I’ve suffered from bulimia since I was 14 years old. Years of counselling have helped me get the disease under control, but my teeth are severely and irreparably damaged. They are only about half the size they should be, and are very thin and chipped. Most of them don’t meet anymore, and where they do, it is not a comfortable fit.
I’ve had a lot of headaches lately, and I noticed that my jaw sticks out when I open my mouth. Is there anything that can be done? The damage just seems so severe. I want to see a cosmetic dentist, to see if he or she can make my teeth look nicer and function better, too. These headaches are really debilitating.
Thanks,
MaryJo in Grand Rapids
Dear MaryJo,
Your instict to work with a cosmetic dentist is a good one. Most experienced, trained cosmetic dentists have the skills to improve your smile. You may have to have bonding done, if your teeth are very thin, so the underlying structures are strong enough to support porcelain crowns.
Your headaches are most likely caused by your misaligned jaw. This is usually called TMJ, or TMJ disorder. Luckily, many trained cosmetic dentists have also pursued training in TMJ treatment. This will involve restoring your bite to its natural position.
The problems you describe are extensive, and will be expensive to fix. You will probably need porcelain crowns on all your teeth. The bright side is literally bright–your smile will be radiant, which is just what you need to move forward into this new part of your life free of bulimia.
Best of luck to you.
This blog post provided courtesy of the dental office of Dr. Hadgis, Grosse Pointe Woods cosmetic dentist.