Cracked/crazed teeth

Bored_Housewife

My husband went to the dentist yesterday, he had his usual six monthly checkup.

When he got back he said the dentist had mentioned he had six teeth which would benefit from veneers, the reason being that two were cracked/crazed and for appearance the four teeth in between the damaged ones should be included, these would be the upper canines and incisor. He did tell me if it was cracked or crazed, but sorry I forgot which one he said.

He is going back tomorrow for x-rays and to see the hygienist.

As veneers are not really something he was considering are there any other treatments that he could ask the dentist about tomorrow?

Also, for anyone that has veneers, is there a settling in period, when the teeth feel too big for your mouth, when you feel nervous of biting into something in case they come off?

clairibel

Hi just wondering how much your dentisit is charging for this, is it nhs? As i might need something like this done in time, thanks.

Toothsmith

Seems to me like your husband has been diagnosed with 'porcelain defficiency syndrome'.

Usually more common in the USA than here, it's where a dentist becomes convinced that the patient has a severe lack of porcelain in their mouth, and trys to remedy the situation by providing more.

Other symptoms can include a too fat wallet - but this is also sorted out by the provision of these little bits of porcelain.

In all seriousness, if 'craked and crazed' teeth really are a problem, then the reason they have become cracked and crazed os probably some sort of overuse like tooth grinding. If the toothgrinding isn't sorted out first, then your hubby will be spending a fortune getting broken veneers replaced for the rest of his life.

As we age, teeth often appear 'cracked and crazed' if you look at them close up anyway. It's perfecttly normal.

Now - obviously I haven't seen this mouth, so the dentist has the advantage over me there. BUT - if cracking and crazing IS a problem, I would suggest veneers as a first thing are the very worst thing your husband could have.

I would get another opinion, or at the very least get a better explaination of the necessity for this from your dentist. (And what guarentees he is prepared to give the veneers!)

Bored_Housewife

Thanks for the replies, the dentist said some teeth looked to be 2 or 3 colours.

I did mention to my husband that if he has his teeth veneered he would have to have a small amount ground off for the veneer to adhere (not a very technical term) and did wonder if that would weaken teeth that have given him no problems at all so far.

No its not the NHS, we are working outside of UK at the moment. The price would be about 200 pounds per tooth, which includes a 40pounds discount. So a total of 1200pounds.

Toothsmith

2 or 3 colours isn't unhealthy though. It's a cosmetic issue. Don't chop teeth up for cosmetic issues unless you REALLY find it a problem, and are prepared to pay for the huge increase in ongoing maintenance you'll need.

Did he discuss just whitening them?

Bored_Housewife

No whitening never came up this time, the veneers were mentioned just a he was leaving the treatment room. So before the visit tomorrow I just wanted a few pointers, so that if veneers are mentioned again he would have had some time to think over a few questions or ideas.

He was told on another occasion his teeth would not be suitable for whitening.

suki1964

Sorry to jump in here, but the cracked tooth caught my eye

Toothy, my top front tooth appears to have a crack running through it a third of the way up. Ive mentioned it to my dentist who just shrugged and said " oh yeah" and didnt seem worried.

Should I be concerned at all? My dentist is NHS and can only do basic dentistry, Im away to see an someone else privately next month to see if theres anything that can be done to help my gum disease and oral sensitivity, would it be worth mentioning there or is a crack not worth worrying about?

Toothsmith

Not if your dentist isn't.

Anyone from the age of 30 upwards will have little cracks and crazes in some part of their tooth enamel if they look closely enough.

The strength of the tooth comes from the enamel and dentine being organically created together though, and will always be much stronger than the bond sticking a bit of porcelain or white filling to chopped down tooth. (Some of our 'glues' show bond strengths higher than enamel/dentine - but that's measured in a lab under very artificial conditions - in reality, proper tooth is best every time!)

Bored_Housewife

Is there a supplement that can be taken for porcelain deficiency syndrome?

At the age of 52 is there any supplement worth taking to improve the overall health of teeth?

Toothsmith

Bored_Housewife wrote: »

Is there a supplement that can be taken for porcelain deficiency syndrome?

At the age of 52 is there any supplement worth taking to improve the overall health of teeth?

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I like that!! I'll have to think of one I can sell!!!

But no, generally there's nothing you can take to perk up your teeth. There are several things you can NOT eat that would help!

suki1964

Cheers Toothy

Its cos I can see the crack as clear as day and because the tooth beside it is missing and because I grind my teeth at night sometimes ending up with the bottom teeth jammed up in the gap - Im just petrified its going to snap off

Im working so hard at keeping the teeth I have. I d hate to ignore something that could be fixed but I accept what you say - Thankyou