Metal Mouth Message Board

I have strong pain ':oops:' on my upper right side "fang". This happens when I drink cold water, or even laugh and air contacts it. At my last adjustment, my ortho said that it wouldn't happen if I was 10 years older (I'm 35). He said that it has something to do with the root. Anyway, it's really bugging me so I'm scheduled to see him in the morning.

Do you think this could be a root canal problem or a cavity ':?:'

I haven't had ANY cavities since I was 8 and never had a root canal either.

Maybe part of the root is exposed, just use some sensodyne or other desentizing toothpaste. I thought I had a new cavity but sure enough, after those tests, it ended up that it was just a little indecent exposure

You can test if you have a cavity by hitting the fang with a pen etc. Not with too much force, of course. If feel a sharp pain you might have a cavity.

I had problems with my second lateral that was overlapping the first lateral. I went to dentist and he was hitting it, no pain. He told me to use sendyne tooth paste. It helped.

You can test if you have a cavity by hitting the fang with a pen etc. Not with too much force, of course. If feel a sharp pain you might have a cavity.

Percussion test will tell if there is any sort of inflammation or infection present near the apex and does not diagnose a cavity. Rather it is likely a periodontal or endodontic lesion (in english, a gum or root canal problem).

If the pain from temperature or air goes away within a few seconds after removal of the stimulant then you likely have a reversible problem. As others have said, a sensitivity toothpaste with potassium nitrate (Sensodyne, Crest Sensitivity, etc) will likely help in this case.

Good Luck,
Rory

At my last adjustment, my ortho said that it wouldn't happen if I was 10 years older (I'm 35).

I don't understand why your ortho would say that. I'm 52 and I've found my canine teeth to be the most sensitive of all my teeth (I am one of those "no pain, no movement" ortho patients). Earlier this year my left canine became so sensitive (first to cold liquids, then gradually to just about everything else) that I became convinced I would need a root canal. Eventually I called my ortho who reassured me that this is not all that unusual for orthodontic patients. So I upped the ibuprofen (great for inflammation) and in a day or so the pain was gone.

I've never experienced that level of pain since but my canines do act up on a regular basis. While some may experience "pain free" orthodontics, that's not the case for everyone.

Thanks for all your suggestions guys ! I went in to see my ortho this morning, and he DID say that it was root sensitivity and I have NO cavities or anything else. Thank GOD!

He suggested that I use Sensodyne toothpaste, since sensitivity is its SPECIALTY and that I apply it on the gum line of the tooth every hour or so. The pain will go away in about a week he said. What a relief!!!!

Percussion test will tell if there is any sort of inflammation or infection present near the apex and does not diagnose a cavity. Rather it is likely a periodontal or endodontic lesion (in english, a gum or root canal problem).

hmmmm. Well, at least when I have had a cavity and it has been hit by an object (pen, other tooth etc) the pain has been awful.

I had the same problem when I was in braces(now I'm naked )
I went to my dentist after the braces came off to survey the damages, if any at all.
Thank godness, I had no new cavities but he told me that the root of my left fang has gotten way shorter from it's original size.
It freaked me out. He said that it happends to some people for wearing braces. I think it's called blunting(sp?)
He told me that I must take good care of my teeth and get regular check up and cleaning to prevent any further damage to that particular tooth.
I'm scheduled to go see a specialist to see what I can do the save the teeth from possibly falling out in the future, it's slight lose.
Although the sensitivity went away after the braces came off, I still do not feel easy after seeing those x-rays.