My dentist insisted that all my teeth needed to be restored with crowns. I realize that I neglected my oral health for years, but the crowns have ruined my life. My dentist opened my bite too wide. I must consciously close my mouth and breathe through my nose. My dentist has ground on the crowns twice, but I don’t see or feel improvement. I think I know what needs to be done to resolve this, but I’m afraid of the answer and how many months it will take. What do you advise? Thanks. Tyler from Philadelphia

Tyler,

You underwent a full-mouth reconstruction, a significant dental procedure involving crowns on all your teeth. The goal was to enhance your smile by creating a more “open” bite. Unfortunately, this intervention has led to a severe side effect: dry mouth, or xerostomia.

Dry mouth can significantly impact oral health. It can lead to increased tooth decay, gum disease, and difficulty eating and speaking. The cause of your dry mouth appears to be lip incompetence, a condition where your lips cannot close naturally when your mouth is at rest. Lip incompetence is often a result of an improperly adjusted bite.

Your dentist’s decision to open your bite without considering the potential consequences of lip incompetence was a grave error. This procedure requires specialized knowledge and skill, often obtained through advanced training. Perhaps your dentist, attracted by the high fees associated with full-mouth reconstruction, may have overstepped their capabilities.

A full-mouth reconstruction, especially when opening the bite, requires a gradual and careful process. A dentist must use temporary restorations to assess the patient’s comfort and tolerance for the new bite before making permanent changes with the final dental crowns. The dentist should never open the bite beyond the point of lip competence.

Saliva plays a crucial role in protecting teeth from decay. It washes away food particles, neutralizes acids, and contains minerals that help repair tooth enamel. Dry mouth can significantly increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.

We recommend seeking a second opinion. A qualified periodontist or restorative dentist can assess your situation and recommend how to restore your oral health.

A skilled dentist with advanced training can successfully redo your full-mouth reconstruction. The goal should be to create a aesthetically pleasing and functional bite, without causing adverse side effects like dry mouth. A skilled dentist can help you achieve this.

If you believe your dentist’s actions have caused you harm, you may have grounds for a malpractice claim. It’s always best to resolve the issue amicably with your dentist, but legal action may be necessary if that’s not possible.

 

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post. Read how they strive to provide patients with some of the best dental care in San Antonio.