different opinions

[doris day]

A couple of months ago I was told by my French dentist that I would need to have all of my upper teeth out and most of my lower ones due to bone loss caused by gum disease. My front teeth are particularly bad and wonky. Some of my other upper teeth are fine but he said all of my teeth would have to come out due to my having a significant overbite which would make it difficult to fit partial dentures. (this was confirmed by a specialist he sent me to)
Obviously a little upset I decided to visit a dentist in the UK to get a second opinion. He said he agreed I had problems but saw no reason why I should have to lose all my upper teeth just to replace my front ones. He suggested I could keep most of them but would need dentures to replace the front ones in the near future.
Prefering this option - I then decided to visit yet another dentist in France in the hope that he would confirm the English dentist's opinion. However, he threw things completely in the air. He said with care I could keep all my teeth - at least for a few more years. He put me on anti-biotics (I have to say my teeth are a lot firmer since I finished them), took a mould of my teeth then, after studying them, said I needed crowns on all my lower molars (at a significant cost to myself, my insurance and the social security system), which would correct my overbite problem, then some sort of brace which would push my front teeth a little more in place.
I am of course going to take this option as it offer the best outcome at least in the short term. But I ask you why such a divergence of opinion?? I am interested in the experiences of the others. Thanks for reading this - if you are still awake at this stage.

[doris day]

I am very happy you have replied. I suppose I am concerned that correcting my bite - therefore preventing my lower teeth from pushing my upper teeth out - does not solve my problem of loss of bone and loose teeth. I can't help but think that some dentists seem more concerned about making money than about their patient. Sorry if that offends some people.

[prosman]

I am very happy you have replied. I suppose I am concerned that correcting my bite - therefore preventing my lower teeth from pushing my upper teeth out - does not solve my problem of loss of bone and loose teeth. I can't help but think that some dentists seem more concerned about making money than about their patient. Sorry if that offends some people.

Maybe that's because some people do the following...

I am of course going to take this option as it offer the best outcome at least in the short term. But I ask you why such a divergence of opinion?? I am interested in the experiences of the others. Thanks for reading this - if you are still awake at this stage.

will you be so happy if this expensive treatment fails in 18 months????

[doris day]

Sorry Prosman I do not get your point at all! Of course I will not be happy if the treatment fails. I was simply happy that someone have taken the time to read my post and to reply to it. I am a relatively young women that wishes to keep her teeth as long as possible - althought I am a realist. I am also someone who is hardworking and not very well paid. Therefore I was looking for some advice from people who have more experience than myself as to the best course of action.
If keeping my teeth is not something I should be realistically considering given my problems I would like to know now before I embark on a long, expensive and uncomfortable proceedure. Is there anyone out there who can help me. Thanks

[prosman]

[QUOTE]

A couple of months ago I was told by my French dentist that I would need to have all of my upper teeth out and most of my lower ones due to bone loss caused by gum disease. My front teeth are particularly bad and wonky. Some of my other upper teeth are fine but he said all of my teeth would have to come out due to my having a significant overbite which would make it difficult to fit partial dentures. (this was confirmed by a specialist he sent me to)

Hi DD, sorry not to reply sooner, but I was on my way to Auz. This is obviously not true. Have your teeth out only if there is a good clinical indication. Not just because it will be hard to make a partial denture! I am staggered that anyone who is a specialist would not be ble to advise you of the other options, the simplist option is to open the bite which is easily achievable.

Obviously a little upset I decided to visit a dentist in the UK to get a second opinion. He said he agreed I had problems but saw no reason why I should have to lose all my upper teeth just to replace my front ones. He suggested I could keep most of them but would need dentures to replace the front ones in the near future.

Sounds fair

Prefering this option - I then decided to visit yet another dentist in France in the hope that he would confirm the English dentist's opinion. However, he threw things completely in the air. He said with care I could keep all my teeth - at least for a few more years. He put me on anti-biotics (I have to say my teeth are a lot firmer since I finished them), took a mould of my teeth then, after studying them, said I needed crowns on all my lower molars (at a significant cost to myself, my insurance and the social security system), which would correct my overbite problem, then some sort of brace which would push my front teeth a little more in place.

This is fine as long as you agree a period that they will guarantee these results, i would sugest 5 years. My concern is you will pay a lot of money and only get "a few more years" you will then have to spend even more money getting things right. Are your gums stable now? Have you discussed dental implants?

I am of course going to take this option as it offer the best outcome at least in the short term. But I ask you why such a divergence of opinion?? I am interested in the experiences of the others. Thanks for reading this - if you are still awake at this stage.

Differing levels of experience, training and the problem that dentsistry is not an eact science. if you ask 10 dentists the same question you may find none of them agree, unlike 10 maths teachers where if you ask them what 2+2 is they will all agree.

[doris day]

Thanks so so much for responding prosman. I will ask him how long he thinks the treatment will last. I think if I'm going down this road I need to feel it will last a few years. Mainly I know I have to be extremely thorough in my cleaning - little brushes between, mouth wash etc...
My gums do seem to be so much better since I've had the anti-biotics.
Thank you most of all for confirming what I've alway suspected that my original dentist did not give me all the options.
Implants are a little too expensive for me I'm afraid and not covered by French (where I live) security system.
Thanks again

[prosman]

good luck, keep us informed of your progress