Michael A. Conrad

Sounds like an abscessed lower tooth. But the photos did not come through. Tylenol alone doesn't do much for that type of pain. However, alternating Tylenol with Ibuprofen every 2 hours usually does as well as a narcotic. But that is only if you can take Ibuprofen. You need to be examined visually and with x-rays and may need antibiotics. But get to a dentist ASAP. If the photos can be sent, I may be able to tell you more. Dr. Conrad

It depends. If there is already active infection with pus and drainage or swelling in the mouth or on the face, antibiotics are usually required. If none of the above are true, then it is usually safe to not use them. Sometimes root canal treatment is necessary to prevent the infection from developing on an already compromised tooth. You could also need a root canal in order to place a post in the root to help secure a crown. Those cases wouldn't require antibiotics. But, of course, check with the dentist who's doing the root canal. Dr. Conrad

It all depends on the condition of the tooth and crown and the crown material. Sometimes it takes just a few minutes, other times it can take 10-15 minutes. Nothing much for the patient to worry about. It usually involves a bit of noise and vibration if the drill is necessary. It's a common procedure that shouldn't be too stressful. Dr. Conrad

If you've just had an implant placed, brush normally everywhere but the implant area. Use a very soft brush on the teeth on either side of implant and avoid touching that directly to prevent damage to the healing gums. Be careful, but don't be afraid of cleaning. Dr. Conrad

Not if you follow the directions to the letter. It would be very rare for that to happen and it would only involve some sort of abuse of the device. We always recommend them for our ortho patients. They are a valuable asset to cleaning when you have braces. Dr. Conrad

The zirconia bridge is very long lasting, probably longer lasting than the teeth it's attached to. You will have more worries of new cavities than the breakage of the bridge.Dr. Conrad Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

Can you fix gum recession with surgery? Sometimes. It depends on the cause and extent of the recession. Severe recession also involves bone loss, which will need to be addressed through grafting of bone and gums. And if the source of he recession is not addressed, it will return. Dr. Conrad

If you recently had implant surgery and have healing caps covering the new implants, careful brushing arojnf the caps requires a gentle, soft toothbrush. Fully restored dental implants are treated as real teeth for cleaning. Dr. Conrad

Any time a crown is done on a live tooth (no root canal), there is a chance for sensitivity to temperature changes and biting pressure for a short while. Reshaping the tooth for a crown can be traumatic to the pulp of the tooth, and there can be internal inflammation from that procedure resulting in those symptoms. Most of the time they go away in a few days. Before we prepare a tooth for a crown we always examine it visually and with x-rays to make sure that there is no evidence of infection or abscess. To be frank, often when a tooth needs a crown there has been a history of decay and/or trauma that may have already affected the pulp, sending the nerves and blood vessels on the path leading to the death of the pulp and an abscess. The interior condition of the pulp is not always discernable with x-rays, testing and observation. So when a crown procedure is performed to strengthen the tooth structurally, that procedure may be "the last straw" for the pulp, and extreme sensitivity can result, ultimately requiring root canal treatment to save the tooth. There are many successful crowns on vital or live teeth that never resulted in abscess. But a small percentage will deteriorate that way, and root canal will need to be done after the crown is already placed. But that percentage is so small that it would be unnecessary to have a root canal done on every tooth that needs a crown. Most root canal-treated teeth need crowns, but not all crowned teeth need root canals. It's more rare. Another factor that can cause sensitivity after a crown is a high bite. Sometimes, when you're numb from the procedure, it is difficult for you to feel that the bite is slightly high, and you may not even be able to move your mouth and jaws properly to demonstrate to the dentist that the bite is high. Then, sometime after the crown has been placed, usually just a few days, the tooth may be sensitive to temperatures (usually cold) and biting pressure. If that occurs, be sure to have your dentist check it out. Sometimes a simple bite adjustment is all that is needed to clear up the problem. I hope that I've answered your question! Dr. Conrad

Depending on the exact condition,  it may be treated with a combination of orthodontics and oral surgery. 

