Expert: Tony Appleton BDS DPDS - 8/17/2007

Question
My husband has been dealing with a great deal of dental problems. He avoided the dentist for about ten years because of some bad experiences and is now paying for it. We thought we found a good dentist who was gentle and would work with him. He has had seven root canals a few deep fillings, and his front four teeth are filled and crowned because they did not need root canals but were severly decayed. Six months after the work we have been told that the see a dark area under the crowns that could either be a gap in the seating of the crowns or decay getting under the crowns. We've been told he should have had crown lengthening even though it was never discussed with us prior to the root canals or the crowns that he is now wearing. They office has appologised and stated that if we pay for the crown lengthening they will pay to redo all the crowns.

Today we went to an oral surgeon because he also needs to have his wisdom teeth out, and were told to remove two of the crowned teeth because they are not biting on anything as well as the four wisdom teeth. Also while we were their we asked about the crown lengthening and were told the crown lengthening would weaken his teeth because the area exposed is weaker than the the tooth that normally is above the gum line, plus he may have problems in the future if they crowns fail and needs to get implants. So the oral surgeon is recomending that we skip the crown lengthening and go straight to implants.

Since the first dental office is saying they messed up. Could it be better to take them up on their offer to redo the crowns or would that only buy us a few years before we'd be having to do bone grafting and implants?

Answer
Hi Erica

I would be inclined to suggest you have the crowns replaced rather than rush into implants.

Provided the crowns are properly carried out, and your husband maintains them well, sees the hygienist regularly etc. he should get years out of them. Similarly provided proper maintenance of his gum health he will not lose more bone support so implants would still be a viable option in the future.

Regards

Tony Appleton