expert type icon EXPERT

Hussein Shivji

Dentist

Dr. Hussein Shivji is a Dentist practicing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dr. Shivji specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
Hussein Shivji
  • New Westminster, BC
  • University of Manitoba
  • Accepting new patients

Wisdom teeth?

I think you should see a dentist. They will take an X-ray of the jaw to assess. Most likely this is due to your wisdom teeth, but a good idea to get it properly checked.

Can you wear dentures if you have bone loss?

Yes, you can still wear dentures. However, your dentures may not feel as secure and may move around. If you have bone loss, you should consider dentures supported with implants. READ MORE
Yes, you can still wear dentures. However, your dentures may not feel as secure and may move around. If you have bone loss, you should consider dentures supported with implants.

How bad is a cavity if it hurts?

If a cavity hurts, it probably means it is very deep and close to the nerve. If the nerve is infected, the tooth may need to have a root canal or be extracted.

Why would a root canal tooth hurt?

A root canal-treated tooth may take a few days to settle down after treatment is completed. Usually, this is because the tooth was infected and it takes some time for the inflammation READ MORE
A root canal-treated tooth may take a few days to settle down after treatment is completed. Usually, this is because the tooth was infected and it takes some time for the inflammation to heal. Sometimes the procedure itself can cause the tooth to get irritated because we are using files and chemicals to clean the tooth. Normally, this settles down by itself in a couple of days. If your root canal continues to bother you, please check with your dentist. A tooth which is fractured or which has an extra nerve that wasn't detected when treated could continue to hurt even after initial treatment is done.

Is throbbing pain normal after tooth extractions?

Depending on the type of surgery, some pain is expected afterwards. Your dentist should be able to help you manage this pain by providing appropriate medications. Please reach READ MORE
Depending on the type of surgery, some pain is expected afterwards. Your dentist should be able to help you manage this pain by providing appropriate medications. Please reach out to their office if you are in pain.

Can you drink coffee with partial dentures?

In most cases, there should be no reason why you wouldn't be able to drink coffee with your partial dentures in. If your dentures are made of a clear material and you have been READ MORE
In most cases, there should be no reason why you wouldn't be able to drink coffee with your partial dentures in. If your dentures are made of a clear material and you have been told that they will stain easily, then you should avoid this. Some staining of teeth and dentures can occur with coffee, red wine or anything that has a lot of dark color in it. Usually this can be removed with denture cleaners such as Polident or by your dentist.

How do you know if your tooth root is exposed?

You would usually have sensitivity if your tooth root is exposed. If you have had a root canal or if your nerve is receded, you may not have sensitivity.

Can you be addicted to pain medicine after dental surgery?

Yes, you can get addicted to pain medications. Please discuss your concerns regarding these medicines with your surgeon.

Can I use mouthwash with dental browns?

Depends on the mouthwash. Some products such as chlorhexidine can stain teeth and restorations. Check with your dentist or hygienist.

Is brushing your teeth 3 times a day bad?

Ideally, you should be brushing your teeth after every meal, so brushing more than twice a day is actually good. Just make sure you are using a soft bristle toothbrush and are READ MORE
Ideally, you should be brushing your teeth after every meal, so brushing more than twice a day is actually good. Just make sure you are using a soft bristle toothbrush and are not brushing very hard as this can wear away your enamel and make your teeth more sensitive.

What to do if you have a hole in your tooth and it hurts?

Please see a dentist as soon as possible. You have a deep cavity that has possibly made its way close to your nerve and that is why you feel pain. Hopefully you only need a filling, READ MORE
Please see a dentist as soon as possible. You have a deep cavity that has possibly made its way close to your nerve and that is why you feel pain. Hopefully you only need a filling, but if the cavity is deep enough, you might need a root canal or the tooth may need to be extracted.

What should you do if your tooth falls out?

Teeth don't normally "fall out." I would recommend you get this checked out by a dentist. Teeth can come out if the bone around them is lost due to advanced gum disease. If this READ MORE
Teeth don't normally "fall out." I would recommend you get this checked out by a dentist. Teeth can come out if the bone around them is lost due to advanced gum disease. If this is the case, you may be at risk of losing other teeth as well unless you get treatment. You may also have had a retained baby tooth that finally fell out. While this itself is not a concern, you should nonetheless get this looked at to make sure other teeth are not going to shift or move into the space present.

Can a root canal be done through an existing crown?

Yes, a root canal can be done through an existing crown. The crown would need to be sealed after the root canal is completed with a permanent filling.

What to do if a piece of tooth breaks off?

If a portion of your tooth breaks it should be fixed by a dentist. In some cases, the tooth may have broken because of grinding/clenching teeth which also would need to be addressed READ MORE
If a portion of your tooth breaks it should be fixed by a dentist. In some cases, the tooth may have broken because of grinding/clenching teeth which also would need to be addressed by the dentist. In other cases, old metal fillings can weaken the remaining tooth structure and this breaks off as a result.

Do veneers ruin your teeth?

The short answer is, it depends. If you can get veneers placed without drilling down the teeth, your teeth will not be "ruined" even if you need to get the veneers removed in the READ MORE
The short answer is, it depends. If you can get veneers placed without drilling down the teeth, your teeth will not be "ruined" even if you need to get the veneers removed in the future. If your teeth had to be prepared or drilled down, that procedure is irreversible. If you get cavities under your veneers in the future and need to get these replaced, you may need your teeth to be drilled down further. Your dentist can let you know what is being planned in your case.

Can I brush my teeth with a broken tooth?

I assume you mean you want to brush a tooth which is broken. The answer is yes. Try and keep the tooth as clean as possible to hopefully avoid an infection.

When should pain from a tooth extraction stop?

Pain associated with surgery varies depending on the type of surgical procedure. In most cases, the mouth may be sore for a day or two and feel better afterwards. With more complex READ MORE
Pain associated with surgery varies depending on the type of surgical procedure. In most cases, the mouth may be sore for a day or two and feel better afterwards. With more complex surgeries, pain may last longer. Your surgeon should be able to tell you how long to expect pain after your surgery. Your surgeon should also be able to prescribe appropriate medication to help manage pain if needed. Occasionally, the blood clot covering your extraction site may come out resulting in a condition called dry socket. If you do get a dry socket, your surgeon will be able to apply a dressing to the site that should help provide relief.

How often do braces get adjusted?

Adjustments or wire changes are usually every 6-8 weeks but this can vary with the individual. Best to ask the dentist or orthodontist that will be doing the treatment for your READ MORE
Adjustments or wire changes are usually every 6-8 weeks but this can vary with the individual. Best to ask the dentist or orthodontist that will be doing the treatment for your son.

Is ultrasonic scaling painful?

Ultrasonic scaling is not normally painful. If you haven't had your teeth cleaned in a while you may have root recession from all the plaque and calculus deposits present. This READ MORE
Ultrasonic scaling is not normally painful. If you haven't had your teeth cleaned in a while you may have root recession from all the plaque and calculus deposits present. This may cause you to be more sensitive during scaling. If you do feel uncomfortable during the appointment, you can ask the hygienist to use hand scaling instead. Another option may be to get some anesthetic first so that you don't feel anything.