My new veneers are causing a lightning storm in my mouth. My options? A re-do? Root canals? Should I even go back to him? photo

Question

None of my teeth hurt prior and the temporaries were fine. One crown chipped so my dentist fixed it, adjusted my bite and gave me flouride varnish. 3 weeks now the pain is so severe that I'm taking heavy drugs and speaking, or breathing through my mouth outdoors is out of the question in this cold weather. Water/mouthwash hurts like h#ll. I think he may have over prepped because he shaved my teeth down to lizard-like triangle points from what I could feel with my tongue during the prep. Help!

Sarah Thompson, DMD · Answer

First of all your veneers look pretty good, so not a huge problem in that area.  As for the lightening storm, it really sounds like you only need your bite adjusted.  It is unlikely that you need several root canals at this point.  However, if your bite is not adjusted soon, the pain will become persistent and subsequently lead to the need for root canals.  I would certainly not go to an endodontist at this point because these doctors ONLY do root canals.  So, if you walk into an endodontics office with tooth pain, they will look for a way to treat it with a root canal.  Have you ever had a doctor tell you not to go to a surgeon unless you're looking to get surgery?  Well, it's the same thing here; I wouldn't go to an endodontist unless I was referred by a general dentist or I knew for a fact that I needed a root canal.Have your dentist adjust your bite.  It should help greatly.  If it only helps a couple teeth and not all, then go back and keep having it adjusted until it is perfect.  Once perfect, you are free and clear.  Your veneers should never hurt you!  Veneers are what I do, so "Follow" me if you have more questions about them.Sarah Thompson, DMD

Norman Huefner, DDS · Answer

First, go to an endodontist (root canal specialist) and have him examine your tooth and evaluate the pain you are having to determine if you need one or more root canals.Regarding "how much tooth is shaved" patients always think too much of the tooth has been drilled, even when the dentist has done the least possible amount of tooth preparation.  No dentist could fairly evaluate if they have been over prepared without seeing x-rays of the teeth prior to the preparation, as oftentimes the teeth are out of alignment, have existing fillings or decay and require more than ideal tooth preparation.Whether you should have them "redone" after the tooth pain issue has been treated will depend on many things.  If you otherwise like the way they look, then don't be too anxious on having them redone.  Every time the tooth has a cavity, fracture, fillings or preparation there is more underlying tooth removed, making the tooth weaker and more likely to need a root canal.As John Lennon one sang "Let it be" for now, treat the pain, let things calm down and then make the decision on whether or not you want to have them redone.

Scott Greenhalgh, DDS · Answer

The trend with veneers is do do less removal of the tooth. In some cases (like when there are big spaces to close, or if your teeth are really crooked) significant preparation is still necessary. In general, you should not have a lot of discomfort during the veneer steps.Since you did so well with the preparations and the temporaries, I am concerned that there could have been a cement issue with the final veneers.  In some cases veneers can be more temperature sensitive to start, and then quickly settle down. If you are outdoors much in the extreme cold, it simply may take longer to settle down.Some patients are prone to clench their teeth--that can prolong sensitivity. Most patients ought to have a proper night guard to cushion the teeth and protect the veneers while sleeping.I'd make sure you stay in regular contact with your dentist and keep looking for things to settle down. If after an extended amount of time you are still having significant pain, then you will want to visit with the most experienced cosmetic dentist you can find for further evaluation.Unfortunately, I have seen a few cases where the initial pain and problems just never got comfortable. In that situation make sure you are working with the best cosmetic dentist. The worst case scenario can mean removing the current veneers, placing new temporaries and making sure everything feels great. Then new veneers with the best possible cement ought to get you where you finally feel wonderful.

Jay Neuhaus, DDS · Answer

Go back to the dentist and have him check your bite very carefully in all directions that you can possibly move your teeth around and have them contact eachother. If your occlusion (bite) is not perfect, your teeth will remain sensitive. That being said, there are many other factors in play as well. The margins of the Veneers must be perfectly sealed, and if some teeth were "over-prepared" causing nerve damage, you might need root canal as well.

My new veneers are causing a lightning storm in my mouth. My options? A re-do? Root canals? Should I even go back to him? photo

Answers (4)

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