Health Experts
Dentist
Q&A with the Saga dentist
Saga's dentist, Dr Keith Cohen, answers online readers queries about a discoloured 60-year-old 'milk' tooth, implant insurance and more
Osteoporosis and dental implant
Q: I take alendronic acid tablets for osteoporosis. Does this mean I am unable to safely have a dental implant? What about Nonviva injections for the same condition?
A: Some of the medications used to treat osteoporosis have been associated with 'osteonecrosis' in a small number of patients. This means that with surgical dental treatment or extractions, areas of bone in the jaws become non-vital. There is more association with intravenous usage than when the medication is taken by mouth. If you need to have some form of surgical treatment it would be sensible to consult the doctor who has prescribed the medication to ask their advice in your particular case before undergoing treatment.
Receding gums
Q: My gums are stating to rapidly recede do you have any suggestions as to how I could stop this from getting any worse? I have asked my own dentist but all he seems to say is use sensitive toothpaste.
A: Normally gum recession is caused by incorrect brushing technique or is a consequence of gum disease. If your dentist is not able to help with this you could ask to be referred to a 'periodontist' who specialises in gum treatment or otherwise to the 'periodontal department' of one of the dental schools for further advice.
Discoloured milk tooth
Q: I have a milk tooth (upper right jaw) which has been with me for about 60 years! Not surprisingly, it doesn't give me any problems but it is looking a bit discoloured and I'm becoming rather self-conscious about it. (It shows when I smile broadly which I often do). My own dentist seems to think there is nothing that can be done about it. It's too small to be capped or replaced with a denture he says. Can you suggest any solutions to the problem?
A: It is unusual for a 'baby' tooth to last that long - the roots often shrink away and the tooth becomes loose. Your dentist should check with an X ray image to see how much longer the tooth might last. If it does still seem to be healthy you might consider bonding a tooth coloured 'composite' filling or veneer, although the bonding may not be as good as permanent tooth enamel.
White patch on gum
Q: One month ago I had an upper molar extracted and noticed a day after that I had a white area on my upper gum about 1-2 cms long, in the region over the adjacent two teeth. My gum is sore in the region of the extraction site and the white area, which I initally put down to gum bruising is not clearing. Will it eventually clear up? Is there anything to worry about long term? Generally other gums are a bit sore and my saliva seems a bit thicker than usual.
A: The 'white area' may be an ulcer in the region of the extraction which would heal up within a week. If this persists your dentist would be able to check that there is no other cause. The saliva may be also be modified by any medication which you are taking. Following an extraction it usually takes about one week to get back to normal.
Implant insurance
Q: I had four implants placed six years ago and have had no problems whatsoever and the bridge they support feels rock solid. I still insure the implants for £200 year against treatment costs incurred through accidental damage though the policy doesn’t cover wear/tear. Do you think this is worthwhile or can I safely assume the implants are "part of me" now?
A: Unfortunately no treatment is 100% successful and there is more chance of problems as time passes. Although implant treatment is generally very successful, there still can be problems with the implants themselves but also with the screws and structure on top which can chip or fracture. Your dentist should be able to examine your mouth and give you an indication of whether any problems are likely to occur and therefore whether it is worth continuing with the policy.
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Saga Health Cash Plan can help with everyday healthcare expenses by providing financial support towards dental bills, optical bills, specialist consultations, physiotherapy, hospital treatment, home help, specialist care and many other common healthcare needs.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
