Archive for February, 2008

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I lost some teeth and have a horrible plate can i have teeth put in?

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Q. My dentist has give me a a plate for my top teeth because I lost some teeth ,can I have teeth put in instead of this horrible plate .please help. B

A. Hi B, many thanks for your enquiry. There are many ways to replace missing teeth without the need of a removable plate. From fixed bridge work to dental implants. It mainly depends on the type of work you want and what is suitable for your mouth to the overall budget you have set out for this transformation. Without seeing your mouth it would be difficult to advice you and whaich options would be suitable for you

Dr Kailesh Solanki
Kissdental

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Veneers chipped and cracked twice after treatment what do I do?

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Q. My daughter has had veneers fitted twice on her two front teeth because of antibiotics when a baby. The first time the veneers were fitted they chipped at the edges and one cracked. She has had them replaced again and one of the veneers has cracked. The first veneers chipped and cracked almost immediately. The second time the veneer cracked after about three weeks. My daughter is not sure whether to ask for her money back and go to a different dentist or let the existing one attempt the veneers for a third time. What do you think the problem is?

A. Hi Kim,

Thank you for the question. I am sorry to hear about your daughters difficulties following her treatment.

The problem you are experiencing does sometimes occur unfortunately.

This can be due to a number of factors.

If the veneers are fracturing and chipping within a short time of fitting, it can be that veneer has not been made properly. During the fabrication process an error could have occurred which resulted in it being weaker then it should be and so fractures when it starts to be exposed to the oral environment.

The second reason a veneer could be fracturing and chipping is that your daughters bite could be adversely impacting on the veneer rather then the tooth itself. The impact of this on your daughters bite causes the fracture.

These are some of the biggest causes of failure of a veneer but regardless of the reasons, it is important to have the veneer looked since having the tooth exposed can increase the risk of future problems

With regards to your daughter going back to her dentist – Most dentists offer at least a 1 year guarantee on their workmanship so your daughter should not worry about future costs for the veneers. Going to another dentist without getting a full explanation from her existing dentist will not help things as firstly you will have to pay again and without a clinical history the future dentist may be doomed to repeat the mistakes if they are not experienced enough with these situations.

I am a firm believer in frank and open discussions with patients and so before embarking on treatment for a 3rd time, get your daughter to see her dentist for a discussion atleast.

If you have any further questions you are most welcome to contact me.

Regards

Dr Safeer Butt
Principal S3 Dental
Synergistic Smile Studios

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My teeth were extracted years ago how many teeth can a bridge replace?

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Q. How many missing teeth can a bridge fill and can this be done many years after teeth have been extracted?
A. Dear A

Bridges can be utilised to replace large gaps as long as the teeth which will support the bridge are in good condition and have a firm foundation ie good bone support.

The length of time that the teeth have been missing is not an issue when it comes to bridgework, it is essential that your dentist takes xrays of the teeth which willl support the bridge to ensure a good foundation is present prior to constructing your bridge.

Kind regards

Dr. Justin Glaister

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Dentists in Bristol that offer gum grafting?

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Q. Please could you send me a list of dentists in Bristol that do gum grafting or what else can be done to help with 2 loose teeth due to gum loss?

A. Dear C
You would be better advised to seek a recommendation from your existing dentist or dental hospital as to who your local provider of these treatments would be

Kind regards

Dr Justin Glaister

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I have slight small gaps and cannot afford invisalign as im a student

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Q. I have slightly small gaps in between my teeth and i would like to know the ways of closing the gaps. I have researched the invailign braces and they sound the best thing.. but im only a student and cant afford much and i dont qualify for braces becsuase my teeth are just gappy and not wonky N

A. Dear N,

Thank you for your question, from the sounds of it I too think Invisalign ( invisible orthodontics) would be a great way to close those gaps. Sometimes gaps can also arise because your teeth are too small for your mouth. Treatment can be as little as 4 to 6 months depending on the position of your teeth. However, even if your teeth are moved quickly it is critical that you wear a retainer for at least 6 months to stop the gaps re opening. In terms of finance we like others offer 0 % finance for upto 2 years so that can really help you spread the cost.
I Hope this helps.

