Michael A. Conrad

If you postpone it for only a month, that should be fine. But since the treatment was only started, there remains a portion of the pulp contents that will continue to die off and, ultimately, produce pus, pressure and pain. Often, the start of the treatment involves putting in medication to kill off infected tissue and calm things down until the treatment can be completed comfortably. The longer you wait, the better chance that you will have serious consequences and possibly lose the tooth.

Regarding your Covid concerns, you should discuss that with your dentist. If the office is taking the necessary precautions with hard surface disinfection, air purification, proper use of PPE and the normal safeguards for infection control, you should not have a worry. In that respect, they are just as afraid of catching something from their patients. I have not read of any doctor/patient Covid transmission since reopening after the shutdown. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened or that it can't, but the odds are extremely low if everything is done right. Ultimately, the decision is yours. Talk to your dentist, express your concerns, and make that decision based on facts, not fear, and on what is best for your overall health.

Dr. Michael Conrad

I am extremely interested in your story and hoped, as I read through it, that I might have some fresh insight to your problem. Unfortunately, I do not.  You seem to have exhausted every avenue that I would have suggested, the last being seeing the surgeon associated with your university. Does your university have a dental school? If so, I would try to get to see someone in the surgery department there. If not, try to get to the closest dental school for a surgical evaluation. I truly believe that what you are going through is real and serious, but I
cannot figure out why no one can help you. I hope that you can find some help. I would certainly like to hear if you get this resolved.
Good luck and God bless.

Dr. Michael Conrad

Brush after to help keep the staining down. And consider using a whitening toothpaste.

Dr. Conrad

No, but it may diminish the threat of sugary and acidic liquids by not bathing the entire mouth with them. 

I am not an oral surgeon, but I looked up the codes and it appears that your graft was coded properly. *D7950* is for ridge augmentation or sinus lift procedures. Your treatment was for ridge augmentation. *D7953* is for filling a socket after extraction or implant removal.

Dr. Conrad

That is certainly possible. It could be a whole body immune response. You may have heard of pregnancy gingivitis. That is caused by the pregnancy hormones making the gums more susceptible to minor plaque and irritation. It is also an overdone immune response. So that may well be related to the vaccine- not that you could be pregnant, but that the overreaction to the vaccine is similar to what happens in some pregnancies.

Dr. Conrad

First, it could be your body telling you something! You know, if it hurts when you do that, maybe you should stop! But everyone wants a treat. If the pain lingers, it may be a sign of a cavity that you can't see, perhaps in-between the teeth, that is causing the pain. It could be something as simple as gum recession and root exposure. But I don't like the idea that it hurts after eating. See a dentist!
 
Dr. Conrad

If you are meticulous and want to spend more time cleaning your teeth, a normal toothbrush is fine. But it's better to use one that is designed for your condition. It's easier and better. Braces present a challenge to cleaning your teeth, and you want to do everything to have a great final result.

Dr. Conrad

Certainly. It's a very common and easy procedure. 

Dr. Conrad 

Avoid antibiotics for gingivitis. That is subjecting your entire body to a drug when proper brushing and flossing will do the job. Sometimes, in more extreme cases, a topical antimicrobial rinse may help, something with chlorhexidine in it. But for gingivitis, you don't need something that could affect your entire body. Step up your personal hygiene first.

Dr. Conrad

 
I just got my braces, and I have upper and lower arc braces. I'd like to change the treatment where i only have upper arc brace, is it still possible?
 
Yes, anything's possible, but not likely a good idea.  When braces are put on top and bottom, they are designed to move all the teeth to an ideal condition so that they work together.  Just moving one arch will likely compromise the final result.
 
Will the package fee be changed?  Can I give my brackets to my sibling? Who is under treatment also?
 
Changing the fee would be up to the treating doctor.  You already have them attached, so removing them will likely have a cost associated.  And no, they cannot/should not be used by someone else.  First of all, they will likely be damaged during removal.  Second, just because your sibling is having treatment, that doesn't mean that the exact conditions exist to use your brackets or wires.  And third, I'm pretty sure that recycling materials that way would be considered unethical.
 
But why are you even considering this?  You should really speak to your treating doctor.
 
Michael A. Conrad, DDS, PC
 

Yes, see a dentist ASAP. A loose tooth can mean a fractured root, severe periodontal disease or an abscess. Only the last one has a chance of fixing the problem and saving the tooth.

