Show #359 Airing Sunday, 10/8/06
Are ugly lower teeth getting you down? Today we have advice for a smile makeover that should pick you up. Here to give us the bottom line on bad bottom teeth is our top-rated dentist, Dr. Steven Marsh.
Question: When you look at someone's smile, you often notice their upper teeth. But I understand that lower teeth become more of an issue as you age. Can you explain?
Answer: As you get older, your upper lip tends to drop down over your upper teeth. At the same time, your lower lip drops as well. Both these issues make one's lower teeth more visual in everyday situation. When you smile, you may still see the upper teeth, but in conversation and such, the lower teeth will show.
At the same time, the upper teeth wear down and become shorter, so again more of the lower teeth are exposed.
Question: Are there any problems with biting or chewing that older people may have with their lower teeth?
Answer: Back bottom molars are prone to decay. Many in your viewers' age group had their cavities filled with silver fillings. Over time, these fillings can crack when you bite down, or the tooth itself can crack.
Question: Can you give us an example?
Answer: This patient had some silver fillings on the left. On the right, he lost some teeth and was using an old-style partial, which was also worn down.
Crowns, veneers, and a new, natural-looking partial improve the smile.
Question: How about some more examples?
Answer: Another thing that happens in the lower teeth as we get older is shifting. Here you can see that the teeth have shifted over time. There are also some fillings in the back that were replaced, along with crowns and veneers. Before Lowers, After Lowers
This is a good example of the upper lip falling. See how the upper teeth are not visible. After crowns and veneers, you can now see his teeth when he smiles.
Get to the bottom of those crooked and broken bottom teeth. For more top-level information, give Dr. Marsh a call. The number's next.
