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Suggest Treatment To Fix Gaps In Teeth

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Posted on Fri, 9 Oct 2015
Question: Hello Doctor

i had a gap in my front teeth 2 years ago.. I went to one of the dentist to fix the gap. As per the treatment advice he told me that i don't need braces and a retainer would do the job. In order to place the retainer on the upper teeth he made gaps between my molars and premolars on both the sides. After 6 months of continuous pressure by retainers the front teeth gap didn't close. The doctor turned out to be a scam but the damages he had done turned has been a nightmare for me. Again i went to another doctor who suggested to go for braces. After 1 year with braces the front gap did close but the cutting that was done between the molars and premolars is still the same. I HOPE YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD MY PROBLEM. Now every-time when i eat, food particle get stuck between those teeth. I went to few dentists and they have suggested me to go for capping which will close the remaining gaps. But i know caps and crowns have more disadvantages then advantages and nobody can deny it.. I am in a state of dilemma because i am just 25 years old and i cant live the rest of my life with so much discomfort. I would like to know a permanent treatment to my problem so that i wont have to visit any dentist once the treatment is over.I have heard of bonding's/fillings/implants. There are so much options which can be decided to fix the problem. So please i humbly request you to give a best possible treatment advice which can fix the gaps between molar and premolar so that food particles don't ever get stuck in future.

Thanks
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Go for capping as it is better option..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can very well understand your concern..

As per your problem due to creating the gaps between your teeth there is food lodgement and discomfort and for this if you want a permanent treatment I would suggest you to get capping done..
It is your misconception that capping creates more of problems then benefits..
If a capping is done properly it lasts for years and will not trouble you and also the gaps will close..

As the gaps will close the food accumulation will also not happen and the risk of developing decay in teeth due to food lodgement and bacterial overgrowth causing infection will also be resolved..

The other things that you asked about like Implants, bonding and filling, so I would like to explain you that for Implants you will have to get your teeth extracted [removed] that are causing problem and it is not appropriate in your case as it will a costly treatment and you will also loose your natural teeth..

Bonding and filling is also not effective in long run as compared to capping and capping has better results..

So I would suggest you to consult a Prosthodontist who is a specialist in crown[capping] and other treatments related to placing of removable and fixed artificial teeth .

He/she will do a precise preparation of teeth for placing the caps and will place a proper fitting tooth coloured caps and your problem will be solved.

Any further queries are welcome, we would be happy to help..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (45 minutes later)
Hello Doctor

Thank you for a quick reply. Many doctors have suggested me to go for capping. But i have done some study about this treatment. After which i learned that 1)after a cap is placed the individual has to exercise lot a caution, while eating he cannot bite hard substances 2)With time Capped teeth become weak and fall off. 3)Sensitivity problems occur which may prove to be painful. 4)Its an irreversible procedure because a large portion of the tooth is extracted to place the crown. So if anything goes wrong then there is no way to undo the procedure. 5)There is no way to identify the quality of the crown would be applied on the teeth. The treatment is not "transparent" at all as the doctor may assure that the crown is of best quality (porcelains ones) but the reality would be something different. Keeping all these disadvantages in mind i was feeling reluctant to go for this treatment. But still if you can clear the air and assure that these are my misconceptions that i will surely rethink about the treatment. I have also heard of composite resin fillings which can be applied to fill the gaps. I would like to know why its unsuitable as compared to crowns.

Thanks
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Answering you point wise as per your questions..

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome Again..

As per your questions I am replying as per the questions..

1.A cap will provide you with the ease of biting on hard things as it is made up of strong materials and Porcelain fused to metal type of crown which are most commonly used for back teeth has a layer of metal inside and a tooth coloured Porcelain layer over it so that it has a strong strength as well as tooth like appearance..
So you can very well bite hard things also with it..

2.It is not true that capped teeth becomes weak and fall of with time and it is only possible if you do not maintain proper hygiene and get every 6 monthly dental checkup done..
If you maintain a proper oral hygiene and get Scaling done every 6 months then nothing will happen wrong and your cap will sustain for years..

3.Sensitivity occurs only if the over cutting of tooth is done and the nerves gets exposed and inflammation of nerves causes pain and sensitivity..
If the treatment is done well by an expert then such problems does not happen..
At times some patients experience some sensitivity after tooth preparation is done and for few hours after cap is placed but it is temporary and subsides gradually in a day or two..