Dr Riten Patel BDS

Mulberry Dental

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Will bulimia affect my vaneers?

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Q. Im having vaneers put in but i also suffer from bulimia, will this affect the vaneers?

A. Hi Hayley many thanks for your enquiry, with the condition of bulimia it is common that the vomiting which is very acidic can erode the teeth. If the teeth have veneers in them this can effect the margins around the veneers and cause again more erosion around the tooth structure surrounding the veneers and subsequently cause the veneers to fail. I would recommend that your condition is first dealt with and once under control 360 veneers (full crowns) to protect the remaining tooth tissue may be advocated. Hope this is helpful.

Dr Kailesh Solanki
kissdental

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Posted in Dr Solanki's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. Dental Veneers, Q. General dentistry | 1 Comment »

I have twisted, crowded teeth and my teeth are moving what is the treatment cost?

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Hi, I basically have a cost question. I have a few issues with my teeth, nothing major but enough that I’m considering having them fixed. I can’t seem to find a cost-quote though, I’ve read a load of material but nothing with a price-list!.. Anyway, the problems I have are:

Q. 1) I have a twisted tooth on the lower jaw, it’s the one immediately to the right of my left incisor. It’s always been twisted so I was wondering if this was fix-able and also what the cost of doing it would be.

2) Again on the lower jaw, the second tooth from the left incisor has moved forward from the others, this has happened within the last 6months or so. It has always been slightly forward but it seems to have moved more recently. It has, however, set in place now so I was, again wondering if this was fix-able and also at what cost.

3) The most urgent problem I have is with my upper jaw, the tooth to the right of the “big2″ has moved behind the big2 somewhat. This happened pretty much overnight, perhaps due to sleeping on my arm. It felt sore for a while but then it seemed to set in place, then again a few weeks later I awoke to find it was sore once more. It has basically popped behind the “big2″ and the right incisor, so again, was wondering if this is fixable and at what cost.

Those are the three things I would like to have fixed if possible, and if you could provide me with a quote/ortho-reccomendation, I’d be more than grateful! Also, as a side-note, I’m 21 and male. And a general point is that I think my teeth may be a little “crowded” since they sometimes feel cramped and I’m guessing this is why the teeth have moved around, lack of space may be causing them to migrate!.. Anyway, thank you in advance for your time and response. It’s much appreciated and a big help. Kind Regards K

A. Dear K,
My first thoughts are that you need to diagnose why the teeth have moved and how stable they are. This is hugely important, to find out if there is a reason, such as gum disease causing bone loss around the teeth, as you must correct it before starting any cosmetic stuff. Also it might affect the best way of tackling the problem you have. Our prices are on the website www.e-dentalpractice.co.uk in the services section download the pdf on the right side of the page.

My Second thoughts are that 21years old is young for gum problems and that sleeping on your arm should not affect healthy teeth.

If you can make to central Birmingham shops/financial district I can offer a free no obligation assessment to give you some options and some prices to consider and at that point you might even be able to price compare. It can be tricky to make comparisons if you haven’t got the basic agreement on the treatment route or the specifications so this would be a good start.

Regards Rob
0121 643 0610

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i have a cracked tooth after a filling do I need an implant?

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Q. I had a filling replaced on the advice of my dentist. When the filling was drilled out she told me my tooth had cracked in the median plane (lower molar I think number 2- it’s the one that my brace was attached to) the tooth is now causing me real pain – the dentist says it has now partly cracked from the gum side and is infected – the only option is extraction and tooth implant. Is there any other option available – £2000 for something that stemmed from a filling replacement is a bit hard to swallow? How would I seek a second opinion? Many thanks for your time – it is much appreciated, A

A. Dear A,

1. Sadly if the fracture runs vertically through the whole tooth it is not repairable.

2. A filling might bring this to your attention but would not be a direct/immediate cause.

3. The expression “partly cracked “ is critical, an oblique fracture that runs out of the tooth in the top ( crown end) 1/3rd of the root may be saved with varying degrees of success by root treatment and crowning:it depends on subtle details regarding the quality of the remaining tooth . An incomplete vertical fracture can sometimes be stabilised by root treatment and crowning again the future predictability is lower than a tooth without a known fracture.

