Most people think that it is normal to have sensitive teeth.  They live their lives accepting daily pain and discomfort. If you cannot enjoy ice cream or drink iced tea without that twinge of pain. If  chewing a  pizza crust sends a jolt pain through your tooth. If  brushing your teeth is a daily irritation.  If your latest filling or crown is a source of constant agony. You are not alone. Millions of Americans are needlessly suffering along with you as you read this article.

In reality, sensitive teeth are caused by many factors.  And the majority of the time it is not your fault!

Certainly a cavity can cause teeth to be sensitive. In fact, tooth decay, also called dental caries, is a bacterial infection of the tooth. As bacteria invade deeper into the tooth, the nerve at the tooth's center becomes progressively inflamed. If caught in time, the decayed part of the tooth, can be removed and the cavity properly sealed and restored. This type of inflammation is reversible.  Unfortunately, there is a limit in how much your nerve can tolerate.   When the decay is deep enough, the inflammation is irreversible and nerve death follows.  If a dying or dead nerve is not removed, an abscess or an infection will follow. A dental abscess is not only extremely painful, but the infection can destroy the bone and tissues surrounding the tooth.   The truth is, the vast majority of Root Canals Treatment, crowns or caps and tooth extractions and their associated expenses, started out as tiny cavities. These small cavities could have been treated with  conservative and inexpensive fillings. This is why regular dental examinations are so important as well as cost-effective. 

Grinding or clenching your teeth can also lead to tooth sensitivity. Including pain to cold, and biting.  Many people are completely unaware of their bruxism because they grind or clench while they sleep! A new device used by  Dr. Shvartsman can  show if you are grinding at night.  In addition, Dr. Shvartsman is trained to diagnose  parafuctional habits of clenching and bruxism. They evaluate  your teeth, muscles and temperomandibular (TMJ) joints.  And use a new computerized bite assessment technology, the T-scan,  to design the right treatment specifically for you.

What many patients are unaware of is that cracks in teeth are a major contributor to dental pain. Dentally known as fractured cusp syndrome. Unfortunately, cracks do not show up on x-rays.  The use of high powered magnification glasses or dental microscopes help Drs. Golan and Shvartsman to diagnose tooth cracks.  Silver-mercury amalgam fillings  are a major source of tooth cracks because they do nothing to restore the integrity of a tooth already  weakened by tooth decay.   In addition, silver-mercury fillings expand over time placing outward pressure deep within  the tooth.  Once a crack develops in a tooth, it continues to travel deeper and deeper as you chew until eventually it creates a path for bacteria directly to the nerve. In worst case scenarios these cracks lead to cusp  breakage or  a catastrophic breakage and infection requiring tooth extraction.

Improperly bonded tooth-colored resin-composite fillings are another source of major tooth sensitivity. White fillings shrink as they harden.  Not following strict bonding and placement protocols will lead to pain to cold and during biting on newly placed white fillings. The ensuing pain to cold and biting will be a constant source of misery.  In addition, improperly placed white fillings will lead to bacterial leakage around these fillings, leading to additional tooth decay and eventual nerve death. This will require root canal treatment or tooth extraction.  Biomimetic Dentistry teaches science based protocols designed to maximize bonding and minimize shrinkage stress; leading to long lasting, properly sealed tooth colored restorations.

At the New York Center for Biomimetic Dentistry, Dr. Shvartsman has advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of sensitive teeth. His focus is to treat teeth before the nerve becomes irreversibly damaged. Treatment options include laser root-desensitizing, biomimetic fillings and porcelain restorations that secure the teeth and help prevent future cracks and sensitivity. They pledge to try every scientifically based, state of the art treatment option to preserve the health and vitality of your tooth's nerve  in order to avoid the need for root canal treatment.