Bonded tooth keeps breaking off

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

jenharvey@gmail.com - 31 Dec 2004 01:03 GMT

I have a front tooth with a discoloration that occurred when I was very
young. My dentist bonded it about a month ago with a "white filling."
After a week and half or so, the edge cracked off in my sleep. I went
back and had it redone, but two weeks later, it broke again in the same
place.

They weren't able to see me until after the holidays, so I went to
another recommended dentist to have it rebonded (I actually asked if
maybe there was some better solution than bonding, especially since
it's a front tooth). He said that bonding was definitely the best
solution for the tooth, but that the bonding had to cover the entire
tooth in order to avoid breakage at the edges. So, he bonded the entire
tooth from gum to bottom, making kind of a large tooth, but if it would
stay on, it was fine with me.

Well, this new, stronger bonding lasted a whole two days! I was talking
on the phone at work today when the whole thing fell off, it looked
like a white, pinkie-sized Lee Press-On nail. :)

So, my questions really are:

- Both dentists are very nice, but I'm now very wary--would it be wise
to see yet another dentist to get a third opinion?

- Is a cap a better option and if so, how the heck do I convince my
dentists that it's the best solution? (I had a cap put on as a teenager
and it stayed put for at least 11 years--the bonding has broken three
times in just 28 days).

- When I got the initial bonding, the dentist ground down the front of
my tooth a lot--can I still get a porcelain cap put on if there's a pit
there?

- Now that the second bonding has fallen off, it appears that some
bonding material has remained (only a small pit in the middle). My
tooth feels a lot more natural to me and actually doesn't look
abnormal, it just shows the discoloration and is a little
dull/not-shiny. Can I leave it this way for awhile (at this point, the
discoloration is more desirable to me than a cracked-looking shiny
white tooth) or will there be some problem because there may be enamel
missing in places?

I appreciate any advice you can spare, I am spending so much money and
time at the dentist, and it only seems to lead towards spending more
money and time at the dentist...

Reply to this Message

Joel M. Eichen - 31 Dec 2004 01:20 GMT

>I have a front tooth with a discoloration that occurred when I was very
>young. My dentist bonded it about a month ago with a "white filling."
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>on the phone at work today when the whole thing fell off, it looked
>like a white, pinkie-sized Lee Press-On nail. :)

It can be done but both of these dentists may not be "Masters of
Bonding."

This might lead to some interesting discussions right here, such as
what bonding system is best, etc.

>So, my questions really are:
>
>- Both dentists are very nice, but I'm now very wary--would it be wise
>to see yet another dentist to get a third opinion?

A better dentist ... is this some kind of dental plan?

Joel M. Eichen DDS

>- Is a cap a better option and if so, how the heck do I convince my
>dentists that it's the best solution? (I had a cap put on as a teenager
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>time at the dentist, and it only seems to lead towards spending more
>money and time at the dentist...

Reply to this Message

jenharvey@gmail.com - 31 Dec 2004 15:17 GMT

Both dentists are on my insurance, but that's somewhat irrelevant--I'm
paying for this all out-of-pocket because insurance doesn't cover
"cosmetic" procedures. I'm going to be driving 40 miles out of the way
to go to an out-of-network dentist recommended by other family, because
I just don't know what else to do.

Any input on the other questions re: getting a cap? I really don't
think that bonding is the right solution for this tooth, but am not an
expert.

Also, as per my previous question that wasn't answered--can I just
leave the tooth like this for awhile?

Reply to this Message

Joel M. Eichen - 31 Dec 2004 15:55 GMT

>Both dentists are on my insurance, but that's somewhat irrelevant--I'm
>paying for this all out-of-pocket because insurance doesn't cover
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>think that bonding is the right solution for this tooth, but am not an
>expert.

Bonding is the BEST solution. Some "crown-happy dentists" ~ sorry, I
hate using that term, its so pejorative ~ but I do not know how else
to say it. Some rely on the bonding falling off to create a need for
more expensive crownwork.

A minimally invasive procedure is BEST. Can you take a picture of the
tooth and post it at www.tinypic.com and perhaps some of the
BONDOdontists (expert BONDSmen and BONDSwomen) right here can give you
suggestions and an idea what to ask the new dentist to get a solid
job.

I have some piccies of cracked front teeth a lot worse than yours and
how beautiful they look afterwards. I gotta search my <My Pictures>
folder .....

Joel

>Also, as per my previous question that wasn't answered--can I just
>leave the tooth like this for awhile?

