Cosmetic Dentistry Guide

My diet problems has caused severe dental issues

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:17:04 +0000

Q. Hi, I had a really bad diet throughout my youth years and now i’m in to my late 20’s it is catching up with me (I suffered a food disorder and now i have cured that over the last year and massively improved my diet i also suffered from regurgitation due to the poor diet and stomach acid coming back up has not helped the situation) I have lost 3 lower bottom teeth (on my left side) And have massive decay on the bottom 3 on the right (I think on my next visit i will have to have an extraction on one) What options do i have as i really need to rebuild the back teeth in my mouth or i fear further trouble in the future! Any help/advice will be of great benefit! Thank you for your time!

A. If you can save the teeth on the right you could try crowns. If not then you may need to consider either removable teeth- a denture, or fixed false teeth – dental implants.Implants are probably the best solution as fixed teeth tend to be easy to maintain and are generally more comfortable.

Dr Andrew Moore
Advance Dental Clinic
Clinical Director
www.advancedentalclinic.com
Tel: 01245 268 494
104 Moulsham Street
Chelmsford Essex
CM2 0JG

Tooth bridges has caused lot of problems

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:13:13 +0000

Q. My 23-year-old daughter has a 6 tooth bridge across one incisor to the other. This was because she was missing 2 laterals. This was done instead of implants because of severe bone loss of the missing laterals and not enough space for implants. She did have braces but unfortunately had an orthodontist that didn’t know what he was doing, causing these problems. An excellent prosthodontist suggested either redo braces and gum grafting or a bridge. For monetary reasons and my daughter not wanting go through this all over again for years she chose a bridge. This is when she was 19. Is it possible for her to get implants and crowns or once a bridge, always at bridge?

A. It doesn’t sounds like anything has changed regarding the space or bone for implants and now the teeth have been trimmed (i presume) it isn’t really worth considering replacing everything. If the bridge starts to fail then the situation may change and implants may become an option then.

Dr Andrew Moore
Advance Dental Clinic
Clinical Director
www.advancedentalclinic.com
Tel: 01245 268 494
104 Moulsham Street
Chelmsford Essex
CM2 0JG

I have a 40 year old root canals with discoloured and fragile teeth

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:56:49 +0000

Q. Dr Tennet, My upper two front teeth have 40 year old root canals. What is left of the teeth themselves is a very fragile & dark brown. What is the best cosmetic choice for covering them? I currently have porcelain crowns with white (titanium?) cores. They are ok, but not super. Any other options? Also, the gum above one of the crowns protrudes a bit more than its neighbor. That developed after the crowns were replaced a few years ago. My doctor has x-rayed and it doesn’t show an infection. I’m guessing a lot can go wrong with old dental work? Any advice would be appreciated

Discoloured Root filled teeth can be a problem to shade match All ceramic Zirconia cores are a good route but the level of opaque will need to be judged by trial and error it usually requires a few visits. The crown margins should be about 1mm below the gum line to hide the dark root emerging. If this is not possible then some periodontal plastic surgery to reshape the gum using grafts / emdogain etc might be an option.
Rob

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

Infected front tooth is drilled and treatment is causing lot of pain

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:50:57 +0000

Q. I have been suffering wit a dead front tooth (top) for over a month. The dentist has drilled a hole in the back of the tooth, and initially left the tooth open in order for the bacteria to be killed off by the oxygen. This alleviated the pain initially. The tooth was then padded with soaked disinfectant on cotton wool. Following this after a week or so the tooth was repacked but left open. After the following week the tooth was packed with cotton wool and then sealed with a temporary filling. This felt ok for a while and then the pain was too great and so I removed the temporary filling and the padding and left the tooth open. This alleviated the pain once more. The tooth has now been packed again and sealed over with a temp filling and the pain at this point is quite bad with pain now at the gum and painful to pressure. Should I leave the filling in place or remove it and let the air in again? Is there a better method, this all seems a little ludicrous for this day and age!!!

A. You may need to consider removing the tooth if the infection doesn’t clear soon. Alternatively you could ask your dentist to refer you to a specialist endodontist, they might have more success in saving the tooth and completing the root canal

Dr Andrew Moore
Advance Dental Clinic
Clinical Director
www.advancedentalclinic.com
Tel: 01245 268 494
104 Moulsham Street
Chelmsford Essex
CM2 0JG

What can be done for a small gap in my front teeth?

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:46:04 +0000

Q. My front teeth have got a gap. A small one. what could be done for this? I feel really down about it. thank you

A. Cosmetic bonding to add tooth coloured filling, or porcelain veneers would be common solutions to diastema closure (tech term for gaps)

The best treatment in your case can be decided after a free 15 minute initial consultation. Call Amy on 0121 643 0610 for details.

Rob

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

My receeding gum line is exposing metal bridge also causing teeth gap

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:43:19 +0000

Q. In early March this year, finally my “baby tooth” cut through – in the roof of my mouth, just behind my eye/front tooth at a pointing outward angle. Nothing special really, except that I’m 43 years old. I needed dental surgery, as it was pushing my front tooth forward and making loose my 3 tooth bridge. I had the surgery at Guy’s Hosipital under the care of a lovely team. It was pretty drastic I must admitt, drilling through the front of my upper gum line to the left of eye tooth and incision/hole drilled in the roof of my mouth to extract said tooth. Nine months later however, I’m left with a widening gap of the eye/front tooth and my 3 tooth bridge is loose, and lower than my gum line. My whole gum line has changed above the bridge so that now you can actully see the metal structure of the bridge itself. The bridge used to fit snug and I never had a gap either at the top of this structure or as is now a gap between my front and eye tooth. I don’t think my upper jaw bone structure would support implants following my surgery. What would you suggest? At this point I am seriously considering a denture of some form, one that does not involve invasive surgery, but then what about the gap between front tooth and eye tooth?

A. Hi it sound like you’ve been through a lot so a denture would seem like an easy option. It might be a good short term option however I guess in the long run you would probably be more comfortable with fixed teeth. This could probably be acheived using an implant supported bridge although it sounds like the bone would need rebuilding firts. Perhaps you could go back to Guys and ask them for their opinion as they have very experienced surgeons who might be able to help you.

Dr Andrew Moore
Advance Dental Clinic
Clinical Director
www.advancedentalclinic.com
Tel: 01245 268 494
104 Moulsham Street
Chelmsford Essex
CM2 0JG

Can I be put to sleep while being looked at by dentist?

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:37:04 +0000

Q. HI DR i am so scared of having my teeth looked at , And I know I need some teeth removed because some are black and chiped . Can I be put to sleep ?

A. contact your local primary Healthcare Trust (PCT) ask for Dental Contracts and they will tell you who has a NHS sedation contract in your area. For Private treatment search for practices offering IV sedation.
Sedation is probably your best route which is why I given those details although you need to speak to the provider to wexplain what this be be like in your case. The risks associated with general anaesthetics mean it is rarely indicated for dentistry, and if it is you would need a hospital refferal from a dental practice like the sedation services mentioned.
Good Luck Rob

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

I have been misleaded on the cost of implants

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:33:19 +0000

Q. Hi Due to gum disease I lost all of my teeth last year. I would like to know how much it would cost to have full upper and lower implants. i have been quoted from the ridiculous £40,000.00 to the even more ridiculous £6,000.00 (some difference) this is a procedure i will definately be having as soon as possible. Can you please let me know what the correct cost would be? Many thenks

A. Its very difficult to give you a quote without seeing you and assessing the amount of bone you have, how many implants you need and how many teeth to finish things off. As a guide, assuming you will need some bone rebuilding we would charge in the region of £12-15,000 per jaw for 12 fixed teeth held with 8 implants.
let me know if you would like me to take a look and give you a better idea of the costs involved

Dr Andrew Moore
Advance Dental Clinic
Clinical Director
www.advancedentalclinic.com
Tel: 01245 268 494
104 Moulsham Street
Chelmsford Essex
CM2 0JG

Please help me in reshaping my teeth

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:29:50 +0000

Q. Dear Dr Moore I am Writing concerning a special case of cosmetic dentistry i am interested in. I am looking for a way of reshaping 8 of my teeth (the top and bottom canines and top and bottom lateral incisors). I wanted to consult you as to the feasibility of this, and secondly if it is a service you can provide as it is reshaping the teeth rather than trying to return them to a normal shape. The effect i am after is for the canines themselves to be slightly expended (approximately 1 or 2mm) and both them and the lateral incisors to be more pointed. The intent is to be a subtle effect and must be acceptable for still eating/chewing etc. I realize in itself this request is rather unusual, but i was hoping even if you yourself cannot provide this service you might be able to point me in the direction of those who could. On that note, if you can provide this service, how much would it cost? for all 8 teeth and which would be the best way of approaching this? I would greatly appreciate any help your expertise could lend to this matter.

A. The reshaping of teeth can be carried out in a number of ways including simple bonding of white filling to the teeth (cost £50) or veneers/crowns (starting from £450). The choice depends on the durability of the material needed, the extent of the correction required and the position of the opposing teeth.
The next step is to come in for a full consultation in order to find out the type of treatment you require. If you are interested please call the clinic on 01245 268 494 Regards Andrew

Dr Andrew Moore
Advance Dental Clinic
Clinical Director
www.advancedentalclinic.com
Tel: 01245 268 494
104 Moulsham Street
Chelmsford Essex
CM2 0JG

What can be done to a half broken tooth surfacing below gum-line?

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:25:45 +0000

Q. Hi, I have just returned from a visit to my dentist today. My appointment was for preparation for a crown on upper molar, second from back. This tooth had broken in half followng root canal treatment and filling 5 years ago. My current dentist put a temporary cover on it and we left it for six months to ensure that the seal hadn’t been breached. When he removed the temporary today he advised he would be unable to save the tooth as what was left of the tooth was partially below the gum-line rendering a crown that would not be viable. He suggested either a bridge, which he felt was not a good option due to the grinding down of the adjacent teeth and suggested an implant at a cost of £2,000. Having done some research on the internet some sites have said that crowns can be placed even if there is only a root left (that has had root canal treatment) and a post can be inserted into the root for the crown to be attached to. Can you advise if this is a possibility please? I look forward to your response. Many thanks.

A. the details are all important here. some teeth can be managed with crowns some are better extracted.
the size, shape and location of the residual tooth : filling are all important.
Before implants there were several common ways to solve the problems. But the fix might only last 5-10years, Implants can be more predictable in some cases. so tend to be increasing in popularity.
If you are near our city centre Practice beside New Street shops contact Amy for details of a free initial assesment. 0121 643 0610

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