[Lynnlee22]

I had a root canal done on tooth #12 that has broken. I went to get the tooth evaluated and it could be retreated and crowned, but I'm not sure I want to go that route. I also have issues with tooth #14. It has a deep filling and needs a root canal according to the endo but I don't want want to invest money into a tooth that will eventually fail.

I'm seriously considering extracting both teeth and looking into restoration options. My dentist has recommended implants but my insurance doesn't cover them and they are extremely expensive. I asked about a bridge and was told they are only for consecutive missing teeth. I have researched a little online and I've seen options that should make a bridge possible for this situation. I do not have my wisdom teeth but the surrounding teeth are in tact though 15 has been filled.

Can anyone provide any experiences or recommendations? I don't want to disagree with the dentist without any actual knowledge. Thank you!

[Bryanna]

Lynnlee,

A permanent bridge to replace #12 and 14 :

Option 1) A cantilever bridge (or compound fixed bridge) where tooth #12 would be a pontic (fake tooth). Tooth #13 and 15 would be cut down and used as anchor teeth to hold a 4 unit bridge from #12 through 15. This type of cantilever bridge is more stable than if the pontic were the last tooth in the arch. When the last tooth is a cantilever, the bridge is very unstable.

Option 2) Teeth #11, 13 and 15 would be cut down to anchor a 5 unit bridge from teeth #11-15. This is a lot of teeth to cut down.

Here's where the problems lie:

If any of the anchor teeth are compromised, meaning they have large fillings and/or root canals, they are not a real healthy option for anchoring any size bridge. If after the bridge is placed anything goes wrong with any of the anchor teeth, the bridge has to be removed and a new one has to be made incorporating additional anchor teeth.

Dental implants are sometimes a better option as they do not ruin the integrity of the adjacent teeth. However, dental implants are also a risky option when they are replacing root canaled teeth as the bone surrounding a root canaled tooth may always be compromised to some degree. The length of time the root canaled tooth is present and/or the severity of the tooth infection can have a profound impact on the health of the surrounding bone.

To clarify.... root canaled teeth will never again be healthy teeth. The rc procedure is done to retain the tooth for an uncertain amount of time, not cure an infection. During that time, the infection can proliferate beyond the tooth into the adjacent teeth, into the surrounding bone or beyond. If you remove #12 and 14 and do not want to have dental implants then a 4 unit cantilever bridge (compound fixed bridge) from #12 (being the cantilever) through #15 may be the least expensive option at this point in time.

Discuss this option with your dentist and see what he says. If he feels uncomfortable doing this type of bridge, you may want to consult with a Prosthodontist who is a dentist with additional education and experience in doing this type of dentistry. I will attach a diagram of this type of bridge so you can see what it is.

Bryanna

Originally Posted by Lynnlee22

I had a root canal done on tooth #12 that has broken. I went to get the tooth evaluated and it could be retreated and crowned, but I'm not sure I want to go that route. I also have issues with tooth #14. It has a deep filling and needs a root canal according to the endo but I don't want want to invest money into a tooth that will eventually fail.

I'm seriously considering extracting both teeth and looking into restoration options. My dentist has recommended implants but my insurance doesn't cover them and they are extremely expensive. I asked about a bridge and was told they are only for consecutive missing teeth. I have researched a little online and I've seen options that should make a bridge possible for this situation. I do not have my wisdom teeth but the surrounding teeth are in tact though 15 has been filled.

Can anyone provide any experiences or recommendations? I don't want to disagree with the dentist without any actual knowledge. Thank you!