Archive for the ‘Dr. Hughes’ Answers’ Category

My Dentist Thinks My Dental Health Is Fine, But I Think There Is An Infection. Should I Get A Second Opinion?

Monday, September 9th, 2013
Q.

Hello Dr Hughes, I want to tell you about a number of problems I have over my latest visit to my local dentist. I have had all my old fillings re-done and I had three crowned teeth that were pulled and infected for, I’m not sure how long, probably over two years and have been on a lot of antibiotics and every time the antibiotics are gone this terrible smell comes back. The last crowned tooth was pulled three weeks ago and I still have the infected/decay smell. Why is this? Could my gums be infected in that area or is it the jaw bone? I went to the dentist yesterday thinking I might still have an infected tooth and he said no and went as far as to give me a letter stating my dental health is fine!


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

I’ve Been Told My Teeth Can’t Support Braces, So What Are My Other Options?

Friday, September 6th, 2013
Q.

Hello. I have already undergone the treatment for braces some four years back, but from the time the treatment was over, I noticed my teeth were starting to get protruded and thereby opening gaps. Now it seems to look how it appeared to look prior to the treatment. Yet my teeth have developed lots more cavities and do not have a lot of strength to bite anything very hard. Enough fillings have been put in from my childhood and some even more recently. I am 25 now. When I have approached several dentists they advise me not to go for braces again as my teeth are not in a condition. Could you kindly suggest what other options may be available? I hope to hear from you in the near future.


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

I’d Like Straight Teeth But I’m Not Sure About Braces, What About This New Aerodentis Treatment?

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013
Q.

Hi, I was just wondering if you have ever heard of Aerodentis? I would like to have straight teeth but really do not want to get a brace! I have been looking at lingual braces but I’m not sure I could afford them. Also the inman aligner, which is much more affordable but still not really suitable! I’ve read that it’s quite bulky and I don’t think I would have the confidence to wear it whilst at work or generally out and about. Aerodentis looks like a really good option but there’s very little information about it online! I would just like to know if it works, the overall length of treatment and how much it costs and if you have ever come across it before? Thanks, this would really help me.


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

I Need My Teeth Straightened After A Fight But I’m Worried They Might Crack, Could This Happen?

Monday, September 2nd, 2013
Q.

Hiya,

Let me first start by saying how it started, a few years ago when I was 16, I got into a fight and got punched in the mouth, it landed on my front upper tooth and now it’s been pushed back, it’s not major problem but I would like it straightened again so it will line up with the rest of my teeth, the only problem is that I am worried about is if there is crack across the centre of the tooth, would it still be able to be straightened? The crack isn’t major but it’s still there and I worry everyday that if I bite into something hard it could crack completely. Any help and advice will be appreciated, obviously I will not attempt to straighten it myself, I just want to know if it’s worth me making a trip to a cosmetic dentist?

Thanks.


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

I Am Nervous Around Dentists And Require Cosmetic Treatments, How Can You Help Me?

Friday, August 30th, 2013
Q.

I am a nervous patient and do not like going to the dentist. I always had six monthly check ups and once a year for many years. I have not been to the dentist for around two years now due to not having any money, loss of work etc. I need a gum graft in my lower tooth in the front. The gum started to recede around 5 years ago and has not been mentioned by the dentists I have visited. The dentists said that if it got worse it may need to be looked at. I have a lot of fillings but they have been good and given me no trouble and beside this I have been lucky with my teeth, now I am getting older I noticed a few problems. I have a loose wisdom tooth, not giving me any trouble but, I’m too worried to go to the dentist. Could this be done at the same time as a gum graft? Would I be able to be completely pull it out, if so how long would it take? I am frightened to let anyone touch the tooth because I do not want it to fall out. I would need to book somewhere for the night after treatment or can I get the train back? What is the cost? Would I be able to have it done in November and how many times would I need to come and see you after treatment?  


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

I Have Had A Gap In My Teeth Since I Was Fifteen Years Old. What Can I Do To Resolve It?

