Dear Dr. Szarek;
I suffered from bulimia for years, but, with the benefit of counseling and treatment, am now in recovery. The problem is, my illness has severely damaged my upper teeth. They have almost no remaining enamel and are very worn. Also, my upper teeth are very sensitive to hot and cold and this makes it difficult to eat normally. Is there anything that can be done to help? Would the Snap-On Smile be an option?
Thanks,
Liza in Boston
Dear Liza;
Congratulations on your progress in recovery. Bulimia is a very serious and life-threatening condition. Over time, it often causes severe damage to the person’s teeth. A Snap-On Smile would only address the cosmetic issues related to your teeth. It would not help you with the issues related to pain with biting and chewing and sensitivity to heat and cold. However, for many patients with this issue, porcelain crowns have been a wonderful treatment. Crowns completely cover the exposed tooth, protecting the sensitive dentin underneath, and can replace the parts of your teeth that have been worn down and give you a stronger biting and chewing surface. Porcelain crowns designed and placed by a skilled cosmetic dentist will look like natural teeth and have a beautiful appearance.
We recommend researching the dentists in your area to find one with extensive experience doing porcelain crowns and who can show you pictures of his or her work. Good luck.