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Dentistry/root canal failure

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Question
I had a root canal on a molar about 4 years ago.  Every year since, the post and crown have come loose and I have had to get it cleaned out again and glued back in.  I am going to graduate from college soon, and will lose my parents health and dental insurance, and need something more permanent than having to get it re-cemented every year.  My dentist wants to replace the crown, but I don't think that will help, as my crown is not the problem.  What other options do I have?

Katie

Answer
Dear Katie:
You need to have the tooth evaluated by a Prosthodontist, the specialist in restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry.  I would tell you to go to another dentist, but the chances are that the next dentist is not any better than the first one.  A Post/core and crown should not be coming out every year, unless there is a problem.  The problem could be from recurrent decay, inadequate tooth structure remaining, or just work that is not so good.  A Prosthodontist is the person to go to in order to get the proper opinion, get the work redone properly, or just cut your losses, extract the problematic tooth and restore the site with an implant.
www.prosthodontics.org will have a link to locating a Prosthodontist near you, or just call my office and I'll refer you to a colleague.
Best wishes,
Dr. Zev Kaufman

Dentistry

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Zev Kaufman, D.D.S.

Expertise

I can answer any question from simple routine dentistry to very complex dentistry with emphasis on reconstructive, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. My expertise is in co-ordination of very complex treatment plans with other dental specialists or as a one-man-team, since I have extensive training in Prosthodontics, Surgical Implantology, and orthodontics.

Experience

Over a decade in private practice of Surgical Implantology and Prosthodontics. Founder and owner of Prosthodontics & Implant Surgery of Manhattan, PC. Clinical Assistant Professor at the Post-Graduate Department of Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry. Lecture weekly since 1999 on advanced Implant Prosthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry Post-Graduate Program in Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. Former clinical assistant professor of Dental Radiology at the NYU College of Dentistry. Former clinical and lecture faculty at Lincoln Hospital, Dental residency program. Former clinical and lecture faculty at St. Barnabas Hospital (Bronx, NY) dental residency program. Lecture nationally on Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry.

Organizations
Memeber of the American College of Prosthodontics. Memeber of the Acacdemy of Osseointegration. Member or the Omikron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Honors Dental Society. Member of the American Dental Education Association.

Education/Credentials
Graduated with Honors from New York University College of Dentistry. Post-Graduate training and certificate in the specialty of Prosthodontics. Post-Graduate training and ceritificate in Surgical and Prosthetic Implant Dentistry. Honors-program in Comprehensive and Applied Practice Management. Honors-program in Orthodontics.

Awards and Honors
NYU Cervice award to the community. OKU honor society. National Dean's List. National Who's Who.

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