4. £2000 is average for an implant when you have paid assessment, +/- additional graft fees etc. some surgeries offer an all inclusive single fee, some have additional fees always check with the reception first.

5. We can offer a free second opinion if you can access Birmingham City Centre/ New Street / Colmore Row, call the surgery on 0121 643 0610

6. Alternatively find a local dentist by recommendation and check on their Yellow pages / Internet advert that they offer dental implants if this is the route that you would follow if the tooth is hopeless

7. Have you considered a bridge as an alternative to an implant

8. Have you had any other teeth crack? you may need to protect other heavily filled teeth if your biting force has been able to fracture one of your molars. Prevention is cheaper than repair.

Regards Rob

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My front teeth are too long can I have them filled down or veneers?

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Q. hi im having a veneer put on only on my front tooth ive always hated my front teeth i think they look to long can you have your front teeth filled down to make them look a little bit shorter it would make me feel a lot better about my self. L

A. Hi L
To recontour teeth, as long as within the enamel, is a minimally invasive procedure and can improve confidence in your smile.

As this technique is so mimimally invasive start here and if you wish to look at further improvements then you could start looking at veneers.

I hope this helps

Dr Justin Glaister

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I have had two teeth taken out will invisalign close the gaps

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Q. when I was younger I had two teeth taken out at the side of my mouth so that my teeth could be straightened the gaps have still not closed up and do not look very nice when I smile from the side so I rarely smile. Could you advise me of the best option that is available to me, I am reluctant to have the implants, was wondering if the invisible braces would close the gaps up, and finish off what the previous dentist should have done. thanks V

A. Hi V,

The best option very much depends on the size of the gaps. If they are small you can have white filling bonding to the teeth to close them down.

If the gap is too large, and you do not wish to have the teeth either side of the gaps touched with any type of filling, then orthodontics will be the best options. The invisible brace system is great since it doesn’t show that your having orthodontic work and it does not harm the teeth, so once the treatment is done and you follow the aftercare you shouldn’t need to worry about the gaps again!

The orthodontics is a longer term treatment, so if you are looking for quick results then crowns to close the gap might be an option depending on the size of the gaps.

I hope this helps but if you want further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Dr Safeer Butt
Principal S3 Dental
Synergistic Smile Studios

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Can dental bonding be redone for gaps and chipped tooth

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Q. I had a small space between my 2 front teeth and a little chip on my front tooth, but had those recently fixed with bonding. I was told it lasts generally 7-10 years because of staining/breakage. I was wondering though if only partial staining occurs or if the chipped part of the tooth returns, is the whole bonding procedure redone? If so, how does a dentist know where the original bonding was? (so that they don\’t cut into the actual tooth or miss taking off some of the bonding) I would appreciate information about this, thanks.

A. Hi T,

You have indeed been informed correctly. Over time bonding fillings do discolour. They are subject to pick up staining from food and drink.

If they do break, it is possible to have them “touched up” , however the bond between the new filling and old filling is never as strong as having a fresh filling placed.

White fillings can be identified by the dentist by the “ feel of the material” compared to normal tooth. The instruments we use are able to differentiate between your tooth and the filling. However, by the very nature of the work carried out, you will almost inevitably have a bit of your own tooth lost when replacing the filling since you will need to remove the surface tooth layer to reform a strong bond.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Dr Safeer Butt
Principal S3 Dental
Synergistic Smile Studios

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My crowns fell off I wear dentures and have gum shrinkage

