Michael A. 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

If the caries has not penetrated the dentin of the tooth, I use a tiny dental bur called a "fissurotomy" to open up the fissure and remove all the decay in a very conservative manner, then it is sealed up with a flowable composite containing fluoride. If it has penetrated to the dentin, more aggressive treatment is indicated requiring an actual restoration or "filling." If this is a recurring problem, your dentist can prescribe an extra-strength fluoride gel to use.

Dr. Conrad

Yes, it usually does, but it generally takes a long time. It is caused by the premature loss of the blood clot in the socket and an infection that results. Your general dentist or oral surgeon can treat it and it usually goes away in a matter of days. It often occurs a few days after the surgery when the area was feeling pretty good, then a severe pain develops. It is more common on the lower jaw than the upper. You'd think that it would be the opposite, that the clot on the upper jaw would simply drop out due to gravity. But the lower jaw has a far more limited blood supply, so the clot is often weaker and more easily dislodged. Even if you follow all the post-operative instructions to the letter, about 30% of surgery patients get dry sockets anyway. If you don't follow all the instructions, your chances of getting a dry socket increase tremendously. If you have a dry socket, get treatment. It's not worth the long wait with pain until it heals naturally, and the treatment is usually simple.

Dr. Conrad

Lower molars are notorious for pieces of tooth or bone breaking off during extraction. Sometimes as you describe, it is necessary to go back in to retrieve an unwanted piece of tooth. In rare cases, a portion of the root may remain after the extraction and the surgeon may elect to leave it in place, since trying to retrieve it may be risky to other teeth and/or nerves and blood vessels.


Bone can break during extraction. Sometimes that small break is clean through and the piece can easily be seen and removed.


Other times, however, the bone fractures but doesn't detach. Over time it will eventually dislodge and try to come out through the gum, just like a splinter. Often that is on the tongue side of the extraction site. Patients have been know to remove the "splinter" themselves, but your dentist can do that as well.


Also, removing a tooth can result in a sharp contour to the bone that will eventually smooth out on its own. It can be very irritating to the tongue. If is too much of a problem, your dentist can remedy it, but that may involve some minor, additional surgery.


Dr. Conrad

Certainly it can be fixed. Four options come to mind.

1.  Braces- orthodontics can close the space when appropriate. It depends on the type of space and is not always possible or affordable.

2.  Crowns- can not only close the space in ideal circumstances, but can also restore the teeth to a more pleasing color and shape.

3.  Veneers- like crowns, they can close the space and change tooth color and shape. They do not require as much tooth shaping and preparation.

4.  Cosmetic bonding- an application of tooth colored filling material (resin) to reshape the front teeth, closing the space.

Veneers and crowns may turn out to be as expensive as orthodontics. Bonding is generally the most affordable, though not as long-lasting as veneers or crowns. However, no matter if you choose veneers, crowns or bonding, be careful that the final result doesn't give you extra large, unnatural teeth. Sometimes the space is simply too large to leave you with a normal looking smile. Your dentist can discuss these options and make recommendations for the best treatment for you.

No, the materials are not toxic and have been used for many, many years. But, of course, there are people who have an intolerance to certain materials and cannot use them. If you have an extremely rare reaction (allergy?) to one type of material, there are many others that can be tried. But the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor that you will not have any reaction to denture materials.

Dr. Conrad