Q.
I have been unknowingly grinding and clenching my teeth. And now my gums have receded and my teeth are worn down. Will grinding and clenching for years affect my bone tissue? Will my jaw start to shrink? Can I get dentures without needing a bone graft? How much would a whole mouth front and back teeth dental bone graft cost? Do you need gum grafts before getting dentures? And lastly how much would a full mouth extraction cost? I am asking all these questions to get a fix on a price. I am unemployed and on ssi and disability. I have no insurance and am looking to get a bank loan. So I need to know approximitly how much I need and what procedures are necessary.
A.
Grinding and clenching will not affect bone health. Your jaw bone will start to shrink only after your teeth are removed. You will not need bone grafting for dentures. My advise would be to invest and preserve your remaining teeth. Dentures are not inevitable and should be avoided. It is impossible to advise you on cost. I recommend you consult with a dentist on what is necessary to restore your mouth to health. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
Hello Dr.
I have a craze line/crack running down my front tooth and I really dont like the look of it. I understand that it is only minor and not structurally weak; however it just upsets me when I see it. I have beautiful teeth and have never had any problems, so I was looking for the lease invasive fix possible (micro abrasion/light sanding and polishing etc.)
I also have white spots on my teeth from my braces and have just finished KOR bleaching which didnt help
What would you recommend to fix the problem with out putting vaneers over my teeth?
Thank you for your help dr Lemongello
A.
Unfortunately, there is no simple predictable way to remove the crack line with just polishing. Micro abrasion may work to improve the white spots from braces. If you completed KOR whitening consult with your dentist about what may be your best option. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
i have always had spaces btw my front teeth am 30 and i really want to to do something m front teeth have spaces big spaces espcially the one btw the two front ones so i have a question i heard about venners that can fix that p[robleme howver i heard it can be very expemsive and i heard something about bridges ?? will that work too to fill in my spaces btwn my tooth or not(they are nt missing teethe its juts that are spaces) now if i get to either choose venners or bridges i have a question i also had one extracion in te upper long time ago and i nver had a replacement there in order to have vnners or broidges do i have to replavce that teeth that no one will ever see anyone tks
A.
If you are not missing a front tooth and there is a big space between them veneers would be the appropriate treatment. A bridge would not work. You do not need to replace the missing tooth to improve the space in the front. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
Hi, Wonder if you can offer some guidance please? i have a large gap on my left side of my upper teeth (maybe 4 teeth missing) and have been lead to believe there is nothing i can do about it, it has been like this for a number of years now, and as a result the line of my jaw would make it impossible to fill the gap, . however having read through this web, im wondering if there is a solution to this problem? i think the gap is to big for a bridge, and i keep coming back to the same problem that my bottom teeth are possibly “in the way” and unsure how this can be resolved? this is something that is causing me a great deal of unhappiness and embarrassment, however i am not in a position to consider major cosmetic dentistry and wonder if you can guide me on how i can look to put this right, if at all ? any confidential advice would be appreciated that you can offer me to try and improve my smile
Many thanks
A.
If you are missing a number of teeth the most effective way to replace them is with
dental implants. If the lower teeth are in the way, you may need braces to move them or perhaps they will need to be restored in the correct position to coordinate with the upper teeth. Unfortunately, this type of dentistry can be costly. I recommend you consult with a dentist to determine your options. I am sure there is a resolution to your problem, there usually is, but you need to find the right dentist who can help you and be willing to invest the money for the best result. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
About 5 months ago I had a bridge installed on 30,31,32. The next day, I called the dentist back and told him that there was a gap between the lower and upper teeth. The dentist told me that he left a bit of a gap because I had to have a
root canal on #32 prep and he didn’t want to irritate it. He said that the teeth would naturally come together over time and my bite would be normal. This sounded strange to me, I didn’t know how teeth would get longer, but I didn’t pursue it further.
In the last few days, I have noticed that I have bad breath even minutes after cleaning my teeth and rinsing. I’m also having some very slight pain on my #3 tooth, directly above my new bridge. Could this be a result of the occlusion not being right and the tooth extending down too far to meet the bridge on the bottom and exposing too much of the tooth. I suspect that I have an abscess that is draining in my mouth and causing bad breath. But is isn’t painful because it is draining. If this is the result of a poorly fitted bridge, then I think this dentist should be responsible.
A.
