Archive for March, 2008

dental implant firm called spectra?

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. Have you herd of a dental implant firm called spectra

A. I am not aware of a company called spectra or an implant system called by this name. The nearest match would be astra / astra tech part of Astra Zeneca,

Good Hunting

dr rob tennet

Dr Rob Tennet
St Johns Dental Practice
18 Bennett’s Hill, Birmingham, B2 5QJ
Web: www.e-dentalpractice.co.uk  Tel: 0121 643 0610

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My teeth are out place and i dont want braces

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. Hi there i have some teeth which are out of place and bit out of shape and want to get them straightened perfectly and in right shape all together but don\’t want to have any kind of braces can you recommend any other treatments.

A. If you are unwilling to undergo treatment with braces then porcelain veneers are your next option, this type of treatment can be carried out in a relatively short space of time to correct your smile.

Information on how veneers are created can be found within the cosmeticdentistryguide website, in essence thin shells of porcelain are bonded to the outer aspect of the teeth to perfect their appearance – for this type of treatment you should allow approximately 4-5 weeks for treatment to be completed

Dr

dr justin glaister

Dr Justin Glaister
Umbrella
11 Harley Street, London, W1G 9PF
Web: www.umbrellasmiles.com  Tel: 020 7612 9810

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Posted in Dr Glaister's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. Dental Veneers, Q. Orthodontics |

what is the average price per veneer I have been quoted 900 am i being ripped off

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. Hi there.I am currently undergoing Cosmetic dentistry with the possibility of 10 veneers. I was first quoted a price of £395 per tooth as per the dentist website, it went up to £800 per tooth and today I’ve been told the price will be £900 per veneer. Am I being ripped off? What is the average price per veneer? I have already commenced treatment with one temporary veneer. Many thanks P

A. Dear P

At this stage you have committed to no treatment so it is time to get a written treatment plan with costings.
If this falls outside your budget then you can seek treatment elsewhere.
The average price of a veneer varies hugely depending on the quality of the porcelain ceramist utilised to create the porcelain for the veneers.

However £395 does sound very cheap and I would want to see examples of the results created by that type of veneer before committing to it

dr justin glaister

Dr Justin Glaister
Umbrella
11 Harley Street, London, W1G 9PF
Web: www.umbrellasmiles.com  Tel: 020 7612 9810

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I have broken teeth in my gums and now have an infection will salt water help

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. I have got teeth broken in my gums for years. now they have started hurting me and when i swollow it hurts on roof of my mouth aswell.the problem is i have a relly bad phobia of dentists and all medication so i am worried if i leave my teeth and i have a abcess or infection is it dangerous for me .would salt water clear up a infection also if i did have a abcess would my face be swollen its not but does that mean i dont have a abcess.what do think i could do

A. Unfortunately salt water will not clear up an infection and it is likely that if the roots have been “broken” in the gums for years that they may well be infected.
It is essential now that you make an appointment at your local dentist for xrays to see the extent of any infection – they may be able to offer sedation techniques to remove the broken teeth which is especially beneficial to nervous patients

Dr

dr justin glaister

Dr Justin Glaister
Umbrella
11 Harley Street, London, W1G 9PF
Web: www.umbrellasmiles.com  Tel: 020 7612 9810

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I have to loose my two front teeth how much is a dental inplant

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. I have to loose my 2 front teeth. one is a crown, and the other is a denture. I will have a bridge made, but that will be 6 months time. Meaning i will have to have a plate till then. How much would it cost to have Inplants Instead?

A. Dear J,

Implants cost vary depending on the specific issues with their placement and restoration , such as the need for bone grafting. To give you an idea of the level of costs involved a ball park figure in my practice would start from about £5000. Having said that a 4 unit bridge ( the minimum you would require to restore the front of your mouth) would cost in the region of £4000.

The above is all depending on the health of your mouth. There is usually good reasons for people losing their front teeth. One common cause is gum disease. This, and any other related problems, would need to be addressed and resolved prior to implant or bridge placement. These procedures obviously also incur a charge.

