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I'm 70, I have a 3 unit bridge #30, 31, 32. I lost #31 at 25 and had a partial for about 10 years then got a bridge. About 10 years ago the bridge was replaced because the dentist said he was sure there was decay under it (there wasn't). Now my new dentist says that he's sure there's decay under it and wants to remove the bridge and suggested that I consider two crowns and an implant rather than another bridge. The only trouble I've ever had with the bridge is the inconvenience of having to use floss threaders to clean under it. The dentist I'm seeing doesn't do implants so I don't think he's recommending it to get more money.
So, should I even consider the idea of an implant, or just have a new bridge made? (I swear if there's no decay under it this time I'm gonna sock the dentist) At my age and given the length of time since I lost the tooth, is there even a chance that I would have enough bone there to support an implant?
How is he sure there is decay under it? Especially since you say you have never had trouble? I would want some kind of proof that it really needed redoing.
How is he sure there is decay under it? Especially since you say you have never had trouble? I would want some kind of proof that it really needed redoing.
He said there is a shadow at the margin of the crown. About 10 years ago I had a toothache in the same tooth that this dentist is saying is decayed so the dentist (different dentist) removed the bridge and sent me to a periodontist who did a root canal and said there was no decay in the tooth and that the dentist should have had him do the root canal through the crown. I'm not a dentist so I don't know what to think. The last time I had the bridge replaced it cost me $2200 so I'm sure it will cost more than that now.
I wouldn't call it stupid, but whatever is sensible for you. For me and I'm almost 10 yrs older than you, it would be the least invasive and least expensive. Money is a factor in my life.
How is he sure there is decay under it? Especially since you say you have never had trouble? I would want some kind of proof that it really needed redoing.
Often because feeling the margins of the crown where it meets the tooth, it feels soft while it should feel hard like a tooth. Decay under a crown can be difficult to find.
Often because feeling the margins of the crown where it meets the tooth, it feels soft while it should feel hard like a tooth. Decay under a crown can be difficult to find.
He didn't probe it I've never been to this dentist before, my other dentist moved out of state. This guy didn't look in my mouth, just at the x-rays and decided it was decayed by the shadow on the x-ray
He didn't probe it I've never been to this dentist before, my other dentist moved out of state. This guy didn't look in my mouth, just at the x-rays and decided it was decayed by the shadow on the x-ray
Maybe get a second opinion? I am not trying to dispute the dentist, but as you have found out, they CAN be wrong. Before you get into the expense of redoing or getting an implant you may want to feel assured it needs to be done. Redoing anything isn't a guaranteed success. I have no problems with my implant bridge, but my husband got an implant and it has been nothing but trouble. Developed infection and he had to spend as much on treating it as on the implant and it is STILL giving him trouble! He is actually saying he wants it removed. I am only mentioning this so you can consider all options. Again, I have implants and mine are fine; although one did become infected once (but is OK now) If you do need to redo, maybe another bridge would be best.
Maybe get a second opinion? I am not trying to dispute the dentist, but as you have found out, they CAN be wrong. Before you get into the expense of redoing or getting an implant you may want to feel assured it needs to be done. Redoing anything isn't a guaranteed success. I have no problems with my implant bridge, but my husband got an implant and it has been nothing but trouble. Developed infection and he had to spend as much on treating it as on the implant and it is STILL giving him trouble! He is actually saying he wants it removed. I am only mentioning this so you can consider all options. Again, I have implants and mine are fine; although one did become infected once (but is OK now) If you do need to redo, maybe another bridge would be best.
Good luck to you!
Thanks for your review and about your husband. I know one person in my circle of friends who has had implants and she did have problems with first dentist and even went as far as legal action against him,,,he was in her directory for her insurance or dental plan or whatever she had. She went thru months of pain and stress with her issue. I haven't talked to her recently about it now as I don't see a lot of these people anymore due to my knee stuff.
I never felt comfortable with metal posts going into my bones so I never had a curosity for implants for me even if I had the money.
Once done, surgery for sure can't be reversed and that can go for a lot of dental work too.
Maybe get a second opinion? I am not trying to dispute the dentist, but as you have found out, they CAN be wrong. Before you get into the expense of redoing or getting an implant you may want to feel assured it needs to be done. Redoing anything isn't a guaranteed success. I have no problems with my implant bridge, but my husband got an implant and it has been nothing but trouble. Developed infection and he had to spend as much on treating it as on the implant and it is STILL giving him trouble! He is actually saying he wants it removed. I am only mentioning this so you can consider all options. Again, I have implants and mine are fine; although one did become infected once (but is OK now) If you do need to redo, maybe another bridge would be best.
Good luck to you!
You are right, and I think at this point it only makes sense to get a second opinion, especially since this will be the second time I had decay under this bridge and the last time after they removed the bridge there was no decay at all.
I had an implant and a standard bridge and I'd pick the implant. It feels set in cement while the bridge - well, it doesn't feel the same. However, an implant is a very invasive procedure and I had a long relationship with the dentist who recommended the implant surgeon to me. I felt major trust with both of them and I wouldn't even consider that big a procedure, or the expenditure of replacing a bridge, on the recommendation of just anybody. If I felt uncertain, as you seem to do, I'd either look for someone I felt I could trust, or I'd take my time making the decision, especially since you seem to doubt the decay based on your own experience.
I had an implant and a standard bridge and I'd pick the implant. It feels set in cement while the bridge - well, it doesn't feel the same. However, an implant is a very invasive procedure and I had a long relationship with the dentist who recommended the implant surgeon to me. I felt major trust with both of them and I wouldn't even consider that big a procedure, or the expenditure of replacing a bridge, on the recommendation of just anybody. If I felt uncertain, as you seem to do, I'd either look for someone I felt I could trust, or I'd take my time making the decision, especially since you seem to doubt the decay based on your own experience.
thanks for sharing your experience, what I hate most about the bridge is the constant problem of cleaning food from the space where there's no tooth.
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I've never been to this dentist before, my other dentist moved out of state. This guy didn't look in my mouth, just at the x-rays and decided it was decayed by the shadow on the x-ray
