Question: Hey Mark, Thank you for your information. I have a tooth next to cent. incisor on left that seems to go a shade darker then lightens up again then darker again. Have asked my dentist – he doesn’t know! I don’t have fat pad or space between cent. incisors. Can this be diastema? However, my bottom cent. incisors have extra space plus are rotated (right one qtr. turn to right and left one qtr turn to left). My dentist said it was my muscles pulling them & if I had orthodonia, they would just pull back to same position afterwards. Can you have diastema on the bottom two cent. incisors? Also, what do you think of the new UltraSonic 100% ultrasound brush w/nano bubbles toothbrush where brush does not touch the teeth ($189)? Any help much appreciated. Thank you. ~ Mary in CA
Answer: Dear Mary, The tooth that turns dark and light can be tested for vitality with Freeon Cold test. This may help figure out what it is doing. The diastemic problem is more easily understood as “deviation” of central teeth in any direction due to infection in the bone at the midline of the jaw in the upper front central area. We find this problem on a high percentage of people and treat over 60 a month. Rarely does this develop in the lower jaw.
The ultra sound brush is nice, nano-tech, and costly with rather silly promo. If one wants to maintain good dental health, it is likely a good idea to touch the teeth. Do that daily.
Regards, Mark DDS