Dr. David Kaffey

Let me clarify what a root canal procedure is and what an implant is. They are two very different procedures.

First, a root canal is done to save a tooth. There are many reasons why a root canal procedure may be needed but the most common are pain and infections. If, for whatever reason, a root canal procedure cannot be done or there was a complication with the procedure and the tooth needs to be removed, then a dental implant would be considered. A dental implant is used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. A root canal is done to save an existing tooth. This will help you understand what a dental implant is:

https://www.lansdalecosmeticdentist.com/services/dental-implants/

There is a library of videos on our website:

https://www.lansdalecosmeticdentist.com/patient-information/dental-videos/

Look under “Endodontics” for a short video on what is a root canal.
I hope this helps.

Keep Smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

Generally, yes. If you do heavy lifting or strenuous work, you will need to have a light work load for several day.



Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS





David M. Kaffey, DDS, FACD

Leading Dental Solutions, President



Leading Dental Solutions – Lansdale

2032 N. Broad St., Suite 1

Lansdale, PA 19446

P 215-368-6636

F 215-368-9782



Leading Dental Solutions – Jeffersonville

2121 W. Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

P 610-539-6550

F 610-539-4751



<mailto:drkaffey@leadingdentalsolutions.com> drkaffey@leadingdentalsolutions.com

<http://www.leadingdentalsolutions.com> www.leadingdentalsolutions.com



Montgomery Bucks Dental Society, Immediate Past President

Second District Dental Society, Director

Yes, that will remove any excess material that may be left behind.


Keep Smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS





David M. Kaffey, DDS, FACD

Leading Dental Solutions, President



Leading Dental Solutions - Lansdale

2032 North Broad St., Ste 1

Lansdale, PA 19446

P 215.368.6636

F 215.368.9782



Leading Dental Solutions – Jeffersonville

2121 W. Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

P 610.539.6550

F 610.539.4751



<http://www.leadingdentalsolutions.com/> www.leadingdentalsolutions.com

<mailto:drkaffey@leadingdentalsolutions.com> drkaffey@leadingdentalsolutions.com

C 267.872.2032



Montgomery Bucks Dental Society, Immediate Past President

American College of Dentists, Fellow

Second District Dental Society, Director



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It depends. Without knowing why you needed the crown, it is difficult to comment. However, it is not unusual for a tooth that did not have a root canal to be sensitive for a few days to a few weeks after a new crown is placed. This is usually triggered by cold foods or liquids and should go away quickly. What is not normal is pain when chewing, throbbing, ache, pulsating pain. If this persists for more than 2 weeks, contact your dentist.

Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

Generally, yes. Implants, like all surgical procedures, need to be properly planned and executed by experienced doctors. At 32 yrs old, you should expect the implant to last you many years. It is impossible to say just how long an implant will last. That is no different than trying to predict how long a hip or knee replacement will last. The important part is be sure your doctors have plenty of experience with both the placement of the implant and the crown/cap/bridges that will be attached to the implants.

Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

Yes, you absolutely can get a cavity under braces. In fact, your home care needs to be better than it ever has been if you are having braces put on. Your orthodontist should review this with you and they should put you on a daily fluoride rinse to help prevent cavities. Here’s an alternative to braces with a much less likelihood of forming a cavity: https://www.lansdalecosmeticdentist.com/services/cosmetic-dentistry/invisalign%C2%AE/

Keep Smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

Simply put, no. If you want white teeth, regardless of what you find on the internet, there is no “cheap” way to whiten teeth effectively. If you want white teeth, you need to pony up some cash and have it done right, have it done professionally. Costs can range from $200-600. Check it out:

https://www.lansdalecosmeticdentist.com/services/cosmetic-dentistry/teeth-whitening/

Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

Surgery is often a treatment of last resort. First line treatments will usually include bite splints (also called occlusal guards, night guards, occlusal splints) with or without medications. Additionally, a bite adjustment may be needed meaning that the way your teeth fit together is slightly altered. This is done to relieve some of the muscle tension associated with TMJ.
I have been successfully treating TMJ patients for many years.

Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

There are many ways to fix spacing between teeth. Basically, we either move the teeth closer together (there are several ways we do this), make each tooth slightly larger by placing crowns on the teeth, or we place veneers which are thin porcelain shells attached to the front of the teeth.

Check these out for more info:

https://www.lansdalecosmeticdentist.com/services/cosmetic-dentistry/

https://www.lansdalecosmeticdentist.com/services/cosmetic-dentistry/invisalign%C2%AE/

https://www.lansdalecosmeticdentist.com/services/cosmetic-dentistry/porcelain-veneers/

Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

The next thing you should do is call a dentist. There are many reasons why a dental cap comes loose and there are different procedures based on the reason. If your cap is totally off, you can make a temporary paste out of Vaseline and baby powder. Put this paste in the crown and then put it back on your tooth. This usually holds for a few days until you see a dentist. Do not chew on the loose cap.

Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

That needs to be determined by a dentist. You will need an examination and possibly radiographs to make that determination.

David M. Kaffey, DDS

When someone first notices something in their mouths, they often immediately think the worst like cancer. Oral cancer is rare in the USA. There will be about 53,000 diagnosed cases this year. That’s a pretty small number. With that said, any dark “spot” or lesion in the mouth should be looked at by a professional. So, to answer your question, maybe.
Have it looked at.

Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

If you don’t wear your retainer, your teeth will not stay straight. They will become crooked again. It’s very simple. You just spent 2 years having your teeth straightened and maybe you paid for the braces, maybe your parents did. Somebody paid thousands of dollars. Wear your retainers. Period.

Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

The answer is, it depends. It is extremely rare for a situation to be “too late” for implants, especially at your age. However, depending on the location of the intended implant(s), bone augmentation procedures may be needed prior to placing the implant. It is essential that you be thoroughly evaluated prior to having the implant placed. Over my 25 years, I have seen many implants fail because the location for the implant and the overall health of the patient were not thoroughly evaluated prior to the procedure.

If you are seriously considering this procedure, be sure the surgeon who will be placing the implant and the dentist who will be restoring it (placing a cap, denture, or bridge) have plenty of experience with this. A significant percentage of these procedure go very smoothly and are uneventful. However, problems do occur and you want to be sure your dentist(s) know how to handle any potential problems that may occur. Some problems can be very complex to correct.

I have been restoring implants for many years, but I do not place them. I work with a team of other doctors, all of whom are experts in their particular areas. This team approach greatly increases the chances of success for my patients.
I hope this was helpful.

Keep Smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

No.

David M. Kaffey, DDS

3 or 4 ibuprofen and 100mg Tylenol at the same time every 4 to 6 hrs should give you some TEMPORARY relief. YOU MUST SEE A DENTIST ASAP. If you have an infection, the pain medications will not help very much and you will need an antibiotic plus additional treatments. DO NOT DELAY. THIS COULD BE VERY SERIOUS.

Best regards,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

There is nothing that has been proven to be effective to remove cavities naturally. What is your concern about having this issue treated in the most effective manner? If it’s pain or fear, there are many ways to address those concerns and they certainly should not prevent you from seeking the proper treatment.

Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

No worries. Sleeping occasionally with your dentures in will do no harm. However, you should not make this a regular occurrence.
Hope this helps.

Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

Great question. On average, veneers will last about 10-15 years. That does not mean at the 10 mark they fall off and break. It means that typically it is around that time that we start to see chips, fractures, and maybe even a cavity at the edge. You are young enough that you should expect to have them replaced at least once in your life. Also, if there is a problem with one veneer, we can just replace that one and not have to mess with the others. I am specially trained in cosmetics and studies at the world known Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. This post graduate training facility specializes in veneers and other cosmetic procedures. Here is some more information:

https://www.lansdalecosmeticdentist.com/cosmetic-dentistry/porcelain-veneers

https://www.lansdalecosmeticdentist.com/about-the-practice/about-dr-kaffey

All the best,

David M. Kaffey, DDS

There are several different reasons for this. One possibility is there may be an infection (in the absence of pain, this is unlikely). You should have the oral surgeon who removed your wisdom teeth examine you.

Keep smiling,

David M. Kaffey, DDS