Dear Dr Moore,
I had a crown put on one of my front teeth 6 years ago due to discolouration of the tooth after root canal treatment. Last few days, my tooth felt loose and I organised an emergency dentist appointment. After taking the crown off and looking at the xrays, there is a clear horizontal fracture line near where the tooth ‘stump’ meets the gum. The dentist strenghten the tooth with cement and put the crown back on as a temporary measure. She explained it might only last a couple of months before the tooth breaks completely. She offered me two options: a post crown or an implant. I was wondering which option do you think would be more appropriate in my situation? I am 24 years old and would like a long-lasting but safe option. I feel I would like to try the post crown first but was told that this might only last 10 years. Would having a post crown put in first make it more difficult to have an implant at a later stage?
Thank you
Archive for the ‘Q. Dental Implants’ Category
My crown has just fallen off, should I replace it with another crown or an implant?
Friday, June 17th, 2011My brother lost two teeth in a car accident, could dental implants be the answer?
Friday, June 17th, 2011Hi Doctor Moore,
My brother was involved in a car crash 20 years ago which resulted in him losing his front two teeth and a titanium plate being inserted into the top palette of his mouth. Two front replacement teeth were drilled into the plate by the NHS at that time.
Twenty years later, he is very conscious that his teeth have moved and he now has a large gap between these front two teeth and the teeth on each side of these are crooked, discoloured and overlapping. His bottom teeth could do with some attention also. He does not smoke or have gum disease.
I keep encouraging him to get his teeth sorted but he’s concerned about a few things:
a) How painful or difficult would it be for him to have his teeth reconstructed under these circumstances?
b) The cost – could you give an indication of how much he would need to spend to correct all 4 teeth at the top of his mouth and correct a couple of crooked teeth at the bottom?
c) How long could he expect his teeth to last? He’s worried that, in his words, “once he starts messing”, he’ll have to continually fund replacement of any veneers or false teeth.
Thank you for answering my questions. I think it would transform his life if I could persuade him to take this step.
Kind regards
I am 27 and am unsure if braces or veneers are best of my condition, what do you suggest?
Monday, June 13th, 2011Hello Dr Patel.
I am hoping that you can advise me with regard to my enquiry. I am 27 years of age and never had braces fitted as a child.
During childhood when second set/adult teeth were coming through one of my incisors erupted through roof of mouth behind my canine and was putting pressure on it and pushing it forward or outwards.
Due to this I had that tooth extracted and was advised by my dentist to have a fixed brace fitted to straighten my teeth.
Now, many years on I have realised that I should have had it done but because I didn’t I have misaligned teeth now where my 2 front incisors are offset and are actually not in the centre of my mouth but a whole tooth over to the left where the removed incisor should have been. I now have 5 teeth that are visible on top jaw instead of an even number of six (canine and incisors).
This has caused me great misery as I have not smiled with my teeth in a photo for over 10 years as they look out of line and are odd. Recently I went to visit an Orthodontist and was told that with a fixed appliance or brace I could have the 2 incisors moved to the centre of my mouth to line up with nose but in order to achieve this, the other remaining incisor that would have been paired with the extracted incisor would have to be removed also.
This essentially would cause a gap between my incisor and canine so that my 2 front teeth can be pulled into new position via brace and give me symmetry which is what I want.
My concern is that with a tooth missing (approx 8mm) is it really possible for a brace to shift that gap closed and pull my teeth to centre?
Surely due to the fact that I am 27 years of age and all adult teeth have come through and jaw bone has stopped growing that the bone is set solid and it is impossible to close a gap where a tooth has been removed?
I am getting mixed opinion and being told that a brace simply cannot achieve this and I would have to have either an implant to disguise the gap or have veneers fitted to mask the fact that my 2 front incisors are offset.
Also, I have a deep bite and was told even before tooth extraction I would have to be much patient and have a fixed metal brace on lower teeth to correct the bite and lift up teeth so that end result will be satisfactory.
What are my options and will braces fix the removed tooth and shift the teeth to create a balanced smile?
Thank you.
I would like dental implants, are they available on dental finance?
Friday, June 10th, 2011hello andrew would like to no if you wouldnt mind aswering please is that am thinking of haveing some dental work done and i no it will cost alot so just wondering would i be suitable for dental finance and what are the requiements for to be a suitable candidate its because am now 30 and ive always hide my teeth or try to avoid talking to people and i need to do something about it am interested in haveing dental implants and i no i cant afford all the money in one go thats why am trying to fine out wheather i could get dental finance am employed and have been for the past 8 years or so many thanks andrew
My new permanent crown is loose, what should I do?
Thursday, June 9th, 2011Hello Doctor, A front tooth broke recently and left just about an eight of the original tooth in my gum. This tooth had already had root canal work and I was so pleased to be told that a crown could be fitted. posts were screwed into the stub of the tooth and a tempory crown fitted. Today I went to have this removed and a permanent crown fitted. The dentist had a terrible job getting the tempory crown off and whereas this was very firmly fixed my permanent crown is moving. If the posts were dislodged whist removing the tempory crown can the one fitted now be removed and the posts secured.Thank you in advance
Is cosmetic bonding the best option for my teeth?
Monday, June 6th, 2011Hello Dr. Sunita Verma i just have a quick question about bonding. I am 15 years old and i just have gotten my canines replaced because i was missing my upper laterals, so they made my canines that replaced my laterals look like laterals but i still have my baby canines that have never fallen out and (they are my 3rd teeth from my centrals) and my dentist said eventually they will fall out. What would be my options if they do fall out? Also i have a minor gap in my two front teeth. What would be the cost to bond those together and make them longer? or what do you think is my best option with my situation? Thank you for your time and hopefully hear back with a response 🙂
10 days after surgery I can not see the implant post, what can I do?
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011 Hi,
My husband has the surgical phase of a dental implant 10 days ago. Is it normal to see no evidence of the implant post in the gum? He is worried that he will need to have the gum cut again when the crown is fitted to expose the implant itself.
Also, he was due to have a further implant but apparently the nerve was too large for this to be carried out. Does this mean there is no chance for an implant there? We are struggling to get answers from the implant clinic.
Thanks very much
Sorry this is just padding as I’m getting a message box saying the question is too short… I’m just concise!
I have four missing teeth at the front, what are my replacement options?
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011Hello doctor,
I have just finished wearing braces, can I now get implants?
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011hi i recently finished having braces and under the advice of my orthodontist went for closing my missing lateral incisors with canines instead of implants on the top teeth. however since then i have regretted my decision and didn’t want to reshape them as i didn’t think they’d look normal anyway. is it possible to re-open these spaces when i have the money as an adult (i also had two premolars extracted at the bottom for treatment, could i replace these or is there no point?). if i can could you tell me how long you think it might take? thanks
How do I stop my dentures moving around?
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011i have loose upper full dentures which are always moving, Cant seem to keep it in place with polygrip and Cant eat properly. I am old dental implants can keep it in place. Can you assist and is it affordable. Can i also have part dental implants to support the upper dentures. Does it last for long, do you need to service it or have regular dental check ups at your local dentists and is it expensive to do so. Your support will be much appreciated, certainly approve 03 quality of life.