I hope this gives you some useful information.

Regards,

dr julian caplan

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
101 St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3EN
Web: www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk Tel: 01727 854429

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I need a tooth extraction and cant have implants will a denture look terrible?

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. I need to have my left front tooth and left incisor extracted due to movement from gum disease would like implants but have not enough bone to support them would dentures alter my appearance and look terrible have at the moment six porcelain crowns? JW

A. Dear J W,

A well-made denture can be a very aesthetic solution to a bone loss problem as the lost bone can be “incorporated” into the design of the denture. If room allows a very aesthetic solution is using a denture with precision attachments to invisibly hold the denture in place. It will still be removable and should be removed at night time.

The other option could be a bridge if your dentist can get your gum disease under control. However you would probably require a certain amount of bone grafting in the area you are losing the teeth to create a good cosmetic result , especially if you have a gummy smile.

Sometimes we are able to graft bone in the area where you have lost teeth to replace the lost bone and still place implants. Has this option being discussed? It may not be possible due to anatomical restrictions.

Regards,

dr julian caplan

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
101 St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3EN
Web: www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk Tel: 01727 854429

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I am disabled and have crooked teeth but cannot afford invisalign or inman aliners

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. Hi Dr Caplan. I am a disabled upcoming actress who is really concerned about my smile. From a young age I have always had corkid and over crowding teeth. I discussed with my dentist what the option were when I was younger but was/still am reluctant to have a brace fitted as I dont like the thought of anything being fixed it my mouth, also my dentist now says that because of my cerebral palsy it would not be a good idea as my brush isn’t as good as it should be due to my condition. I am at a loss because my smile constantly getting me down and although there are treatments on the market such as inman aliners and invisalign.html” title=”invisible braces”>invisalign I simply can not afford them. I just wondered if there was any advice you could give or a treatment that could work. thanks.

A. Dear R,

Unfortunately you are in a difficult situation.. It sounds as though fixed brace work is unacceptable to you with question marks on how you will be able to maintain you oral health whilst it is in place. Regular visits during treatment would be a great help but obviously with a cost implication.

Without seeing your mouth it is difficult to give you constructive advice. Having said that bonding may be a help to you. This is where the dentist adds tooth coloured filling material to your teeth to improve their appearance. The whole front of the tooth can be covered with this material forming a composite veneer. Some tooth preparation may be necessary to get the best result possible. This is a much cheaper option than placing porcelain ;veneers but is very technique sensitive. You may want to discuss this option with your dentist or alternatively find a cosmetic dentist who has the proper training to carry this procedure out.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

dr julian caplan

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
101 St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3EN
Web: www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk Tel: 01727 854429

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Posted in Dr Caplan's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. Dental Finance, Q. Invisible braces |

Can i have teeth whitening on my dental bridge

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. Hey, I lost my front tooth about a year back and my dentist put in a bridge. I now want my teeth whitened, but if i do so my fake tooth will still be dull. Any ideas on how to get round this?? Thanks, R

Dear R,

The only way following whitening your teeth would be to have your old bridge replaced to to match`the new whiter colour. Veneering the existing bridge with whiter porcelain veneers is a possibility but generally the end result would not be as good as replacing the bridge.

A. Sorry that I don’t have any magical solutions.

Regards,

dr julian caplan

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
101 St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3EN
Web: www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk Tel: 01727 854429

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Posted in Dr Caplan's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. Dental Bridges, Q. Teeth Whitening |

Is a veneer better than a dark line on a crown will it look fake

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. If there is an incomplete front teeth , and a crown was put on it but there is a dark line near the gum that makes it look not good , is the veneer the best solution? will it look fake? is it durable? P

A. Dear P

It sounds like you asking me if there is a way to make your crown more cosmetic / attractive. The grey line you see is often metal which is used underneath the porcelain. The solution would be to place an all ceramic porcelain (metal free) crown which woud look much more natural. Since the tooth already has a crown you could only replace it with another crown.
I hope this helps

dr riten patel

Dr Riten Patel
The Mulberry
18 Ashley Road, Walton on Thames Surrey, KT12 1HS
Web: www.mulberrydental.co.uk  Tel: 01932 223 479

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Am i entitled to dental implants on the NHS?

