Talking Dentistry This month we’re talking restorative dentistry with Dr Andrew See who combines passion, artistic flare and extensive knowledge of dentistry to answer any questions you may have. He has advanced training in aesthetic and implant dentistry. DR ANDREW SEE
Reader’s question: “I’m in my 30s and still
BDS Hons (Syd), FRACDS, MSc(Lond), PGDipDentImplantology, MFGDP(UK), FICOI, MFDS RCSEng
have a baby tooth! It’s smaller than my other teeth and is becoming painful, what can be done?”
Dr See says: Great question. A baby tooth retained in adulthood is largely due to congenitally missing adult teeth. The prevalence of congenitally missing adult teeth or hypodontia is around 2.2% of the population. The cause of it is largely unknown. The mandibular (lower) second premolars are the most frequently missing teeth.
HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT? Dr Andrew See has dedicated the last 19 years to Aesthetic Dentistry and has unique qualifications in cosmetic dentistry and rehabilitation.
The baby tooth that is retained often becomes a problem due to it becoming ankylosed and fused to the bone. Often these teeth are hard to clean because they sit so much lower than the adult adjacent teeth. These cases can have festering decay underneath, eating away the tooth and jaw bone like termites. Baby teeth can remain, if they don’t affect the bite position or have active decay. If the tooth is unviable, patients have the option for it to be removed and replaced with a denture, bridge or dental implant.
This includes a three year Masters in Aesthetic Dentistry from the prestigious King’s College London and a Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Implantology.
Let’s look at a recent case that we completed with the removal of the baby tooth and replacement with a dental implant. Kristy came to see us because she was experiencing pain in her lower tooth which was a baby tooth and had remained into adulthood. It was ankylosed and lower than the adjacent teeth. It also had a previous filling placed on top of it to build it up into the bite. After further investigation, we discovered it had deep decay and irrational to treat prognosis. She didn’t want a gap in her teeth after extraction and decided to have it replaced with a fixed dental implant. The porcelain crown was made to a normal adult sized tooth to match her bite position and smile line. THE PROBLEMS: • Baby tooth present • Painful • Deep decay and infection
THE SOLUTION: • Removal of infected baby tooth that had hopeless prognosis • Extraction, bone grafting and implant placement • Adult sized porcelain implant crown to match bite position and smile line
Dr See completed his Fellowship by primary and secondary examinations for The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS). FRACDS is the mark of professional achievement in dentistry and demonstrates attainment of an advanced level and skill in Dentistry.
Advanced qualifications and experience ensured that we achieved the results that Kristy wanted. Visit www.advanceddentistrysydney.com.au/implants for more information. ** Any surgical or invasive procedure caries risk. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner **
If you have any questions you have always wanted to know about aesthetic or implant dentistry, write to us at info@advanceddentistrysydney.com.au
9816 4885
dr.andrewsee
advanceddentistrysydney.com.au
If you have any questions you have always wanted to know about aesthetic or implant dentistry write to us at: info@ advanceddentistrysydney. com.au TVO 27
