Replacing an Existing Crown: How Bad An Idea?

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REP - 22 Aug 2007 11:19 GMT

I have a crown on #11 that is functionally adequate, but just that. It
doesn't look like my other teeth - it sticks out, where my natural teeth
curve in - there's been a black line at the gum since the afternoon it
was installed (I was told my gum would cover it once it healed - never
happened, and it's been over 15 years) and it traps food like crazy.

The tooth underneath has had RCT and a pin. I have been told more than
once that the packing (?) of the canal could have been done better;
there is something on the xrays that the dentists who have seen it think
is not a swell job.

So. Is replacing a permanent crown just because it looks terrible a
really bad idea? I have the idea it is, so I'm asking here before I ask
my dentist!

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"Did Father shoot him? I will eat Grandfather for dinner."
- Helen Keller, on learning of the death of her grandfather

email: aripee at inanna . com

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Dartos - 22 Aug 2007 13:51 GMT

It certainly is not a bad idea, but it does carry some risks.

Sometimes the additional trauma of treating a tooth will
'wake that sleeping dog' (mediocre root canal). Cutting
off the old crown is usually simple enough, but if you want
to retreat the root canal to be more sure of long term success,
that post is going to have to come out as well.

That is sometimes a tough job to do without damaging the root.
If the post comes out OK, the retreat on the endo should be
successful.

Just putting a new crown over the old work carries the risk of
having to take off the new crown in order to try and retreat
the root canal at a later date.

Worst case, you lose the entire tooth and need an implant or bridge
(which could happen at any time anyway with an 'iffy' endo).

Not an easy call,
D

> I have a crown on #11 that is functionally adequate, but just that. It
> doesn't look like my other teeth - it sticks out, where my natural teeth
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> really bad idea? I have the idea it is, so I'm asking here before I ask
> my dentist!

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drrjb1@gmail.com - 23 Aug 2007 02:51 GMT

> I have a crown on #11 that is functionally adequate, but just that. It
> doesn't look like my other teeth - it sticks out, where my natural teeth
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> email: aripee at inanna . com

Just do it yu only live once and to live wit an ugly mouth is
revolting I am a NY Dentist

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