Archive for the ‘Dr Caplan’s Answers’ Category

Do you know of any cases where white fillings have caused OFG?

Monday, October 4th, 2010
Q.
After many years of neglecting my teeth I went back to a dentist and needed some filling work and extractions. After attending the dentist for a number of months I noticed that I was getting a swelling [non tender] around the mouth and lower face. This was eventually diagnosed as OFG [ora-facial granularmytosis]. I still suffer from this and, whilst not painful, iit is unsightly. Do you know of any cases/instances where having white fillings fitted kicked off a condition such as this? I don’t seem to be able to get to the bottom of the cause and wondered if it might be the white filling material in the mouth? Many thanks,,
A.
I know of no link between rest… (Click here to read the rest of the answer)

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

Am I eligible to have implants to replace my missing teeth?

Monday, October 4th, 2010
Q.
i have no canine teeth as i had them removed due to a bad dentist and a poor choice of my own. ive had dental treatment since to close the gaps; but now after a few years since treatment ive noticed my mouth is stinking. i was wondering if there is anyway to maybe have implants to give me back the missing teeth?,
A.
There probably is. The likely… (Click here to read the rest of the answer)

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

I have been having aligner treatment for some time now and am seriously fed up with it. What can I do?

Friday, October 1st, 2010
Q.
I began my aligner treatment 5 and a half months ago in April. Despite wearing the IA for 11 weeks and having been fitted with numerous clear aligners (7 at this stage) – my teeth are still not straight. At the beginning my dentist told me it should take 10-14 weeks. Although the length of time it is taking is a problem my main concern is that my dentist seems to have filed my teeth somewhat haphazardly and the teeth on the each side of my mouth are now different shapes and sizes than the opposite side. I am concerned that as i need more clear aligners he will have to file my teeth more and as i am so unhappy with how they look at present I am wary about letting him file anymore. I really wish I had not had this treatment, at least with this particular dentist. When I ask him questions he fobs me off with some rambling and treats me as if i am being a nuisance – I’m not, I have actually been very patient but now I am seriously fed up and feel like just giving up on the treatment altogether. Is there anything I can do or someone I can contact who can advise me what to do or how to handle my case or is there any type of compensation I can seek? Any advice would be much appreciated. PS I am having my treatment in Scotland.,
A.
In all these situations I advi… (Click here to read the rest of the answer)

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

My four new veneers seem to wiggle and are tight when I close my mouth. Is this normal?

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
Q.
I just got 4 veneers on the top about 2 months ago…. They have a little wiggle to them and when I close my mouth tight, the teeth feel tight and kinda pop (not like you can hear, just a feeling) if I move with my teeth. Is this normal?,
A.
The contact points may be a li… (Click here to read the rest of the answer)

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

Front crown is showing signs of infection and I have been recommended its removal, followed by implants and dentures. Does this sound right? Can I get it on the NHS?

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
Q.
hello ive had a frontal crown since i was about 13yo. ive had 2 apisectomies above it. this is now constantly showing signs of infection and feels loose.theres a visible margin between teeth and gum and a horrible tatse. i was refrred to a dental hospital who inform me the only option is removal, denture and implant. does this sound right? is there anywhere i can get this on the nhs? how long post extraction before implant? thank you,
A.
Implant sounds your only optio… (Click here to read the rest of the answer)

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

My teeth have totally had it – gaps, baby teeth, missing teeth, you name it – but I don’t want false teeth. Other options?

Monday, September 20th, 2010
Q.
My teeth have totally had it, i never got my i teeth so have a massive gap at the top i also have several baby teeth still as the adult teeth were not there to replace them. i have now also lost 2 at each side on the bottom & my gums have receeded… What is my best option im only 27 & dont want false teeth if possible!! is this my only option?,
A.
To treat this problem the opti… (Click here to read the rest of the answer)

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

I had my teeth whitened and they were great at first, but have since regressed. What can I do to make whitening last longer?

Monday, September 20th, 2010
Q.
Hello, I have a question about teeth whitening. 3 months ago I went to a dentist and had them perform the “Zoom” teeth whitening treatment. My teeth prior to the zoom were yellow (pretty bad). Yet after the two hour treatment I had movie star whiteness to my teeth!. There was a difference of about 11 shades at least. They were as white as can be for a few days, however, I then started to have some serious regression. Now mind you that I used to be a tea drinker and smoker, but never over the past 2 years have I had a cigarette, or any alcohol, nor tea, nor coffee, or anything that would case my teeth to stain. Therefore, the regression my teeth were going through had nothing to do with those substances that darken your teeth. So since the three months since I had the Zoom treatment done my teeth are brighter (about 5 shades) than the yellow teeth I had before, but there is still a yellow tint to them, and they are nowhere near the level I had when I had that bright hollywood style for the first few days after I left the dentist following my Zoom treatment. So my question is…is there anyway I can not only achieve but also maintain that bright smile for long durations, like months a year at a time. I did also buy a take home bleach kit from the same dentist to try and help maintain my pearly white teeth, but the kit only gets my teeth a few shades whiter, which only lasts for 12 hours before the whiteness is gone and it goes into regression. Please help, all the treatments I’ve tried have only got my teeth white temporarly. And thank you for taking the time to read this doctor.,
A.
Bleaching of your teeth is not… (Click here to read the rest of the answer)

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

I have a nasty taste after wisdom tooth removal. Could the wound be infected?

Thursday, September 16th, 2010
Q.
Hi, I have had my impacted wisdom tooth removed 4 days ago, I’m not suffering with any pain and there is no bleeding of the socket, however i do have a nasty taste in my mouth which is unpleasant, It feels like it’s weeping from the wound, is this normal or is it a sign of the wound been infected. If so what course of action do I need to take. ,
A.
You may have an infected socke… (Click here to read the rest of the answer)

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

What treatment other than braces is available for a crooked smile with gaps?

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
Q.
Dear Dr Caplan, I am very interested in cosmetic dentistry because I have a crooked smile, I have 3 teeth that stick out and have gaps between them but I was told recently by a dentist that the only option open to me would be braces because the gaps are quite substantial and they stick out quite a bit. Could you tell me what you think. I would get braces if that is the only option but I would love to get something done as soon as possible, would I be able to get the 3 teeth removed and permenant false ones put in to create a better smile ? Thaks so much for your help Kind regards ,
A.
When teeth are in the wrong po… (Click here to read the rest of the answer)

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan

Is there a particular reason for an infection causing pain across my entire jaw?

Monday, September 6th, 2010
Q.
I’m 36yrs and still have a lower right baby tooth which has been giving me toothache so my dentist has put a temp dressing in and given me antibiotics to settle the infection, this happend 4 days ago and i have a very tender jaw line and pain which runs up to my ear when i open my mouth to eat. I have never experienced anything like this and i hav been getin headaches in a morning, is there a reason for this.,
A.
Infection causes pain and once… (Click here to read the rest of the answer)

Dr Julian Caplan – Director on the board of the BACD View My Profile Dr Caplan