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Correcting Open Bite with Bone Screws: Do You Need Headgear?

Correction using bone screws? Due to my open bite condition, my upper teeth are protruding, and I have a complete set of 32 teeth. I need to have 4 teeth extracted for orthodontic correction. The doctor mentioned that I would need to place one bone screw on each side of the alveo...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
Skeletal anchorage with bone screws is a newer orthodontic method that provides a stable anchorage point for tooth movement. The placement of bone screws must be carefully selected to avoid any adverse symptoms. Whether to use a headgear needs to be assessed by the orthodontist a...

Understanding Gum Recession: Causes and Solutions for Healthy Teeth

Gum recession - what should I do? Dr. Lai: Hello, I recently noticed that my gums have been receding. My gums used to be very full, but now they have receded by three-quarters, and it feels like my tooth is about to fall out. Only one-quarter of the gum tissue is still supporting...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
Gum recession is typically a symptom of periodontal disease. More severe periodontal disease can lead to increased mobility of the teeth and even displacement. It is recommended to seek prompt treatment and to ensure proper dental hygiene practices.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures in Taiwan? Costs and Timeframe Explained

Is dental prosthesis covered by health insurance? Hello, Doctor: Is dental prosthesis covered by health insurance now? How much does a silver dental prosthesis cost? How long does it take to complete the procedure? Do you have a dental clinic in Chiayi or Taichung City? Thank you...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
Currently, dental prosthetics are not covered by health insurance. The price of dentures may vary by location, and the materials used can differ as well, generally ranging from a few thousand to twenty thousand NT dollars. The production time after taking impressions is approxima...

Correcting Crooked Front Teeth: What to Expect at Age 20

The front tooth is misaligned? I have a question. My right front tooth has shifted and is slightly inverted, but the other teeth are aligned. If I want to correct those two teeth, how long would it take? (I am 20 years old) Also, my lower teeth are quite straight, but I have a ro...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
In general, orthodontic treatment involves a comprehensive evaluation. Even if only two teeth are protruding, it may not be sufficient to address just the localized issue; a holistic approach is necessary. Whether wider cheeks can be improved through orthodontics also requires an...

Dealing with a Large Cavity: Pain, Treatment Options, and Costs

There is a large cavity in the tooth? Hello, doctor. I have a large cavity in my tooth, and it hurts a lot. I feel like it has already affected the nerve. The cavity is so big that I have trouble eating because of the pain. If I need to have it extracted, how much would a filling...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
Tooth decay pain should be treated. Whether extraction is necessary depends on the extent of the damage. If the tooth root can be preserved after root canal treatment, a crown can be placed directly on the root in the future. If the damage is too severe and extraction is required...

Understanding Wisdom Tooth Healing Time and Complications

The recovery time for wisdom tooth extraction? Hello Doctor, I had my lower right wisdom tooth extracted on February 18 and had my stitches removed on February 25. However, I noticed that some of the sutures had come loose. At that time, the doctor told me that I could wait for t...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
Generally, the extraction of wisdom teeth results in a larger wound, which is often sutured and requires removal of stitches one week later. During the healing process, the epithelium will regenerate first, while bone healing will continue. Although the extraction site may still ...

Understanding Periodontal Disease: Symptoms, Stages, and Care Tips for Teens

Periodontal disease..? Doctor, I am 18 years old. I have noticed bleeding when brushing my teeth for some time now. I regularly get dental cleanings and check-ups. I asked my dentist why I experience bleeding, and he mentioned it might be due to improper brushing technique. Today...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
Gingival bleeding is one of the symptoms of periodontal disease, and the focus of periodontal treatment remains on reducing infection, with the most important aspect being thorough dental cleaning. Periodontal disease is caused by the accumulation of dental plaque, which continuo...

Can Tetracycline-Stained Teeth Be Whitened Effectively?

Can teeth stained by tetracycline be whitened? Hello Dr. Lai, I was born with yellowish teeth, and my family says it was caused by my mother taking antibiotics during pregnancy. I really want to have a set of white teeth. Is it possible to whiten such teeth? If so, which whitenin...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
Medication-induced changes in tooth color, particularly striped discoloration, currently do not respond well to whitening treatments, which often require multiple applications and may still result in mottled appearance even after lightening. If there is a strong aesthetic demand,...

Do You Really Need a Root Canal? Understanding Dental Pain and Treatment Options

Is root canal treatment absolutely necessary? Hello Dr. Lai, Recently, I had severe pain in my lower jaw due to a tooth issue, so I went to see a dentist. The dentist mentioned that I might need a root canal treatment, but suggested trying a filling first to see if that allevia...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
After the removal of cavities and filling, reversible pulpitis should improve, although not all symptoms may disappear immediately; they will gradually get better. The depth of caries is sometimes not directly observable. If there is still sensitivity or pain after the filling, i...

Can Adults Undergo Orthodontic Treatment for Jaw Alignment?

Orthodontics Can I still undergo orthodontic treatment for my dental and jaw alignment now that I am 25 years old, even though I didn't have it done when I was younger?

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
There is no absolute age limit for orthodontics; it is recommended to seek an evaluation from an orthodontic specialist.

Understanding Limited Mouth Opening: Causes and Solutions

Inability to open the mouth? Doctor, I have difficulty opening my mouth wide; it can only open about two fingers' width. If I force it to open wider, I feel movement and sometimes even pain in the area near my jaw and ear. Is there a way to address this issue? Thank you.

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
Limited mouth opening, clicking sounds, and joint pain are symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. The causes may include trauma, stress, and chewing habits. If there are no skeletal or joint abnormalities, it is generally recommended to avoid hard foods and apply he...

Understanding Tooth Decay: When to Extract or Treat Your Cavity

Cavities in molars can lead to the growth of tissue? Hello Dr. Lai, I have a tooth with a large cavity. This tooth was filled by a dentist several years ago, but the filling later fell out for unknown reasons. I had the dentist refill it, but that filling also came out. Interesti...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
There is a large cavity in the tooth with flesh growing in the middle and bleeding. It is suspected that the decay has penetrated deep into the tooth. It is advisable to visit a dentist for an examination. If the tooth structure is too damaged to be restored, it should be extract...

Orthodontics vs. Dental Reconstruction: What's the Real Difference?

Is it true or not? Orthodontics vs. Dental Reconstruction (Author: Dr. Huang Da-Hao, DDS) Can you help me check if what this website says is true? If everyone just goes for "dental reconstruction," wouldn't that be great? Recently, I wanted to get braces, so I we...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
The degree of dental misalignment varies significantly among individuals, and treatment methods are not absolute; therefore, the costs and duration of orthodontic treatment can also differ. There may be several options for the treatment plan, and it is essential for the physician...

Understanding Bad Breath: Is It a Sign of Gum Disease?

Do you have periodontal disease? Hello Dr. Lai, In the past couple of years, I have noticed a foul odor coming from my mouth. Initially, I couldn't find the cause, but recently I have observed a few phenomena that I would like to inquire about. A while ago, I experienced si...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
Oral malodor is often associated with periodontal disease. Symptoms may include bleeding during brushing, enlarged spaces between teeth, and even the presence of pus. The key to treatment lies in maintaining oral hygiene and thoroughly removing dental plaque. It is recommended to...

Can You Get Teeth Cleaned After Dental Bonding or Filling?

Dental cleaning Hello, Doctor! Previously, I had a gap in my front tooth. I went to have it reshaped, and then I had something like a bonding material applied to my front tooth. After that procedure, can I still get a teeth cleaning? Thank you!

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
A large gap between the front teeth can be conveniently addressed by using composite resin for reshaping. While dental cleaning may lead to some material loss, it can usually be reapplied, or the gap can be eliminated through orthodontics or prosthodontics.

Understanding Tooth Pain: Causes Beyond Cavities Explained

Toothache Hello, doctor. I would like to ask you something. For the past two months, I have been experiencing tooth pain while eating. However, after an examination, the dentist said there are no cavities. Could you please explain why I am experiencing tooth pain? Thank you.

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
Experiencing tooth pain while eating can be caused by various issues aside from cavities, including tooth fractures, periodontal inflammation, occlusal overload, bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding), inappropriate restorations or prosthetics, and improper dental hygiene. It is reco...

Do I Need to Extract My Crowded Teeth? Expert Dental Advice

Dental alignment issues? Hello Doctor: The teeth on both sides of my front teeth are shifting inward due to insufficient space. Recently, my wisdom tooth has erupted, causing the tooth on the left side to be pushed completely back. It seems that the tooth on the right side is als...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
Space constraints leading to dental alignment issues require evaluation and treatment by an orthodontist. Depending on the patient's condition, there may be different treatment options available. Whether or not to extract misaligned teeth should be determined after a thoroug...

Understanding Jaw Surgery: Success Rates, Costs, and Recovery Insights

I need to have surgery!! I consulted three dentists, and two of them said that my teeth are aligned and do not require braces, indicating that my issue lies with the bone structure. My aesthetic concerns are a "protruding jaw" and a "long philtrum." There have...

Dr. Lai Yishao reply Dentistry
In general, issues related to the teeth, jaws, and facial structure require data collection, diagnostic analysis, and the development of a treatment plan. Based on the current information, it is insufficient for diagnosis and cannot provide an explanation. It is recommended to co...