Ok..Fixed bridge *(3unit)OR dental implants?

[amb42]

Ok. so I saw the periodontist today. Told me she can do the crown lengthening on 29 *was drilled down to a pulp-so to speak-lot of decay too so not much too work with so that i s why I need 3mm for crown lengthening done---BUT also has to drill the BONE down too! in my jaw! Um...I am a little nervous..
She said fixed bridges usually only last 5-7 yrs? so ok after 2 root canals (number 29 and 31)30 I had the tooth pulled when I origianly had bridge put in... Do I even bother with crown lengthening -3mm on #29 and 2nd mesial on 31?)///said she would have to do 2 nd tooth in front ..so this comes to 1089.00. I get a discount on 2nd tooth! gee..great....
My question is should I just get dental implant in number 29 and 30? 31 could definitely just have a crown put on...
What to do? She said the dental implants dont last either? I thought it was better to go dental implant route in long run?
help dentists!!
I cannot even get in for the actual surgery until 5/2. then need 6 stitches out 1 week later. Then I see her 2 more times...and then finally GET FITTED FOR NEW BRIDGE..2months at least she said to wait from time of surgery.

She said well I went this far..just to go with bridge.. IK am still paying on it and wonder if my dentist would give me refund if I wanted dental implants instead since I am not going to get permaenent bridge---? I am trying to decide.
Shall I go for second opinion? I think I want to! Help anyone!

 

[MG]

Probably not much help, but I'm having a bunch of implants placed and permanent bridges attached to them. My implant specialist said that the implants should last for the rest of my life, and I'm only 26.

 

[amb42]

thanks MG! and good luck to you! Let me know how it goes since I am very interested in the dental implant route now! I have heard they last almost forever too--but this woman was like no there isn't enough proof since they came out a few years ago? Im thinking it seems better than dealing with 2 teeth that might go on to have more problems..and she says, well, you invested enough with the bridge you might as well continue but itll prb. need to be replaced again in 5-7 years! um, ok so I need another 3k every 5 years? argh!!!!!!!!
I think Ill get a second op[inion!

 

[Zzzdentist]

I would say you might want to go with the bridge since your dentist seems to have started down that road already with the root canals and perio referral for crown lengthening. I don't think he would have suggested it if he didn't think it would last. It's hard to say though since he would be the best one to know about the condition of your teeth. He must have felt that they were good enough to restore with a bridge so that's why he went that route.

With proper care and maintenance, I would imagine a bridge should last longer than 5-7 years unless you have some severe unprotected grinding habit or really bad acid reflux problem. Are there any factors that might be making them give you a 5-7 year lifespan?

 

[amb42]

I think the dentist can only hope my bridge falls apart so I need more dental work done! Joking!!
I dont know. She said without maintenance etc....etc..but then again she said it may last longer. I am hoping for a longgggggg time. I thought having dental implants would be best route and less problems...........thanks for your advice!

BTW. She said she has to go into my bone not just crown lengthening? I only need novocaine still??

 

[Zzzdentist]

Oh, don't worry too much about the bone part. Yes local anesthetic is all you need for crown lengthening. It's basically just a procedure that reveals more of the tooth to allow access to it better for restorative purposes. They just work around the neck of the tooth to take a little bone away so that more tooth is above the gumline. You just can't work with teeth that have deeply submerged margins under the gum and bone.

Imagine it like wearing a pair of huge granny knickers. Your tattoo artist just can't get to the spot that you want that special tattoo of the words "I love Gordon" to go so they basically trim a little off the top rim of the undies to get to the good parts.

Crown lengthening usually refers to the removal of bone and gum to "lengthen" the amount of accessible tooth above the gumline. Gingivectomy refers to the removal of gum tissue only.

Keep in mind that I haven't seen you or know anything about the specifics of your teeth so my opinion is more just an educated guess without any real basis in reality. Plus I might be enebriated and wearing a rather large, but comfy diaper just to put things into perspective.

 

[Gordon]

Imagine it like wearing a pair of huge granny knickers. Your tattoo artist just can't get to the spot that you want that special tattoo of the words "I love Gordon" to go so they basically trim a little off the top rim of the undies to get to the good parts.

You bugger, I was just about to have my dinner... how am I going to get that picture out of my head!

Anyone want a plate of pasta with tomato and chilli sauce?

--

 

[Zzzdentist]

Okay so maybe I went overboard with my analogy. I will admit to that. Hard liquor can do unpredictable things to a dentist's judgement!

But really, there's nothing wrong with young, adoring females in dental distress tattooing their affections towards certain dentists on their person. You never know - it could happen!