Question re: Root Canal/Crown

superpennycounter

Hi Guys

I had a root canal done years ago (at least 6 years ago) and have no problems with it what so ever. Then last July whilst eating lunch part of the tooth broke off (only a small piece, say one corner). Went to the dentist and they said I needed a crown fitted but it was going to cost £200 (which I didn't have) so they popped a temporary filling over the tooth and I went on my way.

I had a check up at the beginning of the year and the dentist (who is new - mine is currently on mat leave) said I really need to get a crown done - mentioned the possibility of infection, etc. I duly booked an appointment to it done - next Friday.

Now I am in no pain whatsoever and the tooth is fine and my gums look healthy. I am very good at keeping it clean (brushing, flossing, mouthwash) and I think the temporary filling is holding up well.

Do I really need to get a crown done? I think he was just scaremongering me into having it done.

I really can't afford the £200 at the moment so was going to put it off for a couple more months. I don't receive any benefits as I work full time but my dentist is NHS (to have a crown done privately was over £500! - how do they justify it!!)

Any advice??

Thanks
SPC

brook2jack

A tooth that is root filled is more brittle and more likely to break . Sometimes only a little breaks off, sometimes so much that the tooth is unsalvageable and has to be taken out.

You cannot tell when a tooth is about to break or how much will break off but as a rule of thumb the bigger the filling gets in it the more likely it is to break and the further back in the mouth the more likely it is to break.

So you might be lucky, this tooth might hold out for a while, or a little piece more may break off, or you might be unlucky and the tooth may break badly enough to need to be taken out.

Whether you decide to take the chance depends on how important it is to you to keep the tooth.

Justifying a crown for £500..... a room in a dental surgery costs £130 an hour ( in a cheap area ) upwards to run and a private crown will probably use an hour and a half and the lab fees alone for a private crown range from around £100 to over £1000.

superpennycounter

Thanks brook2jack - think I will have to bite the bullet (no pun intended!). Might delay the procedure until after my holiday though - was due to have the prep done next week and the fitting in May (to spread the cost) but am going on holiday first week in June.

If I did wait and the tooth ended up having to be removed - is it possible to replace it with something or would i just have a hole? Its the second from back tooth which is the problem.

Thanks again
SPC

brook2jack

It may well be possible, but its unlikely ,unless you have other gaps, that anything would be offered on the NHS .

What could be offered depends on the health of the teeth and gums surrounding it and whether they are already filled etc.

What is certain is replacing a tooth has a higher financial and health cost (in most cases) than preserving it.