EXPERT
WIlliam F. Scott, DMD
Dentist
Dr. William Scott is a Cosmetic, Implant & Family Dentist practicing in Warren, NJ at Deluxe Dental Group. Dr. Scott specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. He is trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
10 years
Experience
WIlliam F. Scott, DMD
- Warren, New Jersey
- Temple Dental School
- Accepting new patients
No results found
Can teeth be saved with periodontal disease?
Hello,
Periodontal disease comes in a variety of different forms and for different reasons which makes diagnosis important. Chronic periodontitis (periodontal disease) is the READ MORE
Hello,
Periodontal disease comes in a variety of different forms and for different reasons which makes diagnosis important. Chronic periodontitis (periodontal disease) is the most common form and it usually starts in the 30s and 40s. This form of periodontal disease is usually very slow and treatable. It is not normally reversible; however, it can be stopped where it is and maintained for the rest of someone's life. Once it is stopped there is also the possibility of gingival (gum) grafts to make the area more aesthetic. The ability to treat chronic periodontal disease depends on which point the disease was first identified, diagnosed and treated. If the teeth had some mild recession before treatment started then with good treatment they are most often saved with no hesitation. If the teeth were loose before the diagnosis and treatment was made then those teeth may or may not be savable.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Periodontal disease comes in a variety of different forms and for different reasons which makes diagnosis important. Chronic periodontitis (periodontal disease) is the most common form and it usually starts in the 30s and 40s. This form of periodontal disease is usually very slow and treatable. It is not normally reversible; however, it can be stopped where it is and maintained for the rest of someone's life. Once it is stopped there is also the possibility of gingival (gum) grafts to make the area more aesthetic. The ability to treat chronic periodontal disease depends on which point the disease was first identified, diagnosed and treated. If the teeth had some mild recession before treatment started then with good treatment they are most often saved with no hesitation. If the teeth were loose before the diagnosis and treatment was made then those teeth may or may not be savable.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
How long should you wait to eat after getting a tooth pulled?
Hello, Drinking after getting a tooth pulled (extracted) can be done almost immediately after; however, there are some inconveniences. First of all, during the tooth extracting READ MORE
Hello,
Drinking after getting a tooth pulled (extracted) can be done almost immediately after; however, there are some inconveniences. First of all, during the tooth extracting procedure, the patient will get some local anesthesia and have some numbness feeling. This means that drinking water may be difficult because there will not be full sensation of the lips and cheeks.
Secondly, the patient will normally leave the office biting down on the gauze. This is to help the clot form in the extraction site and is only needed for the first 30 minutes after the extraction. If needed, water can be drunk but it is not easy and preferred to wait. However, when it comes to eating it is best to wait until after the gauze comes out. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Drinking after getting a tooth pulled (extracted) can be done almost immediately after; however, there are some inconveniences. First of all, during the tooth extracting procedure, the patient will get some local anesthesia and have some numbness feeling. This means that drinking water may be difficult because there will not be full sensation of the lips and cheeks.
Secondly, the patient will normally leave the office biting down on the gauze. This is to help the clot form in the extraction site and is only needed for the first 30 minutes after the extraction. If needed, water can be drunk but it is not easy and preferred to wait. However, when it comes to eating it is best to wait until after the gauze comes out. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Do dental bridges look natural?
Hello, Good for you for asking an in-depth question. Dental bridges can look very natural; however, this is dependent on a few factors. First of all, the dentist making the READ MORE
Hello,
Good for you for asking an in-depth question. Dental bridges can look very natural; however, this is dependent on a few factors. First of all, the dentist making the bridge is important as the dental bridge will only look as natural as he/she designs it to be and the lab they uses makes it with detail. Some people have more of an eye for aesthetics then others.
Secondly, where it goes in the mouth and how long the tooth that the dental bridge is replacing has been missing. If the tooth has been missing for quite some time then the gums and jaw bone probably has receded some. This means the area that the bridge is covering is a little bigger then normal and the false tooth in the bridge may look a little longer. Also the teeth around the bridge tend to shift when the tooth has been missing for a long time. This means that the tooth can look skinnier then it normally would be. If the bridge is made shortly after the tooth is extracted then these factors are usually not a problem. Interestingly enough, if these problems do exist, then a lot of times a dental bridge will look more natural then an implant.
Finally, it is important to consider the teeth around the dental bridge. If they are stained, discolored, or having fillings or cavities in them; this will make a beautifully made dental bridge look out of place. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Good for you for asking an in-depth question. Dental bridges can look very natural; however, this is dependent on a few factors. First of all, the dentist making the bridge is important as the dental bridge will only look as natural as he/she designs it to be and the lab they uses makes it with detail. Some people have more of an eye for aesthetics then others.
