Hello, and thanks for letting me ask a question. I was in an auto accident – hit head-on by a drunk driver. This required many surgeries, and one of my teeth sustained a spiral crack that extends up through the root. It is a front top tooth, third from the center. They tried to repair it with an “apicoectomy” but the crack was too extensive – about 10 years ago. While having all of the surgeries, they discovered that I also have had sarcoidosis at some time, which is inactive now and has never been symptomatic. Now this tooth is getting quite painful, and I need to determine what to do – I understand that if you have sarcoidosis, you can’t be a candidate for dental implants. I am an author, and frequently have to travel to conferences to give speeches – so my smile is important. What can be done if I can’t have a dental implant?
Thanks,
Amanda in Tennessee
Dear Amanda,
A dental bridge works very well for replacing front teeth. A crown is done on the tooth on either side, and the false tooth is suspended between them.
And if the appearance of your front teeth is important, then be sure you go to an expert cosmetic dentist such as we recommend. Dental bridges can be done so that they create the illusion that there is no false tooth there, but it takes quite a bit of aesthetic sensitivity for a dentist and a laboratory technician to create this illusion.
Dr. Hall
We thank our advertisers who help fund this site. |
|
About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.
Leave a Reply