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Re: Need help making a decision...Please!

Posted by cs on 8/13/2009, 11:03 am, in reply to "Re: Need help making a decision...Please!"

Hmmm . . . I hate to disappoint you, Dawn, but you are asking a fellow patient who fortunately has even less experience with dental restorations than you do. While it's true that over the years I've experienced several scary dental incidents — for the most part I've been lucky in that most of the dentists who have treated me have been passionate, talented professionals, with the training, experience, equipment, and creativity needed to save almost all my natural teeth. As a result, while I have managed to accumulate an assortment of fillings and crowns — and even a single implant, I've never been faced with a decision like the one confronting you now. But I can tell you that in general, I tend to opt for the least invasive treatment first — knowing that if necessary, the problem usually can be revisited later. I probably would address the decision regarding pontics in a similar way. If the teeth they would replace are healthy, I would look for another alternative. . . Come to think of it, I did have to make a similar decision that only arose after my other dental work was completed. In a nutshell: As I explained in my previous response, I have independent crowns (including one on an implant) on my 4 top, front teeth. Since the problem leading to that situation also required realignment of the opposing lower teeth, my dentist suggested and I agreed that it made sense to take advantage of InvisAlign to broaden my upper arch at the same time. The result was better than I had expected, but in the course of treatment, my first premolar was rotated, revealing the shadow of a dark amalgam filling that probably was placed decades ago. Although my dentist suggested crowning it to match my other "new teeth," I was reluctant to disturb the tooth, but agreed to bonding, instead. Later we did the same for my canine tooth, which had started to look a little yellow near the gumline as gum recession revealed the dentin. In other words, have you asked your dentist about options other than pontics if those teeth have not been extracted and still are relatively healthy? As for the span your dentist is suggesting, I still am having trouble picturing the what you have described — but even if that were not the case, if I were considering such an extensive project, I definitely would consult at least 1-2 more cosmetic dentists for their input. Whether they offer free consultations or charge for the visits, if their insight enabled me to make such an important decision more confidently, the investment would be worth it to me. Good luck as you move forward with your dental work. Hope you'll keep us updated on your decision and how it works out.

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Responses: Re: Need help making a decision...Please! - dawn 8/16/2009, 9:53 pm « Back to thread

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