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.
Archive for the ‘Dr Andrew Moore’s answers’ Category
What Options Do I Have to Fully Restore My Smile?
Monday, March 30th, 2015How Can I Get My Denture to Fit Comfortably?
Thursday, March 26th, 2015I 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!
What Treatment Can I Have as an Alternative to Braces?
Tuesday, March 24th, 2015Dear Dr Moore,
My upper front teeth are sticking out and they make me look horrible when I laugh. At a younger age I was meant to get braces placed but it didn’t work out. I’m now 21 and I don’t want to wear braces at this point, although I wouldn’t mind getting another treatment done (if any are possible). Can you please enlighten me on what other treatment is available to stop my teeth from sticking out? Thank you.
Can I Get Financial Help for Dental Implants?
Monday, March 23rd, 2015Hi. I am hoping you can advise me about who to approach for financial help for implants. I am 50 years of age, and have in my opinion, looked after my appearance. However, although I have been a business person in the past, I have bipolar disorder, a condition which I am not in control of nor is it any fault of my own. However, after 21 years and many, many different medications and mood stabilizers I found it impossible to work any longer due to the effects of this awful condition. As if this change of life situation was not bad enough, I then noticed my teeth deteriorating, and have recently discovered it is connected to all the medications over the years as I suffer with dry mouth as a result. I have lost 2 teeth near the front since my birthday and found this more than devastating and a worsening impact on my already low moods. I have been looking for a new dentist in my area and although I’ve just registered with one, I have no faith they have the time or compassion to understand how this is making me feel. As I do not socialise much anymore this new situation is making me feel hopeless as I have not even been leaving the house at all. Is there anyone I can get advice from with regards to NHS help for implants, since in theory medication has been the main factor of the deterioration? I now feel at 50 my life is over as I cannot bear to look in the mirror and now isolate from people completely. I hope you can understand this is far more than vanity, and more about taking away any social interactions I am able to have when my mood and anxiety levels are not so low. Thank you.
Should I Go Abroad for Cheaper Dental Treatment?
Thursday, March 19th, 2015Hi there. I’m thinking of going to India or Korea for possible implant dental work. Is it possible to get All-On-4 work done there? Do you think I am taking a risk? Are the dentists there as qualified as every time you speak to a UK dentist? They always make you feel that the work would be vastly inferior (though they don’t actually come out and say it) if you should go any where other than the UK. I am so confused as I feel that dentists in the UK actually charge prices that are so expensive, and I cannot see why. I am so confused and the whole thing is getting me down with the conflicting points of view. I really would appreciate your expertise and opinion. P.S. Are you also very expensive? As I would prefer not to travel abroad, but the high prices of dentists in the UK leave me little choice.
How Long do Lumineers Stay on the Teeth?
Monday, March 16th, 2015Hi, I wanted to know how long Lumineers stay on the teeth? Also, if I go for veneers, are they going to grind my original teeth so that I will have no option but to always have veneers on them? Which one is the better option for me? I want to change my smile as I’m not happy with it. Can I have the procedure done on a payment plan? I want to go for Lumineers because I have heard it doesn’t damage your original teeth, but they stay on for shorter time than veneers. I don’t want them to grind my natural teeth though. What should I do?
What Treatment is Available for Receded Gums?
Monday, March 16th, 2015I have receded gums and have gaps in my teeth where the gum has receded. Can you suggest any treatment for this please? I also have grey fillings, can these be replaced with white ones and how much would the cost be? And can I get this done at my own dentist or will I need to see a cosmetic dentist? I am really in need of something done as it’s so depressing because I am worried I might lose all my teeth because of this problem. I am 55 years old. Many thanks, I hope you can help.
How Can I Get Help With My Missing Teeth?
Friday, March 13th, 2015I am a 32 year old female who has lost her front bridge because of a car crash. I am now on jobseekers and also getting bullied (the police are helping). I started to self harm and I hate myself for starting that. I do not want to seem vain but I am missing 3 teeth in the front. Everyday life is hard to deal with. My wish was to have an family but I no longer want that now as I think who would want someone like me with no teeth? Please help me, I really don’t want to give up on life. I do not know how or where to start. I need any help or info. Many thanks, looking forward to hearing from anyone.
Is There Financial Help Available for Dental Implants?
Thursday, March 12th, 2015 I have quite an extensive medical history including severe SLE and Antiphospholipid Syndrome as well as other ailments. I have always had problems with my teeth and gums. I have receding gums and tooth loss. I have a pronounced top jaw and had fixed braces which were removed because of the SLE when I was 13, and I’m now 30.
Recently, I had aortic heart valve replacement surgery. I’m worried my declining tooth health is going to have a major impact on the heart and need advice on what to do next. I would like to possibly look into the teeth in a day option but I’m worried about the cost. Is there help available for someone with such health problems? I work full time when I’m well enough but can’t seem to do more to be able to save enough money. I obviously take a lot of medication and blood thinners. My teeth are a major source of problems for me and I’ve noticed more recently a trigger for a little depression due to comments from people due to their appearance.
I’m desperate for any help you can provide.
Is There Any Way I Can Dull My Tooth Colour a Bit?
Wednesday, March 11th, 2015I whitened my teeth with 3 weeks of wearing Zoom! in trays from my dentist. It was following Invisalign treatment. I have extremely pale English skin and I feel that I have ‘over-whitened’ my teeth so that the shade does not look natural against my colouring. My teeth were quite yellow before so it’s a huge contrast and I wish I had not whitened them for long and gone for a more natural creamy shade that complements my skin tone better. It’s 4 months since I whitened them and they are still looking very ‘bright’ and too white! I know that the effects of whitening will fade a bit over time but is there anything I can do to give them a more creamy natural shade, or how long will it take for the ‘brightness’ to dull down a bit? A year, 2-5 years? I realise I’m here with a different issue than most people but I do think skin tone is a very important consideration in getting a pleasing natural shade – not just matching to the whites of your eyes. Thanks.
