dental implants Archives - Kokopelli Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Does a Tooth Still Need Extraction If it Feels Fine?

Posted on October 15, 2025 by writeradmin.

I have a tooth that is infected. A month ago, my dentist suggested that I have it extracted, but he couldn’t do it right then. He started me on a ten day course of antibiotics. That helped tremendously. In fact, the tooth still feels fine a month later. I have an appointment to extract the tooth in a little over two weeks. Do I still need to get rid of the tooth if it is not hurting me?

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

I’m very glad you wrote. You will still need to have this tooth extracted. While antibiotics will help, and did for you, that is only temporary. The infection will return and a bit stronger than before. The only way to get rid of a tooth infection is to physically remove the infected pulp in the tooth. Ideally, you’d get a root canal treatment so that the tooth could be saved. If that is not possible, then a tooth extraction will be necessary.

I don’t like how your dentist has handled this. The standard procedure is to treat the tooth while you are still on antibiotics. If he couldn’t treat you in that time, he should have extended your antibiotic prescription until after the treatment is scheduled. You want the infection under control before having this tooth extracted. If it is not, not only will the procedure be more risky, but it will also make it harder for the Novocaine to work. If your tooth starts hurting at all, you need to call him and get a refill on that prescription. Don’t put that off. Tooth infections are serious.

Also, why isn’t he doing a root canal treatment instead of an extraction to save your tooth? If you do get an extraction, I hope he mentioned that you will need to replace the tooth.

This blog is brought to you by Ahwatukee Dentist Dr. Harveer Kaur.

Does My Mother Have Options Other than Dental Implants?

Posted on August 15, 2025 by writeradmin.

My mother is 83 years old and medically compromised with several conditions including diabetes that we are having trouble controlling. We just took over her care. I discovered that she had not been to a dentist in a while so that is one of the first things we did. He is suggesting that we have all of her teeth extracted and get dental implants for her. It’s not the expense I worry about as much her compromised health. My understanding is that this requires some serious surgery. Are there any other options for her?

Benita

Dear Benita,

Please bear in mind that I have not examined your mother so any advice I give about her situation is general and not definitive for her situation. That being said, based on what you’ve described, I do not feel like your dentist is being compassionate or making recommendations that is in your mother’s best interest. As to whether there are options, there are almost always options and your dentist is ethically obligated to give you all of those options, though it didn’t sound like he did that.

At her age, especially given her compromised health, dental implants would be an overtreatment that would be too hard on her body. I would do two things. First, go to a different dentist and just get a second opinion on whether or not she needs all of her teeth removed. If not, I would save as many as possible. Then, if she does need her teeth removed, I would recommend that she just get removeable dentures.

In most circumstances, I would say it was important that she have implant supported dentures on the bottom teeth in order to prevent facial collapse, but really, at her age, it won’t matter. Removable dentures are fine.

This blog is brought to you by Ahwatukee and Sun Valley Dentist Dr. Harveer Kaur.

Do I Go to an Oral Surgeon to Remove Teeth for Dentures?

Posted on June 9, 2025 by writeradmin.

I am getting dentures and still need to get my teeth removed. Do I let my dentist do that or do is it better to go to an oral surgeon for that and then the dentist for the dentures?

Harry

Dear Harry,

If you’re getting dentures, it is better to go to a dentist for the tooth extractions, but only IF they are also the dentist who is doing the dentures. Most dentists are qualified to do pre-denture surgery. Call around and ask dentists what they usually do without letting them know what you’re looking for. Any dentist who usually does the surgery is well qualified to take care of that for you and will have plenty of experience.

The reason this is what you want is because it is helpful to have coordination between the surgeon and the dentist to ensure the best fit of the dentures. If the dentist is the one doing it, that makes things much easier. Plus, dentists are more familiar with what helps a denture fit better and some oral surgeons are a bit resistant to being advised by a dentist.

