AboutHoward Finnk, D.D.S. Expertise I am a Family and Cosmetic dentist. I will answer questions on any aspect of dentistry and matters relating to the smile, gums, jaws and lower face. Member American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Society, Atlantic Coast District Dental Association. I have served as District Council Member of Alpha Omega, as well as serving for one term as its President. I am also a member of The Academy of General Dentistry, Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, Mount Sinai Hospital Guild. I have served as a Volunteer for Project Dental Health and The Tri-County Dental Health Council.
Experience After having attained over 30 years of clinical experience in private practice in Michigan, in 2001 I was re-certified by taking and passing the Florida State Dental Board Examination. In addition, I am now a member of the Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, and the Atlantic Coast District Dental Society. In September, 2004, I was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor at Nova University's College of Dental Medicine. I am certified in placement of Mini Dental Implants, and I am Director of The Florida Implant Center. Over my lifetime career, I have provided thousands of diagnoses, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, periodontal treatments, TMJ therapies, partials, dentures and extractions, and dozens of implants for my patients. The only aspect of dentistry with which I have very little experience is orthodontics.
Question I am hoping you can provide a possible solution to horrible clinching and grinding. I have worn off the enamel and they are occassionally sensitive. I have even been told by a dentist that I have stress fractures in my teeth and I need 3 crowns. I had a second opinion and the other dentist said that it wasnt that bad yet. I have tried soft guards and I destroy them within days. I have the NTI but I have ground it and my teeth down and it is now recessed and holds my mouth in an uncomfortable position. Do you have any suggestions, I would love to try to salvage my teeth.
Answer Dear Dixie: You asked the right dentist. My son, now 33, has been a clencher/grinder for as long as he has had his teeth. He also wears thru biteguards. Where his front teeth are chipped and worn, I constantly replace bonding material, which I am using both to restore and to protect them. My recommendation to you is:
1) Have a clear, hard biteguard made to cover all your lower teeth. It should be about 2mm thick. Wear it at least 12 of every 24 hours. If you can wear it all day and night, that would be great. Take it out to clean, and when you are eating. Expect that it will wear through and have to be replace every 1-2 years.
2) Have your dentist place bonding material over the tops of your teeth, thus elevating your bite to change the position of where your lower jaw connects to your skull. This will both protect the teeth, and help reposition your jaw to a more comfortable position. Expect to have these replaced as they chip or break, about eery 2 years.
If you proceed, let me know what your results are. dd