Friday, August 30th, 2013
Q.

Hi. When I was younger I was fitted with a brace to close the gap at the front of my teeth, but it also appeared when my baby teeth either side of my front ones, fell out. There was no bigger ones coming through so I was fitted with a bridge with a black filler behind them which is very unattractive.

Also, after the brace was taken off my gap reappeared and pushed the bridge slightly, so now they are uneven.

I really want to fix this problem as I am 23 now and my teeth have been like this since I have been 15 and I have always had the gap there.

What can I do to resolve this?

Thank you.


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

Hello. Is My Proposed Treatment For Alveoloplasty Necessary? What Options For Sedation Do I Have?

Thursday, August 29th, 2013
Q.

Hello. My problem is that I have a proposed treatment plan that includes an alveoloplasty after the extraction of a wisdom tooth. It is impacted and decayed. I’m fifty years of age and I will need a crown on the tooth next to it. Is the alveoloplasty necessary? Insurance doesn’t pay anything for the alveoloplasty so I’m wondering why or if the procedure is needed? Also, what kind of sedation do you think I should get for the procedure? Insurance only pays for a local anaesthetic, I’m pretty nervous in the dentist’s chair so it is something I need to consider.

Thank you in advance for any response.


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

Is It Best To Shorten Or Lengthen My Front Teeth To Have Them Level?

Wednesday, August 28th, 2013
Q.

Hello Dr Hughes, I have always had one tooth slightly longer than the other at the front and I am not very comfortable smiling because of it and I’m looking at ways of fixing it. What is the best way to fix this? Can I have this levelled out or a bit added to the shorter one? I am worried that if I have it shortened it might discolour and even eventually fall out, Could this happen? How much would a treatment like this cost or would you advise to leave it as it is? Thank you for your time.


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

My Teeth Have Straightened Up But Now They’re Causing Me Discomfort. Am I Eligible For Treatment On The NHS?

Wednesday, August 28th, 2013
Q.

When I was about 13 several of my bottom teeth began to cross over and I was refused braces by the orthodontist, my tooth then cut my bottom lip and was causing me discomfort so I was referred to a dental hospital where I was refused braces again. I left my teeth and my bottom one’s because they no longer bother me as they can’t be seen when I smile. I used to have a big gap between my top front teeth but last year they all straightened up and my gap closed up, but I worried they would overlap but my dentist said they wouldn’t. I’m 17 now and recently my second to front tooth has gone crooked and slipped behind my front tooth and is aching and causing me discomfort and making me self-concious, I feel it will push my front tooth forward, also my teeth don’t close together properly, am I still eligible for a brace or even a retainer on the NHS?


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes

My Boyfriend Wants Tuberopterygoid Implants, Can You Offer Me Information On This Type Of Treatment?

Tuesday, August 27th, 2013
Q.

My boyfriend is interested in having
Tuberopterygoid Implants at a clinic in India. Despite the skills of any dentist who carries out this work, my research suggest to me (I’m a law student) that these type of implants are as yet only in their ‘pilot study’ phase, without a proven track record. I am therefore trying to find high quality information on Tuberopterygoid Implants. Can you point me in the direction of any publications, or papers etc, with information akin to clinical trials of Tuberopterygoid Implants or the conclusions from them? Do you have any knowledge of any aspects of this type of implant, or do you know of any specialist or any organisation who oversees these particular implants who might be able to provide us with more information on benefits and risks? If there is no reliable evidence for us to assess risks, we will be looking for similar work with more traditional implants done in the UK if lack of gum area will support this. This may mean a wait of a few more years due to budget constraints, unless as my partner is a teacher and the very real psychological distress caused by lack of teeth (he only has 2 on the top) will qualify him for NHS funded implants – can you advise on the likelihood of this? If we opt to save for a traditional type implant from a UK clinic, can you also advise on the possibility of finding a tried and tested implant which is suitable for people with lack of gum space that would usually make them only suitable for the Tuberopterygoid Implants?


Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes