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Question:
My mom lives in the Texas panhandle; is 89 with an intact dentition (28 teeth) but some shifting and crowding has disturbed her occlusion to the point where she can only chew comfortably with the molars on the left side. She also wakes up sometimes with her teeth clenched and that makes all her teeth hurt - in the bones, she says. She wants someone to put her teeth back where they belong.
Is there an orthodontic approach to do this? Mother has regular cleanings; no periodontal disease; good daily hygiene; drives her own car; lives by herself; paints; keeps up with Tiger Woods... also has a regular physician. She just wants to chew better and not have this discomfort from her teeth.
Answer:
No matter how old or young someone is, it would always be a benefit to have them come in for an orthodontic check up. The question is, could she be able to withstand orthodontic treatment for two years to fix her bite and make her more comfortable or tolerate what she has as long as she lives?
This is a decision that she needs to make as soon as possible. No matter what, time will come whether she has a better bite in a few years, or a continually deteriorating bite.
Edward Leventhal, DDS
Baltimore Cosmetic Implant Dentistry
8860 Belair Road
Baltimore, MD 21236
(410) 256-7300
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