Secondly, where it goes in the mouth and how long the tooth that the dental bridge is replacing has been missing. If the tooth has been missing for quite some time then the gums and jaw bone probably has receded some. This means the area that the bridge is covering is a little bigger then normal and the false tooth in the bridge may look a little longer. Also the teeth around the bridge tend to shift when the tooth has been missing for a long time. This means that the tooth can look skinnier then it normally would be. If the bridge is made shortly after the tooth is extracted then these factors are usually not a problem. Interestingly enough, if these problems do exist, then a lot of times a dental bridge will look more natural then an implant.
Finally, it is important to consider the teeth around the dental bridge. If they are stained, discolored, or having fillings or cavities in them; this will make a beautifully made dental bridge look out of place. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Do you need healthy gums for Invisalign?
Hello,
Asking about healthy gums (gingiva) for invisalign is a very good question; however, the answer is not very straight forward. It would be best to have healthy gums before READ MORE
Hello,
Asking about healthy gums (gingiva) for invisalign is a very good question; however, the answer is not very straight forward. It would be best to have healthy gums before invisalign is started; but, that may not be possible in all cases. Teeth that are not aligned properly cause a few problems.
Anyone with crooked teeth knows that it is very difficult to clean in and around these teeth. Even the dentist or hygienist has a hard time cleaning these teeth. This means that plaque, bacterial and hardened plaque known as calculus gets built up on these teeth which cause inflammation of the gums. These gums are not healthy; but the chances of them becoming healthy before the start of invisalign is very slim. Remember one of the reason we straighten teeth is to get healthier gums.
Secondly, teeth that are crooked tend to cause gum problems regardless if they are clean or not. As teeth lean over or rotate they pinch the gums which cause them to recede or become inflammed. This problem will not settle down until the teeth are straightened with either braces or invisalign. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Asking about healthy gums (gingiva) for invisalign is a very good question; however, the answer is not very straight forward. It would be best to have healthy gums before invisalign is started; but, that may not be possible in all cases. Teeth that are not aligned properly cause a few problems.
Anyone with crooked teeth knows that it is very difficult to clean in and around these teeth. Even the dentist or hygienist has a hard time cleaning these teeth. This means that plaque, bacterial and hardened plaque known as calculus gets built up on these teeth which cause inflammation of the gums. These gums are not healthy; but the chances of them becoming healthy before the start of invisalign is very slim. Remember one of the reason we straighten teeth is to get healthier gums.
Secondly, teeth that are crooked tend to cause gum problems regardless if they are clean or not. As teeth lean over or rotate they pinch the gums which cause them to recede or become inflammed. This problem will not settle down until the teeth are straightened with either braces or invisalign. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
What happens if a baby tooth doesn't fall out?
Hello,
Baby teeth do not usually start falling out (exfoliating) until near age 6 (it could even be a little later). At this point children usually have at least a couple exams READ MORE
Hello,
Baby teeth do not usually start falling out (exfoliating) until near age 6 (it could even be a little later). At this point children usually have at least a couple exams with a dentist, and the ones that are loose and ready to fall out will be noted. If at this point a child does not start getting loose baby teeth (they have to get loose before they fall out) then the doctor can examine and figure out why they are not getting loose.
One of the reason for them not getting loose is simply because the adult tooth has not erupted (grown in enough) or the adult tooth is not coming in directly under the baby tooth. If the adult tooth has not come in enough, then most of the time just waiting is the correct solution. If the adult tooth is not under the baby tooth (lower front teeth can sometimes come in behind the baby teeth) then sometimes the baby teeth need to be extracted (this is rare though).
Finally, baby teeth may not get loose if there is no tooth behind it. If the adult tooth is missing, then the baby tooth may stay in that place. There are plenty of adults walking around each day with a baby tooth still in place.
All these possibilities are good reasons why continual check-ups by a dentist help greatly. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Baby teeth do not usually start falling out (exfoliating) until near age 6 (it could even be a little later). At this point children usually have at least a couple exams with a dentist, and the ones that are loose and ready to fall out will be noted. If at this point a child does not start getting loose baby teeth (they have to get loose before they fall out) then the doctor can examine and figure out why they are not getting loose.
One of the reason for them not getting loose is simply because the adult tooth has not erupted (grown in enough) or the adult tooth is not coming in directly under the baby tooth. If the adult tooth has not come in enough, then most of the time just waiting is the correct solution. If the adult tooth is not under the baby tooth (lower front teeth can sometimes come in behind the baby teeth) then sometimes the baby teeth need to be extracted (this is rare though).
Finally, baby teeth may not get loose if there is no tooth behind it. If the adult tooth is missing, then the baby tooth may stay in that place. There are plenty of adults walking around each day with a baby tooth still in place.
