What is this weird sensation I feel with my new dental crown?

I have a new crown but feel a strange sensation in it. After I received the crown in mid-July, I returned to my dentist about the problem. My dentist said he could re-cement the crown or make a new one. I thought that it was better to choose a new crown. The new crown was ready in early August, but my bite still did not feel right. The tooth is not painful, but it feels strange. Am I going to need another new crown? I am beginning to wonder if this is an issue with the crown or if the crown preparation somehow damaged my tooth. Thanks for your help and advice. Darren from Idaho

Darren,

When a dentist places your crown correctly, it should feel like a healthy natural tooth. You not notice that you have a crown. Sometimes, even bite adjustments are not enough to resolve the discomfort because the problem lies beneath the crown.

Uncomfortable New Dental Crown

If discomfort in your crown lingers, get a second opinion, and ask for an x-ray. Sometimes, decay beneath a crown can cause lingering discomfort. If the problem tooth previously had root canal treatment, you would not feel pain or have a toothache. Your symptoms might be vague and difficult to describe.

What Causes Tooth Decay Beneath Crowns?

Tooth decay beneath a crown can occur in these instances:

• Bacteria or plaque gets trapped beneath the crown
• Root canal failure
• Lingering decay or infection that a dentist covers with a crown

Depending on the condition of your tooth and how much tooth structure is left, the second opinion dentist may recommend

• Adjusting the crown
• Remaking the crown
• Extraction, replacing the tooth with a dental implant, a new implant crown

After retreatment, your tooth and bite should be comfortable.

 

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS, of Moline, IL, sponsors this post.

I want to replace my twice-broken flipper with a dental implant

Although I thought it was best to get a partial denture instead of a dental implant, I am disappointed with my dentist. I paid my dentist to extract my tooth and give me a partial denture. After I went for the appointment, he said he changed his mind and wanted to try a root canal instead. But that did not work, so I needed an extraction anyway. I wore a temporary flipper partial, and it broke twice. My dentist is charging me for the root canal, extraction, and temporary flippers. He claims that I am at fault for breaking the flippers, but I know they were cheap. I want a refund and dental implants. But I do not understand the strategy for getting my lying dentist to cooperate. Before I ask for my dental records and switch to a new dentist, can you help? – Thank you. Kraig from PA

Kraig,

We are sorry to hear about the nightmare with your dentist. We recommend that you speak candidly with your dentist and list your concerns about what your dentist said he would do versus what happened.

Your dentist cannot charge you for two broken dental flippers and falsely claim that you are at fault, so don’t worry about that.

When you speak to your dentist, explain what action you will take if you do not get a refund:

• Contact your insurance company (if applicable) – Your dental insurance company wants to know if a dentist charges them for work the dentist did not complete. But they also want to know if an in-network provider is dishonest.
• Report the issue to the state dental board – Although the state dental board might not penalize your dentist, they will contact him to investigate the matter. Your dentist does not want to build a negative reputation with the state dental board.
• Hire an attorney – A dental malpractice attorney will be happy to contact your dentist, request a refund, and explain the what will happen if your dentist fails to cooperate.
• Leave negative online reviews – Particularly, dentists who have positive online reviews are concerned about their reputation. Many patients read reviews before choosing a new dentist. So your dentist might respond to your promise to write detailed negative reviews.

Finding a Dentist for Implants

Look for a dentist who is skilled in implant placement, restoration, or both. And ensure the dentist has advanced cosmetic dentistry training. Some dentists refer patients to an oral surgeon or periodontist for implant surgery. After a healing period, the dentist will restore your implant with a natural-looking crown. But the dentist must be skilled in cosmetic dentistry to match the crown to your natural teeth. Schedule a consultation with two dentists before you choose a provider so you can discuss your options.

Best wishes for a speedy resolution.

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS of Moline, IL, sponsors this post.

Can I Remove a Loose Dental Implant at Home?

I have a new implant and crown that I received almost three months ago. The implant is loose and irritating. I will see the dentist next week. Can I pull out the implant myself? – Thank you. Lyle from PA

Lyle,

Thank you for your inquiry.

