When I had most of the teeth crowned, I was told I would be lucky to get 20 years out of them. Well...last night it happened...after 37 years, I lost one. The tooth sheared off at the gum-line. And I was only eating salmon!!! LOL Guess I'll have to wait for Monday to find out what the next step is...do they put in an implant? will they just pull out the root and let me live with a hole? I am scheduled to have an implant on the other side, so maybe this spot will also be a candidate for one. On the plus side...this tooth had a root canal done before the crown went on, so it isn't bothering me...other than feeling funny to have a big space there. :?

Patti

I hate when that happens.

I'm not a big fan of implants. They scare me. I have a bridge right in the front of my mouth and a couple years ago the tooth in it failed. The bridgework however was still solid. When I went to the dentist I asked him about an implant, since most dentists were telling me that the life of a bridge like I have is only 5 years (last one was 15 years old and the bridge was still good!). The dentist told me that the implants have the same problem my bridge did, the teeth. So, eventually you will have a broken fake tooth and a metal post surgically implanted in your jaw that has to be dealt with. I decided to stick with a bridge. It was a few minutes of watching him use a hammer and chisel to remove it, rather than surgery.

shnnn....Thanks for the input. My GF had 6 implants across the front of her mouth several yrs ago, and has been quite happy with them, and a coworker has a couple. Kinda hard to know which way to go. :( I also have a bridge...which is 37 yrs old, and still hanging in there. LOL I think this mostly falls into the category of "getting old sucks"!!! hehehehe

Patti

I don't think there is a perfect solution for everyone - but I was only 29 when I had my bridge replaced - if I assume the tooth will last 15 years that's a lot of removing/reinserting implants! My husband is at the point of wanting all his teeth pulled and dentures (at 32), and after my last experience with the dentist I'm not too far behind. It's not that the dentist was rough on me at all, but having a crown on a tooth with no root canal is the most painful thing I've ever experienced! Lesson of the year - even if you think you like the dentist you're seeing - check with someone who's been seeing them for many years. All of the dental work we are having done now is repairing what our last dentist did - hubby has about $8000 worth of repairs that need done, and mine is around $4000.

I'm just amazed that you remember how many years ago you had that specific dental work done.

Good luck whatever you choose!

Good luck, I have had my DDS to be able to reattach when this happens.

My 2 Cents - A general dentist may have gone to a weekend or a series of weekends seminar and be able to do implants. The following are dental specialists: A Periodontist does an additional three years of residency beyond dental school to do implants and gum surgeries. A Prosthodontist also does implants and dentures- again three additional years of residency beyond dental school. And find out if the specialists are BOARD CERTIFIED-rigorous testing both in the dental clinic and knowledge. Dental care is important and who you choose is also important. Both of the following websites can be searched for board certified specialist in your area. http://www.abperio.org/ and http://www.prosthodontics.org/abp/

Always had bad teeth and to many trips to the dentist. Had mine pulled and got dentures 23 years ago. Only had to get new ones made this year. Love them so glad I did it.

I was under the impression they are glued in place, and when the glue dries out, they come off. Gluing it back in place would be cheaper than a new crown. I understand they now run about $1000 each. I have a few and don't want to have any more. Some I have had for 20+ years.


June in Cincinnati