Dr. Conrad

Yes, especially if the teeth were impacted and the surgery involved bone removal to extract the teeth. If the teeth were erupted and the procedure was considered routine or simple, then swelling may be a sign of infection. Check with your surgeon or dentist.

Dr. Conrad

That depends on the condition of your remaining teeth. Are you considering full dentures or partial dentures? There are so many factors to consider. Functioning with some missing teeth can put more stress on the remaining ones, causing premature loss. Everything was designed to work together. A partial denture can last for years while still maintaining healthy remaining teeth. Yet extracting _all_ the teeth for dentures does not necessarily give you a "free pass" from dentistry for the rest of your life. Not all people can wear dentures well. You cannot chew the same way as you did with natural teeth or implants. Taste and speech are also affected, especially if you're talking about a full upper denture that covers the roof of the mouth. But, many people function fine with dentures, and you may not even be aware that some people have them. Over time, wearing a plastic replacement for teeth over the healed gums and bone where your own teeth used to be will result in additional problems. Your bone supporting the dentures will gradually shrink away and leave you with looser dentures that require either relining to tighten them up or even remaking the dentures. No set of dentures will necessarily last a patient's lifetime. There are patients who have had the same denture for 40+ years, but the materials rarely last that long, and proper function is usually severely compromised. At age 64, you could be faced with 30 years of wearing dentures, almost guaranteeing the need for additional treatment in the future. It's a sliding scale or a balancing act. Get dentures too early, then, when you're much older, there may not be enough bone for you to wear dentures well and comfortably. Corrective treatment may be difficult and more expensive in your older years - a time when health and finances may not be optimal. Wait on getting dentures too long, and diseased teeth can cause loss of bone, which will also compromise treatment in your later years. The best solution is to maintain your teeth as best and as long as possible, and replace missing teeth with implants. If they are placed properly and cared for by the patient, they can last a very long time, all the while maintaining the vital bone and preserving proper chewing function and speech. Some people want dentures because they don't want to deal with tooth repair any longer and think that dentures will be a "cure-all" for all dental problems. But they can create an entirely new set of problems as well. Decide wisely with full awareness of the benefits, risks, and drawbacks.

You should see your primary care medical provider for that problem. 
Take care and good luck.

Dr. Conrad

Very doubtful, unless you don't follow your orthodontist's recommendations for cleaning your teeth with the braces. Color changes that occur with braces are usually related to beginning or full-blown cavities. If proper care is not taken, when the braces are removed there could be white spots, which are actually areas where the tooth has been attacked by mouth acids and has lost calcium. It looks whiter, but is flaky like chalk. It is the precursor to cavities. The other colors are yellow and brown, and they usually indicate true cavities. Clean well and consider a fluoride supplement or gel to protect you even more. It requires more skill with braces on, but you can do it.


Dr. Conrad

No matter how careful we are in preparing a tooth for a crown, the process is traumatic for the pulp of the tooth. There is often a bit of inflammation from the drilling and manipulation of the area. It usually goes away in a short while. Also, if the bite is just a little bit too high, you will have that sensitivity until it's adjusted. Of course, if the tooth has had a root canal, there is no chance of temperature sensitivity at all.

Dr. Conrad

Of course! Just don't overdo it with scrubbing too hard to contribute to gum recession and root wear.

Dr. Conrad

Seems like you have two things going on, and one is more serious than the other. When teeth are moved and the relationship of upper to lower jaw changes, that can stress the TMJ (TemporoMandibular Joint). Sometimes it can click or pop, but the sounds alone are not a serious problem and can be tolerated. But if there is pain associated with the sounds, then you must consult an oral surgeon or a TMJ specialist  Many people have joints that make those sounds and never require care or treatment. Some of us have knees that crack when we bend down, and that is similar. No pain = no treatment.

What is more troubling is the long time it's taking for your dry socket to heal. You should definitely consult with your surgeon. If there is an infection that is not healing properly, the jawbone can be negatively affected. You may also experience a tightness in the jaws that prevents normal opening. You may need more investigatory X-rays and additional treatment. Dry sockets can heal on their own, but the process is slow. Yours seems abnormally so. Get it looked at soon.

Dr. Conrad

Avoid hard and crunchy food on that side until it heals. That also includes nuts. It's just better not to stress the area too much while it's healing. so avoid anything excessively hot or spicy. Some people are irritated by excessive cold- use your judgement. Rinse well after eating and follow your dentist's instructions.


Dr. Conrad