperature changes to affect the tooth and cause sensitivity.

• Cementation Process: The bonding materials used to cement the crown can irritate the tooth’s nerve, especially if the tooth is already compromised.

• Bite Issues: If the crown is not properly aligned with your bite, it can cause pressure and discomfort, leading to sensitivity when chewing or biting.

• Gum Recession: If gums recede after the crown is placed, exposed tooth roots can become sensitive, especially if recession is already present.

How Long Does Sensitivity Last?

Sensitivity after getting a dental crown is usually temporary, often subsiding within a few days to a few weeks as the tooth adjusts. If sensitivity persists or becomes severe, consult your dentist.

Managing Sensitivity from Dental Crowns

• Desensitizing Toothpaste: Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help reduce sensitivity by blocking sensation transmission from the tooth surface to the nerve.
• Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Avoid extremely hot or cold foods and drinks to prevent triggering sensitivity. Stick to lukewarm or room temperature items.
• Proper Oral Hygiene: Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly to keep the area around the crown clean and prevent gum recession or irritation.
• Bite Adjustment: If your crown feels high or uncomfortable when you bite, visit your dentist for an adjustment to ensure proper fit.
• Follow-Up Appointments: Regular follow-up appointments with your dentist can monitor the crown and address any issues promptly, ensuring it fits well and functions properly.

When to Seek Professional Help

Mild sensitivity is common after getting a dental crown, but persistent or severe pain should not be ignored. If sensitivity lasts more than a few weeks, or if you experience pain when biting or signs of infection (such as swelling or pus), contact your dentist immediately.

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Dental crowns can cause sensitivity, but it is usually temporary and manageable with proper care. Understanding the causes and taking appropriate steps can ensure your crown provides the necessary protection and functionality without ongoing discomfort. If you have concerns about sensitivity after getting a dental crown, reach out to your dentist for advice and support.

What to Know Before Getting Dental Veneers

When it comes to improving your smile, dental veneers are one of the most effective solutions. But what are dental veneers? They give you a fresh, new look without having to undergo something invasive like cosmetic surgery. Thin shells made of porcelain are attached to the front of the teeth. There are many reasons why you might want to get veneers — from having crooked teeth and tooth discoloration to making your existing teeth look better and more uniform.

Like any type of procedure, there are some things you should know before getting dental veneers. 

What Are Dental Veneers?

Getting dental veneers is a multi-step process that can take several weeks and a couple of visits to your dentist. 

Your dentist will evaluate your smile, then determine whether you’re a good candidate for veneers and discuss the plan for moving ahead. If you need any fillings or dental implants, these will have to be taken care of first.

Then, your dentist will prep your teeth by shaving a very thin layer of enamel off the front of your teeth. They will then take an impression of your teeth and create temporary veneers that will stay on your teeth until the permanent veneers are finished.  

Once the final porcelain veneers are sculpted, you’ll return to the dentist to have them applied. The temporary veneers are removed and a bonding cement is applied to your teeth. Then, the permanent veneers are carefully installed and you’re ready to dazzle people with your new smile!

Caring for Your Veneers

After your procedure, your mouth and gums will likely be sore for a few days. The discomfort is completely normal and will pass as your mouth heals, but have some Tylenol on hand, just in case. 

You should care for your veneers, just like you would your regular teeth- brush them twice a day and floss regularly. You should stay away from foods that might chip or crack your teeth. The better you take care of your teeth, the longer your veneers will last. 

Most veneers will last 20 years, after which you’ll need to look into getting a new set due to regular wear and tear. If your veneers are damaged earlier than that, you will probably need to look into fixing them sooner. 

Veneers Aren’t For Everyone

Getting veneers is an investment, so you’ll need to make sure that your finances are in order, or that your insurance will help cover the cost. 

Some other reasons why someone might not be able to get veneers are because they have a habit of teeth grinding, they have a crossbite or underbite, gum disease, poor oral hygiene, or severe tooth crowding. 

If you’re wondering if dental veneers are a good choice for you, talk with your dentist.  Give us a call today at 973-975-0309 and we’ll get an appointment set up to discuss the possibility of you getting veneers!

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What Are the Pros and Cons of Dental Implants?

One of the hottest topics in dentistry today is the use of dental implants. Implants have certainly revolutionized the field of replacement teeth. If you are considering tooth implants for missing teeth, you need to know the facts. There are pros and cons of dental implants that are carefully weighed by your dentist before surgery can be scheduled.

Research continually shows that dental implants are the best long-term solution to replace missing teeth. However, like any type of surgery, there are advantages and disadvantages.

Cons of Dental Implants

No procedure is right for everyone, including dental implants. While there are some risks associated with dental implants, they are relatively mild. The disadvantages include:

You have to meet a set of requirements

In order to have dental implant surgery, you first have to meet certain criteria. As the procedure involves anchoring the implant to your jaw bone, if you’ve experienced significant bone loss as a result of losing teeth, there may not be enough for the dental implant to be successful. You also have to be in good health so your jawbone can fully recover.

The cost of the procedure

While dental implants are the best long-term solution for tooth loss, they’re not always the most cost-effective. However, dental implants are well worth the price for the comfort, confidence, and natural feel they give you.

The procedure can be lengthy

Dental implants are not a quick fix and can take several months to complete. If you’re replacing an existing damaged tooth, this will first need to be removed. Your dentist will then need to prepare the tooth site before fitting the implant anchor. Once the anchor has been fitted, you’ll need to wait several months while it heals and the surrounding bone grows. The final stage of the procedure involves placing the artificial tooth.

