Assessment and Referral

Bracing for an Adventure

In the past 6 years I've cracked 5 teeth, had two root canals, and broke two very expensive crowns. To protect my teeth from further damage I wear a night splint to prevent clinching and grinding as I sleep each night. About a month ago, I chipped one of my most expensive crowns which lead me to   seek "real" answers and solutions to stop the damage and continued expense of repairs.  

The week before my 52nd birthday with the highest recommendation from my former dentist in Mandeville, I visited my new dentist, Dr. Chad LaCour in Baton Rouge.  Dr. LaCour's office is located within 20 minutes from my house which means everything in Baton Rouge because of the heavy traffic patterns.  From the moment I called to make the appointment with Dr. LaCour I knew I had made the right choice.  Dr. LaCour's office staff made me feel at home from the moment I walked in the door. I felt as if I had known them for a very long time.  The first visit was comprehensive including many X-Rays, pictures, impressions, a close evaluation, and a rich discussion about my fears and goals for my dental care.  At the end of the visit Dr. LaCour explained that he would need a little time to review my complete case and to collect information from my previous dentist and then he would like to meet with me to make a plan for my treatment - together. Dr. LaCour seeks a collaborative partnership with his patients and that all decisions for treatment would be agreed upon by both of us.  This was music to my ears.  With my Type A personality, I am unable to allow others to decide my treatment and care plan.  Yet, I welcome a collaborative partnership.  

After the initial visit was complete, I was scheduled to return the next week to meet with Dr. LaCour to discuss his analysis and recommendations for treatment.  We met in a conference type room where we could view images of my teeth and x-rays so that Dr. LaCour could provide a visual perspective of his analysis and better present his recommendations to resolve my dental issues. 

Dr. LaCour carefully described his assessment of my teeth and providing a complete analysis of the situation with recommendations.   

Dental/Bite Issues

1. My bite is limited to four molars.
2. Lower back teeth bite too far behind the upper back teeth
3. Lower jaw tends to be less developed than upper jaw
4. Open bite tendency
5. Moderate protrusion of upper front teeth
6. Front teeth do not touch when biting down
7. Functional shift of jaw to the left when chewing
8. Jaw bones issues as a result of intensity of hitting on only four molars

Recommendations

1. Referral to Orthodontist  

As I left Dr. LaCour's office I thought to myself - "Who gets braces on their teeth at age 52?"  Could that really happen to me?