Carla H. Schlissel

I would assume it would depend upon the reason your gums are receding. Your best bet is to talk to a periodontist. Find one who does conventional gum surgery (I assume you already did this); then find one who does laser surgery and ask about that. Also ask about something called the "Pinhole Technique," which is a way of dealing with recession. I, personally, don't know enough about this topic to be able to advise you, even if I had seen you in person, but at least you're pointed in a direction. Good luck.

Yes. By "regular dentist" I assume you are referring to a general or family dentist and not a specialist. However, some chose not to do any, however. Other, myself included, do not do molar root canals.

Excellent question. Alcohol-free mouthwash is a good idea, especially if it's antibacterial, such as Listerine Zero, Colgate Total or Crest Pro-Health. They probably won't damage dentures but I would still advise taking your dentures out of your mouth before using the mouthwash. Keep your dentures fresh and clean with a denture cleaning tablet or a toothpaste (and toothbrush) made for dentures because they are more gentle on the plastic so as not to scratch them. Just as you take your shoes and dirty clothing off at night, please remember to take your dentures out at night.

Several questions: Is this dental bridge cemented in? In that case, probably not. Is this dental bridge removable, does it come in & out? In that case, probably not. Why probably not? Because that depends on several things. Do you brush your teeth and gums once, preferably at least twice, a day? Do you keep your gums clean and healthy? Or is there still "fuzz" along the gumline after you finished brushing? Do you floss, or use something to clean between the teeth like a waterflosser or a pick of some sort? If you don't keep your gums clean and healthy, beside all of the medical problems that can result, your gums will get very puffy and red and inflamed and will appear to be growing up over and around your bridge. So - have your dentist and/or hygienist discuss with and show you how to keep clean around this bridge, be sure to go in for regular cleanings, and if you have any problems or concerns, be sure to call them.

Yes.

Get to an emergency room now. Or an oral surgeon, as a second choice. This has the potential to be a life-threatening emergency.

I'm assuming you're referring to a retainer that's bonded to the insides of your teeth. And veneers that are bonded to the outsides of your teeth. Then, yes. And if it's a removable retainer, also, yes.

Braces. Check with an orthodontist. A consultation will tell you your options, the time involved, the expected outcomes and the cost involved.

Whether you need an anesthetic or not really depends on you and the condition of your tooth. Do you have a large nerve, or is is shrunken? Are you normally very sensitive to things, or not? Most people want to be numb for fillings. I normally do, but I recently had 4 fillings across my front teeth that didn't bother me at all, until the very end. So you have a choice: you can have an injection to be numb, in which case you'll feel fat and tingly, but the cavity preparation shouldn't bother you at all (except maybe the noise), or you can try without and if it really bothers you, your dentist can make you numb at that point.

I don't know. Ask your maxillofacial surgeon. Good luck.

I don't know. Maybe they won't hurt at all. Maybe you'll have no sore spots. If you do have any sore spots, please tell your dentist so he/she can adjust them. Just be sure to wear your dentures for several hours before your appointment. Your dentist will need to see where there's too much pressure so the denture can be adjusted appropriately.

It depends on how securely they fit. Often times, no. But I always tell my denture patients that, even if the denture feels really "tight" to use a little drop of adhesive just or the additional security. I tend to remember my one patient, years ago, who was a foreman of a plant. His denture fit very well. But he sneezed and his denture flew across the shop floor - because when you sneeze, the soft palate in the back of your mouth raises and breaks the suction. But check with your dentist.

Never having worn a partial, I can't tell you from personal experience, only what I "imagine" them to feel. They will not feel like nothing is there. You will definitely be aware of having something in your mouth initially. When they are first put in, you may develop sore spots, or pressure spots. These will need to be adjusted by your dentist. The clasps may need to be adjusted, depending on what type of clasps they are. Your tongue will have something new and different to explore, because tongues are curious critters. Partials do have a degree of bulk to them, so you will be very aware of them. You will have to learn how to put them in and take them out. You may have to learn how to speak with them, and you will have a lot more saliva for a while until your body adjusts to them. Over time, you will adapt and pretty much forget about them. Everything depends on whether you are getting top or bottom partials (or both), what they are made of (metal and acrylic, all flexible acrylic, just flexible acrylic clasps, or metal one). Basically, there are a lot of variables. If you have any concerns, please express them to your dentist.

Short answer: Yes. Technology today is able to bond to composite and porcelain. I'm not sure about bonding to silver, but that's a concern only if the silver filling is where they need to bond a bracket to.(usually this is not the case.) For reassurance, get an consultation with an orthodontist and ask him or her.

I really don't know. That is something you'll have to ask your periodontist or whoever is doing this procedure for you. I know how it's done and have heard really good things about it and it's results, but I don't know any patients who have had it done. I'd suggest taking a couple of Tylenol (or the generic) beforehand. Good luck.

Plax Mouthwash loosens the plaque on your teeth, making it easier to remove with a toothbrush and dental floss.

It might help, at least to keep the area clean. Just be sure to use Listerine with no alcohol in it or it may hurt incredibly. Considering, though, that most mouth ulcers are caused by viruses it might be better to see you dentist. Maybe he or she can prescribe something to help heal the ulcers. Or try Kanka-Cover to keep it covered and protected

Not generally. I offer my patients to get numb or we can try without and if if bothers them then I can make them numb. Some patients do without and some prefer to be numb. If you're concerned in any way, talk to your dentist. Consider getting a night guard after your veneers to protect them. And remember to moderate your food and drink temperature. Like a sidewalk cracks from extremes in temperature, so can porcelain. So don't have ice cold drinks with hot meals, for instance.

This all depends. How much do you want to spend? Can you afford implants for an implant-retained denture? Are these full dentures or partial dentures? (Do you have any remaining teeth to support a denture?) How much bone is available to hold and support the denture? What is the condition of your gums? Are they firm or flabby? What this boils down to is - talk to your dentist.

I don't know. I am only a dentist. The best persons to speak to about this would be your physician who prescribed the methotrexate and/or a pharmacist.