|
Question:
Use existing crowns to make bridgework?: I had a crown fall out that could not be re-cemented because the existing tooth fell out with it.
I have a crown on either side of this tooth and my dentist is wanting to put in a bridge to connect the three teeth. My dentist is wanting to create all new crowns for this bridge?
Can my dentist use the existing crowns that I have in order to make my bridge or do I have to have totally new crowns made?
This is going to cost me $3500 that I don't have and I at wits end on how to correct this situation. ...Visitor from TX
Answer:
My first concern is why the tooth came out with the crown.
If you have periodontal (gum) disease that is eroding your bone on one tooth, the other teeth will be affected. I would ask many questions about the integrity of the bone holding in the 2 adjacent teeth, about the longevity of a bridge, and about the health of the rest of your teeth.
The crowns on either side of the missing tooth will need new crowns; there is not a good way to retrofit a missing tooth to existing crowns.
Other options are a partial (I prefer Valplast or Sunflex, flexible gum colored, as opposed to metal partials), or maybe even a flipper, which is like a denture with one tooth.
Another more expensive choice would be an implant or a mini-dental implant.
I would advise you to have the dentist show you your x-rays to look at the health and integrity of your bone before any treatment is started.
Corinne Scalzitti, DMD, MAGD
Austin Reconstructive Implant Dentistry
Texas Periolase
3900 RR 620 South
Austin, Texas TX 78738
(512) 263-3330
Return to Bridges
Return to FAQ Index
You also have the option of using Google search technology to conduct a specific search within our databases to find more specific information. Adjust search terms as needed to refine search results:
|
|