It could be all the above. Certainly teeth can move. And, upper teeth can migrate downward if they are not in contact with the bridge. It is important that your bite be balanced As for the bad taste, it could be an abcess or it could be retention of debris under the bridge. If you have a bridge it is important to keep it very clean underneath.
Q.
Hi Dr. Kirtley, my 4/5 and 12/13 teeth have a strange alignment where they are pointed in different directions which puts them sitting almost next to each other on the roof of my mouth. It doesn’t look too weird or anything but it makes cleaning between the teeth difficult and an unnoticed cavity between 4 and 5 broke my #4 tooth earlier this year. I had a
root canal done on the tooth and a filling put in which was supposed to be temporary. Now I have a cavity on the opposite side developing. My dentist recommended pulling one of the two teeth and that I talk to an orthodontist about braces. I would like to avoid braces if possible, so does it seem logical to pull the inward teeth and not having to deal with braces, but have two teeth with fillings – or to pull the damaged outward teeth and use braces to slide the inward teeth into their correct places. Additionally, if I absolutely needed braces are lingual braces an option for this situation? I know it is difficult to diagnose without xrays and what not but I would just like a second opinion. Thanks so much for your time.
A.
You should always opt for braces to correct your alignment. Bad alignment can create all sorts of problems….decay, periodontal disease, tooth loss…
Q.
Hello Doctor,
I have recently had a dental implant placed at the side of my mouth and am slightly worried about its condition. I have an appointment with my dentist in a weeks time but would really appreciate any information I could receive now. Basically there has been some mild bleeding from the site and it does feel tender to touch (which i dont continually do, just when i brush it with my tongue) and I wonder does this, in your experience, sound like a rejected implant? If it is, would I be able to try again at some point or would that be too dangerous?
Thank you very much for your time
A.
Hello there and thank you for your question. It is likely not rejecting…success rate with implants is quite high. Just see the dentist who placed it and have it evaluated. If it is rejecting it will become loose. Hope this helps and good luck with your implants
Q.
I have extremely weak teeth, despite constant flossing, mouthwashes, various dental treatments my teeth will not stop decaying! I don’t drink any drinks with sugar on (just water and unsugared tea) and rarely drink alcohol. I have started avoiding fruit, although do eat it after a meal sometimes. I have had years of braces etc and have had to have 4 root canals. I am starting to get quite obsessed with teeth and terrified about what is going to happen when I get older or get pregnant as i am only 24 and they are already appalling! Is there anything I am missing? Everytime I go to the dentist they think I am lying about flossing etc (although I always get 8/8 for ‘appearance’) because the decay won’t stop. Please help – I am quite distraught!
A.
It is difficult to determine why you continue to get decay. You mentioned you had years of braces. The decay could be related to “scaring” of the teeth and decalcification where the braces were. If this is the case the enamel is compromised in these areas. Eventually, even with good care, these areas can decay. Continue to have these areas repaired for now. Once they are all repaired you may not see decay re-appear as long as you continue with good dietary habits. No soda, not sticky chewy candy or cookies, no chips. Use fluoride or MI paste, brush and floss. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
Hi there
is it a better idea to have lumineers over veneers if your teeth only have a little staining? That is my only problem and teeth whitening hasn’t work, i don’t have crooked teeth or cracks or anything like that but i just hate the colour of my teeth. I’ve heard that lumineers are thinner than veneers and don;t require as much tooth shaving. is this true and in your opinion are they the best option for me?
thank you
A.
What is best for your situation is “prepless” veneers. “Prepless or minimal prep veneers” are veneers that can be placed over teeth with minimal or no shaving of the tooth. This type of veneer is the best type for you. Lumineers is a brand of prepless veneers. However, there are more natural porcelain materials that can be used with an outcome that is more beautiful and lifelike. Visit our website www.lernerlemongello.com for examples of minimal or no prep veneers. They are generally the cases where the teeth look pretty good before but much more natural and beautiful after. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
hello doctors
what would you recommend for a person with both big teeth and big gums. When i smile there is just too much gum showing and my lip just shows everything off and my smile is just very ugly because of it. I would like something done, but i am unsure what i should be asking for. What would you recommend doctors?
thank you very much for your time and help
A.
A gummy smile can be caused by a number of things. There are a number of treatments available depending on your situation and what you want to achieve. You may need braces, gum re-contouring, veneers or a combination of three. I recommend you consult with and orthodontist as well as a dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry. You may need multiple opinions. Visit our website at www.lernerlemongello.com to see examples of cases we treated to improve a gummy smile. Dr. Lemongello
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