Tag: Dental Implant

Does my tooth need to be extracted?

I moved here from Connecticut in July, so I haven’t had time to thoroughly search out a dentist like I want. I’ve had lower jaw and tooth back on the back left side of my mouth for two weeks. The pain comes and goes. I went to a nearby dentist who did an x-ray. She said that a molar that already has a filling in it has a large cavity. She recommends pulling the tooth and replacing it with a dental implant.

Does this sound right? I had no indication that all of this was happening with the tooth because the pain just started two weeks ago and it comes and goes. Thanks. - Victoria

Victoria - If the pain in your tooth just started, the tooth has only recently become infected. If the tooth cannot be saved, it would be more likely that you would have felt pain months ago. And an x-ray would not be required to see the damage to the tooth. It would be clearly visible, and normally, you would have lost the filling in the tooth long ago.

It is best to seek a second opinion without telling the second dentist about the diagnosis from the first dentist. Your independent second opinion will help you make a decision about the correct treatment for your tooth.

This blog post is sponsored by New Jersey dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

How long is the warranty for dental implants?

I received two dental implants last yearago. One of them kept getting food trapped in it and required constant care, now it has cracked. Am I past any warranty that comes with implants?

Brent from Arkansas

Dear Brent,

Most dentists do not have a warranty with their dental implants. The reason for this are all the variables involved. Some people do not follow the recommended maintenance. That being said, a dentist with integrity will stand behind his or her work. If there was some faulty material used that caused it to crack, most dentists would re-do the work at no charge.

It is highly unusual for the crown of a dental implant to crack after one year. They are designed to last many years. They also should not be getting food trapped in them. Ethically, your dentist should replace it, though he is under no legal obligation to do so.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Allyson Hurley.

Tooth decay

Hi. I’ve got a tooth that is badly decayed. How do you know when to remove it and get an implant, or just do a root canal and a crown. My dentist wants to do an implant, but I would rather keep my tooth.

Thanks, John

 

John,

I’m sorry about your tooth. My feeling is it would depend on how decayed the tooth is. If the tooth can be saved, that is almost always the best option, and yes, you could do a root canal/crown. If, however, it is very badly decayed, then saving it isn’t an option, and an implant or a dental bridge would be good options. For that to be the case the decay would have to go all the way through the tooth to the underside. Other than that, I think your tooth could be saved. Perhaps it would be a good idea to get a second opinion.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Allyson Hurley.