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. My daughter is 16 and has two milk teeth with no second teeth to come through on the bottom left side of her mouth she has been advised to have 2 implants costing around 4000 pound is she not intitled to have these on the n h s as this is not her fault this has happened.

A. Dear D,

Very sorry to hear about your daughters’ missing adult teeth. It is certainly not her fault that she has not developed them.

Unfortunately the reality of the NHS is that there is only limited money available. Dental Implant treatment is extremely costly and due to this is not available under the NHS in general practice. The only place she could possibly have the treatment under the NHS is in a Dental teaching hospital. You could ask your dentist to refer you. This is by no means guaranteed but is worth a try.

Regards,

dr julian caplan

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
101 St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3EN
Web: www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk Tel: 01727 854429

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I have gum disease and root treatment can anything be done to hide the recession

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. I have had gum disease which has affected my lower front gums which are receding also i have had root treatment on my front upper tooth which is very discoloured. can anything be done to hid the recession in my gums.

A. It can be extremely difficult to treat receeding gums. The problem is that if there is no bone to support underneath the gum then there is nothing to support the gum. If you have localised gum recession then a gum graft may be possible to cover over the exposed root. My best advice to you would be for you to have a consultation with a periodontist ( gum specialist). Your dentist should be able to refer you.

The discoloured root filled tooth could be bleached to lighten it. This is done by placing bleach within the root canal treatment”>root canal. Following this a crown or veneer can be used if necessary restore your smile.

Regards,

dr julian caplan

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
101 St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3EN
Web: www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk Tel: 01727 854429

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can i have veeners fitted over porcelin crowns for wonky teeth

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. Hello i was wondering could you please give me some advice? i have 2 crowns as my 2 front teeth is it better to have full porcelin crowns fitted or just have veeners fitted over the exsisting crowns? also i have a wonky tooth beside my front 2 teeth is a veener the best option? and is it best to have tooth whitenening done after veenvers and crowns are fitted and how long do veeners last do they last longer than porcelin crowns? thanks you for your time.

A. Dear J,

Thank you for your questions . Answering them in order:

1. On the whole I would recommend new crowns instead of veneering existing ones. The simplest treatment is usually the best. Veneering over existing crowns can lead to cosmetic failure.

2. When treating relatively healthy poorly positioned teeth the first choice of treatment is a brace. I this is not acceptable to you then a veneer would be the best option over a crown. Veneers require considerably less tooth removal over a crown to get a wonderful aesthetic result.

3. Tooth whitening should be done before veneers and crowns are made. A settling of the colour over 2 weeks should also be allowed to take place prior to taking the shade for the new restorations.Be aware that if you do bleach that you will have to keep bleaching topped up whilst you have the veneers / crowns in your mouth.

4. Survival rate of any dental restoration is usually measured over a 5 year period. By far the majority of veneers last this amount of time and usually considerably longer. I have been fitting veneers for 14 years in my current practice and have a success rate of approximately 98%. This is provided they are correctly maintained by the patient and that the patient sees us for regular oral health evaluations on a regular basis.