4.Yes, it is true that a considerable amount of tooth structure is removed during tooth preparation for crown but for proper retention of crown it is needed to be done.
And if anything goes wrong then it is not always necessary that tooth has to be extracted and the treatment can be planned depending upon the problem, but it does not happen in all cases..

5.If you go for treatment to a well qualified and a reputed Prosthodontist, he/she will not use substandard materials and will provide you good quality porcelain crowns.
Mostly the problem occurs with un-registered practitioners and not with registered dentists..

6. As far as Composite filling is concerned you can get it done but as the back teeth are responsible for chewing, so due to chewing forces the composite fillings can get dislodged and you will be back to square one and will have to get filling done again..
So a Crown is a better option in all regards.

Let me know if you have any more questions..
I'm always here to help you..

If your query is solved, kindly write a positive review and give a Five star rating as a token of appreciation..

You can also ask a direct question to me by Clicking on my profile, link for which is http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-honey-arora/70036.

A direct question will come to me.I will be happy to help you always..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards..
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (52 minutes later)
Hello

Thanks once again... I would like to go for a full metal crown. Please clear my doubts which i have in mind

1)Is it a wise decision to go for metal crowns and are metal crowns long-lasting. After how many years do they need replacement after proper hygiene is maintained?
2)I also heard that some minute gaps would still exist which may provide space for tiny food particles to accumulate even after placing of crowns. Is it true?
2)I live in XXXXXXX so what would be the price charged for 2 metal crowns by a Registered and Genuine Prosthodontist.
3)I believe that registered doctors have a registration number so how is it possible for me to approach a REGISTERED AND GENUINE Prosthodontics. I have been scammed earlier and i don’t want to be scammed once again. So please tell me if there is any way by which i can contact them.
4)One more doubt is, There were no major natural gaps in my teeth. Only 2 gaps were there one was between the upper front teeth and another one was between my lower incision... My braces were removed on 28th July 2015 and i got my retainers on 1 august 2015 which i have been told to wear for 12 months. For the first 6 months i was advised to wear for 24 hours and the rest 6 months only at night. I would like to know can i discontinue wearing retainers after the first 6 months or should i adhere to the instructions of my orthodontists.

Thanks and Regards
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Answers are given under pointwise.

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome Again..

As er your queries:

1.I would suggest you to go for Porcelain fused to Metal type of crowns as they are strong enough as well as look wise also it is better as it is tooth coloured..

2.Its nothing like that food will accumulate even after placement of crowns.
A precisely done treatment will not have any gaps.

3.The pricing vary from dentist to dentist and exact cost of the treatment will be given to you by the Prosthodontist who will treat you.

4.As far as going to a registered Prosthodontist is concerned you can talk to your Orthodontist about it and he will definitely guide you or can refer you to an efficient Prosthodontist..
At times dentists can arrange on-call specialist to their clinic, so you can ask your Orthodontist if he can arrange a Prosthodontist who can treat you at his clinic..

5.As far as wearing of retainers is concerned you should follow the instructions given to you by your orthodontist as not wearing the retainers for the specified time can lead to relapse and gaping can again occur..

If your query is solved, kindly write a positive review and give a Five star rating as a token of appreciation..

You can also ask a direct question to me by Clicking on my profile and clicking on Ask me a Question there.
A direct question will come to me.I will be happy to help you always..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards..
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.
Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Honey Arora

Dentist

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 14092 Questions

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Suggest Treatment To Fix Gaps In Teeth

Brief Answer: Go for capping as it is better option.. Detailed Answer: Hi.. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can very well understand your concern.. As per your problem due to creating the gaps between your teeth there is food lodgement and discomfort and for this if you want a permanent treatment I would suggest you to get capping done.. It is your misconception that capping creates more of problems then benefits.. If a capping is done properly it lasts for years and will not trouble you and also the gaps will close.. As the gaps will close the food accumulation will also not happen and the risk of developing decay in teeth due to food lodgement and bacterial overgrowth causing infection will also be resolved.. The other things that you asked about like Implants, bonding and filling, so I would like to explain you that for Implants you will have to get your teeth extracted [removed] that are causing problem and it is not appropriate in your case as it will a costly treatment and you will also loose your natural teeth.. Bonding and filling is also not effective in long run as compared to capping and capping has better results.. So I would suggest you to consult a Prosthodontist who is a specialist in crown[capping] and other treatments related to placing of removable and fixed artificial teeth . He/she will do a precise preparation of teeth for placing the caps and will place a proper fitting tooth coloured caps and your problem will be solved. Any further queries are welcome, we would be happy to help.. Thanks and regards. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.