Expert Answers

Q.
Hi. I am 19 and I have an open bite. My orthodontist wants to put braces on my top and bottom teeth for two years to align them and hopefully pull them together a little more. Afterwards, he says I might want to consider getting surgery to fully correct the open bite. I have already had two retainers when I was younger so my top teeth are straight and I am happy with the way they look. My bottom teeth however, are crooked and I would like to see them fixed. I do not have a problem getting braces on my bottom teeth to straighten them out but I don’t want to get braces on my top teeth because I am afraid that my smile will be too gummy afterwards (since my ortho said more gum will be showing at the top). Why should I mess around with my top teeth if I like them how they are? Also, my ortho says that if I only get braces on my bottom teeth it will make the open bite worse so he really wants me to put braces on the top and bottom. He says the biggest problem with my teeth is the open bite, not the crookedness. What do you think I should do? Get braces on my top, bottom, both or should I just leave my teeth the way they are and go without braces all together?

Q.
Dr Kirtley, Two months ago due to enamel erosion, a hygenist has sliced off the ends of my front teeth and now apart from it being painful, my front teeth are now a millimetre too short and is affecting my speech. My teeth are very healthy and straight but can the ends be bonded back on and if they can, how would this effect the health of my teeth? Would it be strong to not break?

As the ends of my front teeth are still tingling after 2 months, how long would you say it takes for any pain or senstivity from chipped teeth to go away?

Q.
I am 16 and have dental flurosis. Could you tell me what if any treatment there is to help from the dentist, or is there anything that I can do at home to treat this?

Q.
Are invisalign braces able to treat spaces between the front teeth and also an open bite? Would I be better going with fixed braces or can invislaign do this?

Q.
Could you please tell me some of the advantages and disadvantages of the full mouth reconstruction procedure? I need it done because of a bad case of gum disease, but my teeth were not the best anyway. Could you also give me an estimate of what this may cost, and what it actually involves?

Q.
Hi! I went in 7 months ago and got 11 cavities filled. The dentist stated that none of them were very deep and it was a fairly simple procedure. Now 7 months later I am still having extreme hot, cold, sweet and pressure sensitivity. I have gone back to the dentist several times to express my concern with the sensitivity and basically he states that he doesn’t know why they are still sensitive. I have used sensodine toothpaste for over a year now and i use a bite guard at night because every now and then I grind my teeth. What else can I do, im tired of having to take pain meds before i eat and im tired of the pain.

Q.
my sons age is 6 years and when his tooth was inspected by doctors diagnosied as – Dental caries with chronic reverssible pulpitis in relation to 74, 84 and dental carries in 55, 65 please do suggest us the treatment.

Q.
I have had a problem for the last couple of months where my jaw keeps popping. I left it in mere hope that it would go away but it didn’t. Now my jaw has locked and I am only able to open it marginally and I get pain when I try to do so. I am concerned that I may have TMJ, and woould appreciate your opinion on this. If it is the case that I have this problem then can you please advise on what I should next do? What kind of treatment is available?

Q.
Could you give me an estimate cost for a sinus lift (not exactly sure what this is), bone grafting and two dental implants? I guess there will be a time of recovery between each stage of this treatment for the gums to heal or something along those lines? Your rough guess at the price would be appreciated.

Q.
How many teeth can be missing for me to be able to get a partial denture rather than a complete denture? How much would either one cost if you could give me an estimate?