Q.
Dear Dr Moore, I am writing for some advice on behalf of my mother. She had a porcelain bridge fitted about 5 years ago to her upper jaw. It was fixed with temporary cement in case of problems in the future as her teeth were not great. She never went back to the dentist to have it permanently fixed as she began to suffer from chronic neck pain which she attributes to the treatment. The neck pain eventually resolved itself after two and a half years. About a week ago the bridge came loose and she returned to the dentist who advised that the teeth under the bridge had rotted to such an extent that all the teeth in the upper jaw needed to be removed urgently. The relationship with the dentist broke down to such an extent that she has no faith in him for further treatment and also wants a second opinion. How usual would it be to have all the teeth in the upper jaw removed in these circumstances and what are her treatment options. She is mortified and self-conscious at the state of her teeth and is worried sick about the health implications in terms of the neck pain recurring and infections from the rotting teeth themselves. Can you advise please? Many thanks in advance.,