If you have a loose implant, we do not advise you to remove it yourself. Instead, only allow a skilled implant dentist or specialist to remove the implant.

What Happens If You Remove a Loose Implant at Home?

If you remove the implant at home, you might harm these areas:

• Mistakenly damage surrounding tissue
• Disrupt the surrounding bone
• Cause the space to fill in with tissue prematurely

What Causes Dental Implant to Loosen?

Some factors that can cause a dental implant to loosen:

• Placement – Without a 3-D CT scan, the implant location may not be ideal for healing. If the implant and your jawbone do not fuse, the implant can loosen and fail.
• Infection – Infection in your bone or gum tissue creates inflammation and prevents osseointegration (bone and tissue fusing).
• Implant overload – Too much pressure on the implant abutment (connector) or crown can cause overload. Clenching or grinding your teeth can add stress to an implant.

Symptoms of a Loose Dental Implant

Symptoms of a loose dental implant include the following:

• Implant crown movement
• Pain when you chew
• Bleeding around the implant
• Gum discoloration
• Changes in gum structure

Loose Dental Implant Treatment

An implant dentist must remove a loose dental implant. But your implant dentist will take an x-ray to identify which dental implant components are loose or damaged. Then, your implant dentist will determine and treat any of these factors before replacing the implant.

• Infection – A dentist must treat and remove the infection to promote healing.
• Bone loss – You may need grafting to support the implant. And three to four months of healing will follow. Otherwise, your dentist may replace the failed implant with a larger one.
• Teeth grinding – You will need to wear a mouthguard to avoid pressure around the implant site.

You Can Get a Second Opinion

If your dentist does not give you satisfying answers about why your implant is loose, schedule an appointment for a second opinion. Look for a skilled dentist with advanced implant training or who works with a specialist for implant surgery.

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS of Moline, IL, sponsors this post.

Dentist placed my implant in shallow bone, and it failed

After implant surgery, my dentist said that he placed the implant, but my bone was shallower than he expected. After three months, he now says that the implant will not heal, so he wants to remove it. My dentist offers a dental bridge instead. I spent $3200 on dental implant failure. I told my dentist that I am not interested in a bridge. Will you please give me suggestions on how to get my money back and get a new implant? Should I let my dentist remove the implant? – Thank you. Marlon from Iowa

Marlon,

Your dentist failed you legally and in the care he provided. Your implant will not function, so he owes you a refund. So you can promptly ask for one, and it should not take much explanation. We will offer suggestions later in this post.

Placing a Dental Implant in Shallow Bone

A dentist can avoid placing a dental implant in the shallow bone. Before implant placement, a skilled dentist plans for it. Three-dimensional x-rays are a must to reveal your bone volume and orofacial anatomy. While using 3-D guided navigation, a dentist can precisely place your implant for maximum support and a dental crown that fits well.

It seems that your dentist failed to do adequate x-rays. And during surgery, he placed the implant knowing your bone level is shallow.

Dental Bridge vs. Implant

• Dental implant – If you want a dental implant and you have low bone volume, a skilled dentist or oral surgeon can build your bone with grafting. After the graft heals, your dentist can place the implant. But a dentist must extract your current implant first and allow the area to heal.
• Dental bridge – A dental bridge requires grinding down the healthy teeth on either side of the missing one. After the teeth are shaved down, the ends of a dental bridge will fit over them. And those teeth will anchor the bridge.

Getting a Refund for a Dental Implant

You can get a refund for a failed dental implant with these steps:

• Ask your new implant dentist to help you get a refund
• Tell your current dentist that you are willing to report the issue to the state dental board
• If your insurance company partially paid for any of your implant services, report the issue to them
• Hire an attorney
• Demand that your dentist pays for the cost of your new treatment.

Although your dentist gets credit for not continuing with the process and attaching a crown to your implant, he still owes you a refund. And an apology would help, too.

It Is Time to Switch Dentists

Look for dentists with post-graduate implantology (dental implant) training. Schedule at least two consultations to discuss and compare your options.

 

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS of Moline, IL, sponsors this post.