Expert: Gary Backlund, DMD, MSD - 11/21/2008

Question
When I was 9 my #9 was knocked cleanly out of my mouth.  It was placed
back in where they performed a root canal.  Shortly after I chipped the same
tooth and they bonded it.  I am now 16 and my dentist told me the #9 is
going through reabsorbtion.  He said I need an implant because I will most
likely lose the tooth.  I am supposed to get my braces off January 12, and
they want to use a retainer with the fake tooth on it until the implantation
process is finished.  If you have any insight or anything opinions, I can use
any information I get. I play softball in the spring and obviously I'll need a
mouthguard.  Will I get my braces off as scheduled?  I don't know what to
think of the whole process... thank in advance for the insight

Answer
Hi Rebecca,

I'm SO sorry to hear this going on. That can be a very traumatic thing to go through, especially at your age. It sounds to me like you are getting very good advice and treatment. As bad as all this sounds, the final result will be worth it! The only reason your braces might be delayed would be that they need something there to hold the false tooth. However, there are other methods of temporarily replacing a missing tooth, so you would need to talk that over with your dentist and orthodontist.

If I were you, I'd stick with the plan. You'll be happy with the ways things turn out....I'm sure!

Best of luck and thanks for writing!

Gary Backlund DMD, MSD