Archive for the ‘Experts Answers’ Category

Should I Have Internal Bleaching, a Crown or Veneers to Treat Discoloration?

Wednesday, April 1st, 2015
Q.

Hi Dr Hughes. I had a root canal on my maxillary lateral right incisor about 10 years ago, and it has discoloured really badly. This happened after my second set of braces were removed. Initially bonding masked the grey tone but eventually that’s come off as well. The tooth has also rotated back to its original shape prior to braces. Do you suggest internal bleaching, veneers or crowns? The thought of having a lot of the tooth shaved for a crown scares me a bit, especially in case it breaks.With veneers, would I require one or more to match the surrounding teeth? Thank you.


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

Can I Have a Crown Replaced so I Can Have a Bridge Fitted?

Tuesday, March 31st, 2015
Q.

The post on my front tooth has broken off leaving a stump and the root in place
The other front tooth had a crown fitted to match the now missing crown. I now have an NHS denture that feels like a blob in my mouth – one side of the plate leaves a gap between the denture and my teeth so when I eat food goes down between my teeth and under the plate, leaving some food trapped.  Is it possible to replace the crown I have on the remaining front tooth to enable a bridge to be fitted? Thank you.


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

Is It Safe to Cut a Bridge to Treat an Infected Tooth?

Monday, March 30th, 2015
Q.

Hi, I have a porcelain coated platinum bridge which I have had for about 23 years and it has not caused any problems. But now I have an infection in one of the teeth holding the bridge, which I have been given antibiotics for.
My dentist said he needs to remove the infected tooth and therefore will cut the bridge at the other tooth and then remove part of the bridge with the infected tooth. Is it safe to cut the bridge? Thank you. 


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

Is My Husband’s Dental Issue an Aesthetic One?

Monday, March 30th, 2015
Q.

Hi. My husband’s 3rd tooth from the front has come out, it was a crown. The NHS dentist said he can’t have a bridge on the NHS as it’s asthetic – you can see it when he talks and smiles and it’s changing his speech. Is this correct as band 3 on the NHS says bridges are included. Surely it’s up to him if he feels it’s affecting him, and he pays for dental treatment? Can they fob him off saying it’s an aesthetic thing? It is at the front so he feels it’s noticeable and also the one next to it could lean in the gap. Thanks.


Dr Andrew Moore Advance Dental Clinic 104 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0JG Web: www.advancedentalclinic.com Tel: 08443 87 87 88 View My Profile Dr Moore

How Can I Restore my Missing Teeth?

Monday, March 30th, 2015
Q.

Many years ago when I had my first child I lost a lot of teeth whilst I was pregnant, it didn’t matter how much milk I drank and healthy food I ate, and had to have a plate fitted. Then 16 years later it happened again.I lack confidence in a very big way. Can you please tell what I can do? I was referred many years ago for implants but I got scared and didn’t get it done on the NHS back then. My dentist said in time I’m going to loss the front one. Please can you help to advise me on what I can do? Thank you. 


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

What Options Do I Have to Fully Restore My Smile?

Monday, March 30th, 2015
Q.

Due to a number of years suffering with depression I have neglected my teeth about as badly as you can imagine. I have very few teeth left as the rest are either removed or just rotten to the gum line and look horrific. now I’m at the stage where I can’t open mouth smile, and my eating options have become incredibly limited. I fortunately have always worked but I am now in a career where I have to work with people all day every day and I’m finding it too difficult to hide the issue. It’s making my job very difficult to do and facing people and family is become very awkward. I understand that my most realistic option is dentures. As I’m not such a high flyer I can’t afford implants at this stage, but I can’t allow this issue to continue. What are my realistic options? I’m very nervous and mortified to see a dentist though I know I’ll have to. I am terrified of the cost as I, like many others, do not have  high amounts of expendable income. Any help or directional advice would be greatly appreciated by myself and my family. Thank you, regards.


Dr Andrew Moore Advance Dental Clinic 104 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0JG Web: www.advancedentalclinic.com Tel: 08443 87 87 88 View My Profile Dr Moore

Can I Have a Tooth Removed and Replaced with a New One?

Friday, March 27th, 2015
Q.

Hello. I had braces treatment when I was around 18 – 19. I am 25 now and I have this one tooth that is slowly going behind my main top tooth. I don’t want braces again, but I am happy with anything but braces. Can you remove and insert a new tooth? also my teeth don’t overbite, I think I needed jaw surgery but my dentist didn’t push it.

Thank you.


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

I’m Unsuitable for Braces. How Can I Straighten my Smile?

Friday, March 27th, 2015
Q.

Dear Dr Mark,
I’ve been told that, probably, I’m not suitable for braces because I have 2 bridges. One is on the top left and one is on the top right and also because I’m missing almost all of my teeth on bottom left (this is due to an attempt to straighten my teeth with removable braces. I had one tooth removed and in the process the tooth next to it ended up broken and I lost that as well). So I wouldn’t have enough support for the braces. Besides all this, I have had heavy restoring work done on several of my teeth. The crowding on my bottom teeth is more severe than the top ones and the alignment of my smile is about 2mm to the (my) right. I really want to straighten my teeth so I can have implants fitted afterwards. What would be your advice?
Thank you.
Best regards.


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

How Can I Get My Denture to Fit Comfortably?

Thursday, March 26th, 2015
Q.

I am having problems getting my partial Valplast denture to fit comfortably. There are tight spots and it feels like my gums are being strangled. There are pressure points on the gum. The dentist has been making adjustments. Also my mouth feels constantly dry. My tongue feels dry and I can’t speak properly because of this dryness. The palate of the denture has been polished twice now. It is a new denture, but after a few days it gets rough and I think this is what’s causing the dryness. Help!


Dr Andrew Moore Advance Dental Clinic 104 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0JG Web: www.advancedentalclinic.com Tel: 08443 87 87 88 View My Profile Dr Moore

Why Are My Teeth Growing Now?

Thursday, March 26th, 2015
Q.

Sir, I am 28 years old. One of the teeth at last corner right side of my upper jaw was missing. It had not grown from my childhood but the lower jaw teeth just below it are growing steadily. It doesn’t give me any pain but I feel surprised that there’s growth. Why won’t these teeth stop growing? What are the causes of tooth growth? Will this cause any problems in the future? If it is a problem, how can it be stopped, or are there any treatments for me?


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes