Tooth Decay on Dental X-ray | Can YOU Spot the Cavity?

[@kayyrose7303]

I haven't been to the dentist in 11 years. I'm so scared I will loose all of my teeth 😢 my tooth ache is unbearable.

[@jonathanmireles1483]

I’m in the same boat but enough is enough. Have an appointment on Wednesday. I’m ready to get this pain out my mouth and back to a healthy smile

[@anonnnymousthegreat]

The only part i hate about dental xrays is taking them. I have a small mouth and it hurts my jaw and gums when the dental assistant forces me to chomp down on them huge xray cassettes they put in your mouth. I wish there was an easier and less painful way to take xrays of my teeth.

[@Kurotheskeleton_YT]

What is your insight or opinion on dentist that use lasers? I don't know how many do and much information about it but I'm wondering if it's less painful then regular treatments and if it's more used today.

[@landofmilkchillies5832]

Which is safer and effective for the inferior alveolar nerve block, short or long needle?

[@SmileInfluencers]

I always use long; however, for kids I prefer to use a short

[@maurynesadventure6654]

Right now one of my tooth is in really pain and I dont know if I should extract it or refill because its a big decay

[@SHERMAINECW]

If one has a front tooth which had a root canal that is old and cracking.. what would you recommend..veneer, crown or implant?

[@SmileInfluencers]

Super hard to give a recommendation based on that information alone but i would say that a root canal treated tooth on a front tooth is typically restored with a crown unless the tooth is structurally sound in which case a simple filling can be placed on the back surface (lingual) of the tooth. If the tooth has a crack and is causing pain then I would consider removing the tooth and placing an implant if the tooth is not salvageable. A veneer is typically reserved for a more cosmetic procedure on a tooth that is strong. A veneer on a root canal tooth is “typically” not done because the tooth will darken over time and the translucency of the veneer will not adequately block out the dark tooth over time. I hope that explanation gives you somewhat of a better idea of your treatment options. Of course, I don’t have all the information & I would definitely consult with a local dentist :)

[@SHERMAINECW]

Thank you for your response. It gave me a better understanding. 🙏 i have an upcoming appointment next week.

[@junedaisy707]

I have 2 different diagnosis for wanting to repair a wisdom tooth on my lower jaw that has shifted down. I'm trying to get a third opinion. Do you do teledoc or something similar? I have the X-rays. Or, do you know a good dentist in the south Florida area?

[@SmileInfluencers]

I don’t do teledoc currently and technically I’m not allowed to diagnose without you being a patient of record but if you describe the different options I might be able to give you some insight

[@junedaisy707]

@@SmileInfluencers thank you for responding. In short, is either remove it (the molar in front of it is missing), or do a root canal with a crown (because the new doc. a prostodontic) says I have an infection on the root, but I barely see it, hence I wanted a third opinion. Also, how do I know if that wisdom tooth can be use to cover the space where the tooth is missing with braces or invisalign. This is why I ask also if you knew or know someone who can recommend someone in the south Florida area. Thank you again

[@SmileInfluencers]

Ok so I can respond to what I normally tell my patients that are in the same predicament as you. Many wisdom teeth are taken out during the teenage years of someone’s life because they are impacted infected or causing jaw pain. However, if a wisdom tooth is perfectly healthy it’s typically fine to try to maintain it and keep it clean and functional( I have all my wisdom teeth ). However, if there is a problem like an infection crack or whatever I typically recommend to remove the wisdom tooth as the likelihood of my patients keeping that tooth for the rest of their life is low especially if it has an infection on it. Root canals on wisdom teeth can be done but it’s not something I typically recommend. It is possible to save wisdom teeth with root canal crown and orthodontic therapy to move the wisdom tooth into the position of the molar (missing) next to it. However, I typically recommend taking the wisdom out, placing an implant in the space in front of the wisdom tooth and getting an implant crown. Of course my recommendation is not directed specifically to you because I don’t know your case and haven’t seen your X-rays and so forth but this is what I generally say to my patients that have similar presentations as yours!

[@SmileInfluencers]

And unfortunately I don’t know anyone in Florida! Sorry!

[@junedaisy707]

@@SmileInfluencers Thanks again! I'm 50 and it's my fear of dentist that I let it get that bad. The first dentist imply what you are recommending, but I happened to watch the video on implants and I became afraid of being one one of those patients that the implant doesn't work for me. My train of thought is what if they remove the wisdom and later the implant doesn't take, then my jaw becomes smaller than what it is.