I have been recommended treatment that would leave me with no back teeth, second opinion?
Q.
In my upper teeth, I have a noticeable gap between my two front teeth, and I am missing both lateral incisors. I also have a twisted canine on my left side.
At the moment I have an option of having a brace on the NHS. However, I have been told by my dentist that I have no wisdom teeth coming through or 2nd molars. Also, I still have both 2nd molar baby teeth, with no premolars to come through.
I have been told by the dentist, if I have a brace they will remove my baby teeth, leaving me with more gaps. They will then move my teeth forward closing all the gaps, but leaving me with no teeth towards the back of my mouth where you chew. They won’t do anything else as it is classed as cosmetic surgery.
Can you advise me on what to do? If I was to go to a private practice, do you have any idea what they would do?
In my upper teeth, I have a noticeable gap between my two front teeth, and I am missing both lateral incisors. I also have a twisted canine on my left side.
At the moment I have an option of having a brace on the NHS. However, I have been told by my dentist that I have no wisdom teeth coming through or 2nd molars. Also, I still have both 2nd molar baby teeth, with no premolars to come through.
I have been told by the dentist, if I have a brace they will remove my baby teeth, leaving me with more gaps. They will then move my teeth forward closing all the gaps, but leaving me with no teeth towards the back of my mouth where you chew. They won’t do anything else as it is classed as cosmetic surgery.
Can you advise me on what to do? If I was to go to a private practice, do you have any idea what they would do?
A.
There are quite a few options in cases like this and what has been proposed is a reasonable solution to some cases. The baby teeth do not usually last into middle age and will leave gaps when they come out. Often the gap left by a baby tooth is an excellent implant site but private fees apply. So balancing your needs now and later should be done in discussion with your dentist. Look up “the shortened dental arch” sda on the internet for info on life without a full set of back teeth.
Hope this helps
Rob
There are quite a few options in cases like this and what has been proposed is a reasonable solution to some cases. The baby teeth do not usually last into middle age and will leave gaps when they come out. Often the gap left by a baby tooth is an excellent implant site but private fees apply. So balancing your needs now and later should be done in discussion with your dentist. Look up “the shortened dental arch” sda on the internet for info on life without a full set of back teeth.
Hope this helps
Rob
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