Question: I had scaling and planing done in 2004 and have maintained periodontal disease until recent bone loss in one quadrant. A periodontal consult recommends repeating scaling and planing since I do not want surgery. Will this have any effect on a pocket with a depth of 9?

Answer: Yes it will. The pocket will increase until you develop a major infection or even lose the tooth.

Ask an Expert: Alfredo Hernandez DDS, MS, Dental and Oral Health (Seniors) View full article

Front Tooth Fell Out

Question: My 2 front upper teeth needed to be extracted; the dentist said I could get partials. My bottom 4 front teeth are also in need to come out, but I can only afford upper partials now. The denture place can do extractions, and I went due to loosing one of the front upper teeth yesterday while in shower . . .

Answer: You can not do that. You should always give the complete information of medications that you are taking. I will suggest to consult with and oral surgeon or periodontist to do your extractions. Some times they will just ask you to stop taking the medication couple weeks or months before the extractio . . .

Ask an Expert: Alfredo Hernandez DDS, MS, Dental and Oral Health (Seniors) View full article

Medications and Tooth Decay

Question: My husband has been through some major medical problems and I would like to know if the meds he is on can cause tooth decay. He is on lithium, coumadin, zoloft, oxycotin, xanax, seriquel, roxicodiene and neurontin. Over the past 3 years he has been on numerous pain meds. He has begun to have severe . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. A question similar to yours has been previously addressed. The links below will connect you to that information. NetWellness may also have some general information available that you can access through our Ask an Expert: NetWellness Staff ., Dental and Oral Health (Seniors) View full article

Extraction

Question: I`ve stopped taking actenol for three months. My dentist tells me I need an extraction. Can he take it out or do I need to go to an oral surgeon?

Answer: Do you mean Actonel? Three months seems to be a reasonable time, but I will recommend you to consult an oral surgeon or periodontist. They have more experience with patients taking this kind of medications, and can definitely handle complications in a better way.

Ask an Expert: Alfredo Hernandez DDS, MS, Dental and Oral Health (Seniors) View full article

Infection or inflammation?

Question:

After a dental procedure, I experience continuing pain in the treated area of my mouth. It has not gone away after several weeks. The pain does not seem to be in the tooth itself, but rather in the bone above it. I`m not sure if I have an infection, or an inflammation, or something else. My denti . . .

Answer: You may get a second opinion about infection or inflammation. However, atypical odontolgia also known as atypical facial pain often occurs in a similar setting that you are experiencing. Once a persistent infection is ruled out, you may need to be seen by a Pain specialist.

Ask an Expert: Salim Hayek MD, PhD, Dental and Oral Health (Seniors) View full article