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What Can Be Done to Repair Teeth Damaged Due to Bulimia?

Can crowns be put on the two front teeth? If so, how long do they last? Is veneers the only option? Also, if If there is not much enamel on my back teeth and there are cavities at the gumline, will they be able to fill them? Will a tooth that has so many fillings as all my molars do, last into old age? If I get a crown, will it last into old age or will my gums recede and make the crown fail? Since my two front teeth really look okay, can simple bonding restore some "thickness" to them?

Doctor Answers 3

February 11th, 2014

Repairing Teeth Damaged by Bulimia

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Hi CiCi.  You have some great questions.  First of all and most importantly for your health, it is important to address your eating disorder.  I suspect there are some excellent resources in your home town to address the reasons behind your bulimia.  I think it is also important that you seek the help from a local dentist to determine any immediate needs you may have to prevent further, more complicated treatmentd if you wait.  You mention you have decay.  A qualified dentist can determine all the treatment you need and phase it so that you can get things done in a timely and affordable way.  The condition of your teeth may be different but typically the damage caused by bulimia effects the back of the upper front teeth.  Usually crowns are required as veneers do not     cover the damaged area.  Also bonding does not usually work in this area.  It is hard to say exactly how long a crown can last because this depends on a number of things but if they are properly taken care of they can last for decades.  Finally receding gums to not cause crowns to fail.  Go see a dentist as soon as you can to get things started.  Best of luck to you.  


Seattle Dentist

August 25th, 2012

Teeth damaged by bulimia, what can be done by damage to teeth

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The first order of business would be to take care of the bulimia because if that is not being managed the fixing the teeth is going to be a waste.  Once the bulimia is under control you can see a dentist and have your options explained to you

Leonard Tau, DMD
August 23rd, 2012

Eating Disorder and Damagede Teeth

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 Hi CiCi...I would first address the eating disorder. Until you are in remission, I would not spend any money on either veneers or crowns. I would do whatever was diagnosed by your dentist as need immediate attention, so decay is removed and does not progress.  If you do not get a handle on the bulumia, your condition or any other acid reflux condition, will cause your new crowns, or veneers to wear away the same as the enamel on your natural teeth. Teeth that have many fillings will often not hold up because of lack of tooth structure to hold large fiillings. Crowns cover the whole tooth and they will last 10 years or more if taken care of and your oral health is good.  Bonding can restore your front teeth, but will not last as long as a veneer or a crown....again, you need to concentrate on keeping the bulima in remission before doing any major cosmetic dental work. It will not last!  Good luck and take good care of yourself!

Robert Fields, DDS
Van Nuys Dentist

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.