All these possibilities are good reasons why continual check-ups by a dentist help greatly. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
What happens if a piece of tooth is left after extraction?
Hello,
Sorry to hear about your extraction experience. Yes there are some times when a piece of tooth gets left behind; and a lot of times it is done on purpose. Sometimes READ MORE
Hello,
Sorry to hear about your extraction experience. Yes there are some times when a piece of tooth gets left behind; and a lot of times it is done on purpose. Sometimes a small piece of the root of a tooth can break and stay in the tooth socket. At this point, a determination is usually made about if it is worth the extra work on the jaw bone to remove it; or is the patient better off leaving it in there. One example of this is roots of the upper (maxillary) molars. These root tips sit very close to the sinus membrane, and one wrong move, then they can be pushed into the sinus. If one of these roots breaks, then the doctor should consider if it is worth the risk of pushing it into the sinus.
Now, once the piece is left behind there are two things that will usually happen. It will either remain in place and no longer be a problem, or it will start to exfoliate on its own.
However, usually when a patient feels like there is a piece of tooth left after an extraction, it is normally a bone chip that exfoliated after the extraction. This bone chip stays under the gums but is separate from the jaw bone. At this point the chip will work its way through the gums and come out on its own. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Sorry to hear about your extraction experience. Yes there are some times when a piece of tooth gets left behind; and a lot of times it is done on purpose. Sometimes a small piece of the root of a tooth can break and stay in the tooth socket. At this point, a determination is usually made about if it is worth the extra work on the jaw bone to remove it; or is the patient better off leaving it in there. One example of this is roots of the upper (maxillary) molars. These root tips sit very close to the sinus membrane, and one wrong move, then they can be pushed into the sinus. If one of these roots breaks, then the doctor should consider if it is worth the risk of pushing it into the sinus.
Now, once the piece is left behind there are two things that will usually happen. It will either remain in place and no longer be a problem, or it will start to exfoliate on its own.
However, usually when a patient feels like there is a piece of tooth left after an extraction, it is normally a bone chip that exfoliated after the extraction. This bone chip stays under the gums but is separate from the jaw bone. At this point the chip will work its way through the gums and come out on its own. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Does Invisalign provide permanent results?
Hello,
Good for you for wanting to better your teeth. Invisalign is just a means to the same end as braces. It will only straighten your teeth using a different materials. READ MORE
Hello,
Good for you for wanting to better your teeth. Invisalign is just a means to the same end as braces. It will only straighten your teeth using a different materials. The results are the same as if someone had braces. Retainers would need to be worn to maintain the results and just like with braces. Invisalign retainers would be very much like the aligners that were worn during the Invisalign and usually only worn at night though. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Good for you for wanting to better your teeth. Invisalign is just a means to the same end as braces. It will only straighten your teeth using a different materials. The results are the same as if someone had braces. Retainers would need to be worn to maintain the results and just like with braces. Invisalign retainers would be very much like the aligners that were worn during the Invisalign and usually only worn at night though. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Can I get a crown without a root canal?
Hello,
What a great question! The answer is Yes. Dentists follow principles for doing root canals and different principles for doing crowns. However, one of the reasons for READ MORE
Hello,
What a great question! The answer is Yes. Dentists follow principles for doing root canals and different principles for doing crowns. However, one of the reasons for doing crowns on the back (posterior) teeth is because a root canal was previously done. This does not go the other way. You do not do a root canal on a back tooth because it is getting a crown.
Some of the reasons for doing a root canal include a tooth that has a cavity or decay that has gotten into or too close to the pulp chamber (nerve of the tooth), or the tooth has broken off and the only way to restore it into a tooth is to build it up with a post that would go into the pulp chamber.
The reasons for doing a crown are similar to root canal but the decay or fracture is still far enough away from the pulp chamber or nerve that it will not affect it. If it is a back tooth and has had a root canal then a crown is usually indicated to help prevent the tooth from breaking in the future as we use these teeth much more. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
What a great question! The answer is Yes. Dentists follow principles for doing root canals and different principles for doing crowns. However, one of the reasons for doing crowns on the back (posterior) teeth is because a root canal was previously done. This does not go the other way. You do not do a root canal on a back tooth because it is getting a crown.
Some of the reasons for doing a root canal include a tooth that has a cavity or decay that has gotten into or too close to the pulp chamber (nerve of the tooth), or the tooth has broken off and the only way to restore it into a tooth is to build it up with a post that would go into the pulp chamber.
The reasons for doing a crown are similar to root canal but the decay or fracture is still far enough away from the pulp chamber or nerve that it will not affect it. If it is a back tooth and has had a root canal then a crown is usually indicated to help prevent the tooth from breaking in the future as we use these teeth much more. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Why is my cheek swollen after a root canal?