Reply to this Message

StovePipe - 31 Dec 2004 16:40 GMT

> Any input on the other questions re: getting a cap? I really don't
> think that bonding is the right solution for this tooth, but am not an
> expert.
>
> Also, as per my previous question that wasn't answered--can I just
> leave the tooth like this for awhile?

There is no risk in leaving the tooth as is if the enamel is not broken.
Consider having the bonding material filed off and polished. After the
holidays, consider having a porcelain veneer done. There is a reason
that the bonding material broke so quickly after two different dentists
did the bonding. I am sure the problem is the way your teeth come
together, or you clench your teeth together, causing breakage.

If you get a porcelain veneer and an anticlenching device (NTI, which
will be covered at least in part by your insurance) you have the best
possible assurance that the thing will stay on and with good and lasting
esthetics. Ask the dentist doing the work if s/he will give you two
years' warranty on the veneer. S/he probably will, if you agree to wear
the NTI EVERY NIGHT, NO EXCEPTIONS, and have twice yearly checkups and
cleaning as necessary. That way s/he can monitor what is going on.

Do realize that you have not posted any photos, so this is a general
answer, and seeing the thing in your mouth may modify what is suggested
here.
HTH
SP

Signature

Not a real Addy, yet

Reply to this Message

W_B - 01 Jan 2005 08:37 GMT

>Any input on the other questions re: getting a cap? I really don't
>think that bonding is the right solution for this tooth, but am not an
>expert.

OK here's my input:

No matter the cause of the original cause of the fracture
the repeated history of fracture of new restorations leads
us to a diagnosis of nocturnal parafunction.
That means you grind your teeth in your sleep.
(and as well may be the original cause*)

So both conditions must be treated *at the same time*.
Repair the tooth in question and then...
prevent further nocturnal parafunction.

In laymens terms, make a device that prevents
night-time grinding immediately after restoring the tooth.
Some restorative materials are better than others;
the same holds true of a specific dental practitioners skill.
As well as any other vocation/profession that you may select.

>Also, as per my previous question that wasn't answered--can I just
>leave the tooth like this for awhile?

As long as you have no appreciable pain, and the appearance doesn't
bother you... Leave it be, but get it checked by a dentist for active
decay at least 2x/year, maybe more.

You may contact me privately if you wish.

--
W_B

wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com
Take out the G'RBAGE

Reply to this Message

Joel M. Eichen - 01 Jan 2005 13:23 GMT

>>Any input on the other questions re: getting a cap? I really don't
>>think that bonding is the right solution for this tooth, but am not an
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>the repeated history of fracture of new restorations leads
>us to a diagnosis of nocturnal parafunction.

>That means you grind your teeth in your sleep.
>(and as well may be the original cause*)

Hah.

Joel

Ever see a busted front tooth? Its real.

>So both conditions must be treated *at the same time*.
>Repair the tooth in question and then...
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
>You may contact me privately if you wish.

Reply to this Message

perduetodo - 05 Jan 2005 01:49 GMT

I HAVE THE BEST DENTIST FOR BONDING. HIS WORK IS THE BEST AND I RAN FOR YEARS
TO FIND HIM. HIS BONDING LASTS FOR YEARS. IT MUST DEPEND ON THE DENTIST AND
THEIR QUALITY OF WORK..

Reply to this Message

carabelli - 05 Jan 2005 02:00 GMT

"perduetodo" <perdue2do@aol.comnojunk> wrote ..................

I RAN FOR YEARS.............

Run Forrest, Run

carabelli

Reply to this Message

StovePipe - 05 Jan 2005 06:53 GMT

> I HAVE THE BEST DENTIST FOR BONDING. HIS WORK IS THE BEST AND I RAN FOR YEARS
> TO FIND HIM. HIS BONDING LASTS FOR YEARS. IT MUST DEPEND ON THE DENTIST AND
> THEIR QUALITY OF WORK..

Oh... I didn't realize you were one of my patients.... ;-)
SP

Signature

Not a real Addy, yet

Reply to this Message

Joel M. Eichen - 05 Jan 2005 10:46 GMT

>I HAVE THE BEST DENTIST FOR BONDING. HIS WORK IS THE BEST AND I RAN FOR YEARS
>TO FIND HIM. HIS BONDING LASTS FOR YEARS. IT MUST DEPEND ON THE DENTIST AND
>THEIR QUALITY OF WORK..

Exactly. Same as a stone mason or a brick layer. They all use mortar
and bricks ........ some is excellent, others no.

Joel

Reply to this Message