5. When comparing veneers the porcelain crowns the survival rate is similar.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

dr julian caplan

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
101 St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3EN
Web: www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk Tel: 01727 854429

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Posted in Dr Caplan's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. Dental Veneers, Q. Dental crowns |

Two front teeth were knocked out and rebuilt can I have veneers at 14

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. Hi, my 14 year old son had his two front teeth knocked out a couple of years ago. Our dentist rebuilt them, but unfortunatley they are no longer perfectly straight. He then broke one of them off again and has it rebuilt. this time the tooth has been rebuilt slightly smaller, apparently to avoid the same thing happening again. He has been told that he will have to wait until his gums have finished growing and then can have some veneers fitted, perhaps when he is about 18. My son is extremely upset with the look of his teeth as his original teeth were quite nice. Is it possible to have cosmetic surgery carried out on his teeth at this age, or is my dentist correct in what he has told us? could the way the teeth have been rebuilt have been done any better and is it just bad dentistry? many thanks,

A. Sorry to hear about your sons problems. It’s always very upsetting for those concerned, including the dental team.

It sounds as though your son is having good treatment. Although the bondings on the teeth lasted a number of years they have now started to fail. They can be built up into the aesthetically correct shape but it may now be the case that the lower teeth are in such a position that they will knock off the bondings if they are put in such a position. By leaving the fillings clear of the bite your dentist is giving them the best chance of survival until veneers can be made.

The other point of view would be that the fillings need to be built into the correct position to stop the lower teeth moving , which may cause problems in the future when veneers are made.

Without seeing your son it is difficult to say which of the above is the correct treatment. If you have concerns the best course of action is to discuss these issues with your dentist. I am sure that they have your sons best interests at heart but obviously some reassurance seams to be necessary.

Regards,

dr julian caplan

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
101 St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3EN
Web: www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk Tel: 01727 854429

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Posted in Dr Caplan's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. Broken teeth, Q. Dental Veneers |

Do I need to remove my braces before a dental implant?

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. I had my braces for 17 months now and need an implant. Will they be removing my braces before the implant

A. In general the orthodontic stage of the treatment will be completed and a night time retainer will be made prior to the commencement of implant treatment.

Regards,

dr julian caplan

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
101 St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3EN
Web: www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk Tel: 01727 854429

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is there insurance for cosmetic dentistry

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. Hello Ive just come across your site on the internet and see that the section for insurance for cosmetic dentistry is under development I am considering having some cosmetic dentistry but I am wondering if you know of any insurance plans that I could take out to help cover the cost which Ive been told will be around £4000

A. Dear S,

In general elective treatment like cosmetic dentistry is not covered for by dental insurance“>insurance. The only possible exception would be following an accident (in a car crash for example).

Many practices have other ways to make this treatment affordable. Within my practice we have a number ways to help our patients ranging from interest free over a year to interest bearing over 2 to 5 years.

Regards,

dr julian caplan

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
101 St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3EN
Web: www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk Tel: 01727 854429

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My boyfriends front teeth are badly chipped are veneers an option

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. Hi Julian, I was wondering if you could give me some advice, my boyfriend is 25 and hasn’t been to a dentist for about 6 years and his 2 front teeth are badly chipped and the others aren’t good at all. I think he should contemplate veneers and i was wondering if maybe he is too young to get them and what the average price would be? thank you very much i really appreciate your time. P

A. Dear P,

25 years of age is fine to have veneers. If he has chipped teeth then veneers is probably the treatment of choice.The only caveat to that would be to find out why they are chipped in the first place. there sometimes is a bite issue that needs to be addressed prior to treatment.

If he plays contact sports make sure he wears a mouth guard. If he is a boxer wait until he finishes competing!

As far as prices go within my surgery I charge in the region of a £1000 per tooth. There are dentists who do it for considerably less but in aesthetic dentistry you really do get what you pay for.

Regards,

dr julian caplan

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
101 St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3EN
Web: www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk Tel: 01727 854429

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Posted in Dr Caplan's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. Dental Finance, Q. Dental Implants |

Least expensive way to fix broken tooth chipped teeth and a gap

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. Hi, I am 34, i have an upper broken tooth and a space between the front two teeth. Also have 2 lower chipped teeth. what will be a less expensive and a quick solution to this. If you can answer this qucikly i would like to make an appointment to see you. I need this to be done as soon as possible. thanks

A. It is difficult to give you an exact cost for what you ask as the determination of what type filling you need depends on the status of the tooth.