Hello, Sorry to hear about your discomfort and swelling. It is hard to figure out what happened when you were not there. Yes, what your doctor told you is certainly a possibility. READ MORE
Hello,
Sorry to hear about your discomfort and swelling. It is hard to figure out what happened when you were not there. Yes, what your doctor told you is certainly a possibility. There are two common reasons for swelling after a root canal. One is if the cleaning solution got past the end of the root of your tooth. The other is if there is an infection. It is important to know that during a root canal procedure the canal of the tooth is being cleaned of any nerve fibers, blood vessels, or bacteria. If bacteria got past the end of the tooth, it could cause an infection.
If some the cleaning solution does get past the end of the root canal it will normally make the cheek swell up (depending on what tooth it is). This usually happens right after the root canal (within hours to a day). The body is not used to having cleaning solution in it (no matter which one was used), this will cause a reaction by the immune system. The immune system has a few responses and the first one is the swelling of the area, which brings more of the immune cells in the blood stream to the area to fight off the infection. Once the solution is dealt with the swelling will go down and usually takes 7-10 days to go away.
On rare occasions it can take a little longer then 7-10 days due to a variety of factors. People with diabetes have a harder time healing infections, which takes longer.
If it is an infection from the bacteria, that is what the antibiotics are for. The timing of the onset of the swelling usually helps with diagnosis as swelling from the bacteria usually starts 1-2 days after the root canal.
It is important to know that it is impossible to be 100% sure of the cause of the swelling so the antibiotics are given no matter what. However, if the dominant bacteria change, then a different antibiotic might be needed to target that bacteria.
At 7 days it is advisable to see the person who did the root canal so she can see if you are healing properly or if the root canal needs to be cleaned out again. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Sorry to hear about your discomfort and swelling. It is hard to figure out what happened when you were not there. Yes, what your doctor told you is certainly a possibility. There are two common reasons for swelling after a root canal. One is if the cleaning solution got past the end of the root of your tooth. The other is if there is an infection. It is important to know that during a root canal procedure the canal of the tooth is being cleaned of any nerve fibers, blood vessels, or bacteria. If bacteria got past the end of the tooth, it could cause an infection.
If some the cleaning solution does get past the end of the root canal it will normally make the cheek swell up (depending on what tooth it is). This usually happens right after the root canal (within hours to a day). The body is not used to having cleaning solution in it (no matter which one was used), this will cause a reaction by the immune system. The immune system has a few responses and the first one is the swelling of the area, which brings more of the immune cells in the blood stream to the area to fight off the infection. Once the solution is dealt with the swelling will go down and usually takes 7-10 days to go away.
On rare occasions it can take a little longer then 7-10 days due to a variety of factors. People with diabetes have a harder time healing infections, which takes longer.
If it is an infection from the bacteria, that is what the antibiotics are for. The timing of the onset of the swelling usually helps with diagnosis as swelling from the bacteria usually starts 1-2 days after the root canal.
It is important to know that it is impossible to be 100% sure of the cause of the swelling so the antibiotics are given no matter what. However, if the dominant bacteria change, then a different antibiotic might be needed to target that bacteria.
At 7 days it is advisable to see the person who did the root canal so she can see if you are healing properly or if the root canal needs to be cleaned out again. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
What causes teeth to come in crooked?
Hello,
A very interesting question to discuss. Teeth are crooked for a number of reasons; however, they usually come in (erupt) crooked due to a lack of space. This lack of READ MORE
Hello,
A very interesting question to discuss. Teeth are crooked for a number of reasons; however, they usually come in (erupt) crooked due to a lack of space. This lack of space is usually caused by a skeletal malocclusion (the jaw bones are too small to fit all the teeth) or sometimes a more local problem, like one tooth erupted but leaned over and now the next tooth has to turn to come into the mouth. If our jaws do not grow by the right amount at the right time there will not be enough space for all the teeth to come in and fit side-by-side. Since teeth continue to erupt, they will twist, turn, and lean to fit all the way in. This is also why people used to wear "head gear" braces. These were not to straighten teeth, but to advance or slow down the growth of the jaws to allow the teeth to come in straight. However, they do not stay straight.