Pros of Dental Implants

While there are some drawbacks to dental implants, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

They look and feel like natural teeth

Dental implants have the appearance of real teeth. In fact, once your implant has been fitted, you’ll hardly be able to tell the difference between your replacement tooth and your real teeth. Implants also won’t feel any different from your regular teeth. Since the implants are anchored to your jaw, they’ll feel just as strong as your regular teeth too.

You can eat and chew with ease

Unlike dentures, implants won’t feel any different than your regular teeth when eating and chewing. Once the dental implant procedure is complete, you can eat what you want! Whether you fancy crunchy snacks, chewy foods, or hot or cold drinks, you can eat and drink without concern — just remember not to overdo the sugary treats.

Dental implants can last a lifetime

Implants are a long-lasting tooth replacement solution. You may need to replace the crowns every 10-15 years, but if you look after the implants, they can last a lifetime.

They’re easy to take care of

You should take care of your implants the same way you would take care of your regular teeth with daily brushing and flossing, regular dental checkups, and a healthy diet.

They prevent bone loss

Dental implants are anchored into your jaw, similar to your real teeth. The screw thread of the implant acts as the root of a natural tooth, so with dental implants, your jaw bone remains strong and you won’t experience bone loss.

You can see that the advantages heavily outweigh the disadvantages. Dental implants have been proven to be a great option for people who suffer from tooth loss. We always want to make our patients look and feel great, and dental implants are a great way to do that. We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have, so give us a call!

If you have a toothache, sensitive teeth, swollen gums, or other signs of tooth decay, you may have an infection caused by bacteria inside your tooth. Our dentist at Dental Care East Hanover might tell you that you need a root canal treatment to eliminate this infection.

The goal of a root canal is to eliminate the infection and make it less likely that it will come back. Root canal treatments can save an infected or badly damaged tooth, so your dentist doesn’t have to pull the tooth out to fix the problem and relieve your pain (which is a much more complex and costly procedure).

Even though we know it’s not ideal to have to go to the dentist more than once, it’s necessary to finish all three stages of root canal treatment and make sure your tooth is completely free of infection. Here are the three steps that will make up your root canal:

Stage 1: Evaluation and First Clean

In this first step, your tooth will be looked at to ensure you need a root canal. Then, the tooth will be cleaned to get rid of the bacteria that are causing the infection.

After our dentist numbs your tooth, they will cut a small hole in the top so that the root canal can be thoroughly cleaned. This will include using antibacterial solutions to rinse and apply medication.

Before moving to stage two, a temporary filling will be placed in your tooth.

Stage 2: Clean-up and Medications

The second part of your root canal treatment may be done the same day as the first part, but it may also be done a week or two later.

At this stage, the root canal is cleaned more thoroughly to get rid of any bacteria that may still be inside the tooth. Our dentist may also take X-rays to check the length of your root canal and make sure that the whole canal is cleaned.

To treat the infection, our dentist will also put medicine on the tooth.

Stage 3: The Filling

Once the root canal is completely free of bacteria and your symptoms have gone away, it’s time to fill it. This usually happens 4-6 weeks after the second stage of your root canal treatment.

Before the root canal is sealed, special rubber points are inserted into the root canals to fill them. Depending on the damage to your tooth and the situation, you may have a temporary filling or a permanent one put in.

Contact Us

If you think you might need a root canal, it’s important not to put off your treatment. A root canal is one of the best ways to treat an infected tooth and get rid of the painful symptoms you’ve been having. Call Dental Care East Hanover to learn more or schedule an appointment by using the link below.

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Dentures: What Is Your Best Option? 

Many aspects need to be considered when choosing which type of dentures you want and require. With three different types of dentures available to you, there are advantages and disadvantages for all. So, let’s go over all your options and figure out which one will suit you best. 

Traditional Dentures

The traditional denture has been used for many centuries. Traditional dentures are no longer considered to be up to the standards of care since dentures have become so mainstream in dentistry. Traditional denture users will have a significant loss of bone and gum support, which will result in facial drooping, sagging skin, and the look of early aging. The following are a few benefits and drawbacks:

Advantages:

• The least expensive of the three types
• Can look nice
• Better than having nothing

Disadvantages:

• Hard to eat with & they move around a lot
• Can feel bulky in your mouth
• Large loss of taste and temperature sensations due to the roof of the mouth being covered
• Needs frequent realignment and repairs

Implant Snap-On Dentures

The most popular choice for people seeking to replace their missing teeth is the implant snap-on denture. Compared to a traditional denture, this option snaps into place and is far more stable, less bulky, and doesn’t cover the roof of your mouth. For simple cleaning, the denture can be taken out. Additionally, the use of implants stops future bone loss, early aging, and facial drooping. The following are the benefits and drawbacks of this form of denture:

Advantages: 

• The most affordable implant option
• Huge upgrade over traditional dentures
• Prevents bone loss and premature aging
• Improves ability to taste things

Disadvantages:

• Still has some movement
• Comes out at night

Implant-Supported Permanent Teeth

Implant-supported dentures are a full set of upper or lower teeth that are permanently attached to dental implants and are screwed into dental bridges. This option is the closest we have to the feel and function of your own teeth. These bridges may not be removed by you, only your dentist. Of all the alternatives, this bridge has the most natural-feeling bite and chewing characteristics. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

• Made of strong material
• Natural feel
• Best biting and chewing function
• Stays in the mouth all the time

Disadvantages:

• Can be difficult to clean
• Will require maintenance over time
• Most expensive option

Speaking to your dentist about the best option for you and your lifestyle is important. If you have any more questions about the differences between these options and what the process may look like, contact Dental Care East Hanover in East Hanover, NJ.