Quick solutions to chipped teeth can involve composite bonding, but should any lab work be required you will be looking at an average of two weeks turn around time.

Determination between if you can use a direct filling or require lab made restorations is the amount of tooth present and the cosmetic requirements you have.

Without a clinical exam i cannot provide further details.

Regards

dr safeer butt

Dr Safeer Butt
S3 Dental – Synergistic Smile Studios
Clinics in Kent, Surrey & Sussex
Web: www.s3dental.co.uk  Tel: 020 8398 6322

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Posted in Dr Butt's Answers, Experts Answers, Q. Broken teeth, Q. Cosmetic Bonding, Q. Dental Finance |

My dentist used cotton wool for my tooth filling

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. I had my filling done, and the dentist used cotton and some other material for filling it up. and in the end he used some silver metal sort of thing. so is it ok to use cotton to fill up the filling. wht is the best material for filling, and how long can a filling last??? is it that once you do filling you need to have root canal after some years??awaiting for ur reply..
Nearest Town:

A. Dear J

It is highly unlikely that your dentist used cotton wool to fill your tooth. It could be he/she placed some cotton wool against your cheek to separate your cheek from your tooth something we all do he/she would then have removed it at the end. The silver metal is probably amalgam a standard filling used for many years. The materials used to treat teeth are wide ranging and depend on the condition of your tooth and of course your budget. If a filling is very deep it can be close to the nerve (root canal) of your tooth over time the tooth can breakdown further and need root canal treatment.
I hope this helps you

dr riten patel

Dr Riten Patel
The Mulberry
18 Ashley Road, Walton on Thames Surrey, KT12 1HS
Web: www.mulberrydental.co.uk  Tel: 01932 223 479

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My son need false teeth at 24 is this due to fizzy drinks or breast feeding

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. My son who is only 24 has to have false teeth. How will his bone structure be altered over the years. Have there been any studies with fizzy drinks and tooth decay? Is there any connection between a breast feeding mother on wharferin and a child’s calcium deficiency

A. Dear J

The biggest reason why your son has has probably lost his teeth is due to dental decay (caries). When some peoples teeth develop they do not mineralise enough i.e. have a calcium defiency this means the enamel (the outer layer) is not as strong or protective. The main reason for dental decay is plaque build up. Breast feeding is important to pass the mothers immune system (antibodies) on to her child.

There are great ways to replace your sons teeth the best being dental implants“>dental implants which as you rightly state is reliant on the jaw bone. It is estimated that bone deteriates at approx mm per year when there is no tooth present. we can now do wonderful things to regenerate bone so all hope is certainly not lost.
I hope this helps you.

dr riten patel

Dr Riten Patel
The Mulberry
18 Ashley Road, Walton on Thames Surrey, KT12 1HS
Web: www.mulberrydental.co.uk  Tel: 01932 223 479

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I had 4 teeth extracted and my denture does not fit

Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Q. Good afternoon, Dr. Patel. I am in need of professional advice. I have had my four front bottom teeth extracted today and a denture fitted. Once the numbness cause by the injections had subsided and I was able to have a closer look at my ‘new teeth’ I find, to my horror, that there is a 2mm gap between the ‘new teeth’ and my gum. Obviously, the denture does not fit properly. It looks absolutely grotesque. I have an appointment to see my Dentist tomorrow……what should I be looking for? I am totally shaken by what I see and I don’t know what can be done. Can you advise? Kind regards

A. Dear S

When a denture is made to replace your teeth the technician has to guess where the gum level is. Once the gums have healed which can take upto 6 weeks a denture reline material can be placed on the the underside of the denture to make it flush with your gums. I am sure your dentist will be able to tighten your denture. As a temporary measure denture fixatives can be placed to help your denture stay in place better.
The long term best option for new teeth is dental implants

dr riten patel

Dr Riten Patel
The Mulberry
18 Ashley Road, Walton on Thames Surrey, KT12 1HS
Web: www.mulberrydental.co.uk  Tel: 01932 223 479

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