As we get older, teeth tend to move because they are balancing a few different forces throughout the day. The upper lip is supported by the upper teeth (Think about what someone looks like when they take out their denture). Your upper lip is also supported by your lower teeth (when you rest your mouth, the edges of your upper lip touch your lower lip. This is what we refer to as the wet dry line of the lower lip). Every time we swallow our tongue moves forward and upward and is supported by the upper teeth. As we chew or bite into things we cause forces in different directions. This means teeth are constantly balancing among forces pulling/pushing them in different directions; but, this is all after they erupt or come into the mouth. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
A very interesting question to discuss. Teeth are crooked for a number of reasons; however, they usually come in (erupt) crooked due to a lack of space. This lack of space is usually caused by a skeletal malocclusion (the jaw bones are too small to fit all the teeth) or sometimes a more local problem, like one tooth erupted but leaned over and now the next tooth has to turn to come into the mouth. If our jaws do not grow by the right amount at the right time there will not be enough space for all the teeth to come in and fit side-by-side. Since teeth continue to erupt, they will twist, turn, and lean to fit all the way in. This is also why people used to wear "head gear" braces. These were not to straighten teeth, but to advance or slow down the growth of the jaws to allow the teeth to come in straight. However, they do not stay straight.
As we get older, teeth tend to move because they are balancing a few different forces throughout the day. The upper lip is supported by the upper teeth (Think about what someone looks like when they take out their denture). Your upper lip is also supported by your lower teeth (when you rest your mouth, the edges of your upper lip touch your lower lip. This is what we refer to as the wet dry line of the lower lip). Every time we swallow our tongue moves forward and upward and is supported by the upper teeth. As we chew or bite into things we cause forces in different directions. This means teeth are constantly balancing among forces pulling/pushing them in different directions; but, this is all after they erupt or come into the mouth. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Can missing teeth affect a person's speech?
Hello,
It varies from person to person and from tooth to tooth, but yes, missing teeth usually do affect someone's teeth. However, this usually gets compensated for automatically READ MORE
Hello,
It varies from person to person and from tooth to tooth, but yes, missing teeth usually do affect someone's teeth. However, this usually gets compensated for automatically in a relatively short period of time. The amount it affects the speech depends largely on where and how many teeth are missing. When we speak 's' sounds, our teeth come together and closely touch. This is referred to as the closest speaking space and why it is critical to get right when making dentures. If there is a missing tooth, that creates a gap and allows air to escape through that area. As we say 'f' sounds, we touch our front teeth to our lower lip and force air behind them. A missing front tooth would cause a gap and allow air to escape giving a slight whistling sound. These are just a few of the different sounds that change when a tooth is missing and as mentioned earlier, it will usually be compensated for shortly.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
It varies from person to person and from tooth to tooth, but yes, missing teeth usually do affect someone's teeth. However, this usually gets compensated for automatically in a relatively short period of time. The amount it affects the speech depends largely on where and how many teeth are missing. When we speak 's' sounds, our teeth come together and closely touch. This is referred to as the closest speaking space and why it is critical to get right when making dentures. If there is a missing tooth, that creates a gap and allows air to escape through that area. As we say 'f' sounds, we touch our front teeth to our lower lip and force air behind them. A missing front tooth would cause a gap and allow air to escape giving a slight whistling sound. These are just a few of the different sounds that change when a tooth is missing and as mentioned earlier, it will usually be compensated for shortly.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
How long does it take for a clot to form after a tooth extraction?
Hello,
A clot usually forms within minutes of a tooth extraction. If the clotting process did not start that quickly we would never be able to have a tooth extracted as we would READ MORE
Hello,
A clot usually forms within minutes of a tooth extraction. If the clotting process did not start that quickly we would never be able to have a tooth extracted as we would lose too much blood. However, it does take some time to get the clot to stabilize and this is why the doctor has the patient bite down on a piece of gauze for 30 minutes after the extraction. After 30 minutes the clot should be stable and if it continues to bleed then a doctor should be contacted immediately (preferably the doctor who took the tooth out, but any professional opinion would be good). If the clot is no longer their after 30 minutes and there is no bleeding then it is possible for alveolar osteitis (dry socket). Dry socket is defined by the formation of a blood clot but then the loss of the blood clot after the extraction. Depending on when this blood clot is lost, it could be a very painful condition and present in a couple different colors. This is because the clot protects the socket, and when it is lost, there is nothing left to protect it by healing. The symptoms of dry socket will usually abate within two weeks and there is a paste that can be put in the socket to take away the pain, but it tastes awful.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
A clot usually forms within minutes of a tooth extraction. If the clotting process did not start that quickly we would never be able to have a tooth extracted as we would lose too much blood. However, it does take some time to get the clot to stabilize and this is why the doctor has the patient bite down on a piece of gauze for 30 minutes after the extraction. After 30 minutes the clot should be stable and if it continues to bleed then a doctor should be contacted immediately (preferably the doctor who took the tooth out, but any professional opinion would be good). If the clot is no longer their after 30 minutes and there is no bleeding then it is possible for alveolar osteitis (dry socket). Dry socket is defined by the formation of a blood clot but then the loss of the blood clot after the extraction. Depending on when this blood clot is lost, it could be a very painful condition and present in a couple different colors. This is because the clot protects the socket, and when it is lost, there is nothing left to protect it by healing. The symptoms of dry socket will usually abate within two weeks and there is a paste that can be put in the socket to take away the pain, but it tastes awful.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Is Orajel good for tooth pain?
