expert type icon EXPERT

Mark A. Hanna

Dentist

Dr. Mark Hanna is a Dentist practicing in Framingham, MA. Dr. Hanna 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.
Mark A. Hanna
  • Framingham, MA
  • DMD at Tufts University
  • Accepting new patients

I just got a crown fit on my teeth but it hurts a lot. Does it require re-treatment?

Have your dentist check to see if your bite is off or a bit high. This is usually the number one reason for crown discomfort. If there was originally a crack in the tooth, it is READ MORE
Have your dentist check to see if your bite is off or a bit high. This is usually the number one reason for crown discomfort. If there was originally a crack in the tooth, it is not uncommon that your tooth may need a root canal procedure if the crack ran deep and close to the nerve canal.

What is this brownish tinge on my teeth around the gums?

The brownish discoloration is either decay or calculus buildup. If it is a very light brown in color, it may be as simple as some gum recession and your root surface showing from READ MORE
The brownish discoloration is either decay or calculus buildup. If it is a very light brown in color, it may be as simple as some gum recession and your root surface showing from brushing to hard in the area.

I have tooth sensitivity but no cavities. What could be the reason?

You could be experiencing tooth sensitivity from some gum recession or you may be clenching or grinding your teeth at night which would make them hypersensitive to hot and cold, READ MORE
You could be experiencing tooth sensitivity from some gum recession or you may be clenching or grinding your teeth at night which would make them hypersensitive to hot and cold, especially cold. You should have your dentist evaluate your gums or see if you need a nightguard appliance to protect your teeth from grinding. At the moment, you can use Sensodyne toothpaste and ACT fluoride rinse to help decrease the sensitivity.

Do I need braces to get rid of the gap in my teeth?

Depending on the size of the gap, you may be able to close the gap with a simple retainer appliance. Another great option is Invisalign braces, which are clear, slip over your READ MORE
Depending on the size of the gap, you may be able to close the gap with a simple retainer appliance. Another great option is Invisalign braces, which are clear, slip over your teeth and are usually much faster than traditional braces.

What is the best way to treat dental plaque?

The best way is to have a professional cleaning with a hygienist at a dental office. If your gums are sore and you can actually feel the plaque/calculus along your gum lines then READ MORE
The best way is to have a professional cleaning with a hygienist at a dental office. If your gums are sore and you can actually feel the plaque/calculus along your gum lines then you may possibly need a deep cleaning to remove all of this hardened bacteria. The sooner you do it, the sooner the gums will not be inflamed and sore and return back to normal health.

The dentist has recommended my son’s tooth extraction. Is it the right way to go?

It depends on the extent of the decay. His adult front teeth will not erupt until about age 6 for the lowers and around age 6 to 7 for the uppers. So you may want to get a second READ MORE
It depends on the extent of the decay. His adult front teeth will not erupt until about age 6 for the lowers and around age 6 to 7 for the uppers. So you may want to get a second opinion to see if the teeth can be held onto a little longer with some fillings or even some pulpotomies, if the decay is all the way to the nerve. The longer they can be held onto, the better.

Front tooth cavity

Yes, you can place a porcelain veneer or crown on the tooth instead because the porcelain will never stain or change color.

Adult tooth is loose. What should I do?

You should see your dentist immediately to make sure that the root is not fractured first and foremost, and if the tooth is still sound, he or she can splint it to the adjacent READ MORE
You should see your dentist immediately to make sure that the root is not fractured first and foremost, and if the tooth is still sound, he or she can splint it to the adjacent teeth until it re-stabilizes.

Bloody painful gums, what should I do?

If you have bleeding gums, you may have periodontal disease (gum disease) which is best treated with a deep scaling by a hygienist at your dental office. If you have not flossed READ MORE
If you have bleeding gums, you may have periodontal disease (gum disease) which is best treated with a deep scaling by a hygienist at your dental office. If you have not flossed for awhile, the gums will bleed more initially because they are inflamed, but after a week or two of consistent flossing (and using an anti-bacterial mouth was like Listerine) the bleeding should begin to resolve as the tissues become healthier and the inflammation is reduced.