Q.
Hi Dr Andrew, I’m writing on behalf of my mother, in the hope you can offer me some advice. My mum has 6 crowns to her top front teeth – those visible when she smiles – which date back to the mid 1990s. My mum had them done via her NHS dentist, who she has visisted all of her life and whom has perfected all our her 5 childrens, including my own, teeth. Since then, the crowns have become discoloured, stained and basically look awful. Her own tooth on the top left side of her mouth, where the crowns stop, has subsequently cracked and there is now a gap. Many of her other surrouding teeth are either missing or heavily decayed. Her bottom teeth are not crowns but are also in dire condition – they were discoloured and yellow, but some of the enamel looks as though its chipped away and started to peel (thats the only way I can describe it anyway, its as though her front teeth have different layers, similar to an onion, and two of her front bottom teeth have a number of chipped ridges to them). Depsite this, her dentist – the same one who performed her original crown treatment and still treats her today, along with myself and my siblings – refuses to replace the crowns, even though my mother is a paying NHS customer and has offered to pay privately or be referred – the dentist simply says ‘he wont do them, it can create more problems’. My mum is turning 50 in July and looks great, apart from her teeth. They really bother her and my Dad has offered to pay for new treatment, even if its done privately, though veneers will almost certainly be too expensive. I believe that my mums teeth are probably too decayed to have any more crowns fitted, especially given her age….. wouldn’t it be pointless? Do you think dentures would be the best alternative? I would really appreciate any help you could provide because it seems some dentists, face-to-face, will tell a prospective patient the only suitable method of treatment is, surprise surprise, the most expensive! I would like to be reassured with some information before making appointments for consultations, so we are aware of the options that may be available. Any assitance would be greatly appreciated! Kind Regards Paul. P.S – Sorry for the essay!,