Hello,
Orajel is just the brand name for benzocaine. When taking medications for any type of pain it is helpful to know what the medication is supposed to do for the pain. READ MORE
Hello,
Orajel is just the brand name for benzocaine. When taking medications for any type of pain it is helpful to know what the medication is supposed to do for the pain. Benzocaine is a topical anesthetic; in fact, it is the same topical anesthetic that the dentist puts on before the local anesthesia is injected. This means that as long as the gel can reach the nerves that are causing the tooth pain there is a chance it will provide relief but only temporary relief (10 to 20 minutes on a good day). This also means that nothing is treating the pain, it is ONLY blocking the tooth pain from being recognized by the brain.
Another important question to ask is; "has any other medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen in the right dose helped"? These medications are designed to treat the cause of the pain and not block it. Ultimately it would be in ones best interest to get a free consultation from a good dentist regarding the source of the pain.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Orajel is just the brand name for benzocaine. When taking medications for any type of pain it is helpful to know what the medication is supposed to do for the pain. Benzocaine is a topical anesthetic; in fact, it is the same topical anesthetic that the dentist puts on before the local anesthesia is injected. This means that as long as the gel can reach the nerves that are causing the tooth pain there is a chance it will provide relief but only temporary relief (10 to 20 minutes on a good day). This also means that nothing is treating the pain, it is ONLY blocking the tooth pain from being recognized by the brain.
Another important question to ask is; "has any other medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen in the right dose helped"? These medications are designed to treat the cause of the pain and not block it. Ultimately it would be in ones best interest to get a free consultation from a good dentist regarding the source of the pain.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Is front tooth extraction the most painful?
Hello,
Extractions are not usually painful at the time of the procedure. Local anesthesia (numbing agent) is given. This takes away the painful feeling, but there will be a READ MORE
Hello,
Extractions are not usually painful at the time of the procedure. Local anesthesia (numbing agent) is given. This takes away the painful feeling, but there will be a good deal of pressure. After the anesthesia has worn off, is usually when the discomfort comes in and there are a few things to know about this. First of all, the condition of the tooth is important to know. If the nerve inside the tooth is still alive and well then it should be noted that in order to extract the tooth this nerve will be severed at the tip of the root. If this nerve has died or the tooth has had a root canal then this is not a problem and discomfort after the extraction should not come from here.
Secondly, the amount of roots on the tooth is important. The more roots on the tooth the more force is required to extract the tooth (usually). Even if there is no nerve inside the tooth anymore (like after a root canal) there are nerves around the teeth (in the jaw bone and gums or gingiva). More force on the jaw and gingiva is likely to cause more irritation after the extraction procedure. Fortunately, front teeth usually only have one root.
Finally, the quality of the doctor extracting the tooth is sometimes relevant to the amount of discomfort afterward. Some doctors have a tendency for trying to extract the tooth as quickly as possible (through any means necessary). Quickly is perceived to be better by both the doctor and the patient. However, a tooth that takes longer to extract, but is done so with a gentle touch has much less discomfort after the extraction.
Hope this help.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Extractions are not usually painful at the time of the procedure. Local anesthesia (numbing agent) is given. This takes away the painful feeling, but there will be a good deal of pressure. After the anesthesia has worn off, is usually when the discomfort comes in and there are a few things to know about this. First of all, the condition of the tooth is important to know. If the nerve inside the tooth is still alive and well then it should be noted that in order to extract the tooth this nerve will be severed at the tip of the root. If this nerve has died or the tooth has had a root canal then this is not a problem and discomfort after the extraction should not come from here.
Secondly, the amount of roots on the tooth is important. The more roots on the tooth the more force is required to extract the tooth (usually). Even if there is no nerve inside the tooth anymore (like after a root canal) there are nerves around the teeth (in the jaw bone and gums or gingiva). More force on the jaw and gingiva is likely to cause more irritation after the extraction procedure. Fortunately, front teeth usually only have one root.
Finally, the quality of the doctor extracting the tooth is sometimes relevant to the amount of discomfort afterward. Some doctors have a tendency for trying to extract the tooth as quickly as possible (through any means necessary). Quickly is perceived to be better by both the doctor and the patient. However, a tooth that takes longer to extract, but is done so with a gentle touch has much less discomfort after the extraction.
Hope this help.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Can braces cause an overbite?
