Q.
How long does the teeth whitening process take? Is it just one appointment and it is done, or does it take a few to get the procedure completed properly?
A.
It depends on the outcome you wish to achieve. Most of the time, in-office whitening is done in just one appointment. Some patients who wish to be brighter after the initial whitening session may elect to repeat the procedure.
Q.
After years of poor dental hygiene my teeth are no longer in a good condition, what with chips and cracks on my teeth, and a bad level of decay. My dentist has now informed me that I will need to get dentures, but I am not particularly keen on this. Are there any other treatment options, or will my teeth just continue to get worse if I don’t get dentures?
A.
Hi, many thanks for your email. Until i can assess your mouth myself it is difficult to say whether this is the right treatment for you. If a denture is your only option then you could opt for implants instead, which would be a fixed alternative.
Hope this is helpful.
Dr Kailesh Solanki
Q.
For the past month I have developed an annoying problem with
dry mouth. I try drinking more water to combat the problem but it always comes back. Is there any particular course of action I should take to fix this problem? Thanks.
A.
One of the main causes of
dry mouth is medications you may be taking. Check with your doctor regarding any medication that you are taking. Stay hydrated as much as possible and you may find some help with a saliva substitute like Biotene in your local pharmacy. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
Hello Dr Kirtley. I am writing in relation to my 11 year old daughter, who is what you would call dental phobic. We changed dentists lately in the hope that the new dentist would be able to cater for her needs more, but he recently more or less called her a baby when she was getting upset. Needless to say, I told him what I thought of him and now looking for another dentist. Me and my husband have tried counselling but is has not worked. She just gets so worked up when it comes to the dentist. Can you please offer my any advice?
A.
I would suggest that you take her to a pediadontist, a dentist who is specialized in treating children. She may need to be sedated for her visits, which can consist of a medication taken prior to her visit, or with in-office
sedation administered by the dentist. Many times, after several visits without any upset to the patient, she may learn that she can go through an appointment without any
sedation at all.
Q.
I know there are a couple of different fillings you can get, but I would like to know whether there is one that is particularly good and long lasting?
A.
Hi, many thanks for your email. The main filling materials which are used in modern dentistry today are:
1:composite, works well, is bonded into the tooth can be used for small to medium sized fillings andcan last for around 5-7 years on average, white in colour.
2:porcelain, works well again, bonded into the tooth, can be used for medium to large sized fillings. Can last for up to 10 years, white in colour and can be very aesthetic.
3:Gold, works well, is cemented into the tooth and can be used for medium to large sized fillings. Can last for 15 years +. Gold in colour, not aesthetic.
Hope this information is helpful.
Dr Kailesh Solanki
Q.
Can you please inform me of the treatment options available to close the gap between the two front teeth. This has been the vain of my existence for as long as I can remember and I am desperate to get it sorted.
A.
There are 3 main treatment options to close the gap between your teeth, depending on the situation. They are Orthodontics (braces or Invisalign), composite bonding or porcelain veneers. All have advantages and disadvantages, so investigate them all prior to your final choice. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
I am looking into gum contouring, but am also wanting to get my teeth whitened. I hate the way my teeth look as there is far too much gum covering them. Would you advise to get teeth whitening done before of after the gum contouring procedure?
A.
I would recommend having gum contouring done first, and then bleaching afterward.
Q.
One of my fillings feels loose when I floss around it. It is situated at the back of my mouth, and is becoming quite sensitive to cold liquids. I am concerned damage may be done to my remaining tooth if something is not done. Should I get it checked out as soon as possible, or is it okay to leave for a short while? Don’t want to imagine how much it will cost me to get sorted.
A.
Hi, many thanks for your email. The problem is the longer you leave it the bigger the problem will get. At the moment it sounds as though the tooth may just require a new filling. However, if left it could progress into the tooth getting decay and the decay progressing into the nerve of the tooth, which would then require
root canal treatment.
My honest advice would be to get it checked out by your dentist.
Hope this is helpful.
Dr Kailesh Solanki
Q.
For the past week a tooth toward the back of my mouth has been causing me great pain. I have been taking painkillers in the hope it would fade away but the pain is still there after a week. Would you be able to tell me what may be causing this tooth ache, and what I can do to prevent it? Should I see my dentist to see if there is a real problem, or will it fade away?
A.
It is impossible for me to speculate on what is causing your pain. See your dentist as soon as possible. Pain usually doesn’t go away it only gets worse!
Q.
I have never been all that happy with my teeth. They are not all that straight and I hate the look of them. I am looking into braces and veneers. Veneers becuase it seems like a quick procedure, but I also feel that it would be nice to have my teeth being completely natural. Would you have an opinion on such a matter, or is it down to individual cases?
A.
The choice comes down to this: once straightened, are you going to like the appearance of your teeth? Orthodontics can straighten alignment, but if the shape, size, or color of each individual tooth is not esthetically pleasing, you may still be unhappy with the appearance. I would suggest that you find a dentist who can offer a cosmetic imaging simulation through Envision A Smile software that can show your face with a newly designed smile before treatment is started. This will help you decide.
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