Category Archives: Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive Teeth

Sedation dentist did work without my consent

About two months ago, I began seeing a new sedation dentist because I have dental anxiety and need a lot of dental work. On my first visit, the doctor did the exam and discussed all the treatment. We settled on oral conscious sedation for all my work, with the exception of the days I was only getting crowns cemented. I sat down with the front office person and we mapped out a schedule, with a certain amount of work to do at each visit. The sedation visits were scheduled two months apart to allow me time to budget between them. I already had enough money set aside for the first one, so I scheduled that right away. They insisted that I sign forms in advance and prepay it, saying that I couldn’t legally agree to anything while I was medicated. That actually gave me some comfort. I felt like I was in control and felt like I could trust what they were doing.

Nothing remarkable happened the day of my appointment. I took my medication. I mostly slept through the appointment. My sister took me home after and I slept the rest of the day. But the next day, the office manager called me and told me the “good news.” The doctor had been able to work in three more fillings for me, so they were calling for payment. First, I didn’t agree to fillings. I didn’t even know they were doing them. I don’t think that teeth were filled without my consent, especially since they insisted that prior to sedation I would agree to all dental treatment for that visit. Secondly, I don’t have the money to pay for the fillings. We structured the appointments according to my budget. I talked to the office rep about my concerns. She told me they wouldn’t be able to cement my crown until my bill is paid in full, and that, by signing my full treatment plan, I was agreeing to the work. She also belittled me and told me I shouldn’t have scheduled the appointment if I couldn’t pay for the work. I am so upset I don’t know what to do. Can they do this?!?

Marla

Marla,

No dentist, whether a sedation dentist or general dentist, should do any work without consent from the patient or guardian. Assuming you’re a legal adult, the consent would need to come from you. As far as having you sign the treatment plan as consent for fillings, it really depends on the wording of the document you signed.  Most of the time, the agreement is related to finances, not for specific treatment.

Resolving the Issue with Your Sedation Dentist

  • Your best option is to speak directly to the sedation dentist who treated you. Let him or her know what happened.
  • If this is a reputable doctor, he or she will try to correct the situation.
  •  Ideally, that means not billing you for the fillings and cementing your crown without any additional costs. If not, this may be something you’ll have to report to your local dental board and/or a lawyer.
  • We recommend that you find a new sedation dentist. This should not have happened to you, and it’s an incredibly rare occurrence. Please don’t let your experience prevent you from completing your treatment. You’ll likely have a much better experience if you get referrals from family and friends or read online reviews before selecting a new dentist.
  • You can schedule consultations with at least two dentists before choosing a new provider.

This post is sponsored by Plano female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy. Dr. Lacy’s office is convenient to Addison, Allen, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Frisco, Garland, Highland Park, and Little Elm.

 

Sensitive Teeth

Smoke weed instead of getting nitrous from dentist?

I have cancelled 4 dental appointments for a root canal. My dentist finally called me last week and told me the whole deal about the infection spreading and causing more trouble than just my tooth. He suggested that I let him give me some type of sedation. We can start with nitrous and if it’s not strong enough there is a med for anxiety that should really do the trick. I know that weed relaxes me so I am thinking that might be the route to go. Any problem? – Sawyer

Sawyer – Smoking—tobacco, weed, or any other substance—in advance of oral dental procedures is not recommended. Smoking, before or after invasive oral procedures, inhibits the healing process and increases the risk of infection.

Do you have reservations about receiving sedation dentistry? If so, discuss your concerns with your dentist. Ask questions about what is involved in administering sedation, and find out how it will affect you before, during, and after your root canal treatment.

Nitrous oxide is a mild gas, also referred to as laughing gas, which will relax you as you breathe it in. The effects are quickly reversed, and you can drive home after your appointment. Higher levels of sedation are available, but require transportation to and from your dental appointment.

Dentists who are trained in sedation techniques have great success in providing the correct level of sedation to match your anxiety. Speak with your dentist as soon as possible to get a solution for your needs and to avoid prolonging the root canal treatment. A skilled, gentle dentist can make a root canal treatment painless. Your oral health is too important to delay treatment.

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

General Dentistry, Sensitive Teeth

Is it normal to have tooth pain and sensitivity after a filling?

I got 3 cavities filled yesterday. Whenever I drink cold water or anything cold my teeth are really sensitive. It kind of hurts. The cavities were causing sensitivity but I wasn’t expecting to feel this. Will the fillings need to be redone? Kourtnee

Kourtnee – It’s normal to experience sensitivity after you have cavities filled. For the first 24 to 40 hours after getting the filling, you should avoid stick or hard foods that can irritate the teeth that were filled or that can cause the fillings to come out.

Nerves in your teeth are sensitive—particularly after having decay removed and replaced with filling. Deep decay close to a nerve can cause you to feel more sensitivity than normal. The sensitivity should gradually go away. It can take up to four weeks for you to feel no sensitivity at all. Amalgam (silver) fillings contain metal and more readily transfer heat and cold to your teeth than composite fillings.

If you feel pain when chewing food, it’s possible that there is a problem with the filling. It may be too high and interfering with your bite (the way your teeth fit together). In the next two or three days, if it feels as if your teeth aren’t closing together correctly in the areas of the fillings, contact your dentist.

Tooth Sensitivity Without a Recent Filling

People who haven’t recently received fillings can also experience sensitivity in their teeth. This can be due to:

  • decay
  • damaged tooth pulp, which contains tooth nerves
  • a tooth infection
  • receding gums due to age, hormonal changes, or periodontal disease
  • aggressive tooth brushing
  • trauma to a tooth
  • teeth bleaching gel

If you are experiencing sensitivity and haven’t had a cavity filled recently, contact your dentist. The cause of the sensitivity will be identified, and the appropriate treatment will be recommended.

Damaged tooth pulp will require a root canal treatment. Exposed tooth roots may benefit from toothpaste for sensitive teeth, fluoride treatment, or a gum graft. Sensitivity from bleaching gel may require using a gel that is not as strong.

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

Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive teeth caused by exposed roots

Many of my teeth are sensitive. They have roots exposed so it hurts to brush them, and toothpaste for sensitive teeth doesn’t work. Do you have a suggestion as to what I might try? – Britney

Britney – Tell your dentist about the problem and request a prescription for fluoride toothpaste. Use the toothpaste for six weeks. If the prescription toothpaste doesn’t help the sensitivity, after your teeth are cleaned, your dentist can apply a fluoride varnish to the root surfaces of your teeth. It’s unlikely that your dental insurance will cover the treatment, but you will probably get relief from it. Relief is temporary, so the application of fluoride varnish will need to be repeated after each six-month dental cleaning.

If you continue to experience sensitivity, white composite filling can be applied to the exposed root surfaces of your teeth. The procedure is painless.

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