Hello,
This is a very interesting question but it has a pretty complicated answer. Braces do not usually an overbite; but it is helpful to have a good understanding of some READ MORE
Hello,
This is a very interesting question but it has a pretty complicated answer. Braces do not usually an overbite; but it is helpful to have a good understanding of some of the terms involved. Overbite refers to the amount teeth (usually front teeth) overlap from top to bottom. Another way of looking at this is how close due the upper front teeth get to the lower front gums. Overjet refers to how far front teeth overlap horizontally. Another way of thinking about overjet is, are the upper front teeth closer to the tip of the nose or the lower front teeth.
If there is crowding, this means that there is not enough room for the teeth to stand next to each other so they start rotating and slipping behind each other. In order to fix this the teeth have to be moved to the front of the patients face. Usually what happens is that the braces bring the teeth forward, then straighten them (once forward there is enough room to rotate them) then push them back while they are straight (inter proximal reduction, IPR, can be done at this stage to push them back a little further. Smile-direct club may have some convenience advantages; however, this is where some of its flaws are in treatment. The problem for the patient is that if the lower teeth are not crowded, but the upper teeth are. This means the upper teeth have to get moved forward by the braces but the lower teeth do not. This is increase the overjet, but the not normally the overbite. Overbite is largely dictated by the back teeth.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
This is a very interesting question but it has a pretty complicated answer. Braces do not usually an overbite; but it is helpful to have a good understanding of some of the terms involved. Overbite refers to the amount teeth (usually front teeth) overlap from top to bottom. Another way of looking at this is how close due the upper front teeth get to the lower front gums. Overjet refers to how far front teeth overlap horizontally. Another way of thinking about overjet is, are the upper front teeth closer to the tip of the nose or the lower front teeth.
If there is crowding, this means that there is not enough room for the teeth to stand next to each other so they start rotating and slipping behind each other. In order to fix this the teeth have to be moved to the front of the patients face. Usually what happens is that the braces bring the teeth forward, then straighten them (once forward there is enough room to rotate them) then push them back while they are straight (inter proximal reduction, IPR, can be done at this stage to push them back a little further. Smile-direct club may have some convenience advantages; however, this is where some of its flaws are in treatment. The problem for the patient is that if the lower teeth are not crowded, but the upper teeth are. This means the upper teeth have to get moved forward by the braces but the lower teeth do not. This is increase the overjet, but the not normally the overbite. Overbite is largely dictated by the back teeth.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
How long does a gum graft surgery last?
Hello, There are several different forms of gum graft surgery for a variety of reasons. So the length of time it takes depends on the type of graft you are having and what the READ MORE
Hello,
There are several different forms of gum graft surgery for a variety of reasons. So the length of time it takes depends on the type of graft you are having and what the reason for it is. Usually the doctor doing the graft surgery will book the chair for more then an hour. This includes time to get you ready, paperwork, and time for local anesthesia to take effect. The actual graft procedure may only take 20 minutes.
It is advantageous to make the procedure go quickly as this will lower the risk of the graft failing. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
There are several different forms of gum graft surgery for a variety of reasons. So the length of time it takes depends on the type of graft you are having and what the reason for it is. Usually the doctor doing the graft surgery will book the chair for more then an hour. This includes time to get you ready, paperwork, and time for local anesthesia to take effect. The actual graft procedure may only take 20 minutes.
It is advantageous to make the procedure go quickly as this will lower the risk of the graft failing. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Is molar extraction painful?
Hello, While there is a lot of pressure during the extraction of a tooth there should be no pain during the procedure. The painfulness of after extraction of any tooth depends READ MORE
Hello,
While there is a lot of pressure during the extraction of a tooth there should be no pain during the procedure. The painfulness of after extraction of any tooth depends on a few factors such as; age, tooth, location of tooth, angle of the tooth, how far broken down the tooth is, etc.
Age plays the same role as when we worry about elderly people falling and breaking a bone. As we get older our bones become more stiff. When a tooth is extracted the jaw bone has to be flexible around the roots in order for it to come out. This gets happens less when we are older. If the bone is stiffer then the tooth is going to require more force and thought to remove. This means the post-operative discomfort may be more.
The type tooth it is does make things more complicated and the amount of discomfort felt afterward could be influenced on how the tooth is extracted. A molar usually has between 2 or 3 roots (sometimes more). The jaw bone around these roots is going to have to be more flexible unless the tooth is sectioned into the individual roots and then removed. Less flexing of the jaw bone usually means less discomfort after the extraction.
If the tooth hard to get to then it could mean that there is more force applied in certain areas instead of spreading it around. This may have more discomfort afterward. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
While there is a lot of pressure during the extraction of a tooth there should be no pain during the procedure. The painfulness of after extraction of any tooth depends on a few factors such as; age, tooth, location of tooth, angle of the tooth, how far broken down the tooth is, etc.