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Q. Hello, I am a 52 yr old woman and my life is being ruined by the state of my mouth. I have always had problems with my teeth,and over the years have had Crowns and a Bridge fitted.. The Crowns repeatedly fell off likewise The Bridge was always coming loose. Finally I gave up returning every few weeks to the dentist. Consequently my mouth is now in a disgusting state. I wear an upper denture which has 2 front teeth on it(This was originally made as a temporary measure whilst waiting for Crowns ) and i have one remaining crown on a back tooth. In my lower mouth i have 6 remaining teeth,they are all extremly badly decayed and need removing. My lower gum is very flat due to years of shrinkage i suppose. I am not sure what can be done in the way of Dentures . I realise this is my own fault and would give anything to have my teeth back. I just want to smile once more with an open mouth . Many Thanks for reading this and i feel better for just sending it.I’m finally addressing this terrible problem C

A. Dear Cherry

It sounds like you need a solution that is going to give you stability ( no more crowns falling out) healthy ( decay cleaned up ) that also looks & feels good ( life feels better when you smile )

Specifics are impossible without a thorough examination. In a typical case we would wish to salvage as much as possible balanced with the need for a lasting stable result. Sometimes a patient is surprised by what is actually a good long term tooth or the opposite when what might appear good actually isn’t. Dentures can be secured by implants or precision attachments, some dentures look great, the trick is not too perfect or they look false and good quality materials.

It sounds like you are on the way to your solution. Please feel free to call the practice if you would like a more in depth chat, there is no obligation to buy anything 0121 643 0610.

Regards Rob

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watford dentist Novocare dental comes on the directory

Monday, February 18th, 2008

Dentists in Watford Novocare Dental

The cosmetic dentistry guide dentist directory is slowly becoming populated with cosmetic dentists from different geographical areas in the UK the latest dental practice to come on board is one of the UKs largest specialist referal clinics for dental sedation providing a great facility for phobic patients.

In addition to offering one of the best sedation clinics in the UK carried out by visiting hospital consultant, Novocare also have a specialist orthodontist, and oral surgical specialists and a team of high end cosmetic dentists on board. If you are looking for a dental practice in the Watford area visit www.novocaredental.co.uk and contact them for a free initial cosmetic assessment.

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osteomylitis and bone disease?

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

Q. Will contracting osteomylitis aged 8 years increase my chances of bone disease re occurring

A. Dear M,
This is difficult question and one that I have to admit I do not know the answer to. If the osteomylitis left less bone in the area it occurred in your mouth then if you did get gum disease in that area the effect of bone loss from the gum disease would be more profound.

Sorry I cannot be of more help.

Regards

Dr Julian Caplan BDS
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
Director on the board of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

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bone loss around front teeth bridge or implants?

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

I have had been told by the Roayl School of Dentistry in Belfast that the bone supporting my two front teeth (both crowned due to injury as a child)is wasting away. I don\’t know where to go from here as I would like to have either a bridge or implants …. probably a bridge as it would be less expensive. Would this be feasible ??

A. Dear B,

Apologies for the late reply. The loss of bone around your two front teeth due to trauma as a child can have consequences on the possibilities of treatment. Your most likely options are ,as you say, are a bridge or implants. One of the other factors that need to be taken into consideration are the force on the proposed bridge/implants, the health of the adjacent teeth and the amount of bone loss that has occurred. AS a general guide when I have a patient who ha virgin teeth either side of a gap I urge them ( provided there is enough bone ) to opt for implants. However , if the adjacent teeth already have restorations then a bridge can be a good option. From a long term point of view the implant option has the higher success rate compared to bridges. Obviously cost is a factor but many practices have finance available to allow you to spread you the cost over a number of years.

Regards,

Dr Julian Caplan BDS
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
Director on the board of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

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can you improve the shape of my face ?

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

Q. At the back of my lower teeth I do not have any teeth and my face goes in at bit what would you suggest to improve the shape of my face, also I have half a top plate due to an accident how much a implants now and would there be some sort of gum to stop lines appearing above my lips.

A. Dear Val,

Thank you for your 3 questions. Taking them in order:

1. Face shape improvement – Your two options are a plate or implants to replace your missing teeth. This would improve the support to your cheeks – just how much is hard to say.

2. replacing your top plate – implants are a definite option. However there is often not enough bone to place the implants . This would mean an extra surgical stage to create some bone . This is called a sinus lift. Once this has been done implants can be placed. Typical implant costs are in the region of £2000 to £3000 but this can vary depending on the experience and location of the dentist. There would be an extra cost for the sinus lift.

