My jaw still hurts after I fell last month

I fell in late May. I fell mostly on my left shoulder but my face hit the ground a little too. My jaw was very sore when I fell, but it still hurts a little. It doesn’t hurt all of the time, but the pain can get intense. Could I have injured a tooth? Thanks Beth

Beth – You may have injured a tooth during your fall. But you may have even traumatized or fractured your jaw.

You need an examination and x-ray to determine the cause of your pain. Make an appointment with your dentist right away. If the problem is left untreated, it can worsen, eventually cause more pain, and be more difficult to treat.

This post is sponsored by Plano TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Nervous about getting crown on front tooth

2 years ago I injured my front left tooth in an accident. The tooth didn’t appear to be damaged, but it is slowly turning darker. My dentist has made several attempts to whiten the tooth and do a root canal treatment but the color is off and it’s becoming increasingly noticeable. He told me that I can get a crown for the tooth but that scares me. One of my best friends has two crowns on her front teeth and they look horrible. Are there any other options that I should consider? Thanks. Doris

Doris – The look of a dental crown on any tooth depends on the skill and artistic talent of the dentist who provides it.

A cosmetic dentist who has skill in restoring teeth, along with an artistic approach, will ensure that your crown looks completely natural in every way. The crown will match the color and characteristics of your natural teeth so that people won’t be able to distinguish it from your natural teeth.

Find a few cosmetic dentists in your area. Ask to see pictures of completed work, including crowns. You can also ask questions about your concerns to help build your confidence in the dentist that you select for your crown. When you select an experienced cosmetic dentist, the results will be beautiful.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

I’m 24 years old with 4 baby teeth

I am 24 years old and I still have 4 baby teeth. 2 top teeth and 2 bottom ones. Am I ever going to get my permanent teeth? Natalia

Natalia – A definite answer to your question can only be determined by an exam and diagnostic studies. When primary teeth persist in adults, it is often the lower molar permanent teeth that fail to erupt.

There are several reasons that primary teeth don’t erupt. The most frequent reason is congenital. In other words, from birth, the permanent teeth were not present to succeed the primary teeth. The second reason is that the permanent teeth are impacted in the gums. The teeth may be incorrectly positioned, or there may not be enough space for them to erupt.

A dentist can perform the necessary studies to let you know what you can expect regarding your permanent teeth. Orthodontic or restorative treatment may be recommended.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.