How then do we manage the area where Cleo’s tooth is coming out? If we leave the site alone the final result will probably look less than ideal, and could potentially be disasterous. To solve this we made a temporary bridge that was shaped anatomically correct, and placed slightly under the gum line. It therefore appeared to emerge from the gum tissue where the tooth used to be. The temporary restoration was used to actually shape this gum tissue as it healed. After a number of weeks we were able to continue with the bridge process.
Cleo had the non-restorable tooth taken out. When a tooth is taken out the body immediately starts to take away the bone. Basically the body is saying, “No tooth….no bone.” This is a problem we’ll look into further when we discuss dental implants. But in the esthetic zone of the front teeth this can lead to devastating results. As the bone leaves, the gum tissue goes with it. Soon the area where the tooth came out looks ‘caved in’ and the gum tissue has migrated to a higher level than the teeth near it. It looks horrible.
Here’s an area on a different patient that has had only a moderate loss of tissue after a tooth was removed. This is because a dental implant was placed in the area.
These were the complications we were working with after Cleo agreed to have her teeth crowned. The tooth shown below was not going to be kept. So she needed a bridge to replace and replicate this tooth. It should be straighter, as should all the others. And she wanted whiter teeth, too. She was tired of having dark, discolored teeth.
So Cleo wanted a change. And more importantly, there were functional and structural issues, too. The cavities she had developed were large and, after taking into account the size of the existing fillings, there were no other options than to crown these teeth. Also, she didn’t like to smile because her teeth were not straight and, as she put it, not pretty.
Saw an interesting case a few days ago. Lady had been told by a local ‘cosmetic’ dentist she needs a slew of veneers and was looking for a second opinion. She didn’t like the spacing or positioning of her teeth and was concerned with the difference in the level of the gum tissue around her front teeth. After examining and photographing her teeth I determined there was NO reason to have veneers. The teeth were perfectly healthy with no fillings or excessive wear. They were the correct ’size’ and proportion. A few months with Invisalign braces, a trip to the gum specialist for a slight alteration in her tissue heights, and some whitening (or bleaching) is all she needed. She’s heading to see the orthodontist to get started!
How many times would she have been told she needs veneers, when some ‘minor’ tooth movement is all that is necessary?
Check out a brief description of veneers here: Veneers
Amazon has just come out with pricing on the new Windows Vista….$399. for an operating system?? I’m sure I’ll be switching my dental software to this new system…eventually. But I’m sure going to wait a while. It’s going to be something we all have to deal with in the future. Take a look: Amazon Windows Vista
I’ll be periodically posting my thoughts on dental information, and on occasion, technology that has an effect on my practice and possibly on your life, too. I look forward to your comments and hope you will find something that interests you!!
Thanks for visiting My Charlotte Dentist Blog. I will be presenting information on Dental Health and also any industry related news and information that might be of value to you my patients and potential patients in the Charlotte NC area.
Please use my comments option after any post or article that you have questions about, my goal is communicate as much information to my readers to help you in making the best choices about all of your dental needs.