Age plays the same role as when we worry about elderly people falling and breaking a bone. As we get older our bones become more stiff. When a tooth is extracted the jaw bone has to be flexible around the roots in order for it to come out. This gets happens less when we are older. If the bone is stiffer then the tooth is going to require more force and thought to remove. This means the post-operative discomfort may be more.
The type tooth it is does make things more complicated and the amount of discomfort felt afterward could be influenced on how the tooth is extracted. A molar usually has between 2 or 3 roots (sometimes more). The jaw bone around these roots is going to have to be more flexible unless the tooth is sectioned into the individual roots and then removed. Less flexing of the jaw bone usually means less discomfort after the extraction.
If the tooth hard to get to then it could mean that there is more force applied in certain areas instead of spreading it around. This may have more discomfort afterward. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
What color is the clot after tooth extraction?
Hello, A clot after an extraction forms the same way most clots do. The extraction site (the socket the tooth sits in) fills with blood shortly after the tooth is extracted. READ MORE
Hello,
A clot after an extraction forms the same way most clots do. The extraction site (the socket the tooth sits in) fills with blood shortly after the tooth is extracted. This gives the clot a dark red color. However, this color will most likely changes over the next few days. It can remain dark red or become lighter red. Sometimes if the clot is lost (dry socket or alveolar osteitis) the extraction site will have a white and red appearance. Ultimately the gums will heal over the area and it will have the same color as the rest of the gums. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
A clot after an extraction forms the same way most clots do. The extraction site (the socket the tooth sits in) fills with blood shortly after the tooth is extracted. This gives the clot a dark red color. However, this color will most likely changes over the next few days. It can remain dark red or become lighter red. Sometimes if the clot is lost (dry socket or alveolar osteitis) the extraction site will have a white and red appearance. Ultimately the gums will heal over the area and it will have the same color as the rest of the gums. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
What can I do for a dry socket?
Hello, Sorry to hear about your dry socket! Dry socket or alveolar osteitis is the loss of the blood clot after a tooth extraction. Depending on when this happens it can be very READ MORE
Hello,
Sorry to hear about your dry socket!
Dry socket or alveolar osteitis is the loss of the blood clot after a tooth extraction. Depending on when this happens it can be very painful. The blood clot is there to protect the empty tooth socket during the healing process, so if it is lost then there is exposed socket and bone until the gums (gingiva) heals over it.
Since the blood clot is lost, the only thing that can be done is to keep there area clean to help promote healing. If the discomfort is bad, then you can go to the dentist that extracted the tooth and have him/her pack the area with dry socket paste. This gets rid of the pain, but it tastes awful. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Sorry to hear about your dry socket!
Dry socket or alveolar osteitis is the loss of the blood clot after a tooth extraction. Depending on when this happens it can be very painful. The blood clot is there to protect the empty tooth socket during the healing process, so if it is lost then there is exposed socket and bone until the gums (gingiva) heals over it.
Since the blood clot is lost, the only thing that can be done is to keep there area clean to help promote healing. If the discomfort is bad, then you can go to the dentist that extracted the tooth and have him/her pack the area with dry socket paste. This gets rid of the pain, but it tastes awful. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
How common is receding gums?
Hello, Receding gums happens for a variety of different reasons and because of this it is very common. Most people have receding gums in at least one area of their mouth. One READ MORE
Hello,
Receding gums happens for a variety of different reasons and because of this it is very common. Most people have receding gums in at least one area of their mouth.
One of the biggest reasons for receding gums is periodontal disease (periodontitis). There are a couple different forms of periodontal disease but the most common one usually starts in the persons late 30s or early 40s. The bacteria in plaque cause gingival (gum) inflammation. Then the bone around the tooth starts being resorbed (taken away) and this causes the tooth to become loose.
Another common reason for recession is a build up of calculus (hardened plaque). Since this calculus can not be removed by brushing or flossing it sits there and causes the gums to recede away. This is especially true when the calculus is below the gum line. Not to worry because this can be easily cleaned at a dental visit.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Receding gums happens for a variety of different reasons and because of this it is very common. Most people have receding gums in at least one area of their mouth.
One of the biggest reasons for receding gums is periodontal disease (periodontitis). There are a couple different forms of periodontal disease but the most common one usually starts in the persons late 30s or early 40s. The bacteria in plaque cause gingival (gum) inflammation. Then the bone around the tooth starts being resorbed (taken away) and this causes the tooth to become loose.
Another common reason for recession is a build up of calculus (hardened plaque). Since this calculus can not be removed by brushing or flossing it sits there and causes the gums to recede away. This is especially true when the calculus is below the gum line. Not to worry because this can be easily cleaned at a dental visit.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
