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Dentistry/Son's front tooth damage

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Expert: - 8/7/2006


Question
My 14 year old son had a biking accident which resulted in a fractured front tooth (#8) with exposed pulp. ( No damage to other teeth). Our  visit to our family dentist sent us to an endodontist who performed a root canal.  Now our family dentist is saying that my son must wait up to 4 years (until adult age) to have his tooth/smile repaired!  He looks like a hillbilly with his front tooth half missing and it really bothers me.  (he doesn't seem to care) Is this accurate info from our dentist? Do we really have to wait?  Would appreciate your opinion!

Answer
Dear Lynn:  Nope.  This used to be true before bonding materials became as strong, and as attractive, as they now are.  Your dentist is in the era of "you have to wait until the tooth is completely grown into the mouth before you make a crown."  What I would do is make a hand-sculpted, bonded ceramic veneer to rebuild the missing part of your son's tooth.  This takes one visit, which lasts about one hour, and is about half the cost of a crown.  This restoration of the tooth should last at least 5 years, and I've had them last much longer, thus postponing the need for a crown (hopefully long enough that your son will be old enough to pay for his own!)  dd

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Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO

Expertise

I am a Family, Implant and Cosmetic dentist. I will answer questions on any aspect of dentistry and matters relating to the smile, gums, jaws and lower face. Member American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, and Atlantic Coast District Dental Association. I have served as District Council Member of Alpha Omega, as well as serving for one term as its President. I am also a member of The Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, and Mount Sinai Hospital Guild. I have served as a Volunteer for Project Dental Health and The Tri-County Dental Health Council.

Experience

Having attained over 30 years of clinical experience in private practice in Michigan, in 2001 I was re-certified by taking and passing the Florida State Dental Board Examination. After moving to Florida, I spent nearly 10 years re-honing my skills while working as an Associate Dentist for several large dental groups. In September, 2004, I was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor at Nova University's College of Dental Medicine. I am certified in placement of Mini Dental Implants, and I am Director of The Florida Implant Center (floridaimplantcenter.com). On March 1, 2010, at the age of 62, I began all over again by buying a dental practice near my home in the Fort Lauderdale area. As sole owner and Chief Dental Officer of the new Nob Hill Dental Center (nobhilldentalcenter.com), I can now carefully provide dental care to patients who care, all within a caring, joyful environment. Over my career lifetime, I have provided thousands of diagnoses, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, periodontal treatments, TMJ therapies, partials, dentures and extractions, and dozens of implants for my patients. The only aspect of dentistry with which I have very little experience is orthodontics.

Organizations
American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, Atlantic Coast District Dental Society, Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, Alpha Omega Alumni Association, and American Association of Dental Implantologists. Formerly, American Academy of General Dentistry, Michigan Dental Association, Macomb Dental Society, Detroit District Dental Society, Tri-County Dental Health Council (a charitable dental care organization)

Publications
"How To Save Money At The Dentist" Going to press soon.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Psychology from Wayne State University Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Detroit College of Dentistry Adjunct Clinical Professor, Special Needs Department, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Awards and Honors
Membership in The Vedder Honors Society

Past/Present Clients
HIPAA rules do not allow me to post this information.

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