DENTAL CARE

Jeffrey Gross, DDS, FAGD Q: Can I Really Have New Teeth on The Same Day That I Lose My Teeth? A: This question may rank as one of the most sought after requests that I receive. There are very few people to whom this point does not matter. Going around toothless is not something that most people want to do. However, we have to qualify exactly in which situations is this relevant. It is also true that most people do not mind walking around with a missing tooth. Didn’t I just contradict myself? First I said that patients do not want to be seen without a tooth and then I followed with the opposite statement. Let us look at these two statements and allow me to explain how they are not really contradictory.

Let’s start with the second statement and deal with it. What do I mean that “most people do not mind walking around with a missing tooth?” This latter statement usually refers to our molars or chewing teeth. In fact, not only do people not mind missing these teeth for a short period of time, but they don’t mind missing a tooth for years. This is despite the fact that their their chewing is either impaired or altered. To chew food efficiently, they may need to favor one side. Alternatively, they may spend a long time in chewing their food before it is ready to be swallowed. The rationale for not replacing the tooth follows the thought that eating at some level can still be done. After all, there are still other teeth! Imagine if we would apply that logic to a finger. One could say, “the loss of a finger would not be so bad as I have 9 others.” Of course, we would never say this but with teeth, since function is not totally eliminated and “nobody sees my space”, then what is the big deal? I just touched upon the point which explains my first statement regarding people not wanting to walk around toothless. Losing a tooth that is obvious to everyone around me is a big deal. In fact this could affect chewing even less than a back tooth. The deal breaker is embarrassment. Walking around missing a tooth that everyone can see bothers most people. I remember walking into store one time and seeing of the regular employees walking around with a surgical mask on her face. I thought that she was ill and was contagious. Being the friendly fellow that I am, I asked if she was okay. She replied that she felt well. Oh... the reason for the mask was that her front tooth broke and she was embarrassed about her appearance. This is like the old real estate dictum. As the saying goes, the 3 most important things in real estate is Location, Location and Location. Well the same applies to losing a tooth in the minds of most people. Visibility to our friends and neighbors is more important then loss of chewing function. I’m not going to focus on the 2 sides of this discussion. I want to point out and say that with modern materials, computers and skill of the dentist, being toothless is a thing of the past. I can either actually create a duplicate of a tooth, that is removed, at the same time that I remove it. I can also use digital impressions, photographs and x-rays to convey information to my laboratory to allow them to create a duplicate of our removed tooth. This applies to front teeth as well as it applies to back teeth. This applies to when I am doing a permanent bridge to replace a tooth or teeth. This applies to when I am making a removeable bridge to replace a tooth or teeth. This applies to when I remove all of your teeth and make a denture or when I may give you teeth supported on implants. If you need to lose a tooth or teeth and are worried about the potential embarrassment, please call me and let’s talk. My goal is to give you options, and as many people say to me, give you hope. We can discuss various paths to follow. With your help and input, I can fine tune those paths to deliver what you need and what you want. I can be reached at 440.951.7856. Just call Megan and ask to speak to me or make an appointment for a complimentary consultation. I look forward to hearing from you. Jeffrey Gross, DDS, FAGD is an Ohio licensed general dentist and is on the staff of Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine. The Healthy Smile 34586 Lakeshore Boulevard (¼ mile west of Route 91 on Lakeshore Blvd) Eastlake, Ohio 44095 440-951-7856 Severance Medical Arts, Suite 603 5 Severance Center Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118 216-371-2333 www.jeffreygrossdds.com