Quote:
Originally Posted by reddawg50  Why would my dentist be concerned that I will need a crown lengthening in this case: I had a large cavity, but he was already able to fill it, and to place on a temporary crown. The temporary crown fit fine as far as I can tell. Why would a crown lengthening procedure be necessary at this point? |
I know this is almost a month old and I hope the OP checks back for replies...
I STRONGLY. STRONGLY. advise you proceed with caution with crown lengthening if you suspect it might not be necessary. Modern post and core techniques performed by a proficient dentist are usually sufficient.
A little history of my own experience -
11 years old - Kid stuck his foot out in front of me & tripped me at a skating rink, broke my two front teeth in the fall. Root canals & crowns, fine for 10 years.
2007 (21st birthday exactly) - # 9 crown failed below the gum line. First consultation with my usual dentist - Gutta percha filling of previous root canal drilled out, temporary post and crown in the mean while, recommended post and core for #9, replace crown on #8 also to match #9. Temporary crown became loose, some decay of the remaining root, temporary crown cleaned up and decay drilled and temporary replaced and re-cemented, original dentist gave me 3 options - crown lengthening, bridge across #'s 10, 9 and 8 at a minimum, or implant on # 9 & re-crown #8 because both teeth were crowned from the original trauma.
Shopped around a bit, had some good experiences, bad experiences. Had some really crazy quotes from a couple of dentists that refused to touch me unless I spent around $7,000 at one office, $9,000 at another. Restoration fell on the back burner due to lost a good paying job, insurance, etc - Involved in a bad car crash shortly thereafter, really couldn't afford dental work due to medical bills.
In 2010, I returned to the practice of the original dentist. He was no longer with the practice, so I saw the partner. The partner was floored when he found out why I waited so long for the restoration, and advised that no crown lengthening, bridging or implantation was actually necessary. The remaining root was sufficient to build up with a post and core, but continued to recommend replacing both crowns in one shot so they would match (sound advice in my opinion). He apologized and was deeply embarrassed that his partner was the reason I waited so long for treatment. About $1,400.00 later, restoration complete.
The restoration was completed November 2010. I have not had a single problem out of the crowns so far. (knock wood)
Crown lengthening is pretty invasive. As are implants. I strongly advise that anyone with any root left of the tooth seek a 2nd opinion (or a 5th or 6th... as in my case) before undergoing either treatment. Once you remove the root, obviously, you cannot post and core.