Yes. But if you have implant crowns that are cemented in place, you always run the risk of loosening them with certain types of gum. If they are screw-retained, you should be fine. Michael Conrad, DDS, PC

See a dentist! Dr. Conrad

Usually, the surgeons in my area wait for 3 months until I can begin work to make a crown for the implant. Then it's about 3 weeks later that the crown is delivered. Depending where the implant is placed in the mouth, sometimes a crown (usually a temporary) can be placed immediately. If so, the patient is forbidden to use that tooth for 3 months until the bone heals. That is often the case when a front tooth is replaced with an implant. But the patient must be aware that the long-term prognosis for success is lower with immediate implant crowns. Dr. Conrad

The biggest benefit is denture retention. They stay in. If you opt for removable implant-supported dentures, they will snap to special attachments on the implants. They are very secure, but the snap portion in the denture has a silicon ring that will need to be replaced from time to time because of wear. If you opt for fixed, non-removable implant-supported dentures, you cannot remove them. Your dentist will determine how often they need to be removed professionally. It is a bit of a lengthy process, but necessary to determine how well you are cleaning them and how healthy the gums and implants are under the dentures. Implant-supported dentures give you confidence that your dentures will not slip. Since they don't move, they are more comfortable. They do not cause sore spots. They are usually smaller than conventional dentures and the palate is usually open and not covered. For some patients that is especially necessary due to gagging problems. Michael A. Conrad, DDS, PC

Yes, as long as you have enough bone to support them. (and have no health issues that could prevent implant success) Dr. Conrad

Usually, if the tooth has had a history of large or multiple fillings, it is best to restore it with a crown for maximum strength. If, however, the tooth was simply injured by a hard blow that ended up killing the pulp, and there is no prior loss of tooth structure to caries or fillings, then sometimes all that is necessary is a filling where the root canal was done. Dr. Conrad

Local anesthesia is used for root canal treatment. The area is numbed with an injection just like when a filling is done. Often there is a longer lasting drug that is also used so that any post-operative discomfort is managed better. I generally use Articaine (Septocaine), Lidocaine, and Bupivacaine in various combinations for best results. Dr. Conrad

Yes, you can eat with partials. But it is certainly not exactly like eating with your own teeth. Though not as extreme as losing a limb and having it replaced, it takes time to accommodate to any sort of denture, whether it's full or partial. A common complaint is that a partial may shift somewhat when chewing, and that can allow food particles to get trapped under the partial uncomfortably. And, if your partial replaces front teeth, you usually cannot bite securely into many foods without taking care. The replacement teeth are simply not as strong or secure as real teeth. So there are limitations, but many people have partial dentures and have learned to function well with them. Just remember that adjustment to the partial doesn't happen instantly. Be patient. Good luck, Dr. Conrad

Once they are adjusted and fitted properly, partial dentures shouldn't hurt. But it will usually take some time to get used to them. Face it, it is not normal to have missing teeth replaced with metal and/or acrylic to give you artificial teeth to chew with. Everyone adapts differently. I have many patients that function quite well with partial dentures. When I see them for routine care, they seldom mention any problems with pain. Once you've accommodated, they are easily tolerable. Dr. Conrad

Ideally, use a toothbrush designed for dentures and use dish soap and water. Denture toothpaste is very good, but not regular toothpaste. It has abrasive particles in it to clean stains off real teeth, and they will dull and scratch denture teeth and acrylic. Denture tablets and cleansers do not remove 100% of the plaque on dentures, and the percentage that remains will turn into tartar or calculus that needs to be cleaned off professionally. Best idea, clean with soap and water or denture toothpaste first, and, for the final cleaning, drop the dentures in denture cleaner (tablet or powder) overnight. Since you can hold the dentures in your hands and clean every part easily, there's never a reason to develop tartar on your dentures. Remember, even one night of incomplete plaque removal can lead to tartar formation that can no longer be brushed away. Dr. Conrad