3. Extra gum to stop lines. It sounds from this that you have lost a fair amount of bone lost. This can be replaced prior to implant placement with a bone graft or gum can be added to a denture.

In cases where bone loss is a problem a well made denture with precision attachments to the remaining teeth can often be the most simple and cost effective option

Your case needs a proper comprehensive assessment and treatment plan to work out the best options for you from a restorative and financial perspective.

Regards

Dr Julian Caplan BDS
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
Director on the board of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

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my canine is high do i need an extraction?

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

Q. Dear Dr, I have relatively straight teeth apart from one canine which never quite had enough room to come down properly. I am 26 and now am ready to do something about it. Do u think extracting this tooth is the option? NB It is quite high in my mouth if this makes sense. Would I need braces aswell? Thanks R

A. Dear R,

It all depends on just how high up in your mouth your canine is- and is it on the lip or palate side. The canine is a very important tooth when it comes to how your teeth function together and ideally should be kept if possible. However if it is very high the extraction route is a possible option. From a cosmetic point of view the premolar next to a canine has a profile that looks similar to a canine and can be a good cosmetic substitute for a canine. If the canine was to be saved a fixed brace would be required to allow enough space and to move the canine into this space.

Regards

Dr Julian Caplan BDS
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
Director on the board of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

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I have a large genetic gap between my front teeth will invisalign work?

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

Q. I have a large gap in-between my two front teeth. This gap is genetic, it runs in the family and while I don’t want to close the gap completely I would like to reduce the size of it. Would Invisalign be able to reduce the size of my gap?

A. Hi the beauty of the invisible brace system is that it can push teeth apart or bring teeth together without the view of the train tracks style braces. I do feel that given the information you have provided it is a possible treatment to undergo and have a good success rate.

Dr Kailesh Solanki
kissdental

Posted in Dr Solanki's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. Invisible braces, Q. Orthodontics | 4 Comments »

Im not happy with Straightness of my teeth

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

Q. Hi, I am 21 and am not happy with the ’straightness’ of my teeth. I was offered braces at a younger age, for which i opted, only to have a panic attack in the chair at my first tooth removal. I have two ‘missing’ lateral incisors at the top, and instead a ‘peg’ grew to replace only one of them. My dentist proposed to remove this peg, my two lower 1st premolars and put braces on both my upper and lower teeth. After treatment my upper canines would have been filed down so as to appear more incisor-like and not so pointy. There is no sign of any wisdom teeth. I very much want my teeth straightening, but at this age I do not want obvious braces. Please could you tell me, what ‘invisible’ treatments are there suitable for me? And at what financial cost? I am confident I can cope with extractions now! Many thanks

A. Hi Vicky, many thanks for your enquiry, the invisible brace option is called invisalign. This works by placing an aligner (see-through gum shield) over the teeth and changing the aligner every 2 weeks. The aligner is specially designed to slowly move the teeth into the right position. This treatment can take up to 2 years to complete. This could be a viable option to straighten your teeth but until i see them i am only commenting on the information given. The average cost of this treatment can range from £3500 to £5000. Hope this is helpful.

Dr Kailesh Solanki
kissdental

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I have black teeth how much does teeth whitening cost?

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

Q. how much does teeth whitening cost i have blackness on my front teeth which is now giving me a complexion. will this help? S

A. Hi S,

There are many types of teeth whitening available on the market and they give different results. This can either be due to the system used to whiten the teeth or the degree of staining on your teeth.

The blackness you describe to be on your teeth could very simply be treated by giving them a really good scrub, or even by just using a form of air abrasion. However without a clinical exam I cannot tell you what will work the best for you.

The cost of whitening ranges depending on the system used, but with the Zoom Advanced Whitening System that we use in our clinics it can range from £300 – £525 depending on where you are in the country.

I hope this helps but feel free to contact me further if you have any questions.

Regards

Dr Safeer Butt
Principal S3 Dental
Synergistic Smile Studios.

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