You didn’t mention how old you are, but I want to make sure that your dentist warned you about the dangers of facial collapse before you settle on completely removable dentures. Once your teeth are removed your body will begin immediately resorbing the minerals in your jawbone in order to be as efficient with your body’s resources as possible.

This has the unfortunate side effect of slowly shrinking your jawbone. After ten or so years, you will no longer have enough jawbone left to retain your dentures.

This can be prevented by having a number of dental implants placed and then anchoring the dentures to them. Not only does that give you a much higher quality of life, but your body interprets the implants as teeth roots and leaves the minerals used by your jawbone intact.

This blog is brought to you by Sun Lake Dentist Dr. Harveer Kaur.
An Indian-American Dentist.

How Long Can You Go Before You Have to Get a Root Canal?

Posted on November 16, 2024 by writeradmin.

Can you tell me how long it is possible to put off getting a root canal treatment?

Cecilia

Dear Cecilia,

This is tricky to answer because so much of it depends on the situation. However, I do think that I can give you some GENERAL advice. I’ll start with when you should do it right away because that is important.

If the tooth is in pain, even just a little bit you need to get seen. Another instance is if there is a pimple on your gums. These are both instances of an active infection. You will need to get this taken care of as soon as possible. There are too many people every year who die from a tooth infection they waited too long to treat. Dental emergencies can turn life threatening.

On the other hand, if the tooth is not hurting and hasn’t for a while, you are safe to put off getting the root canal treatment. It is likely an arrested infection. While it still has an impact on your general health, you won’t be in danger. You will find that after you finally have the root canal done, you feel much better in general.

The one thing you have to beware of here is that you will run the risk of external resorption. This is when the infection slowly eats away at the root of the tooth. Eventually, the tooth becomes unsavable. Then, you’ll end up needing a tooth replacement, such as a dental implant.

Please make sure you are also keeping up your regular dental appointments because things can change quickly.

This blog is brought to you by Ahwatukee Dentist Dr. Harveer Kaur.

I Have Doubts About Her Dentist

Posted on January 8, 2022 by writeradmin.

I had some pain in a tooth and went to see a new dentist who offered emergency dental appointments. He did an x-ray and said there is an infection on a tooth that already has a filling. He said there is so much decay that only about 10% of the tooth is viable and thinks it cannot be saved. So, he wants to extract it and put a dental implant in its place. He’s scheduled me for two days from now. I’m not too keen on surgery. Is there another option for me?

Kelsie.

Dear Kelsie,

I have some doubts about what this dentist is saying. If there truly were that much decay, he would not need an x-ray at all. In fact, the dental filling would have fallen into the tooth at that point. Plus, he is pushing you into a very expensive procedure quite quickly. I think you need to get a second opinion from another dentist.

Dental implants are fantastic tooth replacements, but only if you actually need to lose a tooth. With that in mind, another thing that bothers me is the fact that he only gave you a dental implant as your option. A dentist is ethically obligated to give you all your options. If you did not want a dental implant, a dental bridge would be the next best thing. The downside to this is it requires you to crown the two adjacent teeth. If they are healthy, you may not want to do that.

There are other options as well, but in reality, I have doubts you even need to remove this tooth. Please get that second opinion.

This blog is brought to you by Ahwatukee Dentist Dr. Harveer Kaur.

Can an Adult Tooth be Saved?

Posted on April 13, 2019 by writeradmin.

I have a tooth which was hit with a baseball. It’s feeling loose now. Can this be saved?

Ben

Dear Ben,

man holding jaw in need of an emergency dentist

Often a loose adult tooth can be saved. You’ll need to get to a dentist quickly. If you don’t have a regular dentist, do an internet search for “an emergency dentist“. These are general dentists who are willing to see non-established patients quickly in situations such as yours.

The dentist will do x-rays to see if there is internal damage. If there is they’ll do a root canal treatment and dental crown. If there’s not, they will likely just splint the tooth until th ligaments are healed and the tooth is safe on its own again.

