Archive for the ‘Dr Caplan’s Answers’ Category

Can a dental implant br secured by the root without drilling into the jaw?

Monday, November 22nd, 2010
Q.

I recently had a bad fall and damaged my front teeth. One of them was removed by my dentist but he had alot of trouble doing it and he has left the root in. I now have a gap and would like it filled. Can a dental implant be secured by the remaining root instead of drilliing into the jawbone?

A.
Very unlikely

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

Can I have a crown fitted and what will it cost?

Monday, November 22nd, 2010
Q.

Hi, I have four front crowns (had accident when younger). Main front crown no longer viable as ‘wall’ collapsed. Ended up with one tooth on a plate into top of mouth. Also have a partial denture on bottom teeth. Feels as if tongue too big for mouth. Only fitted today, told it will go back to normal. My question is could I have the Maryland/Resin denture/crown fitted? If so, what cost would I be looking at?


Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

What can I do to replace a tooth that may need to be extracted?

Friday, November 19th, 2010
Q.
Half of my back molar fell out so I’ve had two fillings which have fell out. Last time I visited my dentist gave me a replacement filling and some antibiotics for an abscess on the same tooth. The abscess still hasn’t gone so I think I’l have to get it taken out now which I’m very worried about, I don’t want to forever have a gap in my mouth and I also read that having a gap from a missing tooth will cause your other teeth to move and may fall out aswell. I’m 16 and really worried about it. Is there anything I can have done to replace the tooth?,

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

Can I have braces fitted if I do not have any molars?

Friday, November 19th, 2010
Q.
Dear Dr Caplan, My front teeth stick out very badly due mainly to protruding gums. I have no molars as these were are all removed due to decay. Is it possible for me to have a brace in order to correct my protruding front teeth even though i have no molars? I am a 30 year old women.
,

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

Is it normal to see black dots on the inside part of my newly fitted crown?

Thursday, November 18th, 2010
Q.
I had a porcelain crown with gold on the inside, fitted to my upper molar. When I got home I noticed 2tiny blackish dots on the inside part of the crown, near the bottom. Since it’s not on the outside visible side of the crown I don’t care about the appearance. I am very worried that the dentist perforated the surface(yet it feels completely smooth) while attempting to fit it better to my mouth and bite line, and therefore weakened the crown. When I notified her of this she said that it was just the gold part peeking through and not to worry. I’m afraid she is not being entirely truthful. None of my other crowns have this marking. Help!!,

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

Should I get legal recourse for dental treatments I am unhappy with?

Thursday, November 18th, 2010
Q.
Dear Dr Caplan, About 18 months ago I had two lower molars filled with Cerec inlays. One has been absolutely fine, but the other snapped in half after 7 months. My dentist replaced this with a second inlay, which snapped after 5 months. I suspected at that time that it indicated a problem with the inlay treatment, but rather than removing the inlay altogether and arranging a crown or onlay, my dentist chose to leave the greater portion of the inlay in situ and build a layered filling in the remaining cavity, free of charge. Shortly after this, I began to experience acute pain when the tooth came into contact with liquids, even of room temperature. I reported this to my dentist on an ongoing basis over 18 months, but he was unable to locate any obvious cause, even under x-ray, and attributed the pain to general sensitivity stemming from gum recession. I queried the integrity of the restorations repeatedly, and even other members of his practice hinted that if I was having such problems the restorations needed examination, but my dentist was unwilling to consider this option. In September, the tooth became extremely painful and infected and I was told I needed root canal treatment. The specialist I was referred to thought it better to try to clean and save the tooth, but that treatment appears to have been ineffective. Having paid £350 for the initial inlay, and a further £275 for the specialist’s “investigations”, I’m now facing root canal treatment at £600 and the cost of the subsequent crown. I’m really unhappy with the situation because I believe that with different treatment at an earlier stage, the death of the nerve could have been avoided. My dentist knows that I’m not convinced that this tooth has been treated correctly, but is suggesting that teeth can just die….. Should the dentist’s opinion always outweigh the patient’s opinion? How can I approach my dentist to secure treatment on a basis which we both consider fair? Should I simply change my dentist and have the work completed elsewhere? And finally, should I consider legal recourse to reclaim these costs if I can’t reach a compromise with my current dentist? It’s so difficult to challenge members of the medical profession, I really need some advice.,

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

Can I correct my misplaced midline without using braces?

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
Q.
Dear Dr Caplan im a 21-year-old girl living currently in UAE , I started orthodontic treatment when i was 11 ,and at 15 I had my perfect desired teeth , but recently im realizing that I have a really big problem that is getting worst day by day , its misplaced midline , my upper central teeth are completely moved to left and replaced by my left latral tooth , im losing my confidence and since im 21 and its really embarrassing to use metal braces , I wanted to know is there any method that this flaw could be fixed at this age ? (I forgot to mention that I still have my wise teeth ) Thank You,

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

Having previously had braces, will I be able to have them fitted again by a NHS dentist?

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
Q.
Hi, I had 4 teeth taken out and a fixed metal braces when I was younger, but my dentist took these off before the gaps had fully closed. I was just happy to have them off at the time. But now at 23 I am conscious of these gaps as you can see them when I smile, and my front teeth have moved forward rather than sitting straight. So, my question is, is private the only way I can get the ‘perfect smile’ or can I get braces again with an NHS dentist (obviously I would have to pay), and if so what braces do the NHS offer and what are the average prices? I think I would probably prefer the wire behind the teeth! But would like to know my options. Many Thanks For your time!,

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

My teeth consisting of bridges and crowns are in a bad condition. Could I have them replaced with implants?

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
Q.
my teeth are in really bad condition, mainly the top ones. they all consist of bridges and crowns which i have had for over 15 years, it has now come to the stage where they are failing and would love to have them done and would really like to have implants if at all possible.,

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

Having initially been told I wouldn’t need to have two ‘exposures’, I am now being advised differently, any advice?

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
Q.
In a weeks time I am having the first stage of two implants being put in, on my top jaw near the front, after two extractions and a bone graft last june. I will have a bridge as well as I now have three spaces. When I was given a quote in June, the dentist said it was very unlikely I would need to have two ‘exposures’ but now he says I do have to, costing an additional £165 each, or otherwise I can not wear my denture for the next six months. I simply could not understand his explanation. Could you please explain? Thank you.,

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan