35 year old Temporary Crown - Dental Health Message Board

njoy · 08-22-2006, 02:39 AM

I had a temporary (metal) crown put on a back tooth when I was 25 years old and it is still in place, with no problems, now that I'm 60. I have only been to the dentist a few times in 35 years but they always want to "pop it off and see what's under there". I've never let them.

Today, I had a full set of xrays but, for the first time, the dentist didn't discuss my temporary crown. I'm wondering why not and if I should get the crown changed. Any thoughts appreciated.

buddee · 08-22-2006, 02:13 PM

He probably didn't mention it because he is tired of telling you about it. Temporary crowns are meant to be just that - temporary. They don't fit perfectly, and they aren't cemented with very strong cement because the dentist needs to be able to get them off. Having said all that, it really depends on what they made the temporary out of, what it was cemented with, and how well it fits around the edges. If it was made out of stainless steel, or a very hard acrylic, fits very well, and was cemented with a strong cement, it it probably okay, but your dentist can't know until he takes it off and looks underneath.

Usually, A temporary allows some "leakage", meaning that bacteria can seep under the crown because it doesn't fit perfectly. If the bacteria get under the temp, they have a perfect home to breed, multiply, and eat away your tooth.

Temps are usually supposed to last a few weeks to a few months. I saw a temp that had lasted a few years, but when the dentist took off the temp, there was almost nothing underneath. The tooth had to be extracted.

If the dentist takes it off, he will need to put on a permanent crown, and that will have a fee associated with it, probably around $1000. But the permanent crown will be custom made to your tooth, fit much better, be stronger, and have permanent cement.

But in the end, it is your decision. They are after all, your teeth.

Thelma-Louise · 08-22-2006, 07:05 PM

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Its been there 35 years - and no abcess, pain or discomfort? Its not loose, is not bothering you in any way? X-rays don't show anything going on? No bad taste if you floss around it? Its appearance is OK - it still sits correctly around the tooth, no cracks, or gaps near the gum line? Your bite is still comfortable? Why play around with it now? It might be better to just leave it alone.

My dentist insisted that I have my bottom molars crowned due to large fillings despite the fact they did not bother me at all - guess what - then they all needed root canals and the crowns never fit or felt like my old teeth - they just looked better. Then the dentist told me all the problems I was having with them were b/c the teeth were bad, I had a cross bite, I had tmj problems, etc. - well they weren't bothering me before he did what he insisted was the best thing to do. He made me feel guilty of neglecting them to get me to do what he wanted and then made me feel guilty again when I complained about them. I would take my old molars back with the large black fillings in them any day. I wish I had listened to my mother's advice back then - if it ain't broken don't fix it.

I would leave that crown alone unless it starts showing signs of a problem.

njoy · 08-23-2006, 02:46 AM

Each time of the four or five times I've seen a dentist has been a one time situation so nobody was tired of telling me anything, Buddee.

T-L, thanks for your common sense approach. There is no sign of problems in the area of my cap so I agree it makes sense to leave well enough alone.

I worked in a dentist's office once (for one week before I quit) and the whole emphasis was money, money, money. The staff and dentist sat around laughing about the people with good dental plans and all the expensive work they "needed". It was really disgusting.

Suzq222 · 08-23-2006, 05:13 AM

Njoy, you give me hope. I've had a temp crown for over 3 years. The dentist doesn't want to do the permanent because I developed major tmj problems when I had that tooth root canaled. He doesn't want to touch it until the tmj is under control and so far noone has been able to get control of the situation. I was wondering how long this temp would hold up and I can only hope for it to be half as long as yours. I totally agree with TL, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.