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Re: best procedure for seniors

Posted by cs on 10/30/2009, 11:05 pm, in reply to "Re: best procedure for seniors"

I, too, was faced with the same decision about 6 years ago. I already had a crown on #7 (right lateral incisor), as well as a post and crown on #9(left central incisor). Both were quite "old." I'd had the post and crown for about 25 years, during which time it periodically loosened and had to be cleaned up and reattached by my dentist . . . and the lateral crown for less time, though so long I had forgotten the tooth was crowned. Had that crown not broken off, I probably would not have realized the crown on the incisor also was failing and that the tooth beneath it could not be saved. In addition, # 8 and #10 were healthy for the moment, but looked like they might need major treatment in the future. As a result, my dentist suggested that I also consider veneers or crowns for those teeth, since it would be easier to achieve a better fit and color match if all 4 teeth were treated at the same time. Since my case had previously been described a "an emergency, " I didn't have time to give my decision much thought. Because I was totally unfamiliar with veneers, but already had several crowns in my mouth, — including that one on the lateral plus another on the incisor (which soon would be exchanged for an implant), that's what I chose. In retrospect, I still believe it was a good choice under the circumstances; but having learned more about veneers since then, I'm not sure I wouldn't have been just as satisfied with them. My only concern would be that they seem so fragile (compared to a crown) — and that as an admitted multi-tasker, I might inadvertently damage them while my thoughts were elsewhere. For similar reasons (despite just having had a crown break off) . . . I also thought crowns might be more secure. As for bonding, had my dentist included that as an option . . . (I don't know why he didn't) . . . I might have chosen that — mainly because I'd had a good experience with it in the past. From childhood until just before my left incisor required a crown, my otherwise straight and nicely shaped incisors had been marred by a prominent white spot in the center of each tooth. In addition, that left incisor (#9), which had been root canaled years earlier was getting brittle, but I had declined when my previous dentist suggested a crown for the tooth. Soon afterward, he tried again, this time suggesting covering the spots with bonding (which had just been introduced). Of course I agreed, but within a few weeks, the tooth was damaged in a freak accident and I ended up with a crown. But the bonding on the adjacent tooth survived for almost 25 years (until just before #9 was crowned. I'm not sure my experience was typical, because during the years I've participated in this forum, I often heard bonding described as being less durable and prone to staining. But according to my current dentist — while once true, those problems have largely disappeared with the introduction of new bonding products. I'm not sure how helpful the above is, but it seems to me that you are in a great position, in terms of choices. Not only do you have time to explore the various options fully, but also to; determine which path feels most comfortable to you. .

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