If a Tooth is Knocked Out

It likely doesn’t feel like it right now, but you are lucky the tooth wasn’t knocked out. When that happens, the chances of saving the tooth go down significantly.

You’d have to get to the dentist within 30 minutes to have the best chance to save the tooth. You’ll want to hold it by the crown not the root. It’s also imperative to keep it moist while traveling to the dentist. Put it between your cheek and gums or gently place it in a cup of milk.

If a Tooth Can’t be Saved

Sometimes a tooth can’t be saved. When that happens it is time to look at tooth replacements. Fortunately, there are great tooth replacements these days. Getting a dental implant is like having a healthy natural tooth again. It’s permanent. You can eat and drink, brush and floss normally.

I don’t think you’ll have to worry about this as long as you get to the dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Ahwatukee Dentist Dr. Harveer Kaur.

Dentist Insisting I Whiten Teeth

Posted on February 21, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m a little frustrated. I’m getting a dental implant, but my dentist is insisting I get my teeth whitened first. She said otherwise the implant won’t match. Don’t they have different shades? I feel like this is forcing people to get another procedure they don’t want yet. I’d talked about whitening my teeth sometime in the future, but didn’t plan on paying for this now.

Bruce

Dear Bruce,

It sounds like your dentist didn’t do a good job explaining this. Dental implants can match any shade. What happens is after the healing time has past and it’s time to place your implant crown, your dentist will match it to the current shade of your teeth. This means the implant WILL match the rest of your teeth.

I’m thinking what she means is the implant won’t match AFTER you get your teeth whitened, if that is still something you want to do in the future. That means to get them to match, you’d have to have a new dental crown made to match the brighter color of your teeth.

What I think she’s trying to do is save you money in the long run by having you get the teeth whitening done first, so your implant crown will only have to be made once.

It’s not required. It will just help later if that’s something you are seriously looking into.

I hope this helps clear things up for you.

This blog is brought to you by Ahwatukee Dentist Dr. Harveer Kaur.

Affordable Dentist Charging Me for Mistakes

Posted on August 31, 2018 by writeradmin.

I will admit I price shopped when I needed a dental crown. I’m beginning to think this was a mistake. I’ve had to have this dental crown rebonded on four different times and the dentist charges me a visit fee every time. He says I’m getting a discount because he’s not charging me a procedure fee, just some “chair time”. Am I wrong for thinking he should be fixing this for free?

Karlyn

Dear Karlyn,

A dental crown being placed onto a prepared tooth.

When a crown is bonded correctly, it stays put.

Many people confuse cheap dentistry with affordable dentistry. As you’re unfortunately discovering, there’s a big difference. To answer your question, yes, he should fix this for free. It’s his mistake. In fact, I’m questioning his competence. Most dentists go their whole careers without a crown falling off, let alone having the same crown fall off four different times. That’s unheard of.

It sounds to me like he has no idea how bonding works, which is a rather basic service learned in dental school. I wouldn’t bother going back. If it falls off again, ask for a refund. If he gives you a problem with that tell him you’ll report him to the dental board. This will be the fifth time your crown has fallen off and that certainly wouldn’t meet the ethical standard of functional dental care.

What to Look for in an Affordable Dentist

You’ll want someone who gives you alternative treatment options. For instance, with a tooth replacement, while a dental implant is an ideal treatment, a dental bridge is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Some patients can’t afford even that, so a dentist should make sure they know about their other options such as a removable partial denture without pressuring them to get the better treatment. Of course, they can tell you the pros and cons, but leave the decision to the patients.

Also, look for a dentist willing to work with you on payments. Whether they have in-house payment plans or work through Care Credit, they should have a way for patients who don’t have all the money up front to still get the care they need.

This blog is brought to you by Ahwatukee Dentist Dr. Harveer Kaur.