Dental problem

RoVic

Had a visit to the dentist for a routine check up, the day befour the appointment I had a crown come loose as i was drinking a cup of tea and the cup hit the crown in a way it shouldn't have done!.

on the appointment I explained to the dentist what had happned but I didn't really feel his advice was worthy!

he said the crown had shattered and probably wouldn't be worth re cementing it back in, but my own thinking was there was nothing wrong with the crown as it was just loose but never said anything as he was the dentist not me!!

The advice he gave was I had three choises, 1: I could have a new denture fitterd for £275, 2: have an implant for £3000 or 3: just leave it because as it was it was a very tight fit and wouldn't probably come out for some time.

I explained to him that I wasn't keen on a denture as i had a phobia on swallowing it, and since £3000 was just a silly option it looked like it would just have to sit there until it came out!!!

I asked what problems there could be if it came out his reply was obviously there would be a gap and if tooth started aching he would remove the whole remaining tooth.

now since I really beleave the crown is good enough to be re-cemented should he have added this to his options since at the end of the day its my decision?

I'm now cosidering (right or wrong) buying my own cement and doing the job myself !!

advice please ...... Thanks

MovingForwards

See another dentist for a second opinion?

Toothsmith

Just catching a crown on a cup, unless the cup was thrown at you, or you swung it towards your mouth in a weird form of self-harm, shouldn't have dislodged a crown.

This makes me thing you've suffered a root fracture, and it's the root of your tooth that's broken (shattered) and come loose rather than the crown itself. This fits with what the dentist has told you too, although not quite as you've described it. I can't understand what he's said, or his actions from how you describe things though.

If just the crown had come loose, it could be recemented, whatever it's state, without much trouble, and there would be discussions about making a new crown, rather than extracting the tooth etc.

However, if the root had broken, the tooth would have gone loose, but not necessarily have fallen out. If it was still stuck to a broken bit of root, the dentist couldn't remove it,as if he did, he wouldn't be able to get it back in again, and the discussions of extraction etc are all relevant.

But - if it's still stuck to quite a big chunk of the broken root, it's perfectly possible it might stay stuck for a little while.

As for you're DIY idea - it's a bit silly. There are no cements available to the public that would do the job. If it is a broken root - there hasn't been a cement invented yet that would do that job (Otherwise your dentist would have suggested it!)

If you get the crown out, or if it falls out, you'd have the same problem of not being able to get it back on - and if you could - any glue you might buy would irritate the tissues of the gum to the extent that you'd really wish you hadn't.

So, in short, I think your dentist has given you the correct advice. I'm just not that sure that you have understood the problem you have.