Teeth moved -no bite - options?

strawberryberry

I noticed my teeth had started to move inwards a bit about 2 years ago and mentioned this to my dentist when having check up - he said theve always been like that and was rather dissmissive. Now they have moved so much inwards ive lost the bite on them and am biting on the outside of my bottom teeth . Its the first big tooth at the front on the bottom and the one next to it. Its not just gone in but its moved across so its behind the first little front tooth aswell.
I am really worried about this as I dont want to loose my teeth - biting on the outside will surley wear the enamel away? I am frightened my teeth will fall so far in the roots will be exposed and they will fall out.
When i smile it looks as though ive got no teeth on the left hand side.
(I did have a wisdom tooth come through at the bottom on that side about 4 years ago which came through fine very straight ,perfect bite etc I wondered if that was the start of all this )
Please help me someone I am very stressed out by this - what are my options ?
Living in England
National Health Dentist but he will do private
Ive got a HC2 form so am entitlled to full cost on normal treatments but dont know if that would be of any use if I was referred and not sure what I can get done for free.
Due to make an appointment but i dont want to go unless i know what to say and ask for.

Toothsmith

Teeth do move around throughout your life, as all the forces on them change and balance each other out.

Every so often, you will notice that they are in a slightly different position, as you can be sensitive to differences of as little as 1/100 mm.

There can be conditions like gum disease, that cause teeth to move around a bit quicker, and a bit more alarmingly. Sometimes gum disease can not be immediately obvious, which is why it's vital to have thorough check ups quite frequently.

Dentists should check the gums as well as the teeth, so providing your dentist is doing this - he will have picked it up if there are any problems brewing.

I have a few patients who are very concerned about their teeth moving, even though it is only the normal slow natural movement. In those cases, reasurance is all that's required. In a very busy NHS practice though, 'reassurance' can sometimes come over as 'dismissive'.

strawberryberry

thanks for your reply , I was told my gums are very healthy and i do have regular check ups. I think there is quite a lot of movement though to end up with the tooth being behind the others instead of in line and with the one next to it following the same pattern. \ive measured it and it has gone back by just on 1 cm. Do you think there is nothing to be done ? Do you think it will get worse ?
(My mums teeth in the front were crooked and recently they have moved over a period of about two years and now she has ended up with the bottom tooth in the middle right behind the others ! Ive never seen her teeth look so straight but the odd one behind looks awful - shes in her 70s so i do know teeth move ! Maybe its a family thing but I dont think I should just be expected to leave mine she goes to the same dentist regularly. Ive been too embarressed to ask her about her odd tooth and just ignore it)

Toothsmith

1cm is a lot of movement. Are you sure you mean 1cm? 10mm? 1/2 inch?

Is that 1cm from an ideal position, or 1cm from where it used to be?

I'd need to see you and to examine all the forces and factors that played on your tooth. I can't believe that your dentist would ignore a movement of 1cm if something was going wrong. It could well be down to the way one tooth bites against another, but it's all too complicated for me to comment without a very good examination.

Might be worth getting a second opinion if you feel it really has moved this far, but a new dentist won't see where the tooth used to be. Do you have a photo that gives a good view of it when it was in